Abbey Lane's Open Mic brings John Hewitt and Ulster Fleadh together

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Created: 28 July 2019

Kicking off this year's Open Mic at the  end of the John Hewitt Summer School was  'Macfleadh', trio from Tyrone. The Abbey Lane audience enjoyed a taster of their musicianship before the group travelled to Castlewellan on Sat morning picking up an Ulster title in the group section. Comhghairdeas and best wishes to this exciting young group as they head to Drogheda and the All Ireland fleadh next week. Patrick McGrath, Patrick Harvey and Ronan Nugent.

Go toFB Armagh Theatre Groupatg for a video of the boys.

The guests gone we started a bursting Open Mic with the Bard Jimmy Rafferty on Noah and Inspectors. New contributor Theo Sinton singer/songwriter with his poem and Blues numbers; Oul hand Joe Mc Ginley, rarely absent, gave us his Callan River poem;Brilliant David Braziel, Portadown poet gave us several pieces; Kate Mclaughlin accompanied by Peter kelly sang Noreen Bawn/boys from the County Armagh. A packed second half seen loads of new faces. Singer/songwriter Ruth McKee from Co Dublin, Sue Divin 'says himself', Eddie Mac new face great poet; liz Quirke writer/poet from kerry ;local man John mc allister stories; Brian McClean writer; Cathy Carson spoken word performer extradinaire Super heros  and Mother with Dementia; Donna Hunter poet;Niall Mcardle poet; and songs from Peter Kelly , new talent Kerian Quigley singing 'Just a Gigolo'  and ending with 'Hallelujah' sung by photgrapher Connor Greenan with help from everyone!

Thanks to all our helpers before, during and after. With out yous'e this wouldn't happen.

A llist of ATG Productions 1998- 2016

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Created: 19 July 2019

John Hewitt International Summer School/OMNight

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Created: 04 July 2019

So you want to show  John Hewitt International Summer School and Armagh how wonderful a poet, singer, storyteller, writer, musician you really are. You have great material that you believe in!. Well this is your chance to shine and let your hair down after a week of invigorating conversations.

Abbey Lane Theatre hosts the above Open Mic Night each year in association with JHISS. Starting at 9pm on Friday 26th you can entertain in your own way for 5mins on stage under lights for a miserly £5 entrance. Nibbles and a glass of wine included for all who attend or  also Bring Your Own Bottle.

Limited slots for performers ...so those of you who wish to perform please email Malachi at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be put on the list

. Please state if you wish to perform poetry/prose,stories/ music, song or AN Other. If you need a theme we'll loosely follow the School's theme this year of Diffiuities of Translations (or 'getting the wrong end of the stick').

For directions  Google-  Abbey Lane Theatre Armagh  (5 minute walk from Marketplace Theatre) and come along when your events are finished.

Great music and variety at OMNight

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Created: 29 June 2019

Thanks go out to all our contributors at June's Open Mic Night especially Finbar Magee and Breige Quinn who delighted us with songs and music throughout the night. Along side our regular performers, and some new, kept the night's craic going with stories, music and songs.

After our usual warm up artist Malachi and his showing of Gerry Anderson's 'On the Air' cartoons Tim kicked of the actual Open Mic with a story on his gardening ( which is highly fictious). Thomas now playing Horn,Malachi's story on 'Refreshing the headstone', Des Crilly and the cowboys song...eventually, Bridie Heaney and a poem about Mothers, Joe McCool on whistle, Byddi Lee's story on drink or fish?, Brian and his traditional song of ''being good to your Man''! Kevin McAneany's epic story of his memories of the Picture house in Monaghan . The night finished with Finbar and Breige with a ballad on the Reavey brothers and Kingsmills murders which was very moving and 'God's a Prod' a slant on the times of year we hold our annual holidays and the difference, weather wise. Big thanks to all the help on door, drinks,techy and clean up.

Next one on 26th July is our annual OMN in association with John Hewitt Int Summer School which we eagerly await. Slightly later start of 9PM DOORS OPEN 8.30PM..............................DONT MISS!

Audience quotes and comments after 'IMPACT'

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Created: 24 June 2019

Our recent production IMPACT Armagh Train Disaster played to full houses all week with many encouraging compliments from the audience each night.

Postings on social media and comments after each performance confirmed to us that something special was staged last week.

The concerted effort by Armagh Theatre Group and JoJo's Spotlight Dance and Drama Studios over  April and May really bore fruit as prolonged applause and standing ovations followed each show.

From the start of the Writers meetings in early Feb to the reading of our first draft in Abbey Lane on 10th April. Re-writes and start of rehearsals on 2nd May, then our first full dress rehearsal June 11th,  prior to our 'Opening' on the 130th anniversary of the disaster, everyone gave full comittment.

Cathy Carson; ''it was glorious, well done folks. Gripping'' Mary McKenna; ''Brilliant production, well done to all involved'' Jacqueline Donnelly; ''It was fantastic..looking forward to next one'' Charlie Guy; ''..one of those experiences that will never leave me'' Karen Mooney; ''This deserves to be seen by a bigger audience at a bigger venue''  Byddi Lee (writer) '' One of the best experiences I've had in my life... Malachi and Tim were brilliant....'' Dolores Stinson; ''Impact was absolutely excellent!''  More often we heard 'Informative'; 'Moving'; 'Captivating'; 'Memorable evening's entertainment'; 'Brilliant acting,sound,lighting,dancing and a gripping story'. So below are the Cast, crew, writers and director of Impact, Armagh's Train Disaster (1889) -2019 Thank you for your tremendous support.

Finbar and Breige back for June's OMN on 28th

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Created: 18 June 2019

Confirmation now through that Finbar Magee and Breige Quinn will be guesting at our June Open Mic on 28th. Both these great artist have entertained us royally in the past and  our enthusastic audience will be privileged to have them appear again this month. Finbar is a well known singer songwriter of international fame, while Breige is one of the best fiddle players in the country. Along with our growing list of regular contributors this promises to be a great summer's night entertainment.

Rules and benefits; 5 mins on stage ( respectful material) songs,poetry, music,stories and yarns. We provide venue, equip,lights,audience,refreshments and nibbles. You provide entertainment and £5. Doors open 8pm BYOB and relax!

Abbey Lane spreads its magic.

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Created: 02 June 2019

Guest writer, Chris Wright and his wife Jo caught the bug that is Abbey Lane Theatre  Open Mic nights when he performed to a packed house last Friday.

Sharing the stage this month we had fantasic contributions from Joe McCool; whistle, Dymphna ; poem, Rosemary Tumilty;extracts from her play,Elma McEneaney; Ukelele'David Braziel; poet,Malachi; Whitehead Railway Museum story' Mark Brownlee; Micro poems,Our Idioms contest and May McCool's idiom act!, Felim Rafferty, poetry,Rosemary Tumilty;Guitar and song,Malachi poem 'Farewell hot water bottle', and Kate McLaughlin; tribute to Doris Day. Projections of our forthcoming play Impact ( Armagh's Train Disaster) by Felim Rafferty and all ably assisted by Monique, Allan and conscripted volunteers to clean up.Chris Wright

Rosemary Tumilty

May McCool.   Our next OMN is June 28th and all poets,singer, musicians writers etc very welcome.

'IMPACT' is making an impact! ALL TICKETS SOLD OUT!

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Created: 31 May 2019

Up date on tickets for IMPACT. All Performances are now sold out!  Waiting list on Eventbrite is available for any returns and assess demand for possible future performances.

Prolific fiction writer Chris Wright to read at Open Mic Night

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Created: 20 May 2019

Chris Wright is from Bangor, Northern Ireland. His short fiction has featured in several publications such as Parentheses International Literary Arts Journal, The Wellington Street Review, Brave Voices Magazine, The Bangor Literary Journal, and Sirens Call. Recently, his work has been long-listed for Reflex Fiction’s International Flash Fiction Competition and has been performed on national radio and at the St Patrick’s Festival in Armagh. Chris is a Politics Graduate of Queens University, Belfast and is currently working on his second novel.

 May 31st, last Friday. Doors open 8.00pm, BYO, £5 for 5mins on stage or just experience the tremendous talent that's at our doorstep. Writers, poets, singers, musicians and some downright lairs. Nibbles and refreshments served.

'IMPACT' - Armagh Train Disaster (and new On line ticketing)

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Created: 09 May 2019

A night of historical drama depicting the tragic events of the Armagh Train Disaster which resulted in at least 89 deaths and over 400 injuries.

The popular Sunday school excursion to Warrenpoint seaside begins with a band parade, from the Methodist church in Abbey Street, through the town to the Railway Station.

It was a sunny morning on the 12th of June 1889 when some 1200 excited children and adults thronged the station platforms in anticipation of a day by the sea.

 Please note our new On Line ticketing system and the link to Eventbrite. Click 

https://tinyurl.com/impact-Armagh

for the link to the Eventbrite tickets..

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