One of Augher's most talented daughters is Sinead McKenna. This renowned singer-songwriter, trad musician and champion fiddle player is our guest artist for this month's Open Mic on the 26th.
Sinead was one of a few dozen exceedingly-talented Irish musicians and dancers chosen to fly to Dubai to represent the Emerald Isle at the World Expo recently.
The launch of her album is due in the coming days and if you are lucky enough to get in to Abbey Lane you can hear those songs and tunes played live. This young lady's talents are not to be missed and Armagh Theatre Group are chuffed Sinead has accepted our invite as Guest Artist for May's Open Mic Night.
After 4 years in excile Abbey Lane welcome the return of Colin Hassard , Banbridge's world famous musical poet.
Our scene of a packed Abbey Lane Theatre from 2019 will remind you how popular Colin is with our audience. Now an established international author with is debut poetry collection 'Age of the Microwave Dinner' in 2021 Colin now ranks as the 16th most famous person from Banbridge.
With the results of this month's 30/3/30 poetry competition, raffle, BYOB and a host of talented participants + OUR GUEST all for £5....get there early. STILL TIME TO ENTER 30/3/30 competition...deadline 24th March email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. See all the details on this website or FB Armagh Theatre Groupatg.
Ain't no mountain high enough...
Hugh thanks to Marian Rafferty ( the famous Rafferty's of Ballymacnab) and friends in there fund raising efforts climbing the Banks of Seagahan Dam...No no no wrong!
The heights of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. A mere 19,341 ft. Well done to you and this HUGH CONGRATULATIONS for achieving your goal. ATG is very grateful for your wonderful donation of £550 towards our funds. Just giving page is closed, thanks to all who supported Marian.
After a successful launch on Friday's Open Mic we look towards March 31st as our next date for Open Mic and the
30/3/30 poetry competition; 30 words /3 topics /£30 prize. The three topics for March are
1) SECRETS 2) WAR 3) CHANGED TIMES.
Rachel Toner presents Lily Rose , Eugene and Joe their awards at Abbey Lane Theatre's inaugural poetry competition which kicked off February's Open Mic.
Lily Rose Conway was delighted to be presented with our cash prize for overall winner.
'Great Oak'. on the topic Nature, was the unanimous winner among the judges and Lily Rose read out her poem in front of a full house .
Highly commended certificates were awarded to Eugene Dugan-Brause for his 'Deadlock Deja Vu' on the topic Groundhog Day and Joe McGinley's
'Three in to two' on the topic Loves Triangle.
We would like to acknowledge all the poets who submitted to the competition and to such a high standard throughout.
'Great Oak' by LilyRose Conway.
Sharp snaps, halted tracks
Soaring oak, old as ages,
Painfully bent, barraged,
Felled at hands of men.
Groaning surrender,
Sinfully fascinating sight,
This timeless majesty slain,
Joining its neighbours blight.
***
'Deadlock Deja Vu' by Eugene Dugan-Brause
Border on water
Border on land
Border in the government
Dwelling of the damned.
You who share power,
show us the way.
Probably not. Likely not.
Not on Groundhog Day.
***
'Three in to two' by Joe McGinley
Armagh Theatre Group are delighted with the response to our new poetry competition 30/3/30.
We would love to see all participants at tomorrow nights Open Mic if possible but can we give you a big
for all your submissions. The standard of poetry was very high and a great spread over the 3 topics which gave the
judges a torturous time picking a winner. Highly commendable certificates will therefore be presenting to 3 runners up in each topic.
So hope to see as many poets as possible and thanks once again for making this inaugeral 30/3/30 a success.
Start 8pm Limited seating!
Our poetry competition 30/3/30 (30 words/3 topics to choose/ £30 for winner) closes tomorrow night at midnight for submissions.
If you are thinking of entering get your finger out and get your submissions in!
There wasn't room to swing the cat in Abbey Lane last night, (which was a great relief to tabby) as our Open Mic returned
with a packed audience. We were delighted with the response and the varied 'acts' throughout the evening made for an eclectic mix.
A delayed start to accommodate the crowd was quickly forgotten when our guest artist Doreen McBride took to the stage and enthralled us with her life story and tales of Ulster folklore.
The many participants on stage included poets, storytellers singers, musicians and comics. Starting with John Henderson;Stephen Clendenning; John McAndrew;Joe McCool;Stevie C;Eugene McStravick;Una;Theo Stinson; Jay Rafferty; Dymphna; Matthew Toner; Anna Grindel; Matty; Frances Lavery;Mark Brownlee;Terry Conlon; Tim Hanna and the last applause was for Peter Kelly. Seven poets (original work); two comics, four musicians/singers(original and covers); two storytellers/yarns and three singers (cappella). .....
We also had time to launch our new free poetry competition 30/3/30 ....30 words/ 3 topics/ £30. All details have been posted on our website under News/Blog and on our FBpage Armagh Theatre Groupatg. Submissions for this first month to be in by 17th Feb to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Not bad value for £5.
Thank you to our guest Doreen, all the participants who performed and all that helped organise and clear up after for the Armagh Youth Theatre Group in the morning. Next Open Mic will be on 24th February with a new Guest artist and the winner of the 30/3/30 Poetry Competition.
Abbey Lane Poetry Competition 30/3/30
30 words/3 topics/£30
We are accepting submissions now. Entries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by end Feb 17th .
Contact details in body of email. Titled poem in attachment with no personal details. Title of work not included in 30 words. Word doc etc no PDF’s
RULES: Judge’s decisions are final. Winner takes all.
*One poem per submission on one subject. Submitting for each topic is allowed on separate attachments.
*Original unpublished work. Format open.
*Winner announced at next Open Mic (last Friday of month).
*Reading by author on the night, when possible, and cash prize presented.
*Winning work showcased on our website (copyright remains with the author).
Topics 1) Loves’ triangle. 2) Nature. 3) Groundhog day.
Best wishes to all participants and have fun!