This July, Droichead Arts Centre celebrates 35 successful years of promoting the arts in Ireland’s biggest town. In that time it has encouraged many local artists in all artistic endeavours from visual, musical, drama or film and has also played host to visiting artists from around Ireland and abroad.

The Centre is a multi-disciplinary centre in the heart of Drogheda Town that provides an extensive curated arts and cultural programme for audiences across Drogheda, East Meath and Louth. 

“Droichead exists to put art at the heart of people’s lives and ambitions in Drogheda, East Meath and Louth” said a spokesperson.  “To do this, we must be part of an ecology which nurtures art and artists, making the production and presentation of high-quality work available. 

“Droichead wants to enable artists to make work of ambition, and is equally committed to its audiences, with people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and traditions encouraged and enabled to engage with the Centre through a wide variety of responsive and imaginative schemes and initiatives.

“Droichead wants to extend experiences of the arts to as many people as possible within our communities. The work of Droichead is supported and amplified by its participation in key networks including NOMAD, The Live Network and Drogheda Tourism Cluster; by its affiliation with festivals such as Cruinniú na nÓg, and Drogheda Traditional Music and Singing Festival, and by its partnership with other cultural providers and stakeholders including Drogheda Classical Music, Love Drogheda BIDS and the Night Time Economy Advisor.

“For 2025, Droichead are delighted to unveil a new season, featuring an exciting line-up of performances and events for both returning and new audiences. This season offers something for everyone, with captivating performances in Theatre Club, engaging films from around the world via our Film Club, vibrant live music, and exciting exhibitions.

Highlights include acclaimed Indian slide guitarist Manish Pingle, a year-round community and outreach programme for secondary schools, the return of NIGHT MOVES late-night programme with two late-night clubs and a late night café programme, as well as the return of Cruinniú na nÓg. This season also marks the fourth year of the Boyne Valley International Film Festival, celebrating creativity and connection throughout our community.

The season kicks off with Theatre Club returning for its ninth year, with a season of new work and old favourites, including Livin' Dred’s The Playboy of the Western World, directed by Aaron Monaghan on the 7 and 8 Feb, Frankie McCafferty’s Lisdoon-Nirvana and Mary Kate O'Flanagan’s Making a Show of Myself in March, Chicken by Eva O'Connor and Hildegard Ryan in April, and Nora Joyce: A Rare Journey by Paula Greevy-Lee in May.

The season concludes with the outdoor season at Oldbridge, with Pride and Prejudice and Alice in Wonderland.  Droichead also continues to support new work, including Anthony Kinahan’s Reboot, and new work from Ablaze Theatre Company as well as supporting Broken Talkers co-production of Everything Falls by Shaun Dunne and ThisisPopBaby’s Octopus Children by Felispeaks.

In February, Indian Guitar Player, Manish Pingle visits with a beautiful evening of music and Seán McCluskey returns for an intimate set in the café/bar in March. With the support of Drogheda’s Late Night Economy Advisor, Night Moves, the innovative late night programme returns with late night events in March and May in Droichead, late night cafes across Drogheda, and also Night Tones. More details will be announced soon.

Droichead are also delighted to welcome back and support many of Drogheda’s local groups, with a range and variety of drama and music, and stage schools peforming at Droichead, including Aisteori Na Boinne, and Donore Rosnaree Drama Group in February, St. Brigids Drama Group and Duleek Drama Players in March and April; and Kidkast, Little Duke, KPA and Genevieve Noone stage schools throughout the season too.

Whilst the roof is been replaced on the municipal building the gallery will remain closed in February, but March sees the return of the annual LMETB competition, and in April, with the support of the Augustinian Community, and teachers Roisin Curtis, and Yvonne Fagan, we will host an exhibition of photographs from secondary school students. 

What Drogheda Means to Me is a new photographic exhibition by and of young people across Drogheda and its environs. Supported by the Augustinian Church; Roisin Curtis, St. Marys Diocesan; Yvonne Fagan, Our Lady’s College and Droichead Arts Centre. The Friars of the Augustinian Church have devised a new open submission photographic competition to encourage young people across the town to go out and photograph their town, to explore the beauty, heritage and the positives of Drogheda, to look at What Drogheda means to them? Deadline for submission of photographs is the 28 Feb.

In May the arts centre features a wonderful group show featuring local artists from the region, curated by  curator in residence, Dorothy Smith, and in July, Lucy Peters, who has received Droichead’s First Solo Award for 2025 will have her exhibition curated by artist Vivienne Byrne. 

In March it’s a big welcome to Drogheda Comedy Festival featuring three fantastic events, Women in Comedy, Hot Young Guys - The Kings of Tangents and Waterford Whispers News. We also see a new play by local writer, and director, Ogie Harmon for three nights 13-15 March, Sunscreen featuring local actors Grainne Rafferty and Vicky Reilly, and for those who have seen Ogie’s previous plays, including The Hag, you are in for a real treat.

In May, Droichead present Every Blooming Thing, a spoken word show with Colm Keegan, and Erin Fornoff, and in July, they are delighted to host The Ultimate Bubble Show for families.

Their Film Club is also up and running, with eight engaging films curated by Sinead Brassil and Niall O'Brien. Each screening includes an introduction, post-film discussion, and also short films by DKiT film and TV production students.

Later this summer, Droichead will host an open day celebrating 35 years since the arts centre was officially incorporated, featuring workshops, events, for all our audiences, and community. Then August sees the fourth Boyne Valley International Film Festival over three days, featuring the best of local, national and international short films.  

So something for everybody this season.  For more details and to book check out droichead.com or ring 041 9833946. For details on Droichead’s community and outreach programme for secondary schools please email collette.farrell@droichead.com

Droichead would like to thank their staff, and board, their friends scheme, audiences, participants and communities for their loyalty and support:  huge thanks to the talented artists and curators they continue to work with, and finally thanks to their sponsors, funders, and partners, including the Arts Council, Louth County Council, Meath County Council, Creative Ireland, Love Drogheda BIDS, Flogas and Drogheda Credit Union.