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SUMMARY:Céad Míle Collection
DESCRIPTION:Céad Míle Collection\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGOAL NextGen\, with THINKHOUSE and designers and artists Farouk858 and Helen Steele\, reimagine the Irish flag as a symbol of welcome\, belonging\, solidarity and community.  \n\n\nA new Céad Míle Collection will be unveiled at a public launch event in Dublin bringing together fashion\, art and activism in a celebration of a modern Ireland defined not by who it excludes\, but by who it welcomes. \n\n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nNo Booking Necessary \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nFarouk858\, Multidisciplinary Artist and Art Director \n\n\n\nHelen Steele\, Award-Winning Irish Fashion Designer and Artist \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Céad Míle Collection will reimagine Ireland’s flag as a statement of belonging\, solidarity and Céad Míle Fáilte at a time when national symbols are increasingly being used to divide. GOAL NextGen\, with the support of their creative agency THINKHOUSE\, is reclaiming the Irish flag as a symbol of welcome with the launch of the Céad Míle Collection\, a new creative collaboration with Irish fashion designers Farouk Alao and Helen Steele. The venue will be announced in the coming days. \n\n\n\nInspired by Ireland’s reputation of Céad Míle Fáilte\, a hundred thousand welcomes\, the collection asks a simple question: what should the Irish flag represent? For GOAL NextGen and the designers\, the answer is clear: welcome\, belonging\, solidarity and community. \n\n\n\nAt a time when national symbols are increasingly being used to create division\, exclusion and fear\, the Céad Míle Collection seeks to reclaim one of Ireland’s most recognisable symbols for what it should represent\, an Ireland that is open\, compassionate and welcoming to all. \n\n\n\nThe need for that welcome is increasingly urgent. Recent research found that 66% of non-white people in Ireland experienced racism in the past 12 months [1]. While research conducted by GOAL NextGen and Thinkhouse (2024) found that 80% agree that all people who call Ireland home deserve to feel like they belong here\, and 82% agree that creative culture helps people to connect with each other and overcome differences. Against this backdrop\, the collection challenges the idea that national pride and inclusion are opposing forces\, and instead celebrates an Ireland where the two belong together. \n\n\n\nCombining Farouk Alao’s contemporary design approach with Helen Steele’s bold artistic style\, the Céad Míle Collection will transform the colours and symbolism of the Irish flag into a one-of-a-kind fashion statement celebrating global solidarity in a modern\, diverse and inclusive Ireland. \n\n\n\nMore than a fashion collection\, it is a visual act of reclamation\, demonstrating how creativity can challenge division\, start conversations and offer a different vision of what Irish identity can look like. \n\n\n\nVictoria Walshe\, Head of Global Citizenship\, GOAL Global\, said: \n\n\n\n“We don’t want to surrender the Irish flag to anyone who uses it to say who belongs here and who doesn’t. The Irish flag belongs to all of us\, and its message should be Céad Míle Fáilte. At GOAL NextGen\, we believe creativity has the power to start conversations that politics often can’t. Through this collection\, we want to remind people that Irish identity doesn’t have to be about exclusion. It can be about welcome\, belonging and community\, values that are at the heart of GOAL’s work and Ireland at its best. As part of a global humanitarian organisation\, we see every day the importance of standing in solidarity with communities facing conflict\, displacement and crisis. This collection is a reminder that empathy\, compassion and human connection should guide how we relate to one another\, both at home and around the world.” \n\n\n\nFarouk Alao said: \n\n\n\n“You can travel to the far corners of the globe and people can still sense that you’re Irish before you’ve said a word. That’s what clothing does too\, it speaks identity before language gets the chance. I’m excited to build something with Helen that puts Céad Míle at the centre of what that identity means.” \n\n\n\nHelen Steele added: \n\n\n\n“There’s something deeply sad about seeing the Irish flag and immediately assuming it represents hostility rather than pride. Our national flag should be a symbol that makes people feel welcome\, not wary. Collaborating with Farouk on this collection gives us the chance to reclaim that symbol and reimagine it as a reflection of the Ireland so many of us believe in: one built on kindness\, hospitality and shared humanity. I hope it encourages people to see the flag\, and what it means to belong here\, in a different light.” \n\n\n\nThe Céad Míle Collection will be unveiled at a public launch event in Dublin this autumn\, bringing together fashion\, art and activism in a celebration of a modern Ireland defined not by who it excludes\, but by who it welcomes. Visit the GOAL wesbite for information on the upcoming campaign launch. \n\n\n\nFollow the campaign @GOALNextGen \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFarouk858\, Multidisciplinary Artist and Art Director \n\n\n\nFarouk858 is a multidisciplinary artist and art director working across installation\, digital\, fashion\, and community. His practice is about creating spaces\, objects\, and experiences that question how we see ourselves and each other – always curious\, always evolving. Through 858\, the artist has built projects that move between art and culture: from exhibitions at Tate\, IMMA\, Outernet\, and Temple Bar Gallery + Studios\, to collaborations with brands like Google\, Guinness\, Peloton\, and JD Sports. The artist runs 858 Art Club\, a weekly creative community that brings people together to learn\, make\, and show art. \n\n\n\nThe work of Farouk858 balances play and purpose. Whether it’s a public artwork\, an immersive installation\, a brand campaign\, or a piece of clothing\, the goal is the same: make moreArt\, make moreNoise. He is a creative ambassador of Limerick. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHelen Steele\, Award-Winning Irish Fashion Designer and Artist \n\n\n\nHelen Steele is a highly acclaimed award-winning Irish fashion designer and artist based in Monaghan. She has combined her mastery of her craft and the use of colour theory to create a unique style of wearable art in luxurious fabrics and signature prints. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOrganisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/cead-mile-collection/
CATEGORIES:Launch
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20261009T190000
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SUMMARY:Launch of the Eighth Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:Céad Míle Collection\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGOAL NextGen\, with THINKHOUSE and designers and artists Farouk858 and Helen Steele\, reimagine the Irish flag as a symbol of welcome\, belonging\, solidarity and community.  \n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nBarry Ward\, TD\, Dunlaoghaire-Rathdown \n\n\n\nRichard Boyd Barrett\, TD\, Dunlaoghaire-Rathdown \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, Writer\, Poet and Creator of Art and Photography; Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality; Arts Curator\, Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival. Role on the night: Artist Talk and Poetry Reading \n\n\n\nAlan Glasgow\, CEO\, Front Line Defenders. Role on the Night: Guest Speaker \n\n\n\nHina Khan\, Visual Artist and Artist from Voices of Peace. Role on the Night: Guest Speaker \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, Producer\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. Role on the night: Performance of a monologue from Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan \n\n\n\nBrendan Heade\, actor. Role on the Night: Guest Performer \n\n\n\nAndy Johnson\, actor. Role on the Night: Guest Performer \n\n\n\nÉanna Ó Brádagh.  Role on the night: MC \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nSmashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Front Line Defenders and a range of partners are delighted to invite you to the opening reception and launch of the eight annual International Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival on Friday 9 October\, 7 to 9pm\, at 30 Sandycove Road\, Dublin A96V9P1. \n\n\n\nThe Irish annual international Arts and Human Rights festival is launched by key note speaker Barry Ward\, Teachta Dála (TD) for Dún Laoghaire. Our full line-up of guest speakers on the night are Alan Glasgow\, CEO\, Front Line Defenders; Hina Khan\, visual artist and Mary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\,  creator of art and photography\, and Artistic Director\, Smashing Times. Mary will do an artist talk and poetry reading. Enjoy a live performance of a monologue from Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II by Mary Moynihan\, performed by Ciara Hayes\, directed by Dr Eric Weitz; and live monologue performances by artists Brendan Heade and Andy Johnson\, in association with WALK\, supporting people with intellectual disabilities. \n\n\n\nIn addition to launching the annual international Irish Arts and Human Rights festival\, we are launching Voices of Peace\, a multidisciplinary exhibition supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council through the dlr Universal Grant Scheme\, reflecting on peace and human rights.  The launch culminates in refreshments and chat. \n\n\n\nThe annual international Irish Arts and Human Rights festival is presented by Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders\, and a range of partners\, from 9 to 18 October 2026\, with a range of events promoting equality\, human rights and diversity through the arts\, across Ireland and online. The festival showcases the extraordinary work of human rights defenders in Ireland and around the world\, past and present\, and the role of the arts and artists in promoting human rights today.   \n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Live Performance \n\n\n\nThe evening features a live monologue performance from Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II by Mary Moynihan\, presented by Smashing times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders\, performed by Ciara Hayes\, directed by Dr Eric Weitz.  Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Parts I and II were commissioned by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Frontline Defenders\, and written by Mary Moynihan. The full play is adapted from the words of nine brave and inspirational human rights defenders from around the world who were murdered because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.   \n\n\n\nMonologue Performances \n\n\n\nBrendan Heade and Andy Johnson will each perform a monologue that encapsulates the spirit of the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival. \n\n\n\nBrendan Heade will be performing a powerful piece from Scent of a Woman\, originally performed by Al Pacino\, exploring the theme of Justice. The scene highlights the importance of standing up for what is right\, finding your voice\, and having the courage to speak out when faced with injustice. Through this performance\, Brendan brings his passion for acting to life while exploring the powerful themes of integrity\, equality and justice. \n\n\n\nAndy Johnson is a Dublin-based actor with a passion for acting and performing. He has experience working in television\, including multiple appearances on RTÉ’s Fair City and an appearance in Witness No. 3 for Story Films and Channel 5. He has also taken part in television productions including Name That Tune\, Beat Shazam and Don’t Forget the Lyrics!. Andy started his acting training at Liberties College\, where he completed a Drama Foundation course. He then continued his training at the Gaiety School of Acting\, completing three Acting for Camera courses. In 2026\, he also completed Noel Brady’s Intensive Acting Showreel Course with Phoenix Artz Media. Andy has a strong interest in accents and voice work. His accents include Ulster English\, Cockney\, Scouse\, Scottish\, Spanish-accented English\, Modern California\, New York and Southern American. He also speaks Spanish. Andy is passionate about continuing to develop his acting skills and gaining more experience in film and television. His dream is to build a professional acting career\, work in film and television\, and inspire others to follow their own dreams and believe in what they can achieve. \n\n\n\nVoices of Peace Multidisciplinary Exhibition \n\n\n\nAudiences have the opportunity to view the Voices of Peace multidisciplinary exhibition featuring visual art\, photography\, poetry\, film and storytelling\, and reflecting on peace and human rights.  A series of powerful artworks are on display\, created in response to the theme of peace and human rights. The commissioned artists are Jessica Rodrigues\, Visual Artist; Gillian Lambe\, Visual Artist; Hina Khan\, Visual Artist\, Féilim James\, writer; Viktoriia Yevsiukova\, Visual Artist; and Mary Moynihan\, writer\, poet and creator of art and photography. The exhibition is presented as part of the Smashing Times Artist Development Programme and runs at the Smashing Times Visual Art Gallery\, 30 Sandycove Road\, Dublin A96V9P1\, from Wednesday 23 September to Sunday 29 November 2026\, Wednesday to Sunday 1-6pm daily. This exhibition is co-funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council through the dlr Universal Grant Scheme. \n\n\n\nKeynote Speaker: Barry Ward\, Teachta Dála (TD) for Dún Laoghaire. Fine Gael. \n\n\n\nBarry was elected as a member of Dáil Éireann in November 2024. Prior to that\, Barry served as a Senator\, and was Seanad spokesperson on Justice. A practicing barrister\, Barry is originally from Deansgrange. He was first elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2009\, representing the Blackrock Ward\, which also includes Booterstown\, Deansgrange\, Foxrock\, Monkstown and Stillorgan. Barry also served as Leader of the Fine Gael group on the Council. In 2020\, he was elected to the Industrial and Commercial Panel of the Seanad\, having stood in that year’s general election in the Dún Laoghaire constituency. \n\n\n\nOn the Council\, Barry worked tirelessly on various local issues including parks\, recycling\, public transport and cycling infrastructure\, climate action\, coastal issues and supporting local businesses. In the Seanad\, he has championed criminal justice reform\, and has a particular interest in education\, foreign affairs\, the environment and promoting the Irish language – ár dteanga náisiúnta. \n\n\n\nA sailor\, Barry has been vocal in his support for the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI\, and speaks frequently about water safety and the need for the improvement of water quality in Dublin Bay. He is a member of the Oireachtas committees on Justice\, An Ghaeilge\, and Members’ Interests\, and is also an Irish Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). \n\n\n\nBarry has fought hard for gender and marriage equality and is a strong advocate for change. He is a leading voice in local campaigns\, such as the Sutton to Sandycove (S2S) Coastal Promenade and locating a new permanent home for Gaelscoil Laighean in Blackrock as well as providing strong contributions to discussions on ongoing international events in occupied Palestine\, Taiwan\, Hong Kong and Belarus\, even adopting a Belarusian political prisoner. \n\n\n\nIn his spare time\, Barry enjoys walks with his cocker spaniel\, Ruby\, on Dún Laoghaire Pier\, on Killiney Hill and in Cabinteely Park. He speaks Irish and French\, and hosts the Irish Legislation Podcast. \n\n\n\nOn the Council\, Barry worked tirelessly on various local issues including parks\, recycling\, public transport and cycling infrastructure\, climate action\, coastal issues and supporting local businesses. In the Seanad\, he has championed criminal justice reform\, and has a particular interest in education\, foreign affairs\, the environment and promoting the Irish language – ár dteanga náisiúnta. \n\n\n\nGuest Speaker: Richard Boyd Barrett\, TD\, Dún Laoghaire \n\n\n\nRichard Boyd Barrett (born 6 February 1967) is an Irish People Before Profit–Solidarity politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency since the 2011 general election. Boyd Barrett was previously a member of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council. He is also chair of the Irish Anti-War Movement\, and has been cited on war issues in the Irish media. \n\n\n\nPartner Organisations for Launch \n\n\n\nWALK is a unique association supporting people with intellectual disabilities and / or autism to discover their career and employment ambitions in life. WALK supports people with intellectual disabilities to have the right to work on an equal basis with others\, the right to live independently and be included in the community\, the right to an education and the right to take part on an equal basis with others in the cultural life of a community. \n\n\n\nFront Line Defenders (FLD) is an international human rights organisation founded in Dublin in 2001\, with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk (HRDs). FLD works to improve the security and protection of human rights defenders and organisations around the world at risk for their peaceful and legitimate human rights work. As identified by human rights defenders themselves\, FLD responds to protection and security needs by providing support through grants\, capacity building\, visibility\, networking\, and advocacy\, at the international\, regional and local levels. Front Line Defenders has been awarded the 2018 United Nations Human Rights Prize. Front Line Defenders maintains its headquarters in Dublin\, an EU Office in Brussels\, and regionally-based field staff in the Americas\, Asia\, Africa\, Europe & Central Asia\, and the Middle East. \n\n\n\nCongratulations to the 2026 Front Line Defenders Annual Award Winners \n\n\n\nOn behalf of the Irish Arts and Human Rights festival\, Smashing Times pay tribute to the Human Rights Defenders to be honoured in 2026 at the Front Line Defenders Annual Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk.  Each year Front Line Defenders announces the five winners of its top distinction\, the Front Line Defenders Annual Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. The award was established in 2005 to honour the work of human rights defenders (HRDs) who are courageously making outstanding contributions to the promotion and protection of the human rights of others\, often at great personal risk to themselves. \n\n\n\nThe Award focuses international attention on the work and struggles of HRDs\, providing a greater national and international platform to speak about and advocate for the human rights issues they are defending.  \n\n\n\nLaureates are selected from among scores of candidates who are put forward in a secure\, public nomination process carried out towards the end of each year and Award winners are announced on the day of the Award Ceremony in Dublin the following year. Laureates receive a modest financial prize\, a protection grant  and support from Front Line Defenders teams on digital and physical security\, advocacy\, visibility\, well-being and more. More information here \n\n\n\n“These laureates are rays of light in some very dark situations of repression\, discrimination and detention. Their steadfast commitment to human rights provides the solutions we need to bring humanity back from the brink\, and to create a better\, more just world. Governments must begin to see human rights defenders\, not as a threat to their grasp on power\, but as positive changemakers who can improve societies and defend the human rights of their citizens.” Alan Glasgow\, Executive Director\, 2024\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBarry was elected as a member of Dáil Éireann in November 2024. Prior to that\, Barry served as a Senator\, and was Seanad spokesperson on Justice. A practicing barrister\, Barry is originally from Deansgrange. He was first elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2009\, representing the Blackrock Ward\, which also includes Booterstown\, Deansgrange\, Foxrock\, Monkstown and Stillorgan. Barry also served as Leader of the Fine Gael group on the Council. In 2020\, he was elected to the Industrial and Commercial Panel of the Seanad\, having stood in that year’s general election in the Dún Laoghaire constituency. \n\n\n\nOn the Council\, Barry worked tirelessly on various local issues including parks\, recycling\, public transport and cycling infrastructure\, climate action\, coastal issues and supporting local businesses. In the Seanad\, he has championed criminal justice reform\, and has a particular interest in education\, foreign affairs\, the environment and promoting the Irish language – ár dteanga náisiúnta. \n\n\n\nA sailor\, Barry has been vocal in his support for the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI\, and speaks frequently about water safety and the need for the improvement of water quality in Dublin Bay. He is a member of the Oireachtas committees on Justice\, An Ghaeilge\, and Members’ Interests\, and is also an Irish Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). \n\n\n\nBarry has fought hard for gender and marriage equality and is a strong advocate for change. He is a leading voice in local campaigns\, such as the Sutton to Sandycove (S2S) Coastal Promenade and locating a new permanent home for Gaelscoil Laighean in Blackrock as well as providing strong contributions to discussions on ongoing international events in occupied Palestine\, Taiwan\, Hong Kong and Belarus\, even adopting a Belarusian political prisoner. \n\n\n\nIn his spare time\, Barry enjoys walks with his cocker spaniel\, Ruby\, on Dún Laoghaire Pier\, on Killiney Hill and in Cabinteely Park. He speaks Irish and French\, and hosts the Irish Legislation Podcast. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRichard Boyd Barrett (born 6 February 1967) is an Irish People Before Profit–Solidarity politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency since the 2011 general election. Boyd Barrett was previously a member of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council. He is also chair of the Irish Anti-War Movement\, and has been cited on war issues in the Irish media. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlan Glasgow has worked for 25 years in development\, humanitarian\, and human rights contexts. He joined as CEO of Front Line Defenders in May 2024\, from the position of Regional Director for Asia and Europe with the Washington based Aid Agency\, Mercy Corps. Prior to this he served as Mercy Corps’ European Migration Director. \n\n\n\nAlan has also worked with the International Rescue Committee in New York and as Country Director in Sierra Leone\, and with GOAL as Country Director in Kenya\, South Sudan and Sudan\, and Director of Global Business Development. \n\n\n\nAlan’s leadership experience has focused on work at the frontlines of the world’s most challenging human rights environments\, including Afghanistan\, Gaza\, Liberia\, Myanmar\, Sierra Leone\, South Sudan\, Sudan\, Syria\, Ukraine and Yemen. His career has demonstrated a profound commitment to the rights of the marginalized and his work has been underpinned by a belief in the principles of human rights. \n\n\n\nAlan holds a Master’s Degree from UCD in addition to professional training with Columbia and Harvard Universities. He lives in Dublin. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, from Dublin\, Ireland. Mary embarked upon her award-winning career as a writer in theatre and film and has garnered much acclaim for her plays\, poetry and short film scripts\, and for creating interdisciplinary artworks combining writing and photography presented in galleries and online. She established and became Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and is Artistic Curator for the annual Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival. Mary has an honours BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin and an honours Masters in Film Production from TU Dublin. \n\n\n\nAfter raising four children\, now  adults\, Mary dedicated her time to becoming a writer. She writes fiction for young people and adults featuring stories of courage\, laughter\, tragedy\, happiness\, love\, death and action-packed adventures. Mary pens a series of articles titled Creative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Leadership and Self-Esteem which appear in the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality newsletter and on Mary’s website marymoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nIn her free time Mary loves to spend time with her four adult children and hang out with friends.  She swims in the sea all year round. She loves the ocean\, sky and moon and has a spiritual connection to the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea\, to the environs of Dublin bay and to the mystical landscapes of Valentia Island and the surrounding Iveragh peninsula in County Kerry\, her spiritual home. She is a big fan of the Dublin Gaelic football and hurling teams. \n\n\n\nSmashing Times \n\n\n\nMary is Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality working collaboratively with artists and over fifty organisations across Ireland\, Northern Ireland\, Europe and internationally\, using the arts to promote rights and values for all. Company patrons are Sabina Higgins; Joan Freeman\, founder of Pieta House; Ger Ryan\, actor and Tim Pat Coogan\, writer and historian. Founding patrons were writers Maeve Binchy and Brian Friel. \n\n\n\nArts and Human Rights Festival \n\n\n\nMary is Artistic Curator for the annual\, international Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival implemented by Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders with Amnesty International\, Fighting Words\, ICCL\, NWCI\, Irish Modern Dance Theatre\, Trócaire\, Poetry Ireland and Irish Pen\, and funded by The Arts Council. The festival highlights the extraordinary work of human rights defenders in Ireland and around the world\, past and present\, and the role of the arts and artists in promoting human rights today. \n\n\n\nAwards \n\n\n\nMary’s work has won a number of awards\, including the Allianz Business to Arts Special Judges DAA Arts Award at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre\, the international and prestigious #ArtsAgainstCovid award from the Arts in Health International Foundation and an Arts Council Agility Award. Mary was awarded a Project Award from The Arts Council to write a new work with a range of collaborators titled The Feeling Soul\, inspired by stories of women poets from ancient and modern Ireland.    \n\n\n\nMary is the author of the epic spoken word poem  ‘Ode to a Coolock Queen’’\, written from a female perspective and exploring identity\, gender\, violence\, passion\, self-destruction and possible redemption. An attempt as Sylvia Plath says  ‘to be true to my own weirdnesses’. It is an oral storytelling narrative that is about a broader reflection on what it is to be born out of a working class environment.  This poem is in homage to all people from working-class communities who find their strength and become their own kings and queens like warriors from an ancient past. \n\n\n\nAs a playwright\, Mary’s work includes the highly acclaimed The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of WWII co-written with Paul Kennedy\, Fiona Thompson and Féilim James;  Tales of Love and Loss featuring two monologues selected by President Michael D Higgins for performance at Áras an Uachtaráin\, Constance and Her Friends and Grace and Joe for performance in 2023; In One Breath from the award-winning Testimonies(co-written with Paul Kennedy); Shadow of My Soul and May Our Faces Haunt You. \n\n\n\nMary’s film work includes the hour-long documentary Stories From the Shadows (co-directed with Mark Quinn); the short film Tell Them Our Names\,  (directed by Mary\, co-written with Paul Kennedy) inspired by women’s stories of WWII and selected for the London Eye International Film Festival and Kerry Film Festival; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Courageous Women\, inspired by powerful women’s stories from the 1916 to 1923 decade of commemorations period in Irish history; In Time\, a poem-film created in response to the changing landscape of our world today in a time of pandemic (written by Mary Moynihan\, co-directed with Mark Quinn); and The Shoah: A Survivor’s Memory – The World’s Legacy\, adapted from the writings of French woman Simone Veil (1927-2017)\, a French lawyer\, politician and feminist\, Holocaust survivor and first female President of the European Parliament. \n\n\n\nMary has a focus on using historical memory in her artistic practice as inspiration for the creation of original artworks. A number of her writings highlight stories of ordinary yet extraordinary women who stood up for the rights of others with a focus on the Holocaust\, WWII and the revolutionary period in Irish history. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrendan Heade will be performing a powerful piece from Scent of a Woman\, originally performed by Al Pacino\, exploring the theme of Justice. The scene highlights the importance of standing up for what is right\, finding your voice\, and having the courage to speak out when faced with injustice. Through this performance\, Brendan brings his passion for acting to life while exploring the powerful themes of integrity\, equality and justice. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAndy Johnson is a Dublin-based actor with a passion for acting and performing. He has experience working in television\, including multiple appearances on RTÉ’s Fair City and an appearance in Witness No. 3 for Story Films and Channel 5. He has also taken part in television productions including Name That Tune\, Beat Shazam and Don’t Forget the Lyrics!. Andy started his acting training at Liberties College\, where he completed a Drama Foundation course. He then continued his training at the Gaiety School of Acting\, completing three Acting for Camera courses. In 2026\, he also completed Noel Brady’s Intensive Acting Showreel Course with Phoenix Artz Media. Andy has a strong interest in accents and voice work. His accents include Ulster English\, Cockney\, Scouse\, Scottish\, Spanish-accented English\, Modern California\, New York and Southern American. He also speaks Spanish. Andy is passionate about continuing to develop his acting skills and gaining more experience in film and television. His dream is to build a professional acting career\, work in film and television\, and inspire others to follow their own dreams and believe in what they can achieve. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBorn in Montpellier\, France\, to a Belgian father and an English mother\, Sebastien Luthers’ family moved to Leitrim when he was six years old. He started learning the whistle at around age six or seven and later progressed to the fiddle\, with Michael Clancy in Leitrim\, the man known as ‘the man of a thousand reels’.From those beginnings\, Sebastien’s love of music has blossomed. He currently teaches French and English in Wilson’s Hospital School as well as promoting extra-curricular music participation for students\, and is founder of Franco-Hibernian folk group CAS.Sebastien’s album\, The Lost Violin\, is a collection of tunes he wrote over the last 20 years inspired by the landscape of Leitrim and the Auvergne volcanic peaks\, where he lived and toured with a Celtic rock band Oubert . The name of the album relates to a custom-made instrument by renowned fiddle maker and All-Ireland champion Jim McKillop. It was stolen from Sebastien in Barcelona in 2013\, and serendipitously found and returned to him over 10 years later.The Lost Violin is for sale on Bandcamp and selected outlets\, along with his band CAS’ debut album\, Tonnta na Maidine\, which was released on tour in the UK\, Ireland and France during summer 2026. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of University College Cork with an MA in Arts Management and Creative Producing. She also holds a teaching diploma from the London College of Music in Drama and Communication\, and a BA Joint Hons in Drama and Theatre Studies with German. She has a background in theatre and worked for several years as a drama teacher\, later becoming a teacher of social skills for children on the autism spectrum.  \n\n\n\nSince completing her Masters in 2020\, Ciara has worked as a producer and festival administrator for Half Moon Festival (Cork\, 2020) and festival producer for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality as the festival producer\, and also works at UCC as a part-time lecturer on the MA Arts Management & Cultural Producing. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nOrganisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/launch-of-the-eighth-irish-arts-and-human-rights-festival-2026/
LOCATION:Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, 30 Sandycove Road\, Sandycove\, Dublin\, A96V9P1\, 30 Sandycove Road\, Sandycove\, Dublin\, A96V9P1
CATEGORIES:Launch,Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IARHFestival-launch.jpg
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