Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders, alongside a range of partners, presented the sixth annual, international Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival from 11–20 October, 2024. The festival was a massive success, featuring an array of events across Ireland. The hybrid programme, delivered over 10 days, hosted a blend of events happening in person and online. It featured Irish and international artists and guest speakers, and reached audiences locally, nationally, and internationally.

As partners in the overall festival, Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders were delighted to continue their unique collaboration on the creation of two events: The Art of Changemakers Visual Art Exhibition at the dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum, and Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan, comprising live performances at the Iveagh Gardens, Dublin. Smashing Times were thrilled to once again partner with Rathfarnham Castle, the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park, and the Office of Public Works, to present two unique events: the multidisciplinary exhibition Landscapes of the Soul at Rathfarnham Castle, and the world premiere of The Art of Trees at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park.

Smashing Times and partners were also delighted to collaborate with The Ireland Institute, on Pearse Street, Dublin, to host a range of events over the ten-day festival, including the Irish-language play Ar Snámh by award-winning Irish-language writer Seán Mac Dhonnagáin, and the Irish in Resistance During World War II multidisciplinary exhibition, supported by the Arts Council Commissions Award.

The artistic curator for the festival was Mary Moynihan, Artistic Director, Smashing Times, while the human rights curator was Laura O’Leary, International Event and Promotions Coordinator, Front Line Defenders.

We would like to extend our immense gratitude to the festival partners: Front Line Defenders, Fighting Words, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Trócaire, and GOAL NextGen. Creative partners included Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Splódar Theatre Company, The Dock Arts Centre, Index on Censorship, Riverbank Arts Centre, Access Cinema, the Irish Refugee Council, The Colombia Migrant Film Festival, An Táin Arts Centre, Mermaid Arts Centre, Encore Productions, Cork Arts Theatre, Sirius Arts Centre, An Taibhdhearc, The Baring Foundation, the Mental Health Foundation, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Enniskillen Castle Museums, Strule Arts Centre, The Barracks Heritage Centre, dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum, Rathfarnham Castle, OPW, and The Ireland Institute.

A special thanks to the funders of the festival and events: Fóras na Gaeilge, The Arts Council of Ireland, Creative Europe, Erasmus+, and The Arts Council Commissions Award under visual art, literature, and festivals. We extend our gratitude also to the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Network, the Smashing Times Artist Development Programme, the Trees project, and the Theatre in Palm project.