Exciting new cultural exchange for Ballina
The Scranton Fringe Festival was founded in 2015 and has become one of Northeast Pennsylvania's most vibrant cultural events.
Minister Dara Calleary has welcomed an exciting new cultural exchange between Ballina and its twin town in the USA, Scranton in Pennsylvania. For the first time since the towns were twinned in 1990, the arts communities in Ballina and Scranton will come together to explore how cultural heritage can inform and enrich their relationship.
In October 2025, Scranton Fringe will bring across the Atlantic to be presented at the Ballina Arts Centre.
The Scranton Fringe Festival was founded in 2015 and has become one of Northeast Pennsylvania's most vibrant cultural events.
Dedicated to creating a bold, engaging platform for thought-provoking art, the festival has become an incubator of unique creative work.
This original theatrical production offers a creative, humorous, and contemporary interpretation of James Joyce’s literary masterpiece, uniquely reimagined in the context of Northeast Pennsylvania in the 21st century.
In return, a musical group from Mayo will visit Scranton in March 2026, bringing the rich musical traditions and artistry of the county to Ballina’s sister city.
The organisers hope this partnership will be a launching pad for future collaborations between artists, organisations, and communities in Scranton and Ballina. Conor Kelly-O’Brien, co-founder and executive director of the Scranton Fringe Festival, said: “We are thrilled to embark on this international cultural exchange with our new friends at the Ballina Arts Centre."
Paul Cunningham, Director of Ballina Art Centre, added: “We look forward to bringing the arts and culture to the fore of the already strong relationship between Ballina and Scranton.”
Minister Dara Calleary also welcomed the initiative.
“I am delighted that the long-standing link between Scranton and Ballina is being further enhanced and enriched. I wish to compliment everyone involved in organising this exchange – it will greatly add to the relationship between Ballina and Scranton and culturally enrich both towns.
"The Scranton Fringe Festival has a growing and glowing reputation. I am delighted that Ballina will now benefit from this exchange as we further build our relationship.”
This initiative highlights the power of the arts to foster connections across cultures. Ties between Ballina and Scranton go back to well before the twinning in 1990, with many Irish families settling there since the Famine. Former President Joe Biden, who is so proud of his Ballina heritage, spent 10 years of his early life in Scranton, and many other Ballina families also have strong ties to the area.
Using traditional art forms, such as theatre and music, to explore contemporary themes will further strengthen the ties between the two communities, and ensure their cultural heritage remains dynamic and relevant to modern audiences of both towns.
