New Newry Arts Festival Launches in the City for 2023

A ten-day celebratory mix of exhibitions, comedy, music and drama will shine a light on Newry’s arts scene as part of a major new festival.

Running from 2 to 11 February, Newry Arts Festival will welcome renowned acts from the Newry area, including Rozlyn Sheridan, Newpoint Players, Joanne Quigley McParland and the Fews Ensemble and visual artist Cora Harrington, as well as top artists from across the region.

In this diverse programme, comedians Paddy McDonnell, Ciaran Bartlett and William Thompson will be among those drawing crowds to the city, art exhibitions will celebrate the work of Seán Hillen, Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon and Richard Kelly, and drama lovers can enjoy a range of productions from Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days to the Dirty Dancing themed comedy ‘Nobody Puts Bernie in the Corner’.

Music lovers can look forward to performances including the London Film Music Orchestra presenting iconic film music from Hans Zimmer and John Williams, the singer-songwriter Brigid O’Neill’s Country Folk with a dash of jazz, and eclectic fiddle and guitar music from Zoë Conway and John McIntyre. There’s a series of accessible music workshops too with Garden of Music.

For family fun, join the StreetFeast Team as they celebrate our farmers, chefs, foragers, distillers and artisans at the moveable food and drink Street Feast in Newry Market. The festival also features workshops ranging from soap making to traditional willow weaving, as well as interactive kids’ workshops. Or for something a bit different why not undertake the Silent Disco Adventure Tour of Newry.

Some of Newpoint’s illustrious members also come home for a special evening of tales, dramatic readings and maybe even a dance at Newry Town Hall.

Events will take place across Newry City in Newry Town Hall, Newry and Mourne Museum, Finegan & Son and The Imaginarium Arts and Story Centre. 

The new Newry Arts Festival was conceived following the popular virtual Re:Imagine Arts Festival produced in 2021. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Michael Savage said, “The Newry Arts Festival is something to really look forward to at the start of 2023, with an impressive range of talent on display and a diverse programme catering for a range of ages and tastes.

“It is an exciting time for the Newry arts scene with a brand new Theatre and Conference Centre planned for the city. Ahead of this multi-million pound development the festival wants to recognise the many artists who have contributed to Newry’s rich artistic life through the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. Many of the artists performing will have honed their craft at this theatre, so it is wonderful to see them taking part in the Newry Arts Festival to recognise that legacy and celebrate the local arts scene.”

Tickets and programme details can be found at newryartsfestival.com