Balbriggan - A growing destination for arts, celebrates creativity

Balbriggan’s growing reputation as a centre for the arts will be further enhanced between now and Christmas with a series of cultural happenings in the town.

Events kick-off with the launch of local man Matthew Kelly’s ‘Dear Balbriggan’, a fascinating anthology of the town’s creative talent at the Our Balbriggan Hub at Georges Square on Thursday, December 15. 

Doors open at 5.00pm, launch is at 6.00pm and all are welcome.  

The occasion will mark the start of a series of events open to the public over the weekend, inspired by locally-based artists eager to celebrate creativity over consumption during the festive season.

Activities will centre on three other venues throughout the town: The Old Bank Building, George’s Square; The Warehouse, Vauxhall Street (adjacent to Monica Tolan’s) and 2-4 Dublin Street, formerly Vision Radio.

Balbriggan visual artist and art educator Alison O’Grady’s 60-canvas composition, Ár mBaile, which captures the town painted through the eyes of its people, will be launched at 2-4 Dublin Street (beside the Courthouse) on Friday, December 16 at 5.00pm.

Learn more about Matthew Kelly’s Dear Balbriggan Project    

Learn more about Alison O'Grady's Ár mBaile

The Warehouse on Vauxhall Street will host music and art and engagement on Friday between 5.00pm-11.00pm and on Saturday from 10.00am to 6.00pm.

Local creatives who submitted an artwork as part of a competition themed on reconnecting with nature, will form part of The Warehouse exhibition. 

Prizes will be presented at The Warehouse on Friday evening.

The Warehouse event, along with a visual art exhibition at The Old Bank, Georges Square, taking place on Friday (5.00pm-9.00pm) and Saturday (10.00am-6.00pm) are curated by Italian art historian and visual arts curator Valeria Ceregini.

They include the work of acclaimed locally-based artists Darren Rogers and Thomas Brezing. 

Darren is the creator of the visually stunning interactive lithophone sculpture, carved from Kilkenny limestone, located in the greenspace by the Martello Tower bandstand.

Thomas’ work explores the collective shadow of contemporary mass culture from a variety of conceptual and performative perspectives. 

Further details can be found on @OurBalbriggan Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.