Top-class music and drama at Ballina Arts Centre
Local singer-songwriter Cathal Connolly takes to the stage ahead of the release of his debut album.
Knockmore singer songwriter Cathal Connolly returns to the Ballina Arts Centre for an eagerly awaited album release night on Friday, May 31st.
Having shared stages with the likes of No Crows, Greenshine, and Cormac O’Caoimh, Cathal's first album will release in July. Aptly named , the collection of eight original songs was recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic. It brings together musical talent from around the world with the Cello recorded in Berlin, while the violin was laid-down in Foxford.
The album also features international musicians such as Zoe Conway and David Doocey.
Cathal’s acoustic guitar-driven sound creates an intimate atmosphere. His catchy melodies and honest, relatable lyrics invite listeners to connect with his storytelling and leave them wanting more.
Known for his blend of folk and pop, Cathal’s performances are always both moving and fun. Adding to this celebratory night’s entertainment will be the talented Ballina singer-songwriter, Aisling Mullarkey, who plays support.
“Aisling is a top-class performer. She has supported Lisa Hannigan and Mundy and has a much larger social media following than me," remarked Cathal.
Audience members will also have the chance to win a copy of the new album.
Tickets are available from the Ballina Arts Centre Box Office on 096-73593 or via the centre's website.
The award-winning 1990 play, , from the pen of the late Northern Irish playwright Brian Friel, is set in Donegal in early August 1936 around the Celtic festival of Lughnasa.
It will be presented by The Windmill Players in Ballina Arts Centre on Friday and Saturday, June 7th and 8th.
The Windmill Players, formerly known as St Farnan's Drama Group, is an amateur drama group based in West Sligo.
The group previously introduced Ballina audiences to a stunning adaptation of , which received a standing ovation when it was presented in Ballina Arts Centre in February 2023.
With a cast of eight, the story in is told from the point of view of the adult Michael Evans, as he recounts that August in his aunts’ cottage when he was just seven years old.
The play depicts those late summer days when love briefly seemed possible for five of the Mundy sisters. Their older brother, Fr Jack, has recently returned home from Uganda and his erratic behaviour troubles the five sisters greatly. Meanwhile, the unexpected return of Michael’s charming, but completely unreliable father, Gerry, keeps Michael and Christina on tenterhooks as to whether he will ever settle down with them.
A 1998 film adaptation of , directed by Pat O’Connor and starring Meryl Streep and Michael Gambon, won an IFTA.
Tickets for the play, which starts at 8pm each night, are priced at €15 and can be booked online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com
