Dominic Kirwans stage presence lights up the room, ignites and engages the audience and holds them in the palm of his hands, a vibrant mix of classic country, a hint of rock and roll, a sprinkling of a ballad, a touch of a standard with just a spot of an inspirational classic and you have the Dominic Kirwan show. Impossible to pigeon hole since he broke on to the circuit as a professional singer Dominic from Omagh in County Tyrone has been entertaining professionally since 1989.

It comes as no surprise that Kirwan will go back to his roots, after all he is from a hotbed of country and Irish music and this particular genre of music is back as popular and as big as it ever was. Dominic grew up in the era of Brian Coll, Frankie McBride and the showbands and his own musical background saw him develop into the entertainer he remains, comfortable with the country, the ballad, the Irish classic and the showband hit.

In the "My Ireland Tour" Dominic will pay tribute to these local artistes, "hometown heros" he calls them while the songs from Brendan Bowyer, Dickie Rock and the man himself Joe Dolan the legends of Irelands showband era will also play a prominent part of this new look show.

The Dominic Kirwan "My Ireland Tour" will offer audiences young and old a wonderful night of entertainment, just right for these early Spring nights.

Vincent Sheridan studied at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin and the Dublin Institute of Technology. He has been working as a full-time artist since 1981. From 1989 to 1998 Sheridan lived and worked as an artist in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada. He returned to Dublin in 1999. In 2007 he graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, specialising in video. He joined the Black Church Print Studio in 2000 and is a former Director of the Board.

Birds (especially crows and starlings) continue to feature largely in Sheridan's work. He is concerned with the social behaviour, flight dynamics and subliminal 'brushstroke' patterns of birds in flight. His images often mirror human group dynamics, modes of communication and social interactions.

Residencies include West Baffin Eskimo Printshop, Arctic Canada; St Michael's Print Shop, Newfoundland; Cill Rialaig Art Centre, Kerry and Annaghmakerrig, Tyrone Guthrie Centre. Awards include First Prize (graphics), Claremorris International Exhibition (1989); Best Graphics Award, RHA Exhibition (1992); Ernst & Young Purchase Award (1992) and Image Now Award, Best Use of Multimedia in Fine Art (2007). Sheridan has had solo and group exhibitions in Ireland and Canada.

Draiocht's Galleries are open Monday to Saturday 10am-6pm. Admission is Free.

MORE ... Read an interview with the artist Vincent Sheridan on our Blog ... here ... 

MORE ... An Irishwoman's Diary ... Arminta Wallace talks to Vincent Sheridan ... here ... 

MORE ... Read Marianne Hartigan's Opening Night Speech ... here ... 

MORE ... Read a review by Artist Des Kenny ... here ... 

MORE ... Enjoy snippets from the video piece Murmuration ... here and here ... 

Weekly Rehearsals begin MON 18 FEB 2013 - 7-10 PM 
UPDATE: WE ARE NOW AT FULL CAPACITY FOR OUR CLOWN CHOIR BUT YOU CAN GO ON A WAITING LIST!

Are you sociable? Do you like to sing? Do you like to laugh? Are you the type of person who is open to trying new things? If so, then WE WANT YOU!

A Clown Choir is a group of people who gather together to sing and laugh – to sing in celebration of what it is to be human and to laugh at the ridiculousness of the world we live in.

Hallelujah! will be a choir like no other. Weekly rehearsals will be one part play to two parts song. Performances will be one part concert to two parts clown theatre. Nobody will be asked to do anything that s/he is not comfortable with but for those who are interested in stepping into the spotlight then there will be ample opportunity for them to do so.

Hallelujah! ran a taster workshop on 03 November 2012 to give people an opportunity to see what it’s all about. 55 people ranging in age from 18 to 72 turned up on the day and had a great time. The day was a mixture of hard work and good fun. Everyone learned a little bit about how to be a clown and everyone learned the first section of Hallelujah!’s signature tune - Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Smile’.

Hallelujah! starts rehearsing in earnest on 18 Feb 2013. Rehearsals are every Monday night, Tuesday nights when the Monday is a Bank Holiday, with the choir working towards a year long performance programme that kicks off with ‘The M50 Symphony - A Symphony For Human Voice & Car Horn’ in July 2013. You don’t have to be a good singer to join Hallelujah! You don’t have to be a performer to join Hallelujah! You just have to be interested and willing. The ethos of Hallelujah! is accessibility, inclusivity and artistic excellence.

To register your interest and get further details please email emer@draiocht.ie or write to Emer McGowan, Director, Draíocht, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15.

JANUARY TO MARCH 2013 // MAY TO JUNE 2013
COST: €25 per class / DUR: 50 MINS

This section of the Leaving Certificate exam paper often includes a question on visiting an exhibition. This tour gives students an opportunity to ask questions and find out further information about Draíocht’s exhibitions, focus on how we layout, install, display and light work. They will also have an opportunity to make notes, sketches and diagrams.

Contact Sarah on tel: 01 809 8029 to arrange these tours. Please give at least two weeks notice and consult our visual arts section to find about current exhibitions. All material will be provided.

Visit Draíocht’s two exhibitions spaces, encourage students to examine and voice their opinion about the artist and their work and explore the rest of the building including our two theatre spaces, backstage and dressing rooms. Please book with Sarah, e: sarah@draiocht.ie or phone 01-809 8029. Tours will take approx 45 minutes, are free, but are subject to availability. Class numbers are restricted to 30 students with accompanying teacher. 

Already in our 2nd year, keep an eye out for our debut show in next season’s brochure. Log on to our D15 Youth Theatre Facebook Page for up to date details and audition dates.

This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the StubHub Foundation, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Fridays
Stagezone Dance & Drama Classes (Children)
3.00pm-9.00pm

Saturdays
Stagezone Dance & Drama Classes (Children) 
10am-12am

Contact information for Stagezone:

Stage Zone
Gladys Coyle (01) 821 2280  /  Marie Barber (01) 820 7201

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Would you like to run a class or workshop at Draíocht?
Draíocht has spaces available for hire which are suitable for most functions including conferences, presentations, meetings, auditions, rehearsals, classes and workshops.

Please call Aidan Gately on 01-8098024 for more information and hire fees or email aidan@draiocht.ie or go to our Room Hires Section  http://www.draiocht.ie/about/room_hire/