Abbey Lane welcomes writer and poet Trish Bennett to OMN 29th March

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Created: 09 March 2019

     A real coop for Abbey Lane's  Open Mic fans and set to appear as our guest on what's looked on as an inauspicious date in cross border history. 29th March 2019. But whatever type of border she traverses she'll feel right at home regaling us with her witty stories and poetry. Another DON'T MISS evening.

   Trish Bennett hails from County Leitrim. She’s got the breeze of Thur (the mountain, not the God) in her blood.  She crossed the border to study over twenty years ago, and was charmed into staying by a Belfast biker.  They have settled themselves into a small cabin by the lake in Fermanagh, and try to keep the noise down in their bee loud glade. 

Bennett writes about the shenanigans of her family, and other creatures. Sometimes she rants.  She has won or been placed in nine poetry competitions in the past few years, is widely published in print and online, and has read on the wireless.

Bennett loves nothing more than to connect with folk through her words. She’s working on her first anthology.

Servant to a menagerie of creatures, some human. Poet. Storyteller. All round eejet. Winner of Leitrim Guardian 2017 & 2018 Literary Award for Poetry.

Awards

The Leitrim Guardian 2017 & 2018 Literary Award for Poetry.
Shortlisted North West Words / Donegal Creameries Poetry 2017
Bursary for the John Hewitt International Summer School (2016).
Long listed in the Over the Edge New Writer of the Year award 2013

'Dirty Words' then Poems then Jokes and Ukuleles

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Created: 01 March 2019

The main attraction of Abbey Lane's Open Mic Night's is not the hospitality or the atmosphere or the ridiculous entrance fee of £5 (and free wine) BUT the sheer eclectic mix that can be experienced on one evening. Last Friday was such an evening, with 2 bands 2 celebrated poets, accordian player, story tellers, birthday celebrations and an Septuagenarian comedienne from Dungannon.

Guest artists 'Dirty Words' fronted by Colin Hassard (poet) were Seonaid Murray (sax) Ashley Manners acoustic  guitar played from their new cd 'age of microwave dinner'. Tim confessed to aged criminalization in his story and Anne recited a beautiful poem. Second half started with the memorable Cathy Carson and her riviting story 'Ready' , Fionnuala with her caring poem,Mickey on accordian and some beautiful slow airs,back for a solo run Colin Hassard with new poems never before heard....brilliant. David Brazil (renowned poet and back for a welcome visit) regaled us with his incise and humorous verse. Next up Armagh Ukelele Jam (who can be heard in Dobbin Centre every Wed evening praticing) had us all singing along. Then we ended the evening with Dymphna and some jookes that cant be repeated here. Great night and great audience. Next Open MIC March 29th.......dont miss!

'Dirty Words' to be heard at February's Open Mic on 22nd

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Created: 04 February 2019

Along with sax player Seonaid Murray, Ashley Manners (acoustic guitar) and Colin Hassards (vocals/guitar) make up this exciting trio called DIRTY WORDS,our next guests lined up for Open Mic on 22nd February. Abbey Lane audiences needs no introduction for Colin and his innovative poetry but marrying this with top class musicians will be a real treat. Remember our new Open conversation on Family sayings and quotes, our renowned hospitality, our prizes and now Dirty Words for a Dirt cheap entry fee of £5......see you there and NOTE limited seating! Doors opening 8pm.

Robbie Burns starts Janurary's Open Mic Night

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Created: 28 January 2019

Tartan adorned the tables and the sweet smell of Haggis filled the air in Abbey Lane Theatre as our Open Mic/ Burn’s night got underway.

 The Saltier flag rippled on the screen as the Proclaimers ‘walked 500miles’ then forgot something and had to walk  back ‘500 more’. After a short biography from

     MC Malachi, our mystery piper struck up ‘Oh flower of Scotland’  and the vegetarian Haggis was served with glee to all in attendance!

        Peter Kelly commenced the entertainment with a rendition of Burns’ Peggy Gordon.  Kevin Mc Eneaney recited ‘Sweet Afton’ and duet with Peter on ‘Marie’s Wedding’ with great gusto.

      Our first guest Karen Mooney from Moira read her own poem ‘A tribute to Rabbie Burns’...... then Pat Fairon took the class with the Lost Vocabulary of Ulster Scots pertaining to Burns’ era.

His well constructed flash cards tested the knowledge and memory of the pang’ fu d (crammed) audience. Not a pechin (cough) nor pluff (short, sharp breath) was heard from his attentive class.

Our Burns’ section was rounded off by Mark Brownlee reciting ‘Ae fond kiss’ a favourite of Burns aficionados.

The regular Open Mic got underway with the amazing Cathy Carson. What a talent this lady is, a great writer and actor with a delivery that stops a room.

 Her two pieces, ‘Wake up call’  and ‘November Sun’ had the audience spellbound and will live on in the memory of great moments at these Open Mic’s.

   Dymphna got the short straw as she had to follow Cathy, but no other could do it better, with her poem where she weaved the unlikely combination of ‘Donald where’s your trousers?’ and Brexit!

A new face to Abbey Lane is Stephen Edwards on guitar who sang Neil Young’s ‘The damage done’. Karen Mooney gave us her incisive poem ‘ A More Sustainable Future’ a metaphor of present day life

cleverly set in a garden. Michael Callaghan then had us all singing along ‘She’s my girl, she’s my world’.

 Jack Watson, another welcome new comer, gave us Cassius’ speech from Julius Caesar. Delivered with aplomb, this young actor from Armagh captivated the room with his performance.

   Regular contributor, Thomas Healy, came to the stage with a poem and song. This young man’s writing and voice are going from strength to strength.  Malachi rounded of the night with his story

‘A hell of a Day in Heaven’ a very true, funny story of his ordeal in the Mournes with a Perfect Modern Family!

     Thanks are due to all who helped out Monique, Felim jr, Peter, Colin, Aisling and Bridie. The more hands the easier the task.

 Which reminds me of our new competition ‘Family saying and quotes’. This is where we stop for a moment and all have a chat about old saying that yourself or your family or friends used.

 Some appropriately from Robbie Burns himsel started the conversation. Tonight’s winners were Marie Crowley and Pat Fairon. But I think all of us were winners tonight as the entertainment was 1^st class.

Next date Feb 22^nd and our guests are ‘Dirty Words’ aka Colin Hassard vocals , Ashley Manners guitar and Seonaid Murray sax . A selection of songs and poems from ..’’Two of the best on today’s scene’’NI Poetry News.

Open Mic & 'Burns Night' 25th January Abbey Lane

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Created: 12 January 2019

A very happy, artistic and peaceful New Year to all. This is another big year for Armagh Theatre Group as we mark 53 years tramping the boards, 4years of our ever popular Open Mic's and our planned extension of Abbey Lane.

We start our Open Mic's on Burns Night this year. So we will feature some of the Scottish bard's work and songs. We will have a new in house competition with sponsored prizes from some of the biggest business in Armagh, like the Dole, Education and Health boards...

We welcome all artists to the stage. poets, writers, singers, musicians and codologists to try their work in front of a friendly and appreciative audience. Come along and enjoy the craic, the company and the magic atmosphere of Abbey Lane.

NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM ATG & Abbey Lane Theatre

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Created: 29 December 2018

Year end Open Mic starts festive season of 2018

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Created: 02 December 2018

Pablo Doherty kicked off our last Open Mic of 2018 in great style. Our guest Poet from the shores of Lough Neagh near Lurgan fitted in his energetic performance while also being the taxi driver for his son who played at Holme Park the same evening. It's how busy Daddy/Poets juggle opportunities and parental duties these days. In a twenty minute slot he managed to touch on just about every subject from Family life to Brexit to Sport and even a mention of Santa! On twenty one minutes he grabbed his bag and coat and bolted out the door waving a farewell to all. The son's team were beaten  but Pablo was on a high from staring in Abbey Lane. Well done Pablo!

We also had great contributions from Hilary Good, Michael O'Callaghan,Rachel Toner before the break. Afterwards Armagh Ukelele Jam and T J Smart  nearly stole the show with our night's MC Felim Rafferty finding difficulity getting them stopped. Dymphna Ferran, Tim Hanna Joe Mc Cool and Malachi all with stories and poetry. We then had a very sad announcement by Felim saying the famous Limerick Laugh's competition and the Appulse Meter  would be put to bed tonight. The winner in a very close run event, picked totally by random (reverse alphabetic order) was Tim.

The Management will be working to publish a booklet of Limericks featured in the three years of the compo and have it for sale as a fund raiser to the new extension......watch this space. Thanks to all our contributors and guests over the year and all being well we'll see you back on 25th Jan 2019! Merry Xmas and Happy New Year from all at Armagh Theatre Group.

Finally, the Last Limerick Laughs Compo @ OMN

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Created: 27 November 2018

So we will finally see the back of a historic, iconic,ironic, sardonic,ascerbic and at times comic competition. A competition whose winners wavered between the ages of twelve and eighty. A competition which drew people from as far as Belfast and Belcoo  to win its world renowned prizes...not to mention the kudos gained by having this on your curriculum vitae. 'And winner of ATG's OMN LLC for the month of November 2018 is...'

One could dine out on this for years. There was a wee Woman from... ah! the memories.

Also retiring is the incorruptible, the undisputable Applause Meter which once reached the dizzy sound level of FANTASIC but more often the level NOT BAD, due mainly to an inadvertent thumb over the mic. And so we move  upwards and onwards as we throw open this opportunity for you our faithful to come up with a new competition for Janurary 2019 OMN. All ideas forwarded to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 31st Dec 18.

THE FINAL LIMERICK LAUGHS ON 30TH NOV. THEME 'CHRISTMAS'  ''THERE WAS A WEE MAN AT CHRISTMAS'' your first line.

You Tube clips of our 2 recent One acts

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Created: 26 November 2018

See hilarious scenes from our recent one act's in Abbey Lane by kind permission of Felim Rafferty Jr.  Good work Felim!

Go to; You Tube , Felim Rafferty Jr: and see 'Someone to talk to'  & 'The Happy Journey to Trenton'  Please like or comment.

Looking back to our recent productions in Abbey Lane

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Created: 21 November 2018

Cast of 'The Happy Journey' by Thornton Wilder;  Emily-Jane Conway as 'Caroline' and debutant Liam Loughran as 'Arthur' and Lily-Rose Conway as 'Beulah. Parents Bridie Heaney as 'Ma Kate' and Malachi Kelly as 'Da Elmer' and Tim Hanna as 'Stage Manager.' Producer Felim Rafferty, Lights/sounds  John Perry

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Many thanks to Felim Rafferty Jnr for putting together these clips of rehearsals and performances of 'The Happy Journey'...Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU5PBNgPMuo