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SUMMARY:Ar Snámh
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAr Snámh by award-winning Irish language writer Seán Mac Dhonnagáin is presented at The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin 2\, D02 K037\, on Friday\, 18 October and Saturday\, 19 October\, nightly at 7.30pm.  Each performance is followed by a post-show panel discussion with the artists and guest speakers on the theme of ‘The Irish Language and the Arts: Unique forms of expression to promote equality\, human rights and diversity’. Ar Snámh is directed by Hilary Bowen-Walsh and produced by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality as part of the Aisling programme supporting emerging and established artists working in the Irish language with a focus on the arts for equality\, human rights and diversity. \n\n\n\nAr Snámh follows Jane\, a young woman who moved away from Dublin as a child\, as she returns toher home county by travelling up the Liffey in a dinghy she bought in Lidl. Along the way\, Janeconsiders the moments that have led her to this journey\, from the death of her father when she wasa child to the budding relationship she is developing with a local lad\, Stephen.Along her journey\, Jane speaks into a tape recorder her father left her and tries to fill him in whathe’s missed over all these years\, and the struggles she is encountering as a young person in a smallvillage. Jane recalls conversations with various people in her life\, playing the parts of friends andfamily members as she gives us a view of her past and tries to work out her future.Ar Snámh is performed in Irish with English-language surtitles. \n\n\n\nIs dráma é Ar Snámh a leanann Jane\, bean óg a d’fhág Baile Átha Cliath agus í ina páiste\, agus í anoisag filleadh ar a cathair dúchais tríd taisteal suas an Life i ndingí ó Lidl. Ar an mbealach\, déanann Janemacnamh ar na heachtraí a chuir ar an mbóthar seo í\, ó bhás a hathar agus í óg go dtí an caidreamhnua atá ag fás idir í féin agus buachaill áitiúil\, Stiofán.Ar an turas seo\, labhrann Jane isteach i dtéipthaifeadán a d’fhág a hathair aici\, í ag insint dó faoinsaol atá aici agus na deacrachtaí atá aici mar dhuine óg i mbaile beag. Tosaíonn sí ag dul siar archomhráite le daoine éagsúla ina saol\, go háirithe ar eachtraí a bhain lena cairde agus lena teaghlach.Foghlaimíd faoi scéal Jane agus í ag oirbriú amach cad atá i ndán di sa chéad chaibidil eile dá saol. \n\n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \nSmashing Times never want ticket price to be a barrier to access. Email admin@smashingtimes.ie to be added to the guestlist. \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nSeán MacDhonnagáin\, writer \n\n\n\nHilary Bowen-Walsh\, director \n\n\n\nBláthnaid Daly\, Aisteoir/Actor \nRéiltín Nic Eoin\, Aisteoir/Actor \nDonncha Crowle\, Aisteoir/Actor \nDeirbhile Larkin\, Bainisteoir Stáitse/ stage manager \nLara Gallagher\, Dearthóir Fuaime/ Sound Designer \nSophie Cassidy\, Dearthóir Soilse/ Lighting Designer \n\n\n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nAr Snámh by Seán Mac Dhonnagáin\, is produced by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality for the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival 2024. Two performances in Irish take place in The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin 2\,  D02 K037 on Friday 18 October and Saturday 19 October\, nightly at 7.30pm. Each performance is followed by a post-show panel discussion with the artists and guest speakers on the theme of ‘The Irish Language and the Arts: Unique forms of expression to promote equality\, human rights and diversity’. \n\n\n\nAr Snámh follows Jane\, a young woman who moved away from Dublin as a child\, as she returns to her home county by travelling up the Liffey in a dinghy she bought in Lidl. Along the way\, Jane considers the moments that have led her to this journey\, from the death of her father when she was a child to the budding relationship she is developing with a local lad\, Stephen. Along her journey\, Jane speaks into a tape recorder her father left her and tries to fill him in on what he’s missed over all these years\, and the struggles she is encountering as a young person in a small village. Jane recalls conversations with various people in her life\, playing the parts of friends and family members as she gives us a view of her past and tries to work out her future\, as well as reflecting on the housing crisis that is impacting on the lives of people today. \n\n\n\nAr Snámh is written by Seán MacDhonnagáin who is an award winning Irish Language author.  Ar Snámh won Best One-Act Play in the literary competition at Oireachtas na Gaeilge 2018.  The director is Hilary Bowen-Walsh. The creative consultant is Mary Moynihan\, writer\, theatre and filmmaker\, Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality.  \n\n\n\nSmashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality are delighted to work with  Irish language author Seán MacDhonnagáin to present Ar Snámh and to support the Irish language.  Smashing Times are dedicated to promoting artistic and creative work in the Irish language with a focus on original material that addresses issues and concerns impacting on communities today with a focus on equality\, human rights and diversity. The company is dedicated to supporting the professional development of artists and the professional presentation of their artistic creations in the Irish language to as wide an audience as possible.  This show is presented as part of the Smashing Times Aisling Programme celebrating the Irish language and the power of the arts to promote equality\, human rights and diversity. \n\n\n\nArtist Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIs scríbhneoir agus aisteoir ó Bhaile Átha Cliath é Seán Mac Dhonnagáin. I measc na ndrámaí atá scríofa aige tá An Chos Eile AerachAiteachGaelach) agus ALVA (Polliwog Theatre Collective). Bhuaigh a dhrámaí Ar Snámh agus An Chos Eile an chéad duais do Dhráma Aonghnímh i gcomórtas liteartha Oireachtas na Gaeilge (2018\, 2023) agus bhuaigh a dhráma raidió Séasúr Oscailte an dara duais i gcomórtas liteartha Oireachtas na Gaeilge (2023). Bronnadh sparántacht air ó axis Bhaile Munna sa bhliain 2020\, agus bhí a dhráma An Chos Eile ar stáitse axis i mí na Samhna 2023.Le déanaí\, rinne Seán aisteoireacht sa cheoldráma Shauna Carrick Wants a Dog (Aon Scéal Theatre\, Dublin Fringe Festival)\, a bhí ainmnithe do ghradaim “Best Production” ag Dublin Fringe Festival. Is ball é Seán de AerachAiteachGaelach\, comharghrúpa ealaíon a thugann tacaíocht d’ealaíontóirí aiteacha atá ag obair trí mheán na Gaeilge.Seán Mac Dhonnagáin is a writer and actor. His plays include An Chos Eile (AerachAiteachGaelach) and ALVA (Polliwog Theatre Collective). His plays Ar Snámh and An Chos Eile won first place in the One-Act Play category at Oireachtas na Gaeilge’s literary competition (2018\, 2023)\, and his radio drama Séasúr Oscailte won second place in the Radio Drama category of the same competition (2023). He was awarded a bursary by axis\, Ballymun in 2020 and his play An Chos Eile was on stage in axis in November of last year.Recent aciting roles include Shauna Carrick Wants a Dog (Aon Scéal Theatre\, Dublin Fringe Festival)\, which was nominated for the Best Production award at Dublin Fringe Festival. Seán is a member of AerachAiteachGaelach\, an arts collective dedicated to supporting queer artists working in the Irish language. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHilary is an actor\, director and writer. Theatre credits include ‘Me\, Mollser’ (Abbey Theatre)\, ‘The Travels of Jonathan Swift’ (Best Ensemble Irish Times Theatre Awards 2020)\, ‘Amazing Grace’ (Mumbro Top)\, I am BABA (Anna Newell\, Gate Theatre)\, and ‘Sruth na Teanga’ (Branar). Screen credits include ‘Clean Sweep’ (RTÉ\, Shinawil)\, ‘Resistance’ (RTÉ)\, ‘Jack Taylor’ (Telegael)\, ‘Bonsoir Luna’ (Cannes Film Festival)\, and ‘Tír na nÓg’ (RTÉJr). \n\n\n\nIs aisteoir\, stiúrthóir agus scríbhneoir í Hilary. I measc na saothair amharclainne a luaitear lena hainm tá ‘Mise\, Mollser’ (Amharclann na Mainistreach)\, ‘The Travels of Jonathan Swift’ (Best Ensemble Irish Times Theatre Awards 2020)\, ‘Amazing Grace’ (Mumbro Top)\, I am BABA (Anna Newell\, Gate Theatre)\, agus ‘Sruth na Teanga’ (Branar). I measc na saothar físe a luaitear len hainm tá ‘Clean Sweep’ (RTÉ\, Shinawil)\, ‘Resistance’ (RTÉ)\, ‘Jack Taylor’ (Telegael)\, ‘Bonsoir Luna’ (Cannes Film Festival)\, and ‘Tír na nÓg’ (RTÉJr). \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBláthnaid Daly is an actor and writer from Co.Westmeath. In 2021\, shegraduated from the Gaiety School of Acting. She frequently works as avoiceover artist\, dubbing cartoons in the Irish language.Recent theatre credits include her own one woman\, bilingual English/Irishcomedy Connemarvellous\, (Scene + Heard)\, Heartstring (ScatterdreamTheatre Company)\, An Triail (Fíbín)\, Fionn agus an Bradán Feasa(Fíbín)\, Prawn Cocktail (Colour & Ducks Theatre Company)\, In the Midstof Plenty (Enchanted Croí Theatre)\, Space Deli The Musical (PayAttention! Collective) and Catastrophe Bay (National Youth MusicTheatre).Screen credits include Homofónia (Alana Daly Mulligan and LukeMurphy). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRugadh Donncha i gCorcaigh. D’oibrigh mar mhúinteoir is mar aistritheoir i dtíortha éagsúla sarar chuaigh sé le h-aisteoireacht. Ar na scannáin go bhfuil sé le feiceáil iontu tá  Abode\, Call Me Nancy\, Sentinel\, West Kerry Cowboy\, The Green Knight\, Gretel & Hansel\, I Never Cry\, Zoo\, & Pilgrimage.  Father Ted & Runway.  As Gaeilge; áirítear Rúbaí\, Klondike\, An Crisis\, Scúp\, Rásaí na Gailimhe\, & Kings srl. Ghlac sé páirt in Drainage Scheme sa Phéachóig anuraidh don Fringe Festival. Is iomaí dráma stáitse go raibh sé páirteach ann\, anseo & thar lear; is cuimhin leis go háirithe Waiting For Godot (trí huaire)\, Translations\, The Field\, An Cat & An Ghealach\, Boicíní Bhóthar Kilburn\, Námhaid Don Phobail\, An Béal Bocht agus Bullai Mhártain. Agus dhá phanto sa Taibhdhearc. \nBorn in Cork\, Donncha worked abroad as a teacher and translator\, and other things\, before acting. Screen work includes the films Abode\, Call Me Nancy\, Sentinel\, West Kerry Cowboy\, The Green Knight\, Gretel antd Hansel\, I Never Cry\, Zoo & Pilgrimage. Not forgetting Father Ted and Runway. Irish language films and TV include Rúbaí\, Klondyke\, An Crisis\, Scúp\, Rásaí na Gailimhe\, Kings srl.  He played a role in  Drainage Scheme last year in the Peacock. Among his favourite stage plays from around the country are Waiting For Godot\, Translations\, The Field\, An Cat & An Ghealach\, Boicíní Bhóthar Kilburn\, An Béal Bocht agus Bullaí Mhártain. And two pantos in An Taibhdhearc! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRéiltín is 9 years old from Co Chill Mhantáin and loves roller-skating and gymnastics. She loves reading to her little dog Betty and when she’s not doing that\, she’s singing and dancing around the house!  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSophie is a Lighting Designer and Theatre Maker from Drogheda\, Co. Louth. They found a love of theatre through Droichead Youth Theatre\, who they now work with as a designer\, mentor anddramaturg. They completed an MFA in lighting design at the Lir Academy in 2022.Recently\, Sophie has lit Theatre for One: This Ireland with Landmark Productions and Octopus Theatricals for the 2024 Cork Midsummer Festival\, the Irish Premiere of Belfast Girls in An Táin Theatre which then transferred to The Lyric\, Solstice and Droichead Arts Centre\, and the award winning you’re needy (sounds frustrating)\, for a sold-out runs at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2023 and the Edinburgh and Gothenburg Fringe in 2024. Sophie’s work has been described as “striking” and “excellent” by the Irish Times\, “haunting” and “ingenious” by Chris McCormack and “beautiful” and “majestic” by The Arts Review. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDeirbhile is a freelance Stage Manager and Production Manager based in Belfast\, and has worked with Northern Ireland Opera\, Opera Holland Park\, Replay Theatre Company\, Belfast Ma Productions\, Bright Umbrella\, Aisling Ghéar\, Green Room Productions NI\, Kabosh\, and the Northern Ireland Executive for the 21 Artists for the 21st Century.  \nDeirbhile Larkin is supported through the NI Opera Artist Development Programme 2024-25. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLara Gallagher \n\n\n\nLara Gallagher is an Irish sound artist and composer working across a number of mediums. She performs interdisciplinary improvisatory work\, composes works for ensembles and orchestras\, presents spatial installations and works across an array of artistic mediums from dance to children’s theatre. She holds an MA in Sonic Arts from Udk Berlin. \n\n\n\nOther theatre credits include: Dancing at Lughnasa (Gate Theatre\, Dublin); The Wolf of Wall Street and The Immersive Great Gatsby  (West End\, London); Dubliners and Spear (Smock Alley Theatre\, Dublin); 0800 Cupid and In heat (Project Arts Centre\, Dublin); beat. and Outlying Islands (Samuel Beckett Theatre\, Dublin); Absolute Hell\, Untitled and Three sisters (The Lir\, Dublin); The Whispering Chair (Cavan County Museum\, Cavan); You’re Needy Sounds Frustrating (Gothenburg\, Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe). \n  \n\n\n\nThe Aisling Programme\n\n\n\nCelebrating Irish language and the power of the arts to promote equality\, human rights and diversity \nThe Aisling Programme supports emerging and established artists working in the Irish language with a focus on the arts for equality\, human rights and diversity. The programme features workshops\, performances\, poetry\, literature\, music and creative conversations in both Irish and English\, alongside the commissioning and presentation of original artworks in Irish\, celebrating the Irish language and the power of the arts to promote equality\, human rights and diversity for all across the island of Ireland. \nSmashing Times support the Irish language as our national language and believe a commitment to Irish as the official language of the Republic of Ireland is a key element for the development of the company. The Aisling Programme is a Creative Arts Programme for Equality\, Human Rights and Diversity with workshops\, performances and creative conversations in both Irish and English\, using the arts to promote and celebrate the Irish language and the arts linked to equality\, human rights\, diversity\, health and well-being\,  leadership training\, inclusion and peace. \nThe Aisling Project fosters and promotes the Irish language and the arts through Irish as well as bilingually as an integral part of the company\, network and festival programme and provides a stage for the Irish language community linked  to the arts sector. Smashing Times are delighted to partner and work with artists who work in the Irish language and who are interested in using the arts to promote equality\, human rights and diversity. \nOpen Call to Artists\nArts and Human Rights Network available through Irish\nWe want You\nSmashing Times wish to support the Irish language as our national language and believe a commitment to Irish as the official language of the Republic of Ireland is a key element for the development of the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. We are inviting you to join with us and to take part in Aisling: A programme of the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality celebrating the Irish language and the arts linked to equality\, human rights\, diversity\, inclusion and peace. As part of this work we are looking for key artists who speak Irish  to become involved in the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights network and we are now developing an Irish language section as part of the network. We invite you to take part in this unique network for artists\, individuals and communities interested in linking the Irish language and the arts for the promotion of  human rights\, equality and diversity. \nJoin the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Irish Language network as Gaeilge across Ireland\, linking with artists\, activists and individuals who are interested in using the arts to promote human rights\, equality and diversity through the Irish language. \nA core strategic aim is to ensure a strand of the Smashing Times centre is conducted through and promotes the Irish language. The centre is situated in Ireland and operates across Ireland with a European and international reach\, and we believe that as Irish is our national language and a recognised language within the EU it is essential that the centre incorporates the Irish language as an integral and core part of the overall work.  The aim is to provide a community-orientated Irish language arts and human rights service to the Irish speaking community of Dublin and across Ireland\, Northern Ireland and internationally on a non-profit basis. \nIf you are an artist\, community group member or a member of the general public and are interested in using the Irish language through the arts to promote equality\, human rights and diversity\,  and would like to join the Arts and Human  Right network\, do get in touch. All welcome. \nAs a member\, you will \n\nReceive exclusive invitations to online and onsite networking events.\nMeet like-minded artists and people who believe in the power of the arts to promote human rights issues.\nReceive invitations to Smashing Times events across Ireland.\nBe contacted with opportunities to share your work or perform at Smashing Times events across Ireland.\nConnect through a monthly newsletter\, weekly bulletin; and through attendance at bi-monthly online or onsite meetings\n\nResource and Advice service available through Irish promoting the arts for equality\, human rights and diversity \nThis entails the translation of existing information into the Irish language and providing up-to-date information on resources\, grants and opportunities through Irish for artists and communities using the Irish language and creative processes to promote equality\, human rights and diversity for all. \n\n\n\nDream of Freedom / Aisling na Saoirse\n\n\n\nA Dream of Equality / Aisling an Chomhionannais\nIn Irish we say \nFáilte for Welcome \nAisling for Dream or Vision \nSaoirse for Freedom \nComhionannas for Equality \nCruthaitheach for Creative \nSuaimhneas for Peace \nAmhrán for Song \nCroí for heart \nGrá for Love \n Macnas for playfulness \nDraíocht for Magic \nAbhainn for River \nÓiche for night \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/ar-snamh-2024-10-18/
LOCATION:The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin\, D02 K037\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion,Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG-20240904-WA0000-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241018T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241018T140000
DTSTAMP:20241003T162430Z
CREATED:20241003T161809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241003T162430Z
UID:10000522-1729256400-1729260000@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Memorial Monologues – The Path of Memory
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, Writer\, Poet\, Creator of Art and Photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, musician \n\n\n\nJosephine Patane\, actor \n\n\n\nDaniel Mahon\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino\, director \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan was commissioned by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders for the fifth annual Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival in 2023.  Due to popular demand\, the show returns for the 2024 festival for three outdoor performances from 18-20 October\, daily at 1pm in the award-winning Iveagh Gardens\, Dublin’s secret garden\, located close to St Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin city centre. There will be one indoor performance at the launch of the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival in The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2\, on Friday 11 October\, 7.30pm. \n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan is adapted from the words of four brave and inspirational human rights defenders from around the world who were murdered because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.  Created as a promenade\, ‘walk-in-the-park’ show with theatre\, poetry and music\, the performance features four of the stories of human rights defenders who are commemorated at the Memorial to Human Rights Defenders in the Iveagh Gardens. They are Lasantha Wickrematunge\, journalist\, Sri Lanka; Natalya Estemirova\, journalist and human rights defender\, Chechnya; Raed Fares\, journalist and activist\, Syria and Bety Cariño\, activist and women’s rights defender\, Mexico.  \n\n\n\nThis unique event leads viewers around the Iveagh gardens arriving at the human rights memorial monument located in the gardens.  The memorial provides a physical space in the heart of Dublin city to recognise and commemorate the lives of the many brave and inspirational human rights defenders around the world who have been silence and killed because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.  The names and words of the four human rights defenders whose stories are told in the live performance\, are carved on the plaques in the memorial situated in the Iveagh Gardens. \n\n\n\nPlease note that if the weather does not permit outdoor performances\, the show relocates  to The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin 2. You will receive an email on the day with confirmation of venue. \n\n\n\nDesigned by Grafton Architects\, the memorial monument in Iveagh Gardens is an Ogham garden\, comprised of five standing stones\, etched with ancient Irish Ogham script\, each representing a native Irish tree. The space is enclosed by a crafted metal screen\, on which are plaques\, bearing the words of those who gave their life for their causes\, and a bench encourages passers-by to sit and think about these brave individuals\, who stood their ground. The memorial was launched by then- Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney\, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Mary Lawlor and former Front Line Defenders Executive Director Andrew Anderson. \n\n\n\nIveagh Gardens are located on Clonmel Street\, off Harcourt Street in Dublin 2. Access is by Clonmel Street\, Hatch Street\, and to the rear of the National Concert Hall on Earlsfort Terrace. Please note that there is no wheelchair access through the Concert Hall gate entrance. Come and join us as we pay tribute to the many brave and inspirational human rights defenders around the world who have been silence and killed because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.  \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHuman Rights Defenders listed at the Memorial Monument: \n\n\n\nCao Shunli \n\n\n\nNatalya Estemirova \n\n\n\nAnna Politkovskaya \n\n\n\nMarielle Franco \n\n\n\nBety Cariño \n\n\n\nRosemary Nelson \n\n\n\nBerta Caceres \n\n\n\nRazan al-Najjar \n\n\n\nXulhaz Mannan \n\n\n\nRaed Fares \n\n\n\nLasantha Wickrematunga \n\n\n\nPascal Kabungulu \n\n\n\nAbdul Karim Al-Khaiwani \n\n\n\nDaphne Caruana \n\n\n\nCredits \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, Writer\, Poet\, Creator of Art and Photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival \n\n\n\nLaura O’Leary\, International Events and Promotions Coordinator\, developer and coordinator of Memorial Monologues for Front Line Defenders\, Human Rights Curator\, Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nJosephine Patane\, actor \n\n\n\nDaniel Mahon\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, musician \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, producer \n\n\n\nPresented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders. \n\n\n\nSupported by Theatre in Palm and Creative Europe \n  \n\n\n\nArtist Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDaniel is a graduate of The Lir Academy. Graduating from The Three Year Bachelor in Acting in 2022. \n\n\n\nStage credits include ‘EXIT> PURSUED BY A PINT’ a new play by Kat Ennis for Scene and Heard Festival 2023\,  the role of ‘The Black O’Donnell’ in the Quintessence Theatre/An Taín production of INTO THE DARK and the role of ‘Patrick Hogan’ in ANU Productions’ STAGING THE TREATY at the National Concert Hall which was also screened at the IFI and streamed on RTÉ’s website and IFI@Home. \n\n\n\nWhile at The Lir he played\, Francois ‘Franz/Frank’ Lafayette in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ APPROPRIATE directed by Joy Nesbitt; Barnardine & Froth in Shakespeare’s MEASURE FOR MEASURE directed by Joe Dowling; John Morris in Kate O’Brien’s DISTINGUISHED VILLA directed by Hilary Wood; Vladimir in Chekov’s THREE SISTERS directed by Marc Atkinson Borrull and Dr. Gibbs in Thornton Wilder’s OUR TOWN directed by Wayne Jordan. \n\n\n\nHis Scene Credits include Paul in the IFTA-nominated feature WHO WE LOVE directed by Graham Cantwell; the short film WAITING directed by Sinéad O’Louglin at The Lir\, and the role of Eddie in Pancake Studios’ short film NEVER ALONE. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosephine is excited to be a part of the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival. Originally from the United States\, she has performed in many New York and regional theatre productions there. Since moving\, Josephine has continued performing on stages throughout Europe as an actor and singer. Theatre credits include: The Little Mermaid (Vanessa) Fiddler on the Roof (Chava) The Shadow of a Gunman (Minnie Powell) Twinkle Tames a Dragon (Twinkle) and Richard II (Northumberland.) On screen\, Josephine can be seen in the film Happy Yummy Chicken\, or doing science experiments on BBC Bitesize. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\nAnother Title\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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/memorial-monologues-the-path-of-memory/
LOCATION:Iveagh Gardens\, St Stephen's Green\, Dublin 2\, D02 HX65
CATEGORIES:Human Rights Defenders,Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Memorial-Monologues-The-Path-of-MemoryHEIC.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241017T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241017T223000
DTSTAMP:20241003T151646Z
CREATED:20240903T152456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241003T151646Z
UID:10000524-1729191600-1729204200@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Open Mic Night
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nJoin us for a night of poetry and music related to themes of solidarity\, human rights and social justice. We will have special guests featuring curated poetry and music for the night\, which will be announced closer to the event and the floor is also open for anyone who would like to sign up to perform. \n\n\n\nIf you are interested in performing\, please send an email with subject line ‘’open mic sign up’’ to events@frontlinedefenders.org \n  \n\n\n\nFront Line Defenders\n\n\n\nFront Line Defenders was founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders (HRDs) at risk\, people who work\, non-violently\, for any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Front Line Defenders addresses the protection needs identified by human rights defenders themselves. Front Line Defenders maintains its headquarters in Dublin\, an EU Office in Brussels\, and regionally-based field staff in the Americas\, Asia\, Africa\, Europe and the Middle East. \n\n\n\nwww.frontlinedefenders.org \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\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/open-mic-night-2/
LOCATION:The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin\, D02 K037\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Music,Performance,Poetry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/open-mic.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Front Line Defenders":MAILTO:events@frontlinedefenders.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241017T183000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241017T203000
DTSTAMP:20241022T141418Z
CREATED:20240903T141253Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241022T141418Z
UID:10000516-1729189800-1729197000@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Art as Protest: How the Arts Can Advance Human Rights
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProtest comes in many forms and art\, as a form of protest\, can be used to raise awareness\, show and encourage solidarity\, and criticise government. With our strong artistic and cultural lineage\, artists in Ireland are at the heart of many protest movements. This panel discussion titled ‘Art as Project: How the Arts Can Advance Human Rights ‘will explore the links between protest\, solidarity and the arts. It will bring together artists\, activists\, academics\, and individuals to see how they are working towards a common aim.  In addition to the panel discussion with artists and activists\, the evening will feature a short training session on your rights when protesting. The panel discussion is presented by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and takes place on Thursday 17 October from 6.30 to 8.30 pm at Hen’s Teeth\, Dublin 8. \n\n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nAilbhe Smyth\, feminist\, LGBTIQA+\, socialist activist (event chairperson) \n\n\n\nZoë Lawlor\, Chairperson and Cultural Liaison Officer\, Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (event speaker) \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nFar right and extremist movements and narratives are on the rise in Ireland and across the world. Many governments are also moving to repress people’s right to peacefully protest. Here in Ireland\, we in the Irish Council for Civil Liberties continue to protect this right. \n\n\n\nProtest comes in many forms and art\, as a form of protest\, can be used to raise awareness\, show and encourage solidarity\, and criticise government. With our strong artistic and cultural lineage\, artists in Ireland are at the heart of many protest movements. \n\n\n\nThe panel discussion will explore the links between protest\, solidarity and the arts. It will bring together artists\, activists\, academics\, and individuals together to see how they are working towards a common aim. \n\n\n\nThis event will bring together protesters\, artists and activists to explore the intersection between protest and the arts\, and the role the arts can play in advancing human rights. The event will consider questions such as: \n\n\n\n·       How can artists act in solidarity with protest movements? \n\n\n\n·       What steps can we take to create stronger relationships between protest movements and artists in Ireland? \n\n\n\n·       How do protest movements use art to gain political and popular support? \n\n\n\n·       What role can art and artists play in combatting the growing threat of the far-right and anti-rights movements? \n\n\n\nSpeakers will include: \n\n\n\n·     Ailbhe Smyth\, feminist\, LGBTIQA+\, socialist activist \n\n\n\n·     Zoë Lawlor\, Chairperson and Cultural Liaison Officer\, Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign \n\n\n\nThe panel discussion is hosted by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is Ireland’s leading independent human rights campaigning organisation. They monitor\, educate and campaign to secure human rights for everyone in Ireland. They are committed to an Ireland that is more just\, more free\, and where human rights and civil liberties are enjoyed by everyone. They act as an essential defender of human rights and civil liberties and as an effective champion for the advancement of justice and freedom in Irish society. \nwww.iccl.ie \n  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA feminist\, LGBTIQ+ and socialist activist\, Ailbhe Smyth was the founding head of Women’s Studies at UCD. Recent campaigns she has been involved in include the referendums for Marriage Equality and for the legalisation of abortion. She is Chair of Women’s Aid and is a founder member of Le Cheile: Diversity not Division.  Ailbhe was named in Time Magazine’s ‘The world’s 100 most influential people’ list in 2019 and is a Freewoman of the City of Dublin. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nZoë Lawlor is the Chairperson and cultural and sporting liaison of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign\, She is from Limerick and has been involved in anti-racist and refugee solidarity\, as well as with Palestine solidarity for years. She is a co-founder of Gaza Action Ireland and spent a week in Israeli prison having been part of the Freedom Flotilla campaign to break the siege of Gaza. With Gaza Action Ireland\, she visited Gaza and made links with civil society there\, bringing Palestinian art to Ireland\, exhibiting in Limerick and nationwide. With the Gaza Kids to Ireland project\, she brought a children’s football team here to tour Ireland two years in a row\, they were based in Limerick and played football around the country.  \nWith the IPSC\, in partnership with the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI)\, she works to advance the cultural boycott of apartheid Israel and to build solidarity with Palestine in the arts community\, as well as to raise awareness of Israeli apartheid.  \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\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/art-as-protest-how-the-arts-can-advance-human-rights/
LOCATION:Hen’s Teeth\, Blackpitts\, Dublin\, D08 A9FD\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ICCL-DAHRF-event-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Irish Council for Civil Liberties":MAILTO:info@iccl.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241017T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241017T130000
DTSTAMP:20240920T114108Z
CREATED:20240904T161846Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240920T114108Z
UID:10000551-1729166400-1729170000@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Trees
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmashing Times never want ticket price to be a barrier to access. To be added to the guestlist\, please email admin@smashingtimes.ie \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a guided\, walkabout\, outdoor performance taking place at Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\, Rathfarnham in South County Dublin. Enjoy a magical walk-in-the-park performance\, promenade style\, as we regale you with storytelling\, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests\, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of trees\, nature\, bio-diversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees runs for nine performances at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Gardens on Sunday 13 October\, 11am\, 1pm\, 3pm; Monday 14 October\, 10am\, 12pm; Tuesday 15 October\, 10am\, 12pm; and Thursday 17 October 10am\, 12pm. \n\n\n\nA special tenth show takes place at The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Sunday 20 October\, at 7.30pm\, as the closing performance for the sixth  annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorio and performed by Fiona Bawn-Thompson\, Abdelmonem Nassef\, Carmen Ortiz Victorio and Ciara Hayes with music performed by Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, Violinist. \n\n\n\nNature is in trouble. Ireland has declared a climate and a biodiversity emergency. As President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said if we were coal miners we would  be up to our knees in dead canaries. Despite our green image we need to do more. Ireland has lost many of its native woods. It is estimated that only eleven per cent of Ireland is currently under  forest cover\, much lower than most European countries. Finland for example has over 70 percent forest cover while Spain has over 35 percent. How can we celebrate the life of woodlands and connect more with nature\, to support the planet that gives us life and sustains us? What can we do to stop the felling and destruction of trees? \n\n\n\nBrigid of Kildare\, patron saint of Ireland has returned. She invites us to join her in the forest and enter the world of trees.  Brigid takes us on a journey through the history of trees from the Ice Age to present times\, exploring how forests have changed over thousands of years. Listen to stories about the ancient\, sacred trees of  Ireland such as oak\, ash\, birch\, hazel and hawthorn and explore the wonders of a Celtic tradition of trees and forests where magic can happen. \n\n\n\nJoin us as we reflect on ways to re-wild the landscape and re-wild the human soul. The Art of Trees is an outdoor performance inviting us to walk in nature\, to leave behind a world  filled with straight lines\, computer screens\, concrete blocks and clock time\, to explore why tree cover in Ireland has fallen so low and to reflect on the role trees play in our ecosystem. What can be  done to save our sacred trees and ancient woods and take action in the fight against climate change? The show is a theatrically staged fusion of theatre\, poetry\, story\, dance and music and is a dazzling storytelling performance suitable for all ages that is fun\, magical and sparking. \nCredits \nMary Moynihan\, writer \nCarmen Ortiz\, director \nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \nCiara Hayes\, actor \nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician on violin \nCiara Hayes\, producer \nSupported by The Trees Project and Creative Europe \n\n\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park was where Patrick Pearse lived and ran his innovative Irish-speaking school\, Scoil Éanna\, between 1910 to 16. The Pearse Museum houses a fascinating exhibition on the life of Patrick and William Pearse who were both executed for their part in the 1916 Rising in Ireland. The museum showcases the historic house where Pearse\, his family and students once lived and worked. \nThe Pearse Museum is situated within St Enda’s Park which covers nearly twenty hectares of attractive parkland in Rathfarnham\, Dublin. The park contains a wild river called Whitechurch Stream which joins the Owendoher river which flows into the river Dodder\, as well as forested areas with an abundance of trees including oak and hawthorn and a series of enchanting eighteenth and nineteenth century follies. \nSt Enda’s Park is situated in Rathfarnham and is a designated National Historic Park run and maintained by the OPW. The park has many wonderful trees and they line the walls of the park and the avenues. One of the most common trees in the park is the Monterey Cypress which was planted along the avenues of the grounds. There are also Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech trees. Native Trees in the park include Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. Shrubs that are common in the park are Hawthorn\, which is important for birds nesting\, Holly and Laurel. \n\n\n\nAutumn in St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nShare your Favourite Tree\n\n\n\nTell us about your favourite tree? Take a picture and send it in with ideally the name of the tree\, it’s location and a photograph. Even if you only have a photograph send it on and tell us what you enjoy about the tree.  Send it to admin@smashingtimes.ie \nThere are many famous trees in Ireland. We have hanging trees\, trees at holy wells\, trees associated with historic events and trees that are important to communities.  There is the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns\, Dublin\, the tree appears to be eating or swallowing  a bench!  We have Lady Gregory’s famous ‘Autograph’ Tree at Coole Park in Galway. It is a copper beech signed by the writer W. B. Yeats and his brother the painter Jack\, and by writers such as George Bernard Shaw\, Sean O’Casey and other famous people. \nEnjoy the wide variety of wonderful trees at St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham\, Dublin\, including Monterey Cypress\, Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech and our native trees including Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. \n\n\n\nThe Social Life of Trees\n\n\n\n“A forest is much more than what you see\,” says ecologist Suzanne Simard. Her 30 years of research in Canadian forests have led to an astounding discovery — trees talk\, often and over vast distances. Watch Suzanne’s Tedex talk to learn more about the harmonious yet complicated social lives of trees and prepare to see the natural world with new eyes. \n \n  \n\n\n\nImage by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\nThe Trees Project\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is presented as part of The Trees project led by Dah Theatre\, Belgrade\, Serbia and supported by Creative Europe.  For further project details see here. Following ten performances in Dublin\, Ireland\, a live performance of The Art of Trees goes on tour to  three international festivals in Frankfurt\, Germany\, June 2025\, Athens\, Greece\, June 2025 and  Saville\, Spain\, October 2025. \nThe Trees project supported by Creative Europe is led by Dah Teatar\, Belgrade\, Serbia. The partners are Action Synergy SA\, Greece; Theatro Aeroploio – Ena Theatro Giapaidia\, Greece; Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Ireland; Grenland Friteater AS\, Norway; Centro de Arte Proucciones Teatrales SL\, Spain; Protagon – Freunde Und Foerderer Freier Theateraktion\, Germany and Stichting Zid\, Netherlands. \nAs part of the Trees project\, Smashing Times and partners are using creative processes and the performing arts to connect with citizens through a multi-disciplinary approach\, raising awareness of the importance of nature in our world today with a focus on bio-diversity and our connections to trees\, seas\, skies\, mountains and land. \nAs part of the Trees project artists from Smashing Times attended a Euroeso Conference on the 22 April 2024 in Belgrade\, Serbia and a Trees conference and training programme in Belgrade Serbia  from 23-28 April\, 2024. Two outreach community workshops on trees and environmental sustainability were conducted by artist Carmen Ortiz Victorino with local community participants in Dublin\, Ireland. \nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan was commissioned for The Trees project. The play creates an extraordinary atmosphere in nature’s setting as we reflect on the role of trees in our ecosystem\, the importance of nature in our lives today and themes of biodiversity\, climate preservation and climate change. Join us as we enjoy nature and explore how to be proactive in the face of climate change and making Europe climate friendly with a focus on biodiversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. Open to all citizens\, communities and artists\, and to key stakeholders in the fields of theatre\, arts\, science\, environment\, education\, business and human rights.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFiona Bawn-Thompson is an actor\, writer\, and the director of a highly successful performing arts academy.  After graduating with her Drama degree from Queens University Belfast in 2004 she went on to train as an actor with the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio.  She has extensive experience in all genres of theatre\, film and dance and shares this passion and knowledge with the young people she teaches.  Fiona also runs a wellbeing company and incorporates movement and drama strategies into her practice to enhance the experience for her clients.  She has performed and toured with many shows for Smashing Times Theatre Company\, including “The Woman is Present”\, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”\, and “Women\, War & Peace”.  In recent years she has been working extensively in the film industry as a supporting artist in films and series such as “The Northman”\, “Line of Duty”\, “The Woman in the Wall”\, and “Dungeons and Dragons”\, to name but a few.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI am an Egyptian artist working in theatre from 2010\, both acting and directing.  I have been involved in the theatre industry in Egypt and performed many plays\, directing 4 plays in university. \n\n\n\nI worked in the interactive theatre with (Otta hamra) cast. \n\n\n\nI travelled to Ireland and performed 4 plays. I performed in Bros for the Dublin Theatre Festival\, directed by Romeo Castellucci.  \n\n\n\nI am now working in youth theatre as a drama facilitator\, going to schools and facilitating drama workshops for kids and young people. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-trees-7/
LOCATION:Pearse Museum\, Rathfarnham\, Co Dublin\, St Endas Park\, Grange Road\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 16\, D16 Y7Y5\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Art-of-Trees-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241017T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241017T110000
DTSTAMP:20241010T120710Z
CREATED:20240904T161659Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T120710Z
UID:10000550-1729159200-1729162800@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Trees
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmashing Times never want ticket price to be a barrier to access. To be added to the guestlist\, please email admin@smashingtimes.ie \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a guided\, walkabout\, outdoor performance taking place at Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\, Rathfarnham in South County Dublin. Enjoy a magical walk-in-the-park performance\, promenade style\, as we regale you with storytelling\, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests\, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of trees\, nature\, bio-diversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees runs for nine performances at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Gardens on Sunday 13 October\, 11am\, 1pm\, 3pm; Monday 14 October\, 10am\, 12pm; Tuesday 15 October\, 10am\, 12pm; and Thursday 17 October 10am\, 12pm. \n\n\n\nA special tenth show takes place at The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Sunday 20 October\, at 7.30pm\, as the closing performance for the sixth  annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorio and performed by Fiona Bawn-Thompson\, Abdelmonem Nassef\, Carmen Ortiz Victorio and Ciara Hayes with music performed by Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, Violinist. \n\n\n\nNature is in trouble. Ireland has declared a climate and a biodiversity emergency. As President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said if we were coal miners we would  be up to our knees in dead canaries. Despite our green image we need to do more. Ireland has lost many of its native woods. It is estimated that only eleven per cent of Ireland is currently under  forest cover\, much lower than most European countries. Finland for example has over 70 percent forest cover while Spain has over 35 percent. How can we celebrate the life of woodlands and connect more with nature\, to support the planet that gives us life and sustains us? What can we do to stop the felling and destruction of trees? \n\n\n\nBrigid of Kildare\, patron saint of Ireland has returned. She invites us to join her in the forest and enter the world of trees.  Brigid takes us on a journey through the history of trees from the Ice Age to present times\, exploring how forests have changed over thousands of years. Listen to stories about the ancient\, sacred trees of  Ireland such as oak\, ash\, birch\, hazel and hawthorn and explore the wonders of a Celtic tradition of trees and forests where magic can happen. \n\n\n\nJoin us as we reflect on ways to re-wild the landscape and re-wild the human soul. The Art of Trees is an outdoor performance inviting us to walk in nature\, to leave behind a world  filled with straight lines\, computer screens\, concrete blocks and clock time\, to explore why tree cover in Ireland has fallen so low and to reflect on the role trees play in our ecosystem. What can be  done to save our sacred trees and ancient woods and take action in the fight against climate change? The show is a theatrically staged fusion of theatre\, poetry\, story\, dance and music and is a dazzling storytelling performance suitable for all ages that is fun\, magical and sparking. \nCredits \nMary Moynihan\, writer \nCarmen Ortiz\, director \nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \nCiara Hayes\, actor \nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician on violin \nCiara Hayes\, producer \nSupported by The Trees Project and Creative Europe \n\n\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park was where Patrick Pearse lived and ran his innovative Irish-speaking school\, Scoil Éanna\, between 1910 to 16. The Pearse Museum houses a fascinating exhibition on the life of Patrick and William Pearse who were both executed for their part in the 1916 Rising in Ireland. The museum showcases the historic house where Pearse\, his family and students once lived and worked. \nThe Pearse Museum is situated within St Enda’s Park which covers nearly twenty hectares of attractive parkland in Rathfarnham\, Dublin. The park contains a wild river called Whitechurch Stream which joins the Owendoher river which flows into the river Dodder\, as well as forested areas with an abundance of trees including oak and hawthorn and a series of enchanting eighteenth and nineteenth century follies. \nSt Enda’s Park is situated in Rathfarnham and is a designated National Historic Park run and maintained by the OPW. The park has many wonderful trees and they line the walls of the park and the avenues. One of the most common trees in the park is the Monterey Cypress which was planted along the avenues of the grounds. There are also Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech trees. Native Trees in the park include Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. Shrubs that are common in the park are Hawthorn\, which is important for birds nesting\, Holly and Laurel. \n\n\n\nAutumn in St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nShare your Favourite Tree\n\n\n\nTell us about your favourite tree? Take a picture and send it in with ideally the name of the tree\, it’s location and a photograph. Even if you only have a photograph send it on and tell us what you enjoy about the tree.  Send it to admin@smashingtimes.ie \nThere are many famous trees in Ireland. We have hanging trees\, trees at holy wells\, trees associated with historic events and trees that are important to communities.  There is the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns\, Dublin\, the tree appears to be eating or swallowing  a bench!  We have Lady Gregory’s famous ‘Autograph’ Tree at Coole Park in Galway. It is a copper beech signed by the writer W. B. Yeats and his brother the painter Jack\, and by writers such as George Bernard Shaw\, Sean O’Casey and other famous people. \nEnjoy the wide variety of wonderful trees at St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham\, Dublin\, including Monterey Cypress\, Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech and our native trees including Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. \n\n\n\nThe Social Life of Trees\n\n\n\n“A forest is much more than what you see\,” says ecologist Suzanne Simard. Her 30 years of research in Canadian forests have led to an astounding discovery — trees talk\, often and over vast distances. Watch Suzanne’s Tedex talk to learn more about the harmonious yet complicated social lives of trees and prepare to see the natural world with new eyes. \n \n  \n\n\n\nImage by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\nThe Trees Project\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is presented as part of The Trees project led by Dah Theatre\, Belgrade\, Serbia and supported by Creative Europe.  For further project details see here. Following ten performances in Dublin\, Ireland\, a live performance of The Art of Trees goes on tour to  three international festivals in Frankfurt\, Germany\, June 2025\, Athens\, Greece\, June 2025 and  Saville\, Spain\, October 2025. \nThe Trees project supported by Creative Europe is led by Dah Teatar\, Belgrade\, Serbia. The partners are Action Synergy SA\, Greece; Theatro Aeroploio – Ena Theatro Giapaidia\, Greece; Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Ireland; Grenland Friteater AS\, Norway; Centro de Arte Proucciones Teatrales SL\, Spain; Protagon – Freunde Und Foerderer Freier Theateraktion\, Germany and Stichting Zid\, Netherlands. \nAs part of the Trees project\, Smashing Times and partners are using creative processes and the performing arts to connect with citizens through a multi-disciplinary approach\, raising awareness of the importance of nature in our world today with a focus on bio-diversity and our connections to trees\, seas\, skies\, mountains and land. \nAs part of the Trees project artists from Smashing Times attended a Euroeso Conference on the 22 April 2024 in Belgrade\, Serbia and a Trees conference and training programme in Belgrade Serbia  from 23-28 April\, 2024. Two outreach community workshops on trees and environmental sustainability were conducted by artist Carmen Ortiz Victorino with local community participants in Dublin\, Ireland. \nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan was commissioned for The Trees project. The play creates an extraordinary atmosphere in nature’s setting as we reflect on the role of trees in our ecosystem\, the importance of nature in our lives today and themes of biodiversity\, climate preservation and climate change. Join us as we enjoy nature and explore how to be proactive in the face of climate change and making Europe climate friendly with a focus on biodiversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. Open to all citizens\, communities and artists\, and to key stakeholders in the fields of theatre\, arts\, science\, environment\, education\, business and human rights.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFiona Bawn-Thompson is an actor\, writer\, and the director of a highly successful performing arts academy.  After graduating with her Drama degree from Queens University Belfast in 2004 she went on to train as an actor with the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio.  She has extensive experience in all genres of theatre\, film and dance and shares this passion and knowledge with the young people she teaches.  Fiona also runs a wellbeing company and incorporates movement and drama strategies into her practice to enhance the experience for her clients.  She has performed and toured with many shows for Smashing Times Theatre Company\, including “The Woman is Present”\, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”\, and “Women\, War & Peace”.  In recent years she has been working extensively in the film industry as a supporting artist in films and series such as “The Northman”\, “Line of Duty”\, “The Woman in the Wall”\, and “Dungeons and Dragons”\, to name but a few.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef is an Egyptian artist working in theatre from 2010\, both as an actor and director. He has been involved in the theatre industry in Egypt\, performing in and directing many plays. He has performed in four plays since travelling to Ireland. One of them was Bros for the Dublin Theatre Festival\, directed by Romeo Castellucci. Abdelmonem is now the main drama facilitator for the senior group in Making Waves Youth Theatre and Athy Community Arts Centre. He loves drawing\, music\, and anything related to art. \n\n\n\nI am now working in youth theatre as a drama facilitator\, going to schools and facilitating drama workshops for kids and young people. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-trees-6/
LOCATION:Pearse Museum\, Rathfarnham\, Co Dublin\, St Endas Park\, Grange Road\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 16\, D16 Y7Y5\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Art-of-Trees-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241016T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241016T210000
DTSTAMP:20241016T144902Z
CREATED:20240902T154250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241016T144902Z
UID:10000504-1729105200-1729112400@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Guardians of the Land: The Colombia Migrant Film Festival Launch
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nJoin us for the launch of the Colombia Migrant Film Festival\, where we will be screening a two short documentaries (see below). This year\, we welcome the film festival in its Environmental and Migrant Justice edition\, an edition that recognizes the importance of speaking with urgency about the direct relationship between environmental impacts and migration. This is the year in which migrants\, exiles\, refugees and artists\, positioning themselves from a perspective of the Global South\, reaffirm their connection with the territory and recognize that to remember the armed conflict in Colombia is to remember nature itself: victim\, scenario and instrument for war. \n\n\n\nThis year’s short and long-form films and documentaries are a tribute to the more than 1\,910 leaders assassinated in Colombia in the last decade\, to the 7\,579 hectares of coastline we have lost\, to the more than 3 million hectares of forest deforested\, to the polluted rivers that have had to experience the ravages of violence\, to all the places that have had to be transformed and readapted\, to the thousands of people in the country who have been displaced by events related to climate change and that the State has kept in oblivion for years. But this selection is\, above all\, a tribute to all the people who\, despite these crude figures and realities\, still refuse to fall into despair. This selection is for all of us who believe in the possibility of telling our own narratives that will lead us to collective restoration and the sowing of a dignified and just country. \n\n\n\nJoin us for the screening of these two short documentaries in Spanish with English subtitles: \n\n\n\nVerde como el oro: \n\n\n\nGreen as Gold\, directed by Isabella Bernal\, is an urgent documentary that unveils the will of the people in the face of a mega-mining project in the Southwest of Antioquia\, Colombia and warns the national authorities about a possible environmental catastrophe. Nestor\, a former hunter\, has become the protector of the conservation corridor and of his former prey\, the Andean bear. Today his community and the animal face a greater threat. The mist holds the mystery that binds people\, land and animals together in a single heartbeat. \n\n\n\nEl camino de regreso a la maloca: \n\n\n\nIn the heart of the Amazon rainforest\, the Murui-Muina people of the municipality of Puerto Leguízamo\, Colombia\, struggle to strengthen their culture and traditions after surviving the genocide perpetrated by the Casa Arana rubber company. In a sound and visual journey through the rivers and jungles of the Amazon\, The Path Back to the Maloca\, directed by Juan Cortés\, documents the life of the Murui-Muina people in mambeaderos\, chagras\, malocas\, classrooms\, traditional dances and everyday conversations. Will the Murui-Muina people succeed in rescuing their ancestral knowledge and pass it on to new generations? \n\n\n\nFor more information about the Colombia Migrant Film Festival\, visit their Facebook page. \n\n\n\n \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/guardians-of-the-land-the-colombia-migrant-film-festival-launch/
LOCATION:The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin\, D02 K037\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Film Screening
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ORGANIZER;CN="Front Line Defenders":MAILTO:events@frontlinedefenders.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241016T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241016T150000
DTSTAMP:20240904T150510Z
CREATED:20240902T153340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240904T150510Z
UID:10000503-1729083600-1729090800@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Beckett List
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nTickets €10\, book here \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nPerformed by Encore Productions \n\n\n\nWritten and directed by Sandy Sneddon \n\n\n\nArt and film elements by Orlaith Cullinane and Dara McCluskey \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Beckett List is written and directed by Sandy Sneddon and is an original multimedia theatre production exploring the life and works of Samuel Beckett. The Beckett List is presented by An Táin Arts Centre’s Community Company in Residence\, Encore Productions and RehabCare and runs at the Mermaid Arts Centre\, Main Street\, Bray\, County Wicklow\, A98 N5PI on Wednesday16 October\, 2024\, 1-3pm. \n\n\n\nFrom Foxrock to the French Resistance\, Beckett’s life mirrors a novel\, while his plays ignited a theatrical revolution. The Beckett List chronicles his journey from quiet beginnings in turn of the century Dublin to the publication of Waiting for Godot. Alongside key events from his biography\, this production brings his characters to life\, inviting audiences to wait for Godot\, play the Endgame\, and delve into the depths of human existence. Experience why Beckett earned the 1969 Nobel Prize in Literature and delve into his world. \n\n\n\nPassionate performances and striking stage images combine with art and film elements by Orlaith Cullinane and Dara McCluskey to guarantee a memorable piece of theatre. \n\n\n\n‘A brilliant\, beautiful and bold production by a wonderful ensemble of actors’ \n\n\n\nCaoimhe Gleeson\, National Office For Human Rights and Equality Policy \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMermaid Arts Centre\n\n\n\nMermaid Arts Centre is County Wicklow’s creative engine-room. With a theatre\, gallery\, cinema\, café and a lively programme of events to enjoy and participate in\, the centre is a home for artists and artistic communities to create\, connect and make memories. The Mermaid Arts Centre purpose is driven by a fundamental belief in the power of shared experience and connection in combatting loneliness and isolation among people\, and in the right to freedom of artistic expression and creation for all. \n\n\n\nMermaid Arts Centre implements it purpose by: \n\n\n\n– Gathering artists and audiences together to create\, participate in and enjoy unforgettable artistic experiences either in our home venue in Bray or elsewhere in County Wicklow. \n– Providing an artist-led creative hub and artistic resource for artists and companies in County Wicklow\, working in both professional and amateur contexts. \n– Sustaining the work of artists through employment opportunities\, advocacy and practical supports for their creative development. \n– Enriching the lives of all communities in County Wicklow through the creation\, co-creation and presentation of a diverse programme of excellent contemporary arts experiences. \n– Living our values in all that we do: Imagination\, Inclusion\, Collaboration\, Excellence\, and Integrity. \n\n\n\nEncore Productions\n\n\n\nEncore is a theatre company based in RehabCare Resource Centre in Dundalk – a centre which supports adults with intellectual disabilities in living the life of their choice as independently as possible. Of the residency at An Táin Arts Centre Sandy Sneddon says ‘this residency is the culmination of many years of hard work by all the service users and staff at RehabCare in Dundalk. For the actors to have their skills recognised in this way is a validation of their talents and efforts.’ \nAn Táin Arts Centre’s theatre residency programme supports companies with the resources to make new work. As part of the residency\, companies are provided with rehearsal space\, technical and marketing support\, dramaturgical advice and a production stipend. Follow their progress on Facebook @EncoreDundalkRC #antainartists \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\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/the-beckett-list/
LOCATION:Mermaid Arts Centre\, Main Street\, Bray\, Wicklow\, A98 N5P1\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241015T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241015T203000
DTSTAMP:20240913T142443Z
CREATED:20240902T152246Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240913T142443Z
UID:10000502-1729018800-1729024200@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Where are Women Organising?
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhere are Women Organising? Is an online discussion capturing how and where women are leading in the current struggles for housing\, workers’ rights\, environmental justice and reproductive rights on the island of Ireland and globally. The event is organised by the National Women’s Council of Ireland as part of the sixth annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nBook Here \n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\nVivienne Glanville\, Women’s Collective Ireland \n\n\n\nAmy Moran\, East Wall Here For All  \n\n\n\nLouise O’Hara\, Forsá  \n\n\n\nMaria Elena Costa Sa\, Irish Network Against Racism \n\n\n\nAoife McCrory\, Mothers Against Genocide \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nWomen have always been at the forefront of organising\, campaigning and agitating for change across many crucial issues. Their style\, determination and flexibility has often been overlooked. This online discussion will capture how and where women are leading in the current struggles for housing\, workers’ rights\, environmental justice and reproductive rights on the island and globally. \n\n\n\nNational Women’s Council of Ireland\n\n\n\nThe National Women’s Council (NWC) is the leading national representative organisation for women and women’s groups in Ireland. We are a feminist organisation\, representing over 190 member groups from 5 across a diversity of backgrounds\, sectors and geographical locations. Our mandate is to take action to ensure that the voices of women in all their diversity are heard. Our vision is of an Ireland and of a world where women and girls can achieve their full potential in a just and equal society. \n\n\n\nwww.nwci.ie \n  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\nVivienne Glanville\, Women’s Collective Ireland \nVivienne is the National Programme Coordinator at Women’s Collective Ireland supporting  women through collective and practical actions to achieve their full human rights and true equality. Women’s Collective Ireland supports grassroots women through community development locally and nationally with 17 local projects responding to the needs of the women in their area. \n  \nAmy Moran\, East Wall Here For All  \nAmy Moran is a trade union organiser\, a housing and community activist based in Dublin. Amy is involved in the East Wall Here for All\, a community group embodying solidarity and allyship with those seeking asylum and existing members of the East Wall community. \n  \nLouise O’Hara\, Forsá  \nLouise is an AGS in Forsá Trade Union organising workers in the Health & Welfare sectors. She has a breadth of organising experience in trade unions in Ireland and the UK. \n  \nMaria Elena Costa Sa\, Irish Network Against Racism \nMaria Elena Costa Sa has worked since the 80’s in Public Health\, Disability and Equality sectors in the U.K. and Ireland.  A committed human rights activist and community development worker\, she now works with Irish Network Against Racism as their Human Rights and Community Development Lead\, capacity building minority ethnic leaders\, into leadership roles.  \n  \nAoife McCrory\, Mothers Against Genocide \nAoife is one of the founders of Mothers Against Genocide a group of grassroots women activists who came together to protest the genocide in Gaza\, campaigning for peace and justice. \n  \nMarta Lampart \nMarta is a women’s rights defender and the founder of the Polish Women’s Strike – a civic women’s rights movement set up in the wake of Poland’s near-total abortion ban\, which has since expanded to fight for human rights for all\, democracy and the rule of law.  Marta’s work includes advocating for better health care and access to abortion\, equal rights for Poland’s LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities\, the separation of church and state and judicial independence.  \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\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/where-are-women-organising/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Online,Panel Discussion
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241015T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241015T203000
DTSTAMP:20240904T150252Z
CREATED:20240902T151251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240904T150252Z
UID:10000492-1729018800-1729024200@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Invaders’ Fear of Memories
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nTickets €15/€12\, booking fee applies. Book here. \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nBenjamin Rivers\, writer and actor \n\n\n\nLinda Wise\, director \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is a solo theatre piece based on the life and diaries of Yousef Nachmani – a Russian Jew who migrated from Tsarist Russia to Ottoman Palestine in 1907. Nachmani became Director of the Jewish National Fund in the Galilee and subsequently played a central role in the ethnic cleansing of thousands of Palestine’s indigenous inhabitants. The play offers a perspective into the origins of settler-colonialism and apartheid in modern day Israel\, exploring themes of loyalty\, violence\, ideology and grief. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is performed by Ben Rivers\, the great grandson of Nachmani. Over the course of the play\, Rivers performs 12 characters and sings in Arabic\, Hebrew\, Ukrainian and Yiddish. The production is directed by Linda Wise\, an original member of the iconic Roy Hart Theatre Company. Since August 2023 The Invaders’ Fear of Memories has been performed to audiences in Australia\, France\, Mexico\, South Africa and Spain. \n\n\n\nThe script for this production includes excerpts from the diaries of Yousef Nachmani. It also draws from testimonies contained in Illan Pappe’s The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine\, along with interviews from The Diaries of Yossef Nachmani\, a documentary by the Israeli journalist and filmmaker\, Dalia Karpel. \n\n\n\nThe title for this play\, The Invaders’ Fear of Memories\, is a line taken from ‘On this Land’\, a poem by the Palestinian poet\, Mahmoud Darwish. \n\n\n\nYousef Nachmani was born in 1891 as Yousef Agranovsky to a Jewish family in Oleksandria\, Russia (now Oleksandria\, Ukraine). At the age of 15\, Yousef\, along with his father and brother\, were arrested by Russian authorities for their involvement in Poale Zion\, a militant group that advocated Zionist ideology. In 1907 Yousef fled to Ottoman Palestine where he joined an urban commune in Jerusalem whose members included David Ben-Gurion and other future Zionist leaders. In 1911 Yousef moved to the Galilee\, where he became an early member of Hashomer\, a Jewish defence organisation responsible for guarding Jewish settlements in the Yishuv. Yousef later went on to become a senior officer in Haganah and then Director of the Jewish National Fund in Eastern Galilee. In this role\, Yousef acquired Arab lands for the Jewish National Fund\, often secretly and with the assistance of Arab collaborators. From 1935\, Yousef began a diary that documented his own involvement in the expulsion of Palestinians from their homeland. \n\n\n\nAUDIENCE REVIEWS \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is a visceral depiction of events that occurred during the colonisation of Palestine. Ben Rivers’ commanding solo performance provided the audience with a firsthand account of the terror that Zionist gangs inflicted on indigenous Palestinians in the process of clearing Palestine of its inhabitants. At the end of the play I was\, as I am sure others were\, reduced to tears. \n\n\n\n– Dr. Adel Yousif\, Senior lecturer\, University of Tasmania\, Australia. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is a jaw-dropping tour de force through history that has never been more relevant. Ben Rivers deftly slips between characters to create a collage of voice and song that is both powerful and rich with devastating truth and subtly observed nuance. \n\n\n\n– Emily Conolan\, Author and refugee advocate\, Australia. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories\, a one-man play by Ben Rivers\, is both an urgently needed piece of history and an extraordinary work of art. Rivers\, portraying twelve characters\, brings to life his own great-grandfather’s story\, first as an oppressed Jew in Tsarist Russia and then his inexorable transformation into an active participant in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their homeland. With gorgeous\, stirring songs in Ukrainian\, Yiddish\, Hebrew and Arabic woven throughout\, The Invaders’ Fear of Memories‘ confronts us with the tragic cycles of history in which we are still caught. It could not be more relevant in today’s violent world. \n\n\n\n– Jo Salas\, Author and co-founder of Playback Theatre\, New York. \n\n\n\nAs a Syrian refugee\, this play hit me with the reality of a history we know too well – the painful\, sad and frightening truth of an injustice that has been happening for more than a century. I believe The Invaders’ Fear of Memories should be on every stage in the world\, telling the story of an occupied land called Palestine! \n\n\n\n– Hane Alrustm\, Psychoanalyst and human rights activist\, Syria/Belgium. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories\, is a difficult yet powerful piece. Based on the diaries of Yousef Nachmani\, the play provides a personal lens on how Palestinians were brutally displaced and answers why the Zionist movement seeks to erase Palestine and the Palestinians. \n\n\n\n– Reem Dajani\, Mental Health Advisor\, Palestine/Jordan. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is strong medicine for Nakba deniers and defenders of ‘good Zionist intentions’. Rivers does not shy away from the bloody truth; he peels back the legendary JNF mythic lie of ‘making the desert bloom’ through his great-grandfather’s own words. \n\n\n\n– Melissa Nussbaum Freeman\, Spiritual & Cultural Life Organising Manager\, Jewish Voice for Peace\, USA. \n\n\n\nTo be in the audience of The Invaders’ Fear of Memories is to feel yourself simultaneously in the past and in the present. As Walter Benjamin might put it\, this play blows us backward into the future– and both places are equally urgent\, complex\, and human. And while we may be “just” watching as audiences in a theatre\, it is resoundingly clear that we are also all active participants in how the story is still– devastatingly– playing out today. As a performer\, Ben brings this story to light with a simple intimacy and kindness\, issuing an invitation to honour complexity and ambivalence while also giving us the opportunity to connect to feelings that connect us as humans: wild hope\, fervent belief\, impassioned outrage\, enduring love\, and deep and persistent mourning. \n\n\n\n– Katie Pearl\, Professor of Theater\, Wesleyan University\, USA. \n\n\n\nBenjamin Rivers’ performance of The Invaders’ Fear of Memories\, directed by Linda Wise\, is a sobering\, thoughtful\, deeply felt play\, based on the diaries of his great-grandfather. This is a courageous\, riveting piece – and « uplifting » because its stand is conciliatory of maybe the only kind that can face the future with the needed regret\, tolerance and equity. It does theatre itself a great favour. \n\n\n\n– Enrique Pardo\, Founder and co-director\, Pantheatre\, France. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories by Ben Rivers\, is a powerful account of the silent and violent periods of settler colonial expansion into Palestine\, told through different generational accounts of Ben’s Family. I would definitely recommend watching this! \n\n\n\n– Irfaan Mangera\, Human rights activist and educator\, South Africa. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories gently draws us into its world\, and then cracks open our hearts\, awakening\, longing for humanity to rise up and renew our dedication to Life. A powerful and difficult story told with love and compassion. \n\n\n\n– Marya Lowry\, Professor Emerita (Brandeis University) and award-winning actor\, USA. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is an extraordinary production coming at an extraordinary time. The fact that it was primarily written from diaries\, makes it an authentic and personal experience of history. This is invaluable given the distortions written about the formation of the State of Israel. Over the course of the play\, Ben Rivers moves cleverly from character to character\, spanning generations and countries\, over a period of 45 odd years. The Invaders’ Fear of Memories evoked joy and sadness\, bringing tears to my eyes and laughter as well. This play offers a crucial perspective on an important historical moment. A better understanding of the path Israel followed\, can lead to a better understanding and empathy for the people of Israel / Palestine. \n\n\n\n– Rina King\, Chair of South African Jews for a Free Palestine\, South Africa. \n\n\n\nThis play offers a powerful reminder of theatre’s role in society as it gently but critically tackles the complexity of a major geo-political narrative. Through a considered weaving of characters’ stories and observations\, Rivers uses a Theatre-of-Testimony approach to invite audience members into a deep listening of the human perspectives and contradictions that underpin the Palestine-Israel conflict. \n\n\n\n– Hamish Neill\, Drama for Life Creative Research Hub Director\, University of the Witwatersrand\, South Africa. \n\n\n\nWhile the current crisis in Palestine continues to unfold\, The Invaders’ Fear of Memories shows the history of invasion and settlement over a forty year period\, beginning early last century. The story is told through a series of intimate portraits as Ben Rivers moves seamlessly from one character to the next\, each vividly alive in the present moment. Written in the spirit of truth-telling\, the voices of the characters are unforgettable and the performance deeply moving. I loved this play; a complex story was simply told and its honesty and humanity left me with hope for the future. \n\n\n\n– Julie Hunt\, Author\, Tasmania\, Australia. \n\n\n\nBen Rivers picks up the words of his great grandfather\, embodies the dreams of two peoples\, then delivers a mortal wound into a promised homeland. The Invaders’ Fear of Memories brings me to imagine\, then to tears\, as dreams turn to nightmares. The diaries and songs seduce us to celebrate our human spirit\, then turn us to ponder our capacity for immense cruelty. Rivers’ journey is a beautiful solo performance that stirs all the right emotions. \n\n\n\n– Robert Alcock\, Film Director & Editor\, Tasmania\, Australia. \n\n\n\nBen’s performance was vulnerable\, captivating\, and sparked deep reflection on the multiple narratives and experiences that contribute to our retelling of history. There was not a moment wasted in the play; every song\, footstep\, breath all contributed to situating the audience within his grandfather’s perspective. \n\n\n\n– Liam McLaren\, President\, Tasmanian University Student Association\, Australia. \n\n\n\nA heartrending play\, with a nuanced script and a standout acting performance from Ben Rivers. Through a series of dramatic historic portraits of Jewish and Arab characters\, Rivers illuminates the complex political dilemmas that led to the founding of the nation of Israel within the country of Palestine in 1948\, and the human tragedies that followed. \n\n\n\n– Anne Morgan\, Author\, Tasmania\, Australia. \n\n\n\nIn addition to the hosting venues\, the following groups/organisations helped to organise performances and appeared as official partners on promotional materials for The Invader’s Fear of Memories: \n\n\n\n● South African Jews for a Free Palestine\, South Africa \n\n\n\n● Tasmanian Students for Palestine\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Tasmanian University Union Muslim Society\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Friends of Palestine Tasmania\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Hobart Playback Theatre\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Tasmanian University Student Association\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Artistas por Palestina\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● Tepoztequisimo\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● Judías por Palestina\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● Asociación Mexicana de Judies Interdependientes\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● Asamblea Interuniversitaria y Popular por Palestina\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● BDS Galiza\, Spain \n  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\nScreenshot\n\n\n\n\n\nBenjamin Rivers\, actor and writer of The Invaders’ Fear of Memories. Ben Rivers is an actor\, psychotherapist and applied theatre practitioner. He has taught and practised in Asia\, Australia\, Europe\, the Middle East and North America\, working extensively with communities impacted by political violence and collective trauma. Ben is the founder of Dawar Arts (Cairo\, Egypt). He also lived and worked for several years in Jenin Refugee Camp\, Occupied Palestine\, where he co-founded The Freedom Theatre’s Freedom Bus project\, an initiative that uses interactive theatre and cultural activism to bear witness\, raise awareness and build alliances throughout occupied Palestine and beyond. Ben is of Jewish descent. He currently lives and works between Europe\, Australia and the Middle East. More here: www.benjaminrivers.org \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLinda Wise\, director of The Invaders’ Fear of Memories. Linda Wise was born in Kenya and trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She worked with Roy Hart from 1969 until his death in 1975. Linda was a member of the original Roy Hart Theatre and became a founding member of the Centre Artistique International Roy Hart in the South of France. Linda won the 1988 French Jean Vilar Prize for her direction of Melville’s Moby Dick\, and performed Nedda in the OBIE award winning adaptation of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. In recent years she has directed\, among other things\, a series of solos for women performers\, and a Jazz Opera co-produced by Boreas Teater and the Oslo National Theatre. Linda has taught voice in the National Theatre Schools of Copenhagen\, Norway\, Australia\, New Zealand\, Argentina and Scotland and is a visiting teacher at the Limoges and Strasbourg French National Theatre Schools. Linda collaborates with an international circle of artists and thinkers in the field of therapy\, archetypal psychology and mythology. \n\n\n\nMore here: https://pantheatreportugal.wordpress.com/linda-wise/ \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\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/the-invaders-fear-of-memories/
LOCATION:Cork Arts Theatre\, Carroll's Quay\, Cork\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Invaders-Fear-Still-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241015T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241015T130000
DTSTAMP:20241010T120701Z
CREATED:20240904T161526Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T120701Z
UID:10000549-1728993600-1728997200@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Trees
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmashing Times never want ticket price to be a barrier to access. To be added to the guestlist\, please email admin@smashingtimes.ie \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a guided\, walkabout\, outdoor performance taking place at Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\, Rathfarnham in South County Dublin. Enjoy a magical walk-in-the-park performance\, promenade style\, as we regale you with storytelling\, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests\, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of trees\, nature\, bio-diversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees runs for nine performances at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Gardens on Sunday 13 October\, 11am\, 1pm\, 3pm; Monday 14 October\, 10am\, 12pm; Tuesday 15 October\, 10am\, 12pm; and Thursday 17 October 10am\, 12pm. \n\n\n\nA special tenth show takes place at The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Sunday 20 October\, at 7.30pm\, as the closing performance for the sixth  annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorio and performed by Fiona Bawn-Thompson\, Abdelmonem Nassef\, Carmen Ortiz Victorio and Ciara Hayes with music performed by Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, Violinist. \n\n\n\nNature is in trouble. Ireland has declared a climate and a biodiversity emergency. As President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said if we were coal miners we would  be up to our knees in dead canaries. Despite our green image we need to do more. Ireland has lost many of its native woods. It is estimated that only eleven per cent of Ireland is currently under  forest cover\, much lower than most European countries. Finland for example has over 70 percent forest cover while Spain has over 35 percent. How can we celebrate the life of woodlands and connect more with nature\, to support the planet that gives us life and sustains us? What can we do to stop the felling and destruction of trees? \n\n\n\nBrigid of Kildare\, patron saint of Ireland has returned. She invites us to join her in the forest and enter the world of trees.  Brigid takes us on a journey through the history of trees from the Ice Age to present times\, exploring how forests have changed over thousands of years. Listen to stories about the ancient\, sacred trees of  Ireland such as oak\, ash\, birch\, hazel and hawthorn and explore the wonders of a Celtic tradition of trees and forests where magic can happen. \n\n\n\nJoin us as we reflect on ways to re-wild the landscape and re-wild the human soul. The Art of Trees is an outdoor performance inviting us to walk in nature\, to leave behind a world  filled with straight lines\, computer screens\, concrete blocks and clock time\, to explore why tree cover in Ireland has fallen so low and to reflect on the role trees play in our ecosystem. What can be  done to save our sacred trees and ancient woods and take action in the fight against climate change? The show is a theatrically staged fusion of theatre\, poetry\, story\, dance and music and is a dazzling storytelling performance suitable for all ages that is fun\, magical and sparking. \nCredits \nMary Moynihan\, writer \nCarmen Ortiz\, director \nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \nCiara Hayes\, actor \nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician on violin \nCiara Hayes\, producer \nSupported by The Trees Project and Creative Europe \n\n\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park was where Patrick Pearse lived and ran his innovative Irish-speaking school\, Scoil Éanna\, between 1910 to 16. The Pearse Museum houses a fascinating exhibition on the life of Patrick and William Pearse who were both executed for their part in the 1916 Rising in Ireland. The museum showcases the historic house where Pearse\, his family and students once lived and worked. \nThe Pearse Museum is situated within St Enda’s Park which covers nearly twenty hectares of attractive parkland in Rathfarnham\, Dublin. The park contains a wild river called Whitechurch Stream which joins the Owendoher river which flows into the river Dodder\, as well as forested areas with an abundance of trees including oak and hawthorn and a series of enchanting eighteenth and nineteenth century follies. \nSt Enda’s Park is situated in Rathfarnham and is a designated National Historic Park run and maintained by the OPW. The park has many wonderful trees and they line the walls of the park and the avenues. One of the most common trees in the park is the Monterey Cypress which was planted along the avenues of the grounds. There are also Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech trees. Native Trees in the park include Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. Shrubs that are common in the park are Hawthorn\, which is important for birds nesting\, Holly and Laurel. \n\n\n\nAutumn in St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nShare your Favourite Tree\n\n\n\nTell us about your favourite tree? Take a picture and send it in with ideally the name of the tree\, it’s location and a photograph. Even if you only have a photograph send it on and tell us what you enjoy about the tree.  Send it to admin@smashingtimes.ie \nThere are many famous trees in Ireland. We have hanging trees\, trees at holy wells\, trees associated with historic events and trees that are important to communities.  There is the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns\, Dublin\, the tree appears to be eating or swallowing  a bench!  We have Lady Gregory’s famous ‘Autograph’ Tree at Coole Park in Galway. It is a copper beech signed by the writer W. B. Yeats and his brother the painter Jack\, and by writers such as George Bernard Shaw\, Sean O’Casey and other famous people. \nEnjoy the wide variety of wonderful trees at St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham\, Dublin\, including Monterey Cypress\, Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech and our native trees including Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. \n\n\n\nThe Social Life of Trees\n\n\n\n“A forest is much more than what you see\,” says ecologist Suzanne Simard. Her 30 years of research in Canadian forests have led to an astounding discovery — trees talk\, often and over vast distances. Watch Suzanne’s Tedex talk to learn more about the harmonious yet complicated social lives of trees and prepare to see the natural world with new eyes. \n \n  \n\n\n\nImage by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\nThe Trees Project\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is presented as part of The Trees project led by Dah Theatre\, Belgrade\, Serbia and supported by Creative Europe.  For further project details see here. Following ten performances in Dublin\, Ireland\, a live performance of The Art of Trees goes on tour to  three international festivals in Frankfurt\, Germany\, June 2025\, Athens\, Greece\, June 2025 and  Saville\, Spain\, October 2025. \nThe Trees project supported by Creative Europe is led by Dah Teatar\, Belgrade\, Serbia. The partners are Action Synergy SA\, Greece; Theatro Aeroploio – Ena Theatro Giapaidia\, Greece; Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Ireland; Grenland Friteater AS\, Norway; Centro de Arte Proucciones Teatrales SL\, Spain; Protagon – Freunde Und Foerderer Freier Theateraktion\, Germany and Stichting Zid\, Netherlands. \nAs part of the Trees project\, Smashing Times and partners are using creative processes and the performing arts to connect with citizens through a multi-disciplinary approach\, raising awareness of the importance of nature in our world today with a focus on bio-diversity and our connections to trees\, seas\, skies\, mountains and land. \nAs part of the Trees project artists from Smashing Times attended a Euroeso Conference on the 22 April 2024 in Belgrade\, Serbia and a Trees conference and training programme in Belgrade Serbia  from 23-28 April\, 2024. Two outreach community workshops on trees and environmental sustainability were conducted by artist Carmen Ortiz Victorino with local community participants in Dublin\, Ireland. \nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan was commissioned for The Trees project. The play creates an extraordinary atmosphere in nature’s setting as we reflect on the role of trees in our ecosystem\, the importance of nature in our lives today and themes of biodiversity\, climate preservation and climate change. Join us as we enjoy nature and explore how to be proactive in the face of climate change and making Europe climate friendly with a focus on biodiversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. Open to all citizens\, communities and artists\, and to key stakeholders in the fields of theatre\, arts\, science\, environment\, education\, business and human rights.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFiona Bawn-Thompson is an actor\, writer\, and the director of a highly successful performing arts academy.  After graduating with her Drama degree from Queens University Belfast in 2004 she went on to train as an actor with the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio.  She has extensive experience in all genres of theatre\, film and dance and shares this passion and knowledge with the young people she teaches.  Fiona also runs a wellbeing company and incorporates movement and drama strategies into her practice to enhance the experience for her clients.  She has performed and toured with many shows for Smashing Times Theatre Company\, including “The Woman is Present”\, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”\, and “Women\, War & Peace”.  In recent years she has been working extensively in the film industry as a supporting artist in films and series such as “The Northman”\, “Line of Duty”\, “The Woman in the Wall”\, and “Dungeons and Dragons”\, to name but a few.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef is an Egyptian artist working in theatre from 2010\, both as an actor and director. He has been involved in the theatre industry in Egypt\, performing in and directing many plays. He has performed in four plays since travelling to Ireland. One of them was Bros for the Dublin Theatre Festival\, directed by Romeo Castellucci. Abdelmonem is now the main drama facilitator for the senior group in Making Waves Youth Theatre and Athy Community Arts Centre. He loves drawing\, music\, and anything related to art. \n\n\n\nI am now working in youth theatre as a drama facilitator\, going to schools and facilitating drama workshops for kids and young people. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-trees-5/
LOCATION:Pearse Museum\, Rathfarnham\, Co Dublin\, St Endas Park\, Grange Road\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 16\, D16 Y7Y5\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Art-of-Trees-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241015T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241015T110000
DTSTAMP:20241010T120625Z
CREATED:20240904T161338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T120625Z
UID:10000548-1728986400-1728990000@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Trees
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmashing Times never want ticket price to be a barrier to access. To be added to the guestlist\, please email admin@smashingtimes.ie \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a guided\, walkabout\, outdoor performance taking place at Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\, Rathfarnham in South County Dublin. Enjoy a magical walk-in-the-park performance\, promenade style\, as we regale you with storytelling\, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests\, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of trees\, nature\, bio-diversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees runs for nine performances at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Gardens on Sunday 13 October\, 11am\, 1pm\, 3pm; Monday 14 October\, 10am\, 12pm; Tuesday 15 October\, 10am\, 12pm; and Thursday 17 October 10am\, 12pm. \n\n\n\nA special tenth show takes place at The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Sunday 20 October\, at 7.30pm\, as the closing performance for the sixth  annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorio and performed by Fiona Bawn-Thompson\, Abdelmonem Nassef\, Carmen Ortiz Victorio and Ciara Hayes with music performed by Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, Violinist. \n\n\n\nNature is in trouble. Ireland has declared a climate and a biodiversity emergency. As President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said if we were coal miners we would  be up to our knees in dead canaries. Despite our green image we need to do more. Ireland has lost many of its native woods. It is estimated that only eleven per cent of Ireland is currently under  forest cover\, much lower than most European countries. Finland for example has over 70 percent forest cover while Spain has over 35 percent. How can we celebrate the life of woodlands and connect more with nature\, to support the planet that gives us life and sustains us? What can we do to stop the felling and destruction of trees? \n\n\n\nBrigid of Kildare\, patron saint of Ireland has returned. She invites us to join her in the forest and enter the world of trees.  Brigid takes us on a journey through the history of trees from the Ice Age to present times\, exploring how forests have changed over thousands of years. Listen to stories about the ancient\, sacred trees of  Ireland such as oak\, ash\, birch\, hazel and hawthorn and explore the wonders of a Celtic tradition of trees and forests where magic can happen. \n\n\n\nJoin us as we reflect on ways to re-wild the landscape and re-wild the human soul. The Art of Trees is an outdoor performance inviting us to walk in nature\, to leave behind a world  filled with straight lines\, computer screens\, concrete blocks and clock time\, to explore why tree cover in Ireland has fallen so low and to reflect on the role trees play in our ecosystem. What can be  done to save our sacred trees and ancient woods and take action in the fight against climate change? The show is a theatrically staged fusion of theatre\, poetry\, story\, dance and music and is a dazzling storytelling performance suitable for all ages that is fun\, magical and sparking. \nCredits \nMary Moynihan\, writer \nCarmen Ortiz\, director \nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \nCiara Hayes\, actor \nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician on violin \nCiara Hayes\, producer \nSupported by The Trees Project and Creative Europe \n\n\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park was where Patrick Pearse lived and ran his innovative Irish-speaking school\, Scoil Éanna\, between 1910 to 16. The Pearse Museum houses a fascinating exhibition on the life of Patrick and William Pearse who were both executed for their part in the 1916 Rising in Ireland. The museum showcases the historic house where Pearse\, his family and students once lived and worked. \nThe Pearse Museum is situated within St Enda’s Park which covers nearly twenty hectares of attractive parkland in Rathfarnham\, Dublin. The park contains a wild river called Whitechurch Stream which joins the Owendoher river which flows into the river Dodder\, as well as forested areas with an abundance of trees including oak and hawthorn and a series of enchanting eighteenth and nineteenth century follies. \nSt Enda’s Park is situated in Rathfarnham and is a designated National Historic Park run and maintained by the OPW. The park has many wonderful trees and they line the walls of the park and the avenues. One of the most common trees in the park is the Monterey Cypress which was planted along the avenues of the grounds. There are also Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech trees. Native Trees in the park include Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. Shrubs that are common in the park are Hawthorn\, which is important for birds nesting\, Holly and Laurel. \n\n\n\nAutumn in St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nShare your Favourite Tree\n\n\n\nTell us about your favourite tree? Take a picture and send it in with ideally the name of the tree\, it’s location and a photograph. Even if you only have a photograph send it on and tell us what you enjoy about the tree.  Send it to admin@smashingtimes.ie \nThere are many famous trees in Ireland. We have hanging trees\, trees at holy wells\, trees associated with historic events and trees that are important to communities.  There is the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns\, Dublin\, the tree appears to be eating or swallowing  a bench!  We have Lady Gregory’s famous ‘Autograph’ Tree at Coole Park in Galway. It is a copper beech signed by the writer W. B. Yeats and his brother the painter Jack\, and by writers such as George Bernard Shaw\, Sean O’Casey and other famous people. \nEnjoy the wide variety of wonderful trees at St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham\, Dublin\, including Monterey Cypress\, Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech and our native trees including Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. \n\n\n\nThe Social Life of Trees\n\n\n\n“A forest is much more than what you see\,” says ecologist Suzanne Simard. Her 30 years of research in Canadian forests have led to an astounding discovery — trees talk\, often and over vast distances. Watch Suzanne’s Tedex talk to learn more about the harmonious yet complicated social lives of trees and prepare to see the natural world with new eyes. \n \n  \n\n\n\nImage by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\nThe Trees Project\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is presented as part of The Trees project led by Dah Theatre\, Belgrade\, Serbia and supported by Creative Europe.  For further project details see here. Following ten performances in Dublin\, Ireland\, a live performance of The Art of Trees goes on tour to  three international festivals in Frankfurt\, Germany\, June 2025\, Athens\, Greece\, June 2025 and  Saville\, Spain\, October 2025. \nThe Trees project supported by Creative Europe is led by Dah Teatar\, Belgrade\, Serbia. The partners are Action Synergy SA\, Greece; Theatro Aeroploio – Ena Theatro Giapaidia\, Greece; Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Ireland; Grenland Friteater AS\, Norway; Centro de Arte Proucciones Teatrales SL\, Spain; Protagon – Freunde Und Foerderer Freier Theateraktion\, Germany and Stichting Zid\, Netherlands. \nAs part of the Trees project\, Smashing Times and partners are using creative processes and the performing arts to connect with citizens through a multi-disciplinary approach\, raising awareness of the importance of nature in our world today with a focus on bio-diversity and our connections to trees\, seas\, skies\, mountains and land. \nAs part of the Trees project artists from Smashing Times attended a Euroeso Conference on the 22 April 2024 in Belgrade\, Serbia and a Trees conference and training programme in Belgrade Serbia  from 23-28 April\, 2024. Two outreach community workshops on trees and environmental sustainability were conducted by artist Carmen Ortiz Victorino with local community participants in Dublin\, Ireland. \nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan was commissioned for The Trees project. The play creates an extraordinary atmosphere in nature’s setting as we reflect on the role of trees in our ecosystem\, the importance of nature in our lives today and themes of biodiversity\, climate preservation and climate change. Join us as we enjoy nature and explore how to be proactive in the face of climate change and making Europe climate friendly with a focus on biodiversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. Open to all citizens\, communities and artists\, and to key stakeholders in the fields of theatre\, arts\, science\, environment\, education\, business and human rights.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFiona Bawn-Thompson is an actor\, writer\, and the director of a highly successful performing arts academy.  After graduating with her Drama degree from Queens University Belfast in 2004 she went on to train as an actor with the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio.  She has extensive experience in all genres of theatre\, film and dance and shares this passion and knowledge with the young people she teaches.  Fiona also runs a wellbeing company and incorporates movement and drama strategies into her practice to enhance the experience for her clients.  She has performed and toured with many shows for Smashing Times Theatre Company\, including “The Woman is Present”\, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”\, and “Women\, War & Peace”.  In recent years she has been working extensively in the film industry as a supporting artist in films and series such as “The Northman”\, “Line of Duty”\, “The Woman in the Wall”\, and “Dungeons and Dragons”\, to name but a few.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef is an Egyptian artist working in theatre from 2010\, both as an actor and director. He has been involved in the theatre industry in Egypt\, performing in and directing many plays. He has performed in four plays since travelling to Ireland. One of them was Bros for the Dublin Theatre Festival\, directed by Romeo Castellucci. Abdelmonem is now the main drama facilitator for the senior group in Making Waves Youth Theatre and Athy Community Arts Centre. He loves drawing\, music\, and anything related to art. \n\n\n\nI am now working in youth theatre as a drama facilitator\, going to schools and facilitating drama workshops for kids and young people. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-trees-4/
LOCATION:Pearse Museum\, Rathfarnham\, Co Dublin\, St Endas Park\, Grange Road\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 16\, D16 Y7Y5\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Art-of-Trees-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241014T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241014T213000
DTSTAMP:20241007T161446Z
CREATED:20241007T161438Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T161446Z
UID:10000554-1728932400-1728941400@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Tonal: Liberation Movements
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nKaylin Paterson – Programme Director and Speaker \n\n\n\nOyena Sixaba and friends – Jazz Muscians / Performer \n\n\n\nLaura Twagirayezu – Film Curator \n\n\n\nAsanda Miya – DJ & Cultural Activist \n\n\n\nRonn Mapwata – Dancer & Speaker \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nFor the celebration of Black history month\, Tonal showcases a rendition of “The Sound of Liberation” to demonstrate the power of jazz and dance towards the mobalilisation of Liberation Movements. \n\n\n\nJazz is soulful\, a sound of rebellion and a sound of change. used as a key instrunent of liberation  from the Civil Rights movement to the liberation struggles of South Africa’s Apartheird regime. \n\n\n\nThis showcase will take you on a journey of how self examination and self expression through the arts were creative means of mobalisation and community building. A means for hope\, cultural preservation and dignity. For all humans to know that as a Humanity we feel all want to be free to Exist. Move. For all to acknowledge the most basic human right to life\, liberty and dignity. \n\n\n\n\n“Any real change implies the breakup of the world as one has always known it\, the loss of all that gave one an identity\, the end of safety. \n\n\n\nAnd at such a moment\, unable to see and not daring to imagine what the future will now bring forth\, one clings to what one knew\, or dreamed that one possessed. Yet\, it is only when a man is able\, without bitterness or self-pity\, to surrender a dream he has long possessed that he is set free – he has set himself free – for higher dreams\, for greater privileges.” \n\n\n\n\n― James Baldwin\, Nobody Knows my Name \n\n\n\nThe programme is set with Live music performances on “The Sound of Liberation” from alternative jazz sets\, to a demonstration of protest songs and movement to spoken word. Showcasing how the arts is a powerful instrument for liberation of self and of others. \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\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/tonal-liberation-movements/
LOCATION:The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin\, D02 K037\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Film Screening,Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Event-Image-1-Tonal-Jazz.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Tonal Jazz":MAILTO:Tonal.jazz@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241014T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241014T130000
DTSTAMP:20241010T120343Z
CREATED:20240904T161217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T120343Z
UID:10000547-1728907200-1728910800@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Trees
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmashing Times never want ticket price to be a barrier to access. To be added to the guestlist\, please email admin@smashingtimes.ie \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a guided\, walkabout\, outdoor performance taking place at Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\, Rathfarnham in South County Dublin. Enjoy a magical walk-in-the-park performance\, promenade style\, as we regale you with storytelling\, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests\, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of trees\, nature\, bio-diversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees runs for nine performances at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Gardens on Sunday 13 October\, 11am\, 1pm\, 3pm; Monday 14 October\, 10am\, 12pm; Tuesday 15 October\, 10am\, 12pm; and Thursday 17 October 10am\, 12pm. \n\n\n\nA special tenth show takes place at The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Sunday 20 October\, at 7.30pm\, as the closing performance for the sixth  annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorio and performed by Fiona Bawn-Thompson\, Abdelmonem Nassef\, Carmen Ortiz Victorio and Ciara Hayes with music performed by Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, Violinist. \n\n\n\nNature is in trouble. Ireland has declared a climate and a biodiversity emergency. As President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said if we were coal miners we would  be up to our knees in dead canaries. Despite our green image we need to do more. Ireland has lost many of its native woods. It is estimated that only eleven per cent of Ireland is currently under  forest cover\, much lower than most European countries. Finland for example has over 70 percent forest cover while Spain has over 35 percent. How can we celebrate the life of woodlands and connect more with nature\, to support the planet that gives us life and sustains us? What can we do to stop the felling and destruction of trees? \n\n\n\nBrigid of Kildare\, patron saint of Ireland has returned. She invites us to join her in the forest and enter the world of trees.  Brigid takes us on a journey through the history of trees from the Ice Age to present times\, exploring how forests have changed over thousands of years. Listen to stories about the ancient\, sacred trees of  Ireland such as oak\, ash\, birch\, hazel and hawthorn and explore the wonders of a Celtic tradition of trees and forests where magic can happen. \n\n\n\nJoin us as we reflect on ways to re-wild the landscape and re-wild the human soul. The Art of Trees is an outdoor performance inviting us to walk in nature\, to leave behind a world  filled with straight lines\, computer screens\, concrete blocks and clock time\, to explore why tree cover in Ireland has fallen so low and to reflect on the role trees play in our ecosystem. What can be  done to save our sacred trees and ancient woods and take action in the fight against climate change? The show is a theatrically staged fusion of theatre\, poetry\, story\, dance and music and is a dazzling storytelling performance suitable for all ages that is fun\, magical and sparking. \nCredits \nMary Moynihan\, writer \nCarmen Ortiz\, director \nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \nCiara Hayes\, actor \nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician on violin \nCiara Hayes\, producer \nSupported by The Trees Project and Creative Europe \n\n\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park was where Patrick Pearse lived and ran his innovative Irish-speaking school\, Scoil Éanna\, between 1910 to 16. The Pearse Museum houses a fascinating exhibition on the life of Patrick and William Pearse who were both executed for their part in the 1916 Rising in Ireland. The museum showcases the historic house where Pearse\, his family and students once lived and worked. \nThe Pearse Museum is situated within St Enda’s Park which covers nearly twenty hectares of attractive parkland in Rathfarnham\, Dublin. The park contains a wild river called Whitechurch Stream which joins the Owendoher river which flows into the river Dodder\, as well as forested areas with an abundance of trees including oak and hawthorn and a series of enchanting eighteenth and nineteenth century follies. \nSt Enda’s Park is situated in Rathfarnham and is a designated National Historic Park run and maintained by the OPW. The park has many wonderful trees and they line the walls of the park and the avenues. One of the most common trees in the park is the Monterey Cypress which was planted along the avenues of the grounds. There are also Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech trees. Native Trees in the park include Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. Shrubs that are common in the park are Hawthorn\, which is important for birds nesting\, Holly and Laurel. \n\n\n\nAutumn in St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nShare your Favourite Tree\n\n\n\nTell us about your favourite tree? Take a picture and send it in with ideally the name of the tree\, it’s location and a photograph. Even if you only have a photograph send it on and tell us what you enjoy about the tree.  Send it to admin@smashingtimes.ie \nThere are many famous trees in Ireland. We have hanging trees\, trees at holy wells\, trees associated with historic events and trees that are important to communities.  There is the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns\, Dublin\, the tree appears to be eating or swallowing  a bench!  We have Lady Gregory’s famous ‘Autograph’ Tree at Coole Park in Galway. It is a copper beech signed by the writer W. B. Yeats and his brother the painter Jack\, and by writers such as George Bernard Shaw\, Sean O’Casey and other famous people. \nEnjoy the wide variety of wonderful trees at St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham\, Dublin\, including Monterey Cypress\, Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech and our native trees including Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. \n\n\n\nThe Social Life of Trees\n\n\n\n“A forest is much more than what you see\,” says ecologist Suzanne Simard. Her 30 years of research in Canadian forests have led to an astounding discovery — trees talk\, often and over vast distances. Watch Suzanne’s Tedex talk to learn more about the harmonious yet complicated social lives of trees and prepare to see the natural world with new eyes. \n \n  \n\n\n\nImage by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\nThe Trees Project\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is presented as part of The Trees project led by Dah Theatre\, Belgrade\, Serbia and supported by Creative Europe.  For further project details see here. Following ten performances in Dublin\, Ireland\, a live performance of The Art of Trees goes on tour to  three international festivals in Frankfurt\, Germany\, June 2025\, Athens\, Greece\, June 2025 and  Saville\, Spain\, October 2025. \nThe Trees project supported by Creative Europe is led by Dah Teatar\, Belgrade\, Serbia. The partners are Action Synergy SA\, Greece; Theatro Aeroploio – Ena Theatro Giapaidia\, Greece; Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Ireland; Grenland Friteater AS\, Norway; Centro de Arte Proucciones Teatrales SL\, Spain; Protagon – Freunde Und Foerderer Freier Theateraktion\, Germany and Stichting Zid\, Netherlands. \nAs part of the Trees project\, Smashing Times and partners are using creative processes and the performing arts to connect with citizens through a multi-disciplinary approach\, raising awareness of the importance of nature in our world today with a focus on bio-diversity and our connections to trees\, seas\, skies\, mountains and land. \nAs part of the Trees project artists from Smashing Times attended a Euroeso Conference on the 22 April 2024 in Belgrade\, Serbia and a Trees conference and training programme in Belgrade Serbia  from 23-28 April\, 2024. Two outreach community workshops on trees and environmental sustainability were conducted by artist Carmen Ortiz Victorino with local community participants in Dublin\, Ireland. \nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan was commissioned for The Trees project. The play creates an extraordinary atmosphere in nature’s setting as we reflect on the role of trees in our ecosystem\, the importance of nature in our lives today and themes of biodiversity\, climate preservation and climate change. Join us as we enjoy nature and explore how to be proactive in the face of climate change and making Europe climate friendly with a focus on biodiversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. Open to all citizens\, communities and artists\, and to key stakeholders in the fields of theatre\, arts\, science\, environment\, education\, business and human rights.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFiona Bawn-Thompson is an actor\, writer\, and the director of a highly successful performing arts academy.  After graduating with her Drama degree from Queens University Belfast in 2004 she went on to train as an actor with the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio.  She has extensive experience in all genres of theatre\, film and dance and shares this passion and knowledge with the young people she teaches.  Fiona also runs a wellbeing company and incorporates movement and drama strategies into her practice to enhance the experience for her clients.  She has performed and toured with many shows for Smashing Times Theatre Company\, including “The Woman is Present”\, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”\, and “Women\, War & Peace”.  In recent years she has been working extensively in the film industry as a supporting artist in films and series such as “The Northman”\, “Line of Duty”\, “The Woman in the Wall”\, and “Dungeons and Dragons”\, to name but a few.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef is an Egyptian artist working in theatre from 2010\, both as an actor and director. He has been involved in the theatre industry in Egypt\, performing in and directing many plays. He has performed in four plays since travelling to Ireland. One of them was Bros for the Dublin Theatre Festival\, directed by Romeo Castellucci. Abdelmonem is now the main drama facilitator for the senior group in Making Waves Youth Theatre and Athy Community Arts Centre. He loves drawing\, music\, and anything related to art. \n\n\n\nI am now working in youth theatre as a drama facilitator\, going to schools and facilitating drama workshops for kids and young people. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-trees-3/
LOCATION:Pearse Museum\, Rathfarnham\, Co Dublin\, St Endas Park\, Grange Road\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 16\, D16 Y7Y5\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Art-of-Trees-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241014T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241014T110000
DTSTAMP:20241010T120007Z
CREATED:20240902T144951Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T120007Z
UID:10000486-1728900000-1728903600@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Trees
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nSOLD OUT \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a guided\, walkabout\, outdoor performance taking place at Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\, Rathfarnham in South County Dublin. Enjoy a magical walk-in-the-park performance\, promenade style\, as we regale you with storytelling\, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests\, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of trees\, nature\, bio-diversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees runs for nine performances at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Gardens on Sunday 13 October\, 11am\, 1pm\, 3pm; Monday 14 October\, 10am\, 12pm; Tuesday 15 October\, 10am\, 12pm; and Thursday 17 October 10am\, 12pm. \n\n\n\nA special tenth show takes place at The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Sunday 20 October\, at 7.30pm\, as the closing performance for the sixth  annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorio and performed by Fiona Bawn-Thompson\, Abdelmonem Nassef\, Carmen Ortiz Victorio and Ciara Hayes with music performed by Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, Violinist. \n\n\n\nNature is in trouble. Ireland has declared a climate and a biodiversity emergency. As President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said if we were coal miners we would  be up to our knees in dead canaries. Despite our green image we need to do more. Ireland has lost many of its native woods. It is estimated that only eleven per cent of Ireland is currently under  forest cover\, much lower than most European countries. Finland for example has over 70 percent forest cover while Spain has over 35 percent. How can we celebrate the life of woodlands and connect more with nature\, to support the planet that gives us life and sustains us? What can we do to stop the felling and destruction of trees? \n\n\n\nBrigid of Kildare\, patron saint of Ireland has returned. She invites us to join her in the forest and enter the world of trees.  Brigid takes us on a journey through the history of trees from the Ice Age to present times\, exploring how forests have changed over thousands of years. Listen to stories about the ancient\, sacred trees of  Ireland such as oak\, ash\, birch\, hazel and hawthorn and explore the wonders of a Celtic tradition of trees and forests where magic can happen. \n\n\n\nJoin us as we reflect on ways to re-wild the landscape and re-wild the human soul. The Art of Trees is an outdoor performance inviting us to walk in nature\, to leave behind a world  filled with straight lines\, computer screens\, concrete blocks and clock time\, to explore why tree cover in Ireland has fallen so low and to reflect on the role trees play in our ecosystem. What can be  done to save our sacred trees and ancient woods and take action in the fight against climate change? The show is a theatrically staged fusion of theatre\, poetry\, story\, dance and music and is a dazzling storytelling performance suitable for all ages that is fun\, magical and sparking. \nCredits \nMary Moynihan\, writer \nCarmen Ortiz\, director \nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \nCiara Hayes\, actor \nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician on violin \nCiara Hayes\, producer \nSupported by The Trees Project and Creative Europe \n\n\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park was where Patrick Pearse lived and ran his innovative Irish-speaking school\, Scoil Éanna\, between 1910 to 16. The Pearse Museum houses a fascinating exhibition on the life of Patrick and William Pearse who were both executed for their part in the 1916 Rising in Ireland. The museum showcases the historic house where Pearse\, his family and students once lived and worked. \nThe Pearse Museum is situated within St Enda’s Park which covers nearly twenty hectares of attractive parkland in Rathfarnham\, Dublin. The park contains a wild river called Whitechurch Stream which joins the Owendoher river which flows into the river Dodder\, as well as forested areas with an abundance of trees including oak and hawthorn and a series of enchanting eighteenth and nineteenth century follies. \nSt Enda’s Park is situated in Rathfarnham and is a designated National Historic Park run and maintained by the OPW. The park has many wonderful trees and they line the walls of the park and the avenues. One of the most common trees in the park is the Monterey Cypress which was planted along the avenues of the grounds. There are also Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech trees. Native Trees in the park include Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. Shrubs that are common in the park are Hawthorn\, which is important for birds nesting\, Holly and Laurel. \n\n\n\nAutumn in St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nShare your Favourite Tree\n\n\n\nTell us about your favourite tree? Take a picture and send it in with ideally the name of the tree\, it’s location and a photograph. Even if you only have a photograph send it on and tell us what you enjoy about the tree.  Send it to admin@smashingtimes.ie \nThere are many famous trees in Ireland. We have hanging trees\, trees at holy wells\, trees associated with historic events and trees that are important to communities.  There is the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns\, Dublin\, the tree appears to be eating or swallowing  a bench!  We have Lady Gregory’s famous ‘Autograph’ Tree at Coole Park in Galway. It is a copper beech signed by the writer W. B. Yeats and his brother the painter Jack\, and by writers such as George Bernard Shaw\, Sean O’Casey and other famous people. \nEnjoy the wide variety of wonderful trees at St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham\, Dublin\, including Monterey Cypress\, Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech and our native trees including Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. \n\n\n\nThe Social Life of Trees\n\n\n\n“A forest is much more than what you see\,” says ecologist Suzanne Simard. Her 30 years of research in Canadian forests have led to an astounding discovery — trees talk\, often and over vast distances. Watch Suzanne’s Tedex talk to learn more about the harmonious yet complicated social lives of trees and prepare to see the natural world with new eyes. \n \n  \n\n\n\nImage by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\nThe Trees Project\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is presented as part of The Trees project led by Dah Theatre\, Belgrade\, Serbia and supported by Creative Europe.  For further project details see here. Following ten performances in Dublin\, Ireland\, a live performance of The Art of Trees goes on tour to  three international festivals in Frankfurt\, Germany\, June 2025\, Athens\, Greece\, June 2025 and  Saville\, Spain\, October 2025. \nThe Trees project supported by Creative Europe is led by Dah Teatar\, Belgrade\, Serbia. The partners are Action Synergy SA\, Greece; Theatro Aeroploio – Ena Theatro Giapaidia\, Greece; Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Ireland; Grenland Friteater AS\, Norway; Centro de Arte Proucciones Teatrales SL\, Spain; Protagon – Freunde Und Foerderer Freier Theateraktion\, Germany and Stichting Zid\, Netherlands. \nAs part of the Trees project\, Smashing Times and partners are using creative processes and the performing arts to connect with citizens through a multi-disciplinary approach\, raising awareness of the importance of nature in our world today with a focus on bio-diversity and our connections to trees\, seas\, skies\, mountains and land. \nAs part of the Trees project artists from Smashing Times attended a Euroeso Conference on the 22 April 2024 in Belgrade\, Serbia and a Trees conference and training programme in Belgrade Serbia  from 23-28 April\, 2024. Two outreach community workshops on trees and environmental sustainability were conducted by artist Carmen Ortiz Victorino with local community participants in Dublin\, Ireland. \nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan was commissioned for The Trees project. The play creates an extraordinary atmosphere in nature’s setting as we reflect on the role of trees in our ecosystem\, the importance of nature in our lives today and themes of biodiversity\, climate preservation and climate change. Join us as we enjoy nature and explore how to be proactive in the face of climate change and making Europe climate friendly with a focus on biodiversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. Open to all citizens\, communities and artists\, and to key stakeholders in the fields of theatre\, arts\, science\, environment\, education\, business and human rights.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFiona Bawn-Thompson is an actor\, writer\, and the director of a highly successful performing arts academy.  After graduating with her Drama degree from Queens University Belfast in 2004 she went on to train as an actor with the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio.  She has extensive experience in all genres of theatre\, film and dance and shares this passion and knowledge with the young people she teaches.  Fiona also runs a wellbeing company and incorporates movement and drama strategies into her practice to enhance the experience for her clients.  She has performed and toured with many shows for Smashing Times Theatre Company\, including “The Woman is Present”\, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”\, and “Women\, War & Peace”.  In recent years she has been working extensively in the film industry as a supporting artist in films and series such as “The Northman”\, “Line of Duty”\, “The Woman in the Wall”\, and “Dungeons and Dragons”\, to name but a few.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef is an Egyptian artist working in theatre from 2010\, both as an actor and director. He has been involved in the theatre industry in Egypt\, performing in and directing many plays. He has performed in four plays since travelling to Ireland. One of them was Bros for the Dublin Theatre Festival\, directed by Romeo Castellucci. Abdelmonem is now the main drama facilitator for the senior group in Making Waves Youth Theatre and Athy Community Arts Centre. He loves drawing\, music\, and anything related to art. \n\n\n\n  \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-trees/
LOCATION:Pearse Museum\, Rathfarnham\, Co Dublin\, St Endas Park\, Grange Road\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 16\, D16 Y7Y5\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Art-of-Trees-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241013T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241013T160000
DTSTAMP:20241010T115948Z
CREATED:20240904T095528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T115948Z
UID:10000536-1728831600-1728835200@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Trees
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmashing Times never want ticket price to be a barrier to access. Email admin@smashingtimes.ie to be added to the guestlist. \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, director\, theatre and filmmaker\, Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a guided\, walkabout\, outdoor performance taking place at Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\, Rathfarnham in South County Dublin. Enjoy a magical walk-in-the-park performance\, promenade style\, as we regale you with storytelling\, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests\, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of trees\, nature\, bio-diversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees runs for nine performances at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Gardens on Sunday 13 October\, 11am\, 1pm\, 3pm; Monday 14 October\, 10am\, 12pm; Tuesday 15 October\, 10am\, 12pm; and Thursday 17 October 10am\, 12pm. \n\n\n\nA special tenth show takes place at The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Sunday 20 October\, at 7.30pm\, as the closing performance for the sixth  annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorio and performed by Fiona Bawn-Thompson\, Abdelmonem Nassef\, Carmen Ortiz Victorio and Ciara Hayes with music performed by Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, Violinist. \n\n\n\nNature is in trouble. Ireland has declared a climate and a biodiversity emergency. As President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said if we were coal miners we would  be up to our knees in dead canaries. Despite our green image we need to do more. Ireland has lost many of its native woods. It is estimated that only eleven per cent of Ireland is currently under  forest cover\, much lower than most European countries. Finland for example has over 70 percent forest cover while Spain has over 35 percent. How can we celebrate the life of woodlands and connect more with nature\, to support the planet that gives us life and sustains us? What can we do to stop the felling and destruction of trees? \n\n\n\nBrigid of Kildare\, patron saint of Ireland has returned. She invites us to join her in the forest and enter the world of trees.  Brigid takes us on a journey through the history of trees from the Ice Age to present times\, exploring how forests have changed over thousands of years. Listen to stories about the ancient\, sacred trees of  Ireland such as oak\, ash\, birch\, hazel and hawthorn and explore the wonders of a Celtic tradition of trees and forests where magic can happen. \n\n\n\nJoin us as we reflect on ways to re-wild the landscape and re-wild the human soul. The Art of Trees is an outdoor performance inviting us to walk in nature\, to leave behind a world  filled with straight lines\, computer screens\, concrete blocks and clock time\, to explore why tree cover in Ireland has fallen so low and to reflect on the role trees play in our ecosystem. What can be  done to save our sacred trees and ancient woods and take action in the fight against climate change? The show is a theatrically staged fusion of theatre\, poetry\, story\, dance and music and is a dazzling storytelling performance suitable for all ages that is fun\, magical and sparking. \n\n\n\nCredits \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician on violin \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, producer \n\n\n\nSupported by The Trees Project and Creative Europe \n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park was where Patrick Pearse lived and ran his innovative Irish-speaking school\, Scoil Éanna\, between 1910 to 16. The Pearse Museum houses a fascinating exhibition on the life of Patrick and William Pearse who were both executed for their part in the 1916 Rising in Ireland. The museum showcases the historic house where Pearse\, his family and students once lived and worked. \n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum is situated within St Enda’s Park which covers nearly twenty hectares of attractive parkland in Rathfarnham\, Dublin. The park contains a wild river called Whitechurch Stream which joins the Owendoher river which flows into the river Dodder\, as well as forested areas with an abundance of trees including oak and hawthorn and a series of enchanting eighteenth and nineteenth century follies. \n\n\n\nSt Enda’s Park is situated in Rathfarnham and is a designated National Historic Park run and maintained by the OPW. The park has many wonderful trees and they line the walls of the park and the avenues. One of the most common trees in the park is the Monterey Cypress which was planted along the avenues of the grounds. There are also Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech trees. Native Trees in the park include Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. Shrubs that are common in the park are Hawthorn\, which is important for birds nesting\, Holly and Laurel. \n  \n\n\n\nSt Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nShare your Favourite Tree\n\n\n\nTell us about your favourite tree? Take a picture and send it in with ideally the name of the tree\, it’s location and a photograph. Even if you only have a photograph send it on and tell us what you enjoy about the tree.  Send it to admin@smashingtimes.ie \n\n\n\nThere are many famous trees in Ireland. We have hanging trees\, trees at holy wells\, trees associated with historic events and trees that are important to communities.  There is the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns\, Dublin\, the tree appears to be eating or swallowing  a bench!  We have Lady Gregory’s famous ‘Autograph’ Tree at Coole Park in Galway. It is a copper beech signed by the writer W. B. Yeats and his brother the painter Jack\, and by writers such as George Bernard Shaw\, Sean O’Casey and other famous people. \n\n\n\nEnjoy the wide variety of wonderful trees at St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham\, Dublin\, including Monterey Cypress\, Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech and our native trees including Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\nThe Trees Project\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is presented as part of The Trees project led by Dah Theatre\, Belgrade\, Serbia and supported by Creative Europe.  For further project details see here. Following ten performances in Dublin\, Ireland\, a live performance of The Art of Trees goes on tour to  three international festivals in Frankfurt\, Germany\, June 2025\, Athens\, Greece\, June 2025 and  Saville\, Spain\, October 2025. \n\n\n\nThe Trees project supported by Creative Europe is led by Dah Teatar\, Belgrade\, Serbia. The partners are Action Synergy SA\, Greece; Theatro Aeroploio – Ena Theatro Giapaidia\, Greece; Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Ireland; Grenland Friteater AS\, Norway; Centro de Arte Proucciones Teatrales SL\, Spain; Protagon – Freunde Und Foerderer Freier Theateraktion\, Germany and Stichting Zid\, Netherlands. \n\n\n\nAs part of the Trees project\, Smashing Times and partners are using creative processes and the performing arts to connect with citizens through a multi-disciplinary approach\, raising awareness of the importance of nature in our world today with a focus on bio-diversity and our connections to trees\, seas\, skies\, mountains and land. \n\n\n\nAs part of the Trees project artists from Smashing Times attended a Euroeso Conference on the 22 April 2024 in Belgrade\, Serbia and a Trees conference and training programme in Belgrade Serbia  from 23-28 April\, 2024. Two outreach community workshops on trees and environmental sustainability were conducted by artist Carmen Ortiz Victorino with local community participants in Dublin\, Ireland. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan was commissioned for The Trees project. The play creates an extraordinary atmosphere in nature’s setting as we reflect on the role of trees in our ecosystem\, the importance of nature in our lives today and themes of biodiversity\, climate preservation and climate change. Join us as we enjoy nature and explore how to be proactive in the face of climate change and making Europe climate friendly with a focus on biodiversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. Open to all citizens\, communities and artists\, and to key stakeholders in the fields of theatre\, arts\, science\, environment\, education\, business and human rights.  \n \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFiona Bawn-Thompson is an actor\, writer\, and the director of a highly successful performing arts academy.  After graduating with her Drama degree from Queens University Belfast in 2004 she went on to train as an actor with the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio.  She has extensive experience in all genres of theatre\, film and dance and shares this passion and knowledge with the young people she teaches.  Fiona also runs a wellbeing company and incorporates movement and drama strategies into her practice to enhance the experience for her clients.  She has performed and toured with many shows for Smashing Times Theatre Company\, including “The Woman is Present”\, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”\, and “Women\, War & Peace”.  In recent years she has been working extensively in the film industry as a supporting artist in films and series such as “The Northman”\, “Line of Duty”\, “The Woman in the Wall”\, and “Dungeons and Dragons”\, to name but a few.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef is an Egyptian artist working in theatre from 2010\, both as an actor and director. He has been involved in the theatre industry in Egypt\, performing in and directing many plays. He has performed in four plays since travelling to Ireland. One of them was Bros for the Dublin Theatre Festival\, directed by Romeo Castellucci. Abdelmonem is now the main drama facilitator for the senior group in Making Waves Youth Theatre and Athy Community Arts Centre. He loves drawing\, music\, and anything related to art. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-trees-2024-10-13-3/
LOCATION:Pearse Museum\, Rathfarnham\, Co Dublin\, St Endas Park\, Grange Road\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 16\, D16 Y7Y5\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Art-of-Trees-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241013T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241013T140000
DTSTAMP:20241010T115914Z
CREATED:20240904T095250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T115914Z
UID:10000535-1728824400-1728828000@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Trees
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmashing Times never want ticket price to be a barrier to access. Email admin@smashingtimes.ie to be added to the guestlist. \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, director\, theatre and filmmaker\, Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a guided\, walkabout\, outdoor performance taking place at Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\, Rathfarnham in South County Dublin. Enjoy a magical walk-in-the-park performance\, promenade style\, as we regale you with storytelling\, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests\, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of trees\, nature\, bio-diversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees runs for nine performances at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Gardens on Sunday 13 October\, 11am\, 1pm\, 3pm; Monday 14 October\, 10am\, 12pm; Tuesday 15 October\, 10am\, 12pm; and Thursday 17 October 10am\, 12pm. \n\n\n\nA special tenth show takes place at The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Sunday 20 October\, at 7.30pm\, as the closing performance for the sixth  annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorio and performed by Fiona Bawn-Thompson\, Abdelmonem Nassef\, Carmen Ortiz Victorio and Ciara Hayes with music performed by Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, Violinist. \n\n\n\nNature is in trouble. Ireland has declared a climate and a biodiversity emergency. As President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said if we were coal miners we would  be up to our knees in dead canaries. Despite our green image we need to do more. Ireland has lost many of its native woods. It is estimated that only eleven per cent of Ireland is currently under  forest cover\, much lower than most European countries. Finland for example has over 70 percent forest cover while Spain has over 35 percent. How can we celebrate the life of woodlands and connect more with nature\, to support the planet that gives us life and sustains us? What can we do to stop the felling and destruction of trees? \n\n\n\nBrigid of Kildare\, patron saint of Ireland has returned. She invites us to join her in the forest and enter the world of trees.  Brigid takes us on a journey through the history of trees from the Ice Age to present times\, exploring how forests have changed over thousands of years. Listen to stories about the ancient\, sacred trees of  Ireland such as oak\, ash\, birch\, hazel and hawthorn and explore the wonders of a Celtic tradition of trees and forests where magic can happen. \n\n\n\nJoin us as we reflect on ways to re-wild the landscape and re-wild the human soul. The Art of Trees is an outdoor performance inviting us to walk in nature\, to leave behind a world  filled with straight lines\, computer screens\, concrete blocks and clock time\, to explore why tree cover in Ireland has fallen so low and to reflect on the role trees play in our ecosystem. What can be  done to save our sacred trees and ancient woods and take action in the fight against climate change? The show is a theatrically staged fusion of theatre\, poetry\, story\, dance and music and is a dazzling storytelling performance suitable for all ages that is fun\, magical and sparking. \n\n\n\nCredits \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician on violin \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, producer \n\n\n\nSupported by The Trees Project and Creative Europe \n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park was where Patrick Pearse lived and ran his innovative Irish-speaking school\, Scoil Éanna\, between 1910 to 16. The Pearse Museum houses a fascinating exhibition on the life of Patrick and William Pearse who were both executed for their part in the 1916 Rising in Ireland. The museum showcases the historic house where Pearse\, his family and students once lived and worked. \n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum is situated within St Enda’s Park which covers nearly twenty hectares of attractive parkland in Rathfarnham\, Dublin. The park contains a wild river called Whitechurch Stream which joins the Owendoher river which flows into the river Dodder\, as well as forested areas with an abundance of trees including oak and hawthorn and a series of enchanting eighteenth and nineteenth century follies. \n\n\n\nSt Enda’s Park is situated in Rathfarnham and is a designated National Historic Park run and maintained by the OPW. The park has many wonderful trees and they line the walls of the park and the avenues. One of the most common trees in the park is the Monterey Cypress which was planted along the avenues of the grounds. There are also Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech trees. Native Trees in the park include Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. Shrubs that are common in the park are Hawthorn\, which is important for birds nesting\, Holly and Laurel. \n  \n\n\n\nSt Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nShare your Favourite Tree\n\n\n\nTell us about your favourite tree? Take a picture and send it in with ideally the name of the tree\, it’s location and a photograph. Even if you only have a photograph send it on and tell us what you enjoy about the tree.  Send it to admin@smashingtimes.ie \n\n\n\nThere are many famous trees in Ireland. We have hanging trees\, trees at holy wells\, trees associated with historic events and trees that are important to communities.  There is the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns\, Dublin\, the tree appears to be eating or swallowing  a bench!  We have Lady Gregory’s famous ‘Autograph’ Tree at Coole Park in Galway. It is a copper beech signed by the writer W. B. Yeats and his brother the painter Jack\, and by writers such as George Bernard Shaw\, Sean O’Casey and other famous people. \n\n\n\nEnjoy the wide variety of wonderful trees at St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham\, Dublin\, including Monterey Cypress\, Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech and our native trees including Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\nThe Trees Project\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is presented as part of The Trees project led by Dah Theatre\, Belgrade\, Serbia and supported by Creative Europe.  For further project details see here. Following ten performances in Dublin\, Ireland\, a live performance of The Art of Trees goes on tour to  three international festivals in Frankfurt\, Germany\, June 2025\, Athens\, Greece\, June 2025 and  Saville\, Spain\, October 2025. \n\n\n\nThe Trees project supported by Creative Europe is led by Dah Teatar\, Belgrade\, Serbia. The partners are Action Synergy SA\, Greece; Theatro Aeroploio – Ena Theatro Giapaidia\, Greece; Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Ireland; Grenland Friteater AS\, Norway; Centro de Arte Proucciones Teatrales SL\, Spain; Protagon – Freunde Und Foerderer Freier Theateraktion\, Germany and Stichting Zid\, Netherlands. \n\n\n\nAs part of the Trees project\, Smashing Times and partners are using creative processes and the performing arts to connect with citizens through a multi-disciplinary approach\, raising awareness of the importance of nature in our world today with a focus on bio-diversity and our connections to trees\, seas\, skies\, mountains and land. \n\n\n\nAs part of the Trees project artists from Smashing Times attended a Euroeso Conference on the 22 April 2024 in Belgrade\, Serbia and a Trees conference and training programme in Belgrade Serbia  from 23-28 April\, 2024. Two outreach community workshops on trees and environmental sustainability were conducted by artist Carmen Ortiz Victorino with local community participants in Dublin\, Ireland. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan was commissioned for The Trees project. The play creates an extraordinary atmosphere in nature’s setting as we reflect on the role of trees in our ecosystem\, the importance of nature in our lives today and themes of biodiversity\, climate preservation and climate change. Join us as we enjoy nature and explore how to be proactive in the face of climate change and making Europe climate friendly with a focus on biodiversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. Open to all citizens\, communities and artists\, and to key stakeholders in the fields of theatre\, arts\, science\, environment\, education\, business and human rights.  \n \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFiona Bawn-Thompson is an actor\, writer\, and the director of a highly successful performing arts academy.  After graduating with her Drama degree from Queens University Belfast in 2004 she went on to train as an actor with the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio.  She has extensive experience in all genres of theatre\, film and dance and shares this passion and knowledge with the young people she teaches.  Fiona also runs a wellbeing company and incorporates movement and drama strategies into her practice to enhance the experience for her clients.  She has performed and toured with many shows for Smashing Times Theatre Company\, including “The Woman is Present”\, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”\, and “Women\, War & Peace”.  In recent years she has been working extensively in the film industry as a supporting artist in films and series such as “The Northman”\, “Line of Duty”\, “The Woman in the Wall”\, and “Dungeons and Dragons”\, to name but a few.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef is an Egyptian artist working in theatre from 2010\, both as an actor and director. He has been involved in the theatre industry in Egypt\, performing in and directing many plays. He has performed in four plays since travelling to Ireland. One of them was Bros for the Dublin Theatre Festival\, directed by Romeo Castellucci. Abdelmonem is now the main drama facilitator for the senior group in Making Waves Youth Theatre and Athy Community Arts Centre. He loves drawing\, music\, and anything related to art. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-trees-2024-10-13-2/
LOCATION:Pearse Museum\, Rathfarnham\, Co Dublin\, St Endas Park\, Grange Road\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 16\, D16 Y7Y5\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
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ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241013T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241013T150000
DTSTAMP:20241007T094426Z
CREATED:20241007T091021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T094426Z
UID:10000553-1728817200-1728831600@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Rohingya: The Path Towards Genocide in Myanmar
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nNo Booking Necessary \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nHaikal Mansor\, speaker and creator of the exhibition (RAI)  \n\n\n\nAlma Kahlos\, support role (BAI) \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nRohingya: The Path Towards Genocide in Myanmar explores how the Myanmar State has engaged in a decades-long genocide against the Rohingya people. The exhibition features a timeline of the history of the Rohingya people in Myanmar; photographs picturing the lives and plights of Rohingya people in refugee camps in Bangladesh; and stories of Rohingya people who have resettled in Ireland and succeded in their new home. The exhibition is opened by a speech by Haikal Mansor from Rohingya Action Ireland. \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\n\n\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/rohingya-the-path-towards-genocide-in-myanmar/
LOCATION:The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin\, D02 K037\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241013T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241013T120000
DTSTAMP:20241010T115845Z
CREATED:20240904T093804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T115845Z
UID:10000534-1728817200-1728820800@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Trees
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmashing Times never want ticket price to be a barrier to access. Email admin@smashingtimes.ie to be added to the guestlist. \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, director\, theatre and filmmaker\, Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a guided\, walkabout\, outdoor performance taking place at Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\, Rathfarnham in South County Dublin. Enjoy a magical walk-in-the-park performance\, promenade style\, as we regale you with storytelling\, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests\, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of trees\, nature\, bio-diversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees runs for nine performances at the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Gardens on Sunday 13 October\, 11am\, 1pm\, 3pm; Monday 14 October\, 10am\, 12pm; Tuesday 15 October\, 10am\, 12pm; and Thursday 17 October 10am\, 12pm. \n\n\n\nA special tenth show takes place at The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Sunday 20 October\, at 7.30pm\, as the closing performance for the sixth  annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorio and performed by Fiona Bawn-Thompson\, Abdelmonem Nassef\, Carmen Ortiz Victorio and Ciara Hayes with music performed by Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, Violinist. \n\n\n\nNature is in trouble. Ireland has declared a climate and a biodiversity emergency. As President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said if we were coal miners we would  be up to our knees in dead canaries. Despite our green image we need to do more. Ireland has lost many of its native woods. It is estimated that only eleven per cent of Ireland is currently under  forest cover\, much lower than most European countries. Finland for example has over 70 percent forest cover while Spain has over 35 percent. How can we celebrate the life of woodlands and connect more with nature\, to support the planet that gives us life and sustains us? What can we do to stop the felling and destruction of trees? \n\n\n\nBrigid of Kildare\, patron saint of Ireland has returned. She invites us to join her in the forest and enter the world of trees.  Brigid takes us on a journey through the history of trees from the Ice Age to present times\, exploring how forests have changed over thousands of years. Listen to stories about the ancient\, sacred trees of  Ireland such as oak\, ash\, birch\, hazel and hawthorn and explore the wonders of a Celtic tradition of trees and forests where magic can happen. \n\n\n\nJoin us as we reflect on ways to re-wild the landscape and re-wild the human soul. The Art of Trees is an outdoor performance inviting us to walk in nature\, to leave behind a world  filled with straight lines\, computer screens\, concrete blocks and clock time\, to explore why tree cover in Ireland has fallen so low and to reflect on the role trees play in our ecosystem. What can be  done to save our sacred trees and ancient woods and take action in the fight against climate change? The show is a theatrically staged fusion of theatre\, poetry\, story\, dance and music and is a dazzling storytelling performance suitable for all ages that is fun\, magical and sparking. \n\n\n\nCredits \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz\, director \n\n\n\nFiona Bawn Thompson\, actor \n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef\, actor \n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorio\, actor \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, performer and musician on violin \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, producer \n\n\n\nSupported by The Trees Project and Creative Europe \n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park was where Patrick Pearse lived and ran his innovative Irish-speaking school\, Scoil Éanna\, between 1910 to 16. The Pearse Museum houses a fascinating exhibition on the life of Patrick and William Pearse who were both executed for their part in the 1916 Rising in Ireland. The museum showcases the historic house where Pearse\, his family and students once lived and worked. \n\n\n\nThe Pearse Museum is situated within St Enda’s Park which covers nearly twenty hectares of attractive parkland in Rathfarnham\, Dublin. The park contains a wild river called Whitechurch Stream which joins the Owendoher river which flows into the river Dodder\, as well as forested areas with an abundance of trees including oak and hawthorn and a series of enchanting eighteenth and nineteenth century follies. \n\n\n\nSt Enda’s Park is situated in Rathfarnham and is a designated National Historic Park run and maintained by the OPW. The park has many wonderful trees and they line the walls of the park and the avenues. One of the most common trees in the park is the Monterey Cypress which was planted along the avenues of the grounds. There are also Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech trees. Native Trees in the park include Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. Shrubs that are common in the park are Hawthorn\, which is important for birds nesting\, Holly and Laurel. \n  \n\n\n\nSt Enda’s Park\n\n\n\nShare your Favourite Tree\n\n\n\nTell us about your favourite tree? Take a picture and send it in with ideally the name of the tree\, it’s location and a photograph. Even if you only have a photograph send it on and tell us what you enjoy about the tree.  Send it to admin@smashingtimes.ie \n\n\n\nThere are many famous trees in Ireland. We have hanging trees\, trees at holy wells\, trees associated with historic events and trees that are important to communities.  There is the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns\, Dublin\, the tree appears to be eating or swallowing  a bench!  We have Lady Gregory’s famous ‘Autograph’ Tree at Coole Park in Galway. It is a copper beech signed by the writer W. B. Yeats and his brother the painter Jack\, and by writers such as George Bernard Shaw\, Sean O’Casey and other famous people. \n\n\n\nEnjoy the wide variety of wonderful trees at St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham\, Dublin\, including Monterey Cypress\, Horse chestnut\, Sycamore\, Willow\, Larch\, Pine trees and Beech and our native trees including Yew\, Oak\, Ash\, Birch and Alder. \n\n\n\nThe Social Life of Trees\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\nThe Trees Project\n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is presented as part of The Trees project led by Dah Theatre\, Belgrade\, Serbia and supported by Creative Europe.  For further project details see here. Following ten performances in Dublin\, Ireland\, a live performance of The Art of Trees goes on tour to  three international festivals in Frankfurt\, Germany\, June 2025\, Athens\, Greece\, June 2025 and  Saville\, Spain\, October 2025. \n\n\n\nThe Trees project supported by Creative Europe is led by Dah Teatar\, Belgrade\, Serbia. The partners are Action Synergy SA\, Greece; Theatro Aeroploio – Ena Theatro Giapaidia\, Greece; Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Ireland; Grenland Friteater AS\, Norway; Centro de Arte Proucciones Teatrales SL\, Spain; Protagon – Freunde Und Foerderer Freier Theateraktion\, Germany and Stichting Zid\, Netherlands. \n\n\n\nAs part of the Trees project\, Smashing Times and partners are using creative processes and the performing arts to connect with citizens through a multi-disciplinary approach\, raising awareness of the importance of nature in our world today with a focus on bio-diversity and our connections to trees\, seas\, skies\, mountains and land. \n\n\n\nAs part of the Trees project artists from Smashing Times attended a Euroeso Conference on the 22 April 2024 in Belgrade\, Serbia and a Trees conference and training programme in Belgrade Serbia  from 23-28 April\, 2024. Two outreach community workshops on trees and environmental sustainability were conducted by artist Carmen Ortiz Victorino with local community participants in Dublin\, Ireland. \n\n\n\nThe Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan was commissioned for The Trees project. The play creates an extraordinary atmosphere in nature’s setting as we reflect on the role of trees in our ecosystem\, the importance of nature in our lives today and themes of biodiversity\, climate preservation and climate change. Join us as we enjoy nature and explore how to be proactive in the face of climate change and making Europe climate friendly with a focus on biodiversity and the interconnectedness of the world around us. Open to all citizens\, communities and artists\, and to key stakeholders in the fields of theatre\, arts\, science\, environment\, education\, business and human rights.  \n  \n\n\n\nArtist Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarmen Ortiz Victorino is an interdisciplinary artist\, theatre-maker\, director\, actress\, playwriter and stage manager from Sevilla\, Spain. She studied drama in ESAD de Sevilla and screen acting in Laboratorio de Interpretation de Sevilla. Now she is a free lance facilitator for Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge. She has worked with different communities around Ireland doing drama workshops and directing different plays as King Lear\, Hamlet and The Heights. Moreover\, she has participated in a wide range of international projects as “Mouth Off” (Spain)\, “You mix it” (Sweden)\, “Mind your body” (Slovenia) \, “Transmission “ (Albania); treating social issues through different acting techniques. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFiona Bawn-Thompson is an actor\, writer\, and the director of a highly successful performing arts academy.  After graduating with her Drama degree from Queens University Belfast in 2004 she went on to train as an actor with the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio.  She has extensive experience in all genres of theatre\, film and dance and shares this passion and knowledge with the young people she teaches.  Fiona also runs a wellbeing company and incorporates movement and drama strategies into her practice to enhance the experience for her clients.  She has performed and toured with many shows for Smashing Times Theatre Company\, including “The Woman is Present”\, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”\, and “Women\, War & Peace”.  In recent years she has been working extensively in the film industry as a supporting artist in films and series such as “The Northman”\, “Line of Duty”\, “The Woman in the Wall”\, and “Dungeons and Dragons”\, to name but a few.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbdelmonem Nassef is an Egyptian artist working in theatre from 2010\, both as an actor and director. He has been involved in the theatre industry in Egypt\, performing in and directing many plays. He has performed in four plays since travelling to Ireland. One of them was Bros for the Dublin Theatre Festival\, directed by Romeo Castellucci. Abdelmonem is now the main drama facilitator for the senior group in Making Waves Youth Theatre and Athy Community Arts Centre. He loves drawing\, music\, and anything related to art. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-trees-2024-10-13-1/
LOCATION:Pearse Museum\, Rathfarnham\, Co Dublin\, St Endas Park\, Grange Road\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 16\, D16 Y7Y5\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Art-of-Trees-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241011T183000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241011T203000
DTSTAMP:20241010T213510Z
CREATED:20240902T141015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T213510Z
UID:10000480-1728671400-1728678600@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival Reception and Launch
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival.  Guest speaker at the reception and launch. \n\n\n\nSenator Lynn Ruane.  DAHRF Festival Ambassador and Guest Speaker at the reception and launch. \n\n\n\nDaniel Mahon\, actor \n\n\n\nJosephine Patane\, actor \n\n\n\nLisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi\, violinist \n  \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nSmashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders and partners are delighted to host an opening reception and launch for the sixth annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights Festival. The reception and launch feature guest talks\, refreshments and the opportunity to view the Irish in Resistance during World War II multidisciplinary exhibition funded by The Arts Council and to watch a live performance of Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan.  The reception and launch take place at The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Friday 11 October 2024\, from 6.30 to 9pm. \n\n\n\nSpeaking at the event is festival ambassador Senator Lynn Ruane. Presentations will also be made by artist Mary Moynihan\, writer\, poet and creator of art and photography\, on behalf of Smashing Times; and Alan Glasgow\, Executive Director of Front Line Defenders. \n\n\n\nAs part of the launch\, audiences have the opportunity to view the Irish in Resistance during World War II Exhibition. This is a new multidisciplinary exhibition featuring visual art\, photography\, film\, poetry\, and storytelling\, reflecting on stories of Irish people in resistance during the Holocaust and World War II who stood up against fascism and totalitarianism\, and who spoke out for the rights of others.  A series of ambitious new artworks have been commissioned and created in response to the theme of ‘Irish in Resistance\,’ reflecting on stories of Irish people who promoted democracy and peace\, and stood up against authoritarianism. The commissioned artists are Hina Khan\, visual artist; Amna Walayat\, visual artist; Féilim James\, writer; and Smashing Times Artistic Director Mary Moynihan\, a writer\, poet\, and creator of art and photography. The exhibition is curated by Mary Moynihan\, funded by The Arts Council Commissions Award under visual art\, literature\, and festivals\, and is presented as part of the Smashing Times Artist Development Programme. A special thanks to John Morgan for research on the stories. The exhibition runs at The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 from Friday 11 to Thursday 31 October 2024\, Monday to Sunday\, 10am–7pm. \n\n\n\nThe launch is followed by a performance of Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan. The play is adapted from the words of four brave and inspirational human rights defenders from around the world who were murdered because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.   They are Lasantha Wickramatunga\, journalist\, Sri Lanka; Natalya Estemirova\, journalist and human rights defender\, Chechnya; Raed Fares\, journalist and activist\, Syria and Bety Cariño\, activist and women’s rights defender\, Mexico.  The play is presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Frontline Defenders\, directed by Carmen Ortiz Victorino and performed by Josephine Patane\, actor\, and Daniel Mahon\, actor with Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi on violin. \n  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \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 Executive Director 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\nLynn Ruane is from Tallaght and lives in Killinarden with her two daughters. \n\n\n\nBefore entering politics\, she developed community drug services and community initiatives over 15 years in Tallaght and Dublin’s Canal Communities. \n\n\n\nAs a firm believer in lifelong learning\, Lynn has engaged in education for most of her adult life. \n\n\n\nAfter leaving school early\, she attended An Cosán in Tallaght at the age of fifteen\, before going on to study addiction in several courses. She then returned to full-time education as a mature student; graduating from Trinity College Dublin with an honours degree in Political Science\, Philosophy\, Economics and Sociology in 2016. \n\n\n\nLynn gained entry to university through the Trinity Access Programme. Lynn is proud of her TAP connection and was delighted to see her eldest daughter also graduate from the access programme and enter Trinity College as an English Literature and Film Studies student in 2018. \nLynn is currently pursuing a Masters in Creative Writing at Dublin City University. She decided to study creative writing as a way to amplify the stories and narratives of those who so often do not get to tell their own story. \nWhile working in addiction services\, Lynn also worked with De Paul Ireland across many of their homeless services\, mainly low threshold accommodation for street sleepers. She returned to this work while studying for her degree in Trinity. \nIn 2015\, she ran for the position of President of Trinity College’s Students’ Union and was elected. She announced her intention to contest the 2016 Seanad election as an independent candidate while in office and was elected to the Oireachtas at the age of 31. \nShe has now served as an Independent Senator for Trinity College for four years. \nShe has worked to take her role beyond just the Seanad chamber and the gates of Leinster House. With the use of Trinity College facilities\, she has introduced initiatives like Project Sums\, a programme which provides free Leaving Certificate mathematics grinds to students from disadvantaged areas; our tutors now see more than 150 young people every week. In collaboration with TCD’s Dr. Robert Grant\, she has founded Philosophy in the Community\, a programme based in Rialto which introduces local residents and youth workers to philosophy and encourages them to explore the broader philosophical contexts in which they live and work. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosephine Patane is excited to be a part of the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival. Originally from the United States\, she has performed in many New York and regional theatre productions there. Since moving\, Josephine has continued performing on stages throughout Europe as an actor and singer. Theatre credits include: The Little Mermaid (Vanessa) Fiddler on the Roof (Chava) The Shadow of a Gunman (Minnie Powell) Twinkle Tames a Dragon (Twinkle) and Richard II (Northumberland.) On screen\, Josephine can be seen in the film Happy Yummy Chicken\, or doing science experiments on BBC Bitesize. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDaniel Mahon is a graduate of The Lir Academy. Graduating from The Three Year Bachelor in Acting in 2022. \n\n\n\nStage credits include ‘EXIT> PURSUED BY A PINT’ a new play by Kat Ennis for Scene and Heard Festival 2023\,  the role of ‘The Black O’Donnell’ in the Quintessence Theatre/An Taín production of INTO THE DARK and the role of ‘Patrick Hogan’ in ANU Productions’ STAGING THE TREATY at the National Concert Hall which was also screened at the IFI and streamed on RTÉ’s website and IFI@Home. \n\n\n\nWhile at The Lir he played\, Francois ‘Franz/Frank’ Lafayette in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ APPROPRIATE directed by Joy Nesbitt; Barnardine & Froth in Shakespeare’s MEASURE FOR MEASURE directed by Joe Dowling; John Morris in Kate O’Brien’s DISTINGUISHED VILLA directed by Hilary Wood; Vladimir in Chekov’s THREE SISTERS directed by Marc Atkinson Borrull and Dr. Gibbs in Thornton Wilder’s OUR TOWN directed by Wayne Jordan. \n\n\n\nHis Scene Credits include Paul in the IFTA-nominated feature WHO WE LOVE directed by Graham Cantwell; the short film WAITING directed by Sinéad O’Louglin at The Lir\, and the role of Eddie in Pancake Studios’ short film NEVER ALONE. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nLisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi is a graduate of the Royal College of Music\, London where she received her B.Mus Hons degree. She is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire for Music and Drama. She gained her masters in performance at TU Dublin studying under Joanna Matkowska. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under conductors Alexander Anissimov\, George Hurst and Gerhardt Markson. She also worked with Lyric Opera and The Irish Film Orchestra. She has regularly performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra. \n\n\n\nPerformances with the RTECO include a chamber music recital for the commemoration of the 1916 rising at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in the presence of An t-Uachtarán and with a group of members of the RTECO playing a new composition by Simon O’ Connor narrated by actress Olwen Fouéré. Other concerts included ‘Back to the Future’\, ‘The Godfather’ with film music by Nino Rota\, ‘The Music of John Williams’ film music and RTECO’s recording of the music of Steve Mc Keon for the film ‘Norm of the North’. \n\n\n\nLisa has performed at the Dublin Metropolis Festival\, RDS and at The Button Factory\, Temple Bar with DJ Kormac. Lisa has also toured France\, South Africa and the US as solo violinist with Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’. Solo and chamber music recitals include DIT\, Trinity College Dublin\, The Goethe institute\, UCD and The John Field Room\, N.C.H. and The Galway Arts Festival. \n\n\n\nLisa recently performed at Dublin Castle for a production of ‘Constance and her Friends’ a play about Constance Markievicz and activists during the 1916 rising written by Mary Moynihan and performed by Smashing Times. Passionate about teaching as well as performing\, Lisa gives masterclasses\, prepares students for exams\, recitals and Feis Ceoil competitions. Lisa is married to oboist with the National Symphony Orchestra\, Sylvain Gnemmi. They have four children and live in Dublin. \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/dublin-arts-and-human-rights-festival-reception-and-launch/
LOCATION:The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin\, D02 K037\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Launch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/grunge_audience_1710.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241011T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241020T180000
DTSTAMP:20241010T180922Z
CREATED:20240902T142456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T180922Z
UID:10000481-1728644400-1729447200@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Eyes of the Storm
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nNo Booking Necessary \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Eyes of the Storm is a photographic exhibition by Trócaire\, celebrating the courage and determination of people on the frontlines of the climate crisis across the world. As well as sharing their powerful stories\, this exhibition also urges people on the island of Ireland to join the climate movement and stand together in solidarity with those most affected. We need governments and corporations to act\, and we need them to act fast.​ This exhibition is part of Trócaire’s Climate Justice Campaign which is calling for a fast\, fair and funded phase out of fossil fuels. \n\n\n\nThe exhibition runs at Flux Gallery in the former DIT music school at 4 Chatham Row from 11am-5pm daily. \n\n\n\nTrócaire\n\n\n\nTrócaire turns the compassion of the Irish people into life-changing support for some of the world’s poorest people. \n\n\n\nWe work in partnership with communities in 23 countries to relieve poverty and tackle injustice. We do this thanks to the support of people all over Ireland\, as well as with the help of our institutional partners. \nTrócaire is the Irish language word for “compassion”. For 50 years Trócaire has put the compassion of Irish people into action. \nTrócaire is an agency of the Irish Catholic Church. We are the Irish member of the Caritas Internationalis federation. \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\n\n\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/the-eyes-of-the-storm/
LOCATION:FLUX Studios\, 4 Chatham Row\, Dublin 2
CATEGORIES:Exhibition,Photography
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Trocaire-Event-Image-2024.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241011T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241031T190000
DTSTAMP:20241010T213613Z
CREATED:20240903T150827Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T213613Z
UID:10000521-1728640800-1730401200@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Irish in Resistance during World War II Multidisciplinary Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nNo booking necessary for exhibition. Book your place for the launch and artist talk below. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nHina Khan\, Visual artist \n\n\n\nAmna Walayat\, Visual artist \n\n\n\nFéilim James\, writer and poet \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nIrish in Resistance during World War II Multidisciplinary Exhibition \n\n\n\nGallery: The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin 2\, D02 K037 \n\n\n\nExhibition runs Friday 11 to Thursday 31 October 2024\, Monday to Sunday\, 10am–7pm \n\n\n\nLaunch and Artist Talk: Irish in Resistance during World War II at The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin 2 on Saturday 12 October 2024\, 7-10pm.  An evening of talks\, poetry and chat with artists Mary Moynihan\, Hina Khan\, Amna Walayat and Féilim James and guest speakers on stories of Irish people in resistance during World War II\, exploring how the stories have inspired artistic creation and resonate in today’s climate of war and genocide and a search for peace. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality are delighted to present Irish in Resistance during World War II\, a new multidisciplinary exhibition featuring visual art\, photography\, film\, poetry\, and storytelling\, reflecting on stories of Irish people in resistance during the Holocaust and World War II who stood up against fascism and totalitarianism\, and spoke out for the rights of others.  During the current climate of war in Ukraine and Gaza\, Smashing Times look to the past history of World War II to share stories of ordinary people who did extraordinary things to stand up against oppression and fascism. \n\n\n\nA series of ambitious new artworks have been commissioned and created in response to the theme of ‘Irish in Resistance\,’ reflecting on stories of Irish people who promoted democracy and peace\, and stood up against authoritarianism to protect the rights of others during World War II. The commissioned artists are Hina Khan\, visual artist; Amna Walayat\, visual artist; Féilim James\, writer; and Smashing Times Artistic Director Mary Moynihan\, a writer\, poet\, and creator of art and photography. The exhibition is curated by Mary Moynihan\, funded by The Arts Council Commissions Award under visual art\, literature\, and festivals\, and is presented as part of the Smashing Times Artist Development Programme. The producers are Ciara Hayes and Freda Manweiler\, and the digital artist is Paul Marshall. Artist Mary Moynihan initially compiled the stories of 12 Irish people involved in the resistance during World War II\, with the stories acting as a catalyst for the collaborative creation of the new artworks. A special thanks to John Morgan for research on the stories. \n\n\n\nThe exhibition is presented on-site at The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin 2\, from 11–31 October 2024\, Monday to Sunday\, 10am-7pm as a flagship event for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. It is available to view online in digital format as part of the Smashing Times Virtual Arts Gallery\, increasing access for those unable to attend the physical exhibition\, as well as highlighting the work of the artists on an international scale. \n\n\n\nThe Irish in Resistance exhibition focuses on a diversity of citizen resistance stories\, exploring voices of resistance from ordinary Irish people who stood up against fascism\, totalitarianism\, and a hatred of the other. Time and time again\, acts of kindness\, courage\, and resilience were carried out by ordinary people\, both within Nazi concentration camps and in wider society during World War II. The exhibition highlights how Irish people risked – and in some cases sacrificed – their lives for complete strangers\, demonstrating a belief in humanity and a determination to fight for a future where all people would be treated equally\, where democracy\, equality\, and peace prevail. \n\n\n\nMembers of the public\, schools\, and youth and community groups are invited to attend the launch\, explore the exhibition\, engage with the artworks\, and meet the artists through talks and workshops\, bringing people together to raise awareness about the power of solidarity\, kindness\, and the values of equality\, human rights\, diversity\, democracy\, peace\, and gender equality today. \n\n\n\nArtistic Process: Hope\, Courage\, Resilience \n\n\n\nThis is Phase One of the exhibition\, with a larger scale exhibition to be created in 2025. In 2024\, as part of Phase One\, research was conducted by Mary Moynihan on 12 stories of Irish people in resistance during World War II. This was then presented to the artists as part of the Smashing Times Artist Development Programme. The stories gathered act as inspiration for the collective of artists made up of visual artist Amna Walayat\, visual artist Hina Khan\, writer Féilim James\, and writer\, poet\, and creator of art and photography Mary Moynihan. The exhibition promotes a collaboration between two visual artists\, one writer\, and one writer-poet-photographer-filmmaker\, creating work collaboratively to promote equality\, human rights\, and diversity. The four artists create their artworks in collaboration with each other so that there is a genuine integration of visual art\, photography\, poetry\, and film. \n\n\n\nThe exhibition is inspired by themes of resistance\, courage\, oppression\, and freedom\, as told through the stories of Irish people in resistance during World War II. The exhibition reflects on the insidious nature and impact of fascism\, totalitarianism\, and dictatorship\, and the power of the human struggle against a tendency to control and destroy. The stories are of people who resist through violent resistance\, non-violent resistance\, and by continuing to be human\, to hold on to their humanity\, and to be kind. What is important are values in life. A key question to explore is how someone who believes in non-violent resistance should act when faced with a military and political behemoth such as Nazism. \nSupported by The Arts Council and presented for the sixth annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights Festival. \nInformation: Freda Manweiler 087 2214245\, info@smashingtimes.ie\, www.smashingtimes.ie \n  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHina was born in born in Pakistan in 1980 and completed an MFA\, majoring in Miniature Painting from Pakistan. Hina’s work uses a mixture of traditional and innovative techniques in miniatures. She portrays social issues\, immigration\, humanitarian crises like prostitution\, gender discrimination\, gender restrictions\, trauma\, child abuse and killing  in her work. \n\n\n\nHina uses  miniature in her work as the  intricacy and delicacy of the brush work has a unique identity. Hina’s work began as a mixture of traditional and contemporary miniature and her practice has now expanded to include small and large-scale installation\, videos and 3D. \n\n\n\nAccording to Hina ‘My work is a constant search for the best way to interpret ideas and to express my own ideologies through symbolism.  I am creating a dialogue through my art. My art is a reflection of inner connection\, and how immigrants and nomadic artists are a part of this land. Migration is deeply rooted in my blood. I have carried two cultures\, one from where I was born and the other is this culture where I am trying to re-root myself. Sometimes a situation is not in our control\, but life always takes us on different voyages. This journey has built up a constant transition in my art\, personality\, and in terms of experimentation\, enabling me to evolve my artistic practice.’ \n\n\n\nHina has participated in a number of groups shows in Pakistan from 2002 to 2011. Hina came to Ireland in 2015 and participated in a number of exhibitions in Dublin\, Laois\, Mayo\, and Cork. Hina was awarded several residencies with Fire Station Arts Center\, Create Ireland\, West Cork Art Center and Cow House Studio and has displayed solo exhibitions at Ballina Art Center\, Mayo\, and Stradbally Art house\, Laois. \n\n\n\nHina’s art pieces are held in the permanent collection of The Arts Council of Ireland. She is the recipient of several awards from The Arts Council of Ireland\, Create Ireland\, and from different counties. She is the recipient of an R&D award from Create Ireland in collaboration with Tomasz Madajezak under the mentorship of Jesse Jones and is also collaborating with filmmaker David Bickley. Currently she is preparing artworks for State of the Art: The Nation State as both Violator and Protector of Human Rights presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\,  funded by The Arts Council and is working on a  solo show which will be displayed in the LHQ gallery in 2022. \n\n\n\nHina says that ‘as an artist\,  I am inspired by Sadequain\, Michelangelo\, Picasso\, Frida Kahlo\, Shahzia Sikander and Anselm Kiefer.’ \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFéilim James is an award-winning writer from Dublin\, Ireland. In 2020\, the Arts of Council of Ireland awarded Féilim a Literature Bursary Award to finish his debut novel\, Flower of Ash\, as well as a Professional Development Award. He received an Arts Bursary from Dublin City Arts Office in 2021 to finish his first poetry collection\, I was a river\, lost. His short fiction and poetry have appeared in numerous journals\, including The Fiction Pool\, The Galway Review\, and Icarus. His work through Irish\, under Féilim Ó Brádaigh\, has won seven Oireachtas na Gaeilge literary awards. His short fiction and poetry\, through English and Irish\, have appeared in a number of journals\, including The Fiction Pool\, The Galway Review\, Icarus\, and Comhar. A short film Féilim wrote\, titled The Big No\, produced by Smashing Times\, was shortlisted by the IndieX Film Festival\, and his play At Summer’s End has toured Ireland. \n\n\n\nIn The Big No\, a young man tells the story of his psychological unravelling and subsequent mental health crisis. Told in the form of a voiceover monologue accompanied by compelling imagery\, this poetic short film takes us on a journey of despair\, introspection\, and hope. As he battles against panic attacks and suicidal thoughts\, he is forced to face the ‘why’ of his problems head on\, learning some essential truths about himself and the world. \n\n\n\nFéilim’s play At Summer’s End has been on tour with Smashing Times as part of The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of WWII.  At Summer’s End is based on the life-story of Ettie Steinberg\, an Irish woman who was murdered\, along with her family\, at Auschwitz. \n\n\n\nFéilim’s themes are wide-ranging\, and include identity\, mental illness\, guilt\, human animalism\, death\, and humankind’s relationship with nature. He is committed to maintaining an ever evolving and progressive approach to his work\, with each book both building on the last and differing in a vital way. In other words\, the aforementioned themes will change as time passes\, as will their stylistic rendering. ‘My inspirations are many and wide-ranging. To the fore are James Joyce\, Sylvia Plath\, John Banville\, Marilynne Robinson\, Ted Hughes\, TS Eliot\, Seán Ó Ríordáin\, and Radiohead’. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmna Walayat has an M.A. in Modern and Contemporary Art\, History\, Theory and Criticism from University College Cork (2015) and M.A. in Fine Arts from University of the Punjab\, Lahore in Pakistan (2002). She has worked as a Program Organizer with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts; Curator with Alhamra Arts Council and PhD studio-based researcher with PURAF\, University of the Punjab. Her interest lies in British India\, colonialism\, orientalism\, migration\, and gender with the current focus on feminism. \n\n\n\nHer recent shows include Maternal Gaze online\, IMMA\, 2021. Constellation\, a two-person e-show\, LHQ Gallery\, Cork County Council. Imagine online Christ Church\, Dublin\, 2020. Transhumance\, The Space\, Dublin7\, 2020. \n\n\n\nShe recently initiated the Ireland-Pakistan Arts Exchange (IPAE) to bring both art communities together through creating opportunities for networking and exchange. She has curated an e-exhibition\, Re-Root with the Pakistani Artists Community in Ireland in collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan\, Dublin (August 2020) and organised Opportunities in Pakistan\, a Visual Artists online Café in collaboration with VAI\, December 2020. \n\n\n\nAmna Walayat resided in the UK and France before settling in Cork\, Ireland. She is a recipient of Arts Council Ireland Visual Artist Bursary Award\, 2020 and Recipient of Glucksman Art Gallery Cork\, Curatorial Mentoring Support under a Professional Development Award 2021 and the Dilkusha Award 2021.  Currently she is Member of Art Nomads\, Smashing Times Dublin\, Sample Studios Cork\, Angelica Network\, Visual Artists Ireland\, Lavit Gallery Cork\, Cork Print Makers under the Dilkusha Award. \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/irish-in-resistance-during-world-war-ii-multidisciplinary-exhibition/
LOCATION:The Ireland Institute\, 27 Pearse Street\, Dublin\, D02 K037\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Exhibition,Poetry,Visual Art
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Fiona-window.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241011T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241020T235959
DTSTAMP:20241010T193119Z
CREATED:20240902T110622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T193119Z
UID:10000450-1728604800-1729468799@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Moving Canvas
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nNo booking necessary\, video will be available to watch here from 11 October 2024. \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nNoelle Mc Alinden\, curator and  founder of Moving Canvas\, Chair of NI Mental Health Arts Festival \n\n\n\nVictoria Geelan\, musician \n\n\n\nSheila Llewellyn\, writer \n\n\n\nSéamas Mac Annaidh\, writer \n\n\n\nJulie Murphy\, visual artist \n\n\n\nRory O Loughlin\, visual artist \n\n\n\nKate O Shea\, visual artist \n\n\n\nMargaret Stack\, artist and art therapist \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\n\n\nWatch Moving Canvas Here\n\n\n\n  \nMoving Canvas is a unique initiative curated and designed by Noelle McAlinden on behalf of the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival 2024. \n\n\n\nMoving Canvas began as an invitation to seven artists living\, working\, from or based in the Fermanagh Omagh District Council area of Northern Ireland\, to participate in a series of conversations\, experiences and opportunities to pause\, stop and reflect upon their own creative practice and that of each other’s practices and their own mental health and wellbeing. \n\n\n\nFrom November 2023 to March 2024\, seven artists were invited to join a series of virtual conversations before meeting together for the first time at Enniskillen Castle Museum. Among the experiences was a request to explore and respond to the work of renowned Fermanagh based artist Mavis Thomson\, Senior Royal Ulster Academician. \n\n\n\nThis provided all artists with an opportunity to visit her solo show\, Coloured Thoughts\, a unique exhibition of paintings\, poems and assemblages created from found objects\, objects gifted to the artist\, and inspired by her lived experience and the world events. \n\n\n\nThe exhibition provided an opportunity for artists to meet and explore the exhibition as a starting point for discussion and reflection on their own practice\, without any pressure or demands on them other than to experience an exhibition and the artist’s sources of inspiration. \n\n\n\nThe artists were deliberately drawn from across a range of diverse artforms; poetry\, spoken word\, literature\, visual and performing arts\, and art therapy. Many aspects embodied in the sources of inspiration of Mavis Thomson’s Exhibition. \n\n\n\nThe participating artists were then provided with a series of opportunities to travel on Fermanagh waterways\, initially Erne water Taxi’s Island Discovery around the Island Town of Enniskillen\, and then disembark before taking another Ferry across to Castle Island\, with Blue Green Yonder\, experience nature and the waterways from a unique perspective. \n\n\n\nThis provided a series of unique opportunities to get to know themselves\, each other and the invaluable resources around them\, mindful of the investment in their mental health and wellbeing. \n\n\n\nThe request was to be present to the experiences and potentially see this as a form of stimulus for their future practice. The artists were also provided with a small bursary to invest in their own practice. \n\n\n\n“Moving canvas has evolved significantly as a unique concept and initiative curated on behalf of the NI Mental Health Arts Festival connecting artists and artforms who have now become a community and an extended family. This has exceeded all our expectations.” \n\n\n\nThe mutual encouragement and support and the cross-fertilisation of ideas has stimulated thinking and further explorations of individual and collective artforms\, the culmination of which is a  group show celebrating the NI Mental Health Arts Festival  at Strule Arts Centre Omagh which took place from May 9th to May 26th 2024. \n  \n\n\n\nArtist Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNoelle McAlinden\, Visual Artist\, Creative Advisor\, Mental Health Campaigner\, Curator and Cultural Broker \n\n\n\nNoelle Mc Alinden is a practicing artist exhibiting locally\, regionally and internationally\, with work in public and private collections across UK\, Europe\, US and Canada. Noelle also works as a creative adviser\, curator\, arts educator\, a former Head of Art and Design in a post-primary school and Senior Lecturer for Arts at Fermanagh College of Further Education. She teaches across a range of sectors including\, primary\, post primary\, university and the prison Sector\, and was an international artist in residence in University of Transylvania\, Lexington\, Kentucky as part of The Governors School of Art. \n\n\n\nAs an arts activist for almost 39 years\, Noelle has worked across statutory and voluntary Youth and Community sectors. She is passionate about all artforms promoting visual and performing arts\, moving image\, film and digital literacy. She was Chair of Creative Youth Partnerships and served as Chair of The Forum for Local Government and the Arts. She is an active advocate for the arts supporting the development of artists and creatives promoting collaborative and strategic partnerships locally\, regionally and internationally. \n\n\n\nNoelle’s work varies in size\, scale\, subject matter and treatment\, from large-scale oil paintings to small mixed media pieces on canvas. The work is vibrant in colour and texture that appeal strongly to the eye with work consisting of an extraordinarily vivid panorama of colour\, light and imagery\, abstract and semi representational. The work to date has evolved from the figurative/narrative tradition. The choice of subject matter and treatment of it has evolved in a logical development from previous solo exhibitions\, Waterways of the mind\, Out of the Blue\, Eve–olution\, Precious Cargo and Emotional Landscape.  \n\n\n\nAbstract works are inspired by experiments with colour\, texture\, light and semi animated marks\, traces of life that somehow continue to be figurative. The paintings in oils and acrylics cover surfaces and canvasses that have been distorted\, distressed\, layered with texture and colour\, with fragments that have been constructed and deconstructed exposing colour beneath the surface. \n\n\n\nInspiration is drawn from who the artist is and where she has come from and where she is now\, both the physical world the artist lives in and the private world within her that carries the Precious Cargo of the past and all its diverse\, dynamic and evolving happenings\, the magic of gained knowledge & personal insight. An Artist who has mined deeper with age\, where with a love of emotive colour\, scorched canvasses emerge\, where blue tones and strong exotic tones collide\, where inspiration is sought in everything and every experience\, and where the artist paints large-scale as well as small\, and welcomes the happy accident. \n\n\n\nInspiration from the work of Hodgkin’s and Hoyland have influenced recent work. Noelle says “My work has evolved\, it comes from my life\, my soul\, experiences\, memory and imagination. Shaped\, nourished by events and accidental happenings\, family\, friendship and a sense of place.” \n  \n\n\n\n\n\nNorthern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival\n\n\n\nNIMHAF is a festival highlighting mental health by showcasing arts events across Northern Ireland. With arts on offer from visual arts and photography\, poetry and song to psychodrama\, music\, comedy and film\, the festival promises to put transformation on the agenda across Northern Ireland. \n\n\n\nFounded in 2013\, the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival (NIMHAF) was the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. \n“These festivals are important as they give the public an opportunity to engage with art specifically referencing mental health. They also give venues and organisations the chance to work with new artists\, commission new work and connect with new audiences locally and regionally. Funding will help support the institution to programme talks\, workshops and exhibitions. With the aim of bringing a range of high quality and engaging\, free events to the public and creating opportunities of paid work for artists and creative practitioners based in or from Northern Ireland.”  \nLaura McCafferty – CCA Derry \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/moving-canvas/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Film Screening,Mental Health,Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Moving-Canvas.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241010T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241010T210000
DTSTAMP:20240912T145607Z
CREATED:20240912T145605Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240912T145607Z
UID:10000552-1728586800-1728594000@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Invaders’ Fear of Memories
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nTickets €20/15 plus booking fee. Book here \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nBenjamin Rivers\, writer and actor \n\n\n\nLinda Wise\, director \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is a solo theatre piece based on the life and diaries of Yousef Nachmani – a Russian Jew who migrated from Tsarist Russia to Ottoman Palestine in 1907. Nachmani became Director of the Jewish National Fund in the Galilee and subsequently played a central role in the ethnic cleansing of thousands of Palestine’s indigenous inhabitants. The play offers a perspective into the origins of settler-colonialism and apartheid in modern day Israel\, exploring themes of loyalty\, violence\, ideology and grief. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is performed by Ben Rivers\, the great grandson of Nachmani. Over the course of the play\, Rivers performs 12 characters and sings in Arabic\, Hebrew\, Ukrainian and Yiddish. The production is directed by Linda Wise\, an original member of the iconic Roy Hart Theatre Company. Since August 2023 The Invaders’ Fear of Memories has been performed to audiences in Australia\, France\, Mexico\, South Africa and Spain. \n\n\n\nThe script for this production includes excerpts from the diaries of Yousef Nachmani. It also draws from testimonies contained in Illan Pappe’s The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine\, along with interviews from The Diaries of Yossef Nachmani\, a documentary by the Israeli journalist and filmmaker\, Dalia Karpel. \n\n\n\nThe title for this play\, The Invaders’ Fear of Memories\, is a line taken from ‘On this Land’\, a poem by the Palestinian poet\, Mahmoud Darwish. \n\n\n\nYousef Nachmani was born in 1891 as Yousef Agranovsky to a Jewish family in Oleksandria\, Russia (now Oleksandria\, Ukraine). At the age of 15\, Yousef\, along with his father and brother\, were arrested by Russian authorities for their involvement in Poale Zion\, a militant group that advocated Zionist ideology. In 1907 Yousef fled to Ottoman Palestine where he joined an urban commune in Jerusalem whose members included David Ben-Gurion and other future Zionist leaders. In 1911 Yousef moved to the Galilee\, where he became an early member of Hashomer\, a Jewish defence organisation responsible for guarding Jewish settlements in the Yishuv. Yousef later went on to become a senior officer in Haganah and then Director of the Jewish National Fund in Eastern Galilee. In this role\, Yousef acquired Arab lands for the Jewish National Fund\, often secretly and with the assistance of Arab collaborators. From 1935\, Yousef began a diary that documented his own involvement in the expulsion of Palestinians from their homeland. \n\n\n\nAUDIENCE REVIEWS \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is a visceral depiction of events that occurred during the colonisation of Palestine. Ben Rivers’ commanding solo performance provided the audience with a firsthand account of the terror that Zionist gangs inflicted on indigenous Palestinians in the process of clearing Palestine of its inhabitants. At the end of the play I was\, as I am sure others were\, reduced to tears. \n\n\n\n– Dr. Adel Yousif\, Senior lecturer\, University of Tasmania\, Australia. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is a jaw-dropping tour de force through history that has never been more relevant. Ben Rivers deftly slips between characters to create a collage of voice and song that is both powerful and rich with devastating truth and subtly observed nuance. \n\n\n\n– Emily Conolan\, Author and refugee advocate\, Australia. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories\, a one-man play by Ben Rivers\, is both an urgently needed piece of history and an extraordinary work of art. Rivers\, portraying twelve characters\, brings to life his own great-grandfather’s story\, first as an oppressed Jew in Tsarist Russia and then his inexorable transformation into an active participant in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their homeland. With gorgeous\, stirring songs in Ukrainian\, Yiddish\, Hebrew and Arabic woven throughout\, The Invaders’ Fear of Memories‘ confronts us with the tragic cycles of history in which we are still caught. It could not be more relevant in today’s violent world. \n\n\n\n– Jo Salas\, Author and co-founder of Playback Theatre\, New York. \n\n\n\nAs a Syrian refugee\, this play hit me with the reality of a history we know too well – the painful\, sad and frightening truth of an injustice that has been happening for more than a century. I believe The Invaders’ Fear of Memories should be on every stage in the world\, telling the story of an occupied land called Palestine! \n\n\n\n– Hane Alrustm\, Psychoanalyst and human rights activist\, Syria/Belgium. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories\, is a difficult yet powerful piece. Based on the diaries of Yousef Nachmani\, the play provides a personal lens on how Palestinians were brutally displaced and answers why the Zionist movement seeks to erase Palestine and the Palestinians. \n\n\n\n– Reem Dajani\, Mental Health Advisor\, Palestine/Jordan. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is strong medicine for Nakba deniers and defenders of ‘good Zionist intentions’. Rivers does not shy away from the bloody truth; he peels back the legendary JNF mythic lie of ‘making the desert bloom’ through his great-grandfather’s own words. \n\n\n\n– Melissa Nussbaum Freeman\, Spiritual & Cultural Life Organising Manager\, Jewish Voice for Peace\, USA. \n\n\n\nTo be in the audience of The Invaders’ Fear of Memories is to feel yourself simultaneously in the past and in the present. As Walter Benjamin might put it\, this play blows us backward into the future– and both places are equally urgent\, complex\, and human. And while we may be “just” watching as audiences in a theatre\, it is resoundingly clear that we are also all active participants in how the story is still– devastatingly– playing out today. As a performer\, Ben brings this story to light with a simple intimacy and kindness\, issuing an invitation to honour complexity and ambivalence while also giving us the opportunity to connect to feelings that connect us as humans: wild hope\, fervent belief\, impassioned outrage\, enduring love\, and deep and persistent mourning. \n\n\n\n– Katie Pearl\, Professor of Theater\, Wesleyan University\, USA. \n\n\n\nBenjamin Rivers’ performance of The Invaders’ Fear of Memories\, directed by Linda Wise\, is a sobering\, thoughtful\, deeply felt play\, based on the diaries of his great-grandfather. This is a courageous\, riveting piece – and « uplifting » because its stand is conciliatory of maybe the only kind that can face the future with the needed regret\, tolerance and equity. It does theatre itself a great favour. \n\n\n\n– Enrique Pardo\, Founder and co-director\, Pantheatre\, France. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories by Ben Rivers\, is a powerful account of the silent and violent periods of settler colonial expansion into Palestine\, told through different generational accounts of Ben’s Family. I would definitely recommend watching this! \n\n\n\n– Irfaan Mangera\, Human rights activist and educator\, South Africa. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories gently draws us into its world\, and then cracks open our hearts\, awakening\, longing for humanity to rise up and renew our dedication to Life. A powerful and difficult story told with love and compassion. \n\n\n\n– Marya Lowry\, Professor Emerita (Brandeis University) and award-winning actor\, USA. \n\n\n\nThe Invaders’ Fear of Memories is an extraordinary production coming at an extraordinary time. The fact that it was primarily written from diaries\, makes it an authentic and personal experience of history. This is invaluable given the distortions written about the formation of the State of Israel. Over the course of the play\, Ben Rivers moves cleverly from character to character\, spanning generations and countries\, over a period of 45 odd years. The Invaders’ Fear of Memories evoked joy and sadness\, bringing tears to my eyes and laughter as well. This play offers a crucial perspective on an important historical moment. A better understanding of the path Israel followed\, can lead to a better understanding and empathy for the people of Israel / Palestine. \n\n\n\n– Rina King\, Chair of South African Jews for a Free Palestine\, South Africa. \n\n\n\nThis play offers a powerful reminder of theatre’s role in society as it gently but critically tackles the complexity of a major geo-political narrative. Through a considered weaving of characters’ stories and observations\, Rivers uses a Theatre-of-Testimony approach to invite audience members into a deep listening of the human perspectives and contradictions that underpin the Palestine-Israel conflict. \n\n\n\n– Hamish Neill\, Drama for Life Creative Research Hub Director\, University of the Witwatersrand\, South Africa. \n\n\n\nWhile the current crisis in Palestine continues to unfold\, The Invaders’ Fear of Memories shows the history of invasion and settlement over a forty year period\, beginning early last century. The story is told through a series of intimate portraits as Ben Rivers moves seamlessly from one character to the next\, each vividly alive in the present moment. Written in the spirit of truth-telling\, the voices of the characters are unforgettable and the performance deeply moving. I loved this play; a complex story was simply told and its honesty and humanity left me with hope for the future. \n\n\n\n– Julie Hunt\, Author\, Tasmania\, Australia. \n\n\n\nBen Rivers picks up the words of his great grandfather\, embodies the dreams of two peoples\, then delivers a mortal wound into a promised homeland. The Invaders’ Fear of Memories brings me to imagine\, then to tears\, as dreams turn to nightmares. The diaries and songs seduce us to celebrate our human spirit\, then turn us to ponder our capacity for immense cruelty. Rivers’ journey is a beautiful solo performance that stirs all the right emotions. \n\n\n\n– Robert Alcock\, Film Director & Editor\, Tasmania\, Australia. \n\n\n\nBen’s performance was vulnerable\, captivating\, and sparked deep reflection on the multiple narratives and experiences that contribute to our retelling of history. There was not a moment wasted in the play; every song\, footstep\, breath all contributed to situating the audience within his grandfather’s perspective. \n\n\n\n– Liam McLaren\, President\, Tasmanian University Student Association\, Australia. \n\n\n\nA heartrending play\, with a nuanced script and a standout acting performance from Ben Rivers. Through a series of dramatic historic portraits of Jewish and Arab characters\, Rivers illuminates the complex political dilemmas that led to the founding of the nation of Israel within the country of Palestine in 1948\, and the human tragedies that followed. \n\n\n\n– Anne Morgan\, Author\, Tasmania\, Australia. \n\n\n\nIn addition to the hosting venues\, the following groups/organisations helped to organise performances and appeared as official partners on promotional materials for The Invader’s Fear of Memories: \n\n\n\n● South African Jews for a Free Palestine\, South Africa \n\n\n\n● Tasmanian Students for Palestine\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Tasmanian University Union Muslim Society\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Friends of Palestine Tasmania\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Hobart Playback Theatre\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Tasmanian University Student Association\, Australia \n\n\n\n● Artistas por Palestina\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● Tepoztequisimo\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● Judías por Palestina\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● Asociación Mexicana de Judies Interdependientes\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● Asamblea Interuniversitaria y Popular por Palestina\, Mexico \n\n\n\n● BDS Galiza\, Spain \n  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\nScreenshot\n\n\n\n\n\nBenjamin Rivers\, actor and writer of The Invaders’ Fear of Memories. Ben Rivers is an actor\, psychotherapist and applied theatre practitioner. He has taught and practised in Asia\, Australia\, Europe\, the Middle East and North America\, working extensively with communities impacted by political violence and collective trauma. Ben is the founder of Dawar Arts (Cairo\, Egypt). He also lived and worked for several years in Jenin Refugee Camp\, Occupied Palestine\, where he co-founded The Freedom Theatre’s Freedom Bus project\, an initiative that uses interactive theatre and cultural activism to bear witness\, raise awareness and build alliances throughout occupied Palestine and beyond. Ben is of Jewish descent. He currently lives and works between Europe\, Australia and the Middle East. More here: www.benjaminrivers.org \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLinda Wise\, director of The Invaders’ Fear of Memories. Linda Wise was born in Kenya and trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She worked with Roy Hart from 1969 until his death in 1975. Linda was a member of the original Roy Hart Theatre and became a founding member of the Centre Artistique International Roy Hart in the South of France. Linda won the 1988 French Jean Vilar Prize for her direction of Melville’s Moby Dick\, and performed Nedda in the OBIE award winning adaptation of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. In recent years she has directed\, among other things\, a series of solos for women performers\, and a Jazz Opera co-produced by Boreas Teater and the Oslo National Theatre. Linda has taught voice in the National Theatre Schools of Copenhagen\, Norway\, Australia\, New Zealand\, Argentina and Scotland and is a visiting teacher at the Limoges and Strasbourg French National Theatre Schools. Linda collaborates with an international circle of artists and thinkers in the field of therapy\, archetypal psychology and mythology. \n\n\n\nMore here: https://pantheatreportugal.wordpress.com/linda-wise/ \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\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/the-invaders-fear-of-memories-2/
LOCATION:Taibhdhearc\, Galway\, 19 an tSráid Láir\, Galway\, H91 E2V3\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Invaders-Fear-Still-.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241003T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241103T170000
DTSTAMP:20241003T114827Z
CREATED:20240903T175817Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241003T114827Z
UID:10000467-1727951400-1730653200@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Landscapes of the Soul Multidisciplinary Exhibition with artists Mary Moynihan and Hina Khan
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival \n\n\n\nHina Khan\, visual artist \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nLandscapes of the Soul is an exciting new multi-disciplinary exhibition by artists Mary Moynihan and Hina Khan featuring visual art\, photography\, poetry and film mapping physical landscapes of nature to landscapes of the soul reflecting on ways to hold on to the courage to be who we truly are and to let ourselves shine. \n\n\n\nThe exhibition brings together visual imagery and poetry to reflect on meaning-making and pathways of expression\, mapping physical landscapes of nature to human emotions from grief and longing to inner peace\, spirituality and love. In homage to the human spirit\, the exhibition is a journey of exploration inspired by an engagement with landscapes and seascapes and is a gentle provocation to all of us to reimagine the landscapes of our natural environment\, the vast lands and oceans we call our home\, linked to the landscapes of our internal well-being.  Our personal well-being is linked to the well-being of our planet on a physical\, spiritual\, emotional and intuitive level\, with nature and creativity inspiring us to look after ourselves\, each other\, the planet we live on and more sustainable ways of living. \n\n\n\nThe original exhibition concept is created by Mary Moynihan with curation and original artworks by artists Mary Moynihan\, a writer\, poet and creator of art and photography and Hina Khan\, a visual artist\, presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality for the annual international Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival. See smashingtimes.ie for full festival information. \n\n\n\nThe artists want to share the work through a related programme of cultural activities taking place around the context of the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival of which this exhibition is a key event.  The festival takes the  form of talks\, workshops\,  events\, films screenings\, live indoor and outdoor performances\, installations and happenings\, all initiating a series of creative conversations around a shared vision for equality\, diversity and a more sustainable future for all. \n\n\n\nVisit Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park for a live performance of The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan. \n\n\n\nLandscapes of the Soul. Image by Mary Moynihan\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHina Khan\, visual artist\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Tree of Life by Hina Khan\n\n\n\n\n\nRathfarnham Castle is a building with a rich and varied history dating back 400 years. It has been ‘a fortified house\, a luxurious seventeenth-century home\, a fashionable Georgian Mansion and an austere Jesuit residence’[1]. It is now under State care and managed by the Office of Public Works. \nRathfarnham Castle was only referred to as a castle in the mid eighteenth century. It is situated on the outskirts of Dublin. It is the earliest recorded and one of the largest and most impressive of the fortified houses built in Ireland. It was commissioned C. 1583 for Adam Loftus who was at that time the Anglican Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland.  The house passed down through seven generations of the Loftus family until 1723 when the whole estate was sold to William Connolly of Castletown\, County Kildare.  After an interval of some fifty years (1711-1767) which saw a number of tenants and owners who made alternations and additions to the house\, it was returned to the ownership of the Loftus family. There were several different owners until the Castle was declared a National Monument in 1986 and purchased for the Nation by the Office of Public Works in 1987. At the same time\, Dublin County Council acquired the grounds. \n[1] Rathfarnham Castle Guide Book \n\n\n\nArtist Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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. \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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \nMary 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 \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. \nSmashing Times \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. \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. \nAwards \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.    \nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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. \nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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.  \nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings. \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. \nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \nKeep in touch with Mary on: \nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHina Khan\, Visual Artist \n\n\n\nHina was born in born in Pakistan in 1980 and completed an MFA\, majoring in Miniature Painting from Pakistan. Hina’s work uses a mixture of traditional and innovative techniques in miniatures. She portrays social issues\, immigration\, humanitarian crises like prostitution\, gender discrimination\, gender restrictions\, trauma\, child abuse and killing  in her work. \nHina uses  miniature in her work as the  intricacy and delicacy of the brush work has a unique identity. Hina’s work began as a mixture of traditional and contemporary miniature and her practice has now expanded to include small and large-scale installation\, videos and 3D. \nAccording to Hina ‘My work is a constant search for the best way to interpret ideas and to express my own ideologies through symbolism.  I am creating a dialogue through my art. My art is a reflection of inner connection\, and how immigrants and nomadic artists are a part of this land. Migration is deeply rooted in my blood. I have carried two cultures\, one from where I was born and the other is this culture where I am trying to re-root myself. Sometimes a situation is not in our control\, but life always takes us on different voyages. This journey has built up a constant transition in my art\, personality\, and in terms of experimentation\, enabling me to evolve my artistic practice.’ \nHina has participated in a number of groups shows in Pakistan from 2002 to 2011. Hina came to Ireland in 2015 and participated in a number of exhibitions in Dublin\, Laois\, Mayo\, and Cork. Hina was awarded several residencies with Fire Station Arts Center\, Create Ireland\, West Cork Art Center and Cow House Studio and has displayed solo exhibitions at Ballina Art Center\, Mayo\, and Stradbally Art house\, Laois. \nHina’s art pieces are held in the permanent collection of The Arts Council of Ireland. She is the recipient of several awards from The Arts Council of Ireland\, Create Ireland\, and from different counties. She is the recipient of an R&D award from Create Ireland in collaboration with Tomasz Madajezak under the mentorship of Jesse Jones and is also collaborating with filmmaker David Bickley. Currently she is preparing artworks for State of the Art: The Nation State as both Violator and Protector of Human Rights presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\,  funded by The Arts Council and is working on a  solo show which will be displayed in the LHQ gallery in 2022. \nHina says that ‘as an artist\,  I am inspired by Sadequain\, Michelangelo\, Picasso\, Frida Kahlo\, Shahzia Sikander and Anselm Kiefer.’ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHina Khan Artist Statement\n\n\n\nMy work has multiple layers and is the constant search for the best way to interpret ideas and express my own ideologies through symbolism. My work is a constant search for peace that doesn’t exist anymore. I fabricate things that constantly evoke deep emptiness and sorrow about our surroundings. For me\, art is not just an activity\, it is a passion\, a medium that I use as an activist and to describe my feelings\, my pain. I have used art as a medium to articulate my own experiences and I have faith that art has the power to prevail over the differences between religion\, culture\, language and race. It has the power to bring harmony to culture and to craft peace on our only inhabitable planet. \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/landscapes-of-the-soul-visual-multidisciplinary-exhibition-with-artists-mary-moynihan-and-hina-khan/
LOCATION:Rathfarnham Castle\, Rathfarnham\, Dublin 14\, D14 K3T6\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Exhibition,Photography,Poetry,Visual Art
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Seascape-1.-Image-by-Mary-Moynihan.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241003T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20250323T235959
DTSTAMP:20241106T143137Z
CREATED:20241106T142757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241106T143137Z
UID:10000556-1727913600-1742774399@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Brian Maguire: La Grande Illusion
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nBooking Links Below \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nBrian Maguire\, artist \n\n\n\nGallery Opening Hours\n\n\n\nExhibition is open during gallery opening hours. Opening Hours \n\nMon Closed\nTues to Wed 9:45 am – 6:00 pm\nThurs 9:45 am – 8:30 pm\nFri 9:45 am – 5:00 pm\nSat 10:00 am – 5:00 pm\nSun 11:00 am – 5:00 pm\n\nPlease see website for dates and times for events in our associated engagement programme. \n\n\n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian Maguire: La Grande Illusion\n\n\n\nHighlights of our public programmes\n\n\n\nFilm Screenings\, Talks\, Tours\, Art Appreciation series and more\n\n\n\n\n\nArt Appreciation Course \n\n\n\nMore Power to you! Art and Activism from Sarah Purser to Brian Maguire \n\n\n\nDates: Thursdays 3\, 10\, 17\, 24\, 31 October\, 7\, 14\, 21 November 2024\, 14:30-16:30pm. \n\n\n\nThis eight week course programmed by HLG is presented in collaboration with UCD Life long Learning programme. Enrol via:  UCD Lifelong Learning programme 01 7167123 or all@ucd.ie   https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/art-appreciation-course-ucd-lifelong-learning/ \n\n\n\nArt Appreciation Course \n\n\n\nAvenues into Modern and Contemporary Art \n\n\n\n5 October 2024- 26 April 2025 \n\n\n\nTaking place on Saturday mornings\, these illustrated lectures programmed by HLG and presented in collaboration with the Peoples College offer the opportunity for exploring engaging and wide-ranging themes from art history to contemporary visual art practice\, to wider societal concerns explored by artists nationally and internationally including Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion. Enrol via info@peoplescollege.ie  https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/avenues-into-modern-and-contemporary-art-2024-25 \n\n\n\nHugh Lane Culture Club \n\n\n\nTuesday 15 October\, 2.30pm \n\n\n\nOur Culture Clubs are a great way to explore art in a stimulating and friendly environment. Dr Anne Cormican will lead a walkthrough of the exhibition Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion followed by tea /coffee and further discussion. Booking details https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/culture-club-15-oct/ \n\n\n\nCoffee Conversation \n\n\n\nWednesday 16 October 2024\, 11am \n\n\n\nOur Coffee Conversations are a great way to explore art in a stimulating and friendly environment. Contemporary Art Practice: Artist Claire Halpin will discuss her work which explores themes and concepts around contested territories and histories through painting\, video and installation. Fee: €5\, incl tea/coffee https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/claire-halpin/ \n\n\n\nAccessibility \n\n\n\nThursday 17 October\, 11amTour for People who are Hard of Hearing with a focus discussion of artworks in our new exhibition Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion. This tour will focus on the artworks in Galleries 1 The Invisible Becomes Visible and Gallery 2 Remains. Free\, book on Eventbrite. https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/hard-of-hearing-17-oct/ \n\n\n\nFilms Screening‘The ruined land: the land in ruins’\, a programme of films curated by film curator Alice Butler in parallel to the Brian Maguire exhibition La Grande Illusion. \n\n\n\nFriday 18 October 2024\, 1pm La Grande Illusion (1hr 53 minutes)\, 1937; Directed by Jean Renoir.La Grande Illusion takes place in a German fortress where two French aviators – aristocratic Boeldieu (Pierre Fresnay) and working-class Breton lieutenant Maréchal (Jean Gabin) – are held captive by monocled Captain von Rauffenstein (played by the silent film director Erich von Stroheim). Introduced and followed by Q+A moderated by Film Curator Alice Butler. Free\, book on Eventbrite or come on the day subject to availability. https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/film-la-grande-illusion/ \n\n\n\nParent and Baby ToursThursday 31 October\, 28 November 2024 and 27 March\, 11amNew parents are invited to join us on this guided tour of Brian Maguire’s exhibition La Grande Illusion\, with their babies up to the age of 1 year.  Followed by tea/coffee and further conversation. Fee: €5\, booking essential via Eventbrite.ie.  \n\n\n\nFilm Screening \n\n\n\nSaturday 9 November\, 2\,30pmOff Frame AKA Revolution Until Victory directed by Mohanad Yaqubi. (62 min\, Color & B&W\, digital\, Arabic\, English\, French\, and Italian with English subtitles; Palestine\, France\, Qatar\, Lebanon\, 2016. This screening is programmed and presented by artist and filmmaker Helena Gouveia Monteiro\, who will moderate a post-screening conversation. Free\, booking on Eventbrite or come on the day subject to availability. https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/film-screening-off-framenov24  \n\n\n\nFilm Screening  \n\n\n\n‘The ruined land: the land in ruins’\, a programme of films curated by film curator Alice Butler in parallel to the Brian Maguire exhibition ‘La Grande Illusion’. \n\n\n\nFriday 22 November 2024\, 1pmForagers (64 mins)\, 2022; by Jumana Manna‘Foragers’ depicts the dramas around the practice of foraging for wild edible plants in Palestine/Israel with wry humor and a meditative pace. Shot in the Golan Heights\, the Galilee and Jerusalem\, it moves between fiction\, documentary and archival footage to portray the impact of Israeli nature protection laws on these customs. With an introduction and post-screening Q+A with Film Curator Alice Butler. Free\, book on Eventbrite or come on the day subject to availability. https://hughlane.ie/explore-learn/?cat=talks-art-courses \n\n\n\nAccessibility \n\n\n\nTour for People who are Hard of Hearing   \n\n\n\nThursday 21 November 2024\, 11am \n\n\n\nJoin us for an in focus discussion of artworks in our new exhibition Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion. This tour led by Yseult O’Driscoll will focus on the artworks in  Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion  in Gallery 3 War Changes Its Address and Gallery 4 The Clock Winds Down https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/hard-of-hearing-21-nov/  \n\n\n\nAccessibility \n\n\n\nISL Interpreted Tour: Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion  \n\n\n\nTuesday 22 October 2024\, 2.30pm \n\n\n\nJoin us for an introductory guided tour of our current exhibition Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion accompanied by an Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreter. Free \n\n\n\nCoffee Conversation \n\n\n\nWednesday 13 November\, 11am \n\n\n\nOur Coffee Conversations are a great way to explore art in a stimulating and friendly environment. \n\n\n\nThe Clear Cut Amazon by Brian Maguire. €5. Incl. tea/coffee \n\n\n\nCoffee Conversation \n\n\n\nWednesday 27 November 2024\, 11am \n\n\n\nOur Coffee Conversations are a great way to explore art in a stimulating and friendly environment. \n\n\n\nArt and Ecology with artist Gareth Kennedy \n\n\n\nThis illustrated talk by artist Gareth Kennedy will discuss the intersections of contemporary art with ecology. Fee: €5\, incl tea/coffee https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/gareth-kennedy \n\n\n\nCoffee Conversation \n\n\n\nWednesday 4 December 2024\, 11am \n\n\n\nOur Coffee Conversations are a great way to explore art in a stimulating and friendly environment. Join us for an illustrated talk about Salmagundi with filmmaker Jijo Sebastian. Awarded the Hugh Lane Gallery-Create commission 2022-24 for a socially engaged artist\, learn more about the collaborative\, transcultural filmmaking and community building project developed by the artist. €5 fee including tea/coffee\, no advance booking required but numbers may be limited. https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/coffee-conversation-salmagundi-jijo-sebastian/ \n\n\n\nEvening Lecture \n\n\n\nThursday 5 December\, 6.30pmRaul Araujo is a researcher\, psychoanalyst and consultant on children and adolescents’ rights. Raul has worked on projects with artist Brian Maguire over a timespan of 20 years and in this talk he will explore this work\, as well as his own work on the ground in his native Brazil. Free\, places can be booked via Eventbrite. \n\n\n\nCoffee Conversation \n\n\n\nWednesday 8 January\, 11am \n\n\n\nOver Our Heads the Hollow Seas Closed Up by Brian Maguire. Fee: €5\, incl. tea/coffee \n\n\n\nFilm Screening \n\n\n\n‘The ruined land: the land in ruins’\, a programme of films curated by film curator Alice Butler in parallel to the Brian Maguire exhibition ‘La Grande Illusion’. \n\n\n\nFriday 10 January 2025\, 1pmShouting at the Ground (21 mins)\, 2017; by Graeme ArnfieldIn a peat bog in North West England a Spanish woman was murdered\, her body buried and subsumed into the treacherously dense ecological matter. A matter which labours have extracted for centuries\, selling this fertile material as fuel worldwide; a material which upon burning releases timeless carbon deposits into our increasingly precarious and damaged ecosphere. After laying dormant under the rich dark peat for an unknown amount of time a body returned to the surface but its identity had become dislocated; it has become entwined with the history of its material host.  https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/shouting-film-10jan25 \n\n\n\nPoetry Course: Invisible Becomes Visible \n\n\n\n11\, 18  and 25 January 2025\, 1.45-4.15pm \n\n\n\nLed by poet Grace Wilentz\, three part series of workshops engaging with “La Grande Illusion”\, a major exhibition of the work of Brian Maguire. In each workshop\, participants will spend time with the exhibition\, before being guided to write original poems in response to it.  Brian Maguire is an artist whose practice has been defined by sustained engagement with social justice and human rights. In this workshop\, we will focus on how Maguire’s work in “La Grande Illusion” encounters climate justice\, migration and making ‘the invisible become visible’. As Maguire says\, art has the power to make ‘the invisible become visible’. We’ll explore what this means\, with a focus on how your own creative practice might relate to serving the overlooked\, omitted and forgotten. While no prior experience is necessary\, all will be expected to participate actively in discussions and take part in writing exercises. In return\, you can expect to come away with new poems\, and discover fresh approaches to engaging with urgent social justice concerns in your own creative practice. Fee: €100\, advance booking via Eventbrite https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/la-grande-illusion/ \n\n\n\nAccessibility \n\n\n\nLive Online Audio Description for People with a Visual Impairment \n\n\n\nWednesday 15 January 2025\, Noon \n\n\n\nOur live online audio description programme for people with a visual impairment will explore the exhibition Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion with Fala Buggy. \n\n\n\nHow to Book: Free\, advance booking via Eventbrite or by telephone on 01 2225560. https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/online-audio-description-15-jan/ \n\n\n\nCoffee Conversation \n\n\n\nWednesday 22 January\, 11am \n\n\n\nOur Coffee Conversations are a great way to explore art in a stimulating and friendly environment. \n\n\n\nBentiu Camp South Sudan 1\, 2018. Fee: €5\, incl tea/coffee. \n\n\n\nFilm Screening \n\n\n\n‘The ruined land: the land in ruins’\, a programme of films curated by film curator Alice Butler in parallel to the Brian Maguire exhibition ‘La Grande Illusion’. \n\n\n\nFriday 14 February 2025\, 1pmHistory of the Present (46 mins)\, 2023; by Maria Fusco and Margaret SalmonAn experimental feminist opera-film about class and conflict\, ‘History of the Present’ has been made collaboratively by Maria Fusco and Margaret Salmon\, featuring new compositions by Annea Lockwood\, libretto by Maria Fusco and improvisational vocal work by Héloïse Werner. This intersectional\, intergenerational feminist work forefronts working-class women’s voices to ask: who has the right to speak\, and in what way? With an introduction and post-screening Q+A with Film Curator Alice Butler\, Maria Fusco and Margaret Salmon; joining online. Free\, book on Eventbrite or come on the day subject to availability.  https://hughlane.ie/explore_learn/historypresent-film-14feb25 \n\n\n\nAccessibility \n\n\n\nTour for People who are Hard of Hearing \n\n\n\nThursday 23 January\, 11am \n\n\n\nJoin us for an in focus discussion of artworks  in  Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion: A focus on the artworks in Galleries 4 + 5 Blood Rising  with Tony Suttle. Free. \n\n\n\nCoffee Conversation \n\n\n\nWednesday 29 January\, 11am \n\n\n\nOur Coffee Conversations are a great way to explore art in a stimulating and friendly environment. \n\n\n\nArizona 3 by Brian Maguire. Fee: €5\, incl. tea/coffee \n\n\n\nSeminar \n\n\n\nBrian Maguire: La Grande Illusion SeminarFriday 21 March\, 10.30am – 4.30pmThis day long seminar will explore themes arising from Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion with guest contributors including Dr Maria Maclennan\, ‘forensic jeweller’\,  Suha Nabhan\, co-founder and strategic director of Migration Jam; and more. Free\, booking on Eventbrite and further details will be available here https://hughlane.ie/explore-learn/ \n\n\n\nFree Sunday Public Tours \n\n\n\nOur free Public Tours led by our expert guides take place every Sunday at 2.15pm\, and explore our collection and temporary exhibitions. Free\, no booking required. \n\n\n\nGuided tours can also be booked here https://hughlane.ie/book-a-tour/ \n\n\n\nCommunity  \n\n\n\nAs well as our public programmes we are connecting with audiences through artist-led community engagement and schools programmes to explore themes arising from Brian Maguire La Grande Illusion. \n\n\n\nOur Explore & Learn programmes are continually being added to and further details can be found here https://hughlane.ie/explore-learn/ and here https://hughlane.ie/whats-on/ \n\n\n\n\n\nArtist Biography\n\n\n\nBrian Maguire lives and works in Dublin and Paris. Brian Maguire’s painting practice is driven by the struggle against inequality and violence\, and the pursuit of justice. His process is foremost an act of solidarity\, rehumanising his subjects and recentring the narratives of the disenfranchised. Social engagement plays a central role\, leading him to work closely and interactively with refugees\, survivors of warzones\, incarcerated peoples\, and local newsrooms in locations including Sudan\, Syria\, São Paulo and Ciudad Juárez. Recent solo exhibitions include Social Forms: Art as Global Citizenship\, Converge 45\, Portland (2023); law of the land\, Kunsthall 3\,14\, Bergen\, Norway (2023); The Clock Winds Down\, Kerlin Gallery\, Dublin (2023); In The Light Of Conscience\, Missoula Art Museum\, Montana (2022); North and South of the Border\, Rhona Hoffman Gallery\, Chicago (2022); Remains\, Crawford Art Gallery\, Cork\, Ireland (2021); An Anatomy of Politics\, Galerie Christophe Gaillard\, Paris (2021). \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\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/brian-maguire-la-grande-illusion/
LOCATION:Hugh Lane Gallery\, Charlemont House\, Parnell Square N\, Rotunda\, Dublin 1\, D01 F2X9
CATEGORIES:Exhibition,Film Screening,Talk,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Brian_Maguire_025-1024x683.jpg.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20240927T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20240927T133000
DTSTAMP:20241031T121627Z
CREATED:20240904T120153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T121627Z
UID:10000545-1727442000-1727443800@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Smashing Times and Theatre in Palm Digital Coffee Talks
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nNo Booking Necessary\, links to join the digital discussions will be made available on the day. \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, Festival Producer for the annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, Writer\, Poet\, Creator of Art and Photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nTheatre in Palm Project \n\n\n\nJoin the 1 November Digital Coffee Talk here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89542163830?pwd=Cyoa5XgZFDSGWAkvOMqLWJsWcbVmX0.1 \n\n\n\nSmashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality is an award-winning organisation dedicated to the promotion\, study and practice of the arts\, human rights\, climate justice and gender equality. The company are delighted to be involved in Theatre in Palm\,  a 3-year project running from June 2022 to May 2025 with twelve partners funded by Creative Europe. The project supports emerging artists and cultural performers to co-create and co-promote their work across borders\, supporting the mobility of artists through networking and the provision of international opportunities for artists.  \n\n\n\nThe platform members are Turku University of Applied Sciences\, Finland (coordinator); Intercut Productions\, Sweden; Fondazione E35 per la progettazine Internazionale\, Italy; Smashing Times\, Ireland\, Lemongrass Communications\, Spain; JAIT – International Theatre\, Portugal; Stichting ZID\, Netherlands; Cube\, Greece; European Theatre and Film Institute\, Belgium; THOC\,  Cyprus\, Homemade Culture\, Romania and Oecon Group\, Bulgaria. \n\n\n\nThe Theatre in Palm platform supports emerging artists to build skills in cooperation and resilience and acts as an incubator for new voices from the page to the stage with a focus on professional development and a growth in  European cooperation and the visibility and circulation of European emerging artists\, working across borders and beyond. . The project will reach out to over  3\,500 artists and supports (384) artists to develop skills in co-creation and production and is supported by Creative Europe\, Sub-programme European Platforms for the promotion of emerging artists (CREA-CULT-2021- PLAT). \n\n\n\nAs part of the Theatre In Palm Creative Europe project\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality have been hosting a series of events supporting the work of new\, emerging and established artists working in the arts for equality\, human right and diversity. \n\n\n\nAt the 2023 Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival Smashing Times held a  successful Change-Maker Theatre in Palm Festival within a Festival at The Pumphouse\, Dublin Port\, bringing a number of international artists and arts organisations to Ireland to take part in live performances\, workshops and panel discussions.  \n\n\n\nFollowing on from the success of this work\, Smashing Times are delighted to present a new series of events for this year’s 2024 Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival as part of Theatre in Palm. These include \n1. Academy Exchange: Two artists from Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality attended a Theatre in Palm Academy exchange from the 27 to 29 August\, 2024 in Stockholm\, Sweden for the Stockholm Fringe Festival. \n2. Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan is adapted from the words of four brave and inspirational human rights defenders from around the world who were murdered because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others. Created as a promenade\, ‘walk-in-the-park’ show with theatre\, poetry and music\, the performance features four of the stories of human rights defenders who are commemorated at the Memorial to Human Rights Defenders located in the Iveagh Gardens. They are Lasantha Wickramatunga\, journalist\, Sri Lanka; Natalya Estemirova\, journalist and human rights defender\, Chechnya; Raed Fares\, journalist and activist\, Syria and Bety Cariño\, activist and women’s rights defender\, Mexico. This unique event leads viewers around the Iveagh gardens arriving at the human rights memorial monument located in the gardens. The memorial provides a physical space in the heart of Dublin city to recognise and commemorate the lives of the many brave and inspirational human rights defenders around the world who have been silence and killed because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others. The names and words of the four human rights defenders whose stories are told in the live performance\, are carved on the plaques in the memorial situated in the Iveagh Gardens. \n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan is presented for three outdoor performances from 18-20 October\, daily at 1pm in the award-winning Iveagh Gardens\, Dublin’s secret garden\, located close to St Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin city centre with one indoor performance at the launch of the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival in The Ireland Institute\, Pearse Street\, Dublin 2\, on Friday 11 October\, 7.30pm. \n\n\n\nThe director is Carmen Ortiz Victorino\, director and the performers are Josephine Patane\, actor\, and Daniel Mahon\, actor with Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi on violin. \n\n\n\nMore information here: \n\n\n\n3.Theatre in Palm Five-Day Artist in Residence programme linked to Memorial Monologues 7-20 October 2024 \n\n\n\nAs part of the Creative Europe project Theatre in Palm\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality are delighted to host a two-week onsite physical residency and artist professional development programme with five emerging artists running from Monday 7 to Sunday 20 October 2024 as part of the annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. The residency was set up through an open call through the Theatre in Palm platform on 31 March 2024 with five artists selected for the residency in Ireland. \n\n\n\nThe residency is part of the Smashing Times Artist State of the Art Artist Professional Development programme and Arts and Human Rights network linked to the annual Dublin International Arts and Human rights festival with a focus on themes of  equality and environmental sustainability.  The residency engages five emerging artists with equality\, human and diversity and supports the artists through professional development\, building networks\, providing  inspiration\, creating shared insights and resulting in the creation of a happening presented by the artists and recorded alongside text based work sharable online. The residency is linked to the performance of Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory.www.theatreinpalm.eu  \n\n\n\n4.Two Smashing Times Theatre in Palm Digital Coffee Talks on 27 September and 1 November\, 2024 \n\n\n\nSmashing Times are delighted to host two digital coffee talks to support artists working in equality\, human rights and diversity with a minimum attendance of fifteen at each talk. The Theatre in Palm and Smashing Times Digital Coffee Talk takes place on 27 September 2024 on the theme of Theatre and Inter-disciplinary Arts practice for Equality and Human Rights.  \n\n\n\nJoin the Coffee Talk here at 12 noon on 27 September: \n\n\n\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/85776426762?pwd=AJmOfbci1WFQT2mtI37bT5lNbpyP03.1 \n\n\n\nThe second Theatre in Palm and Smashing Times Digital Coffee Talk takes place on 1 November 2024 on the theme of The Art of Theatre: Telling stories of people in resistance from WWII. \n  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\, crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \n\n\n\nMary 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\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\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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\nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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\nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings \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\nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \n\n\n\nKeep in touch with Mary on: \n\n\n\nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \n\n\n\nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \n\n\n\nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of UCC 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 coordinator for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. \n\n\n\nFreelance producing credits include: Half Moon Festival – multidisciplinary\, online arts festival (July 2020). Earthangel – online production of aural recording\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (November 2020). playing ‘The Maids’ – online sharing of recorded theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company (December 2020). Love and Information – online showing of filmed theatre performance\, MTU BA Theatre and Drama Studies (February 2021). Prometheus Now – online theatre performance\, Gaitkrash Theatre Company as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (June 2021). \n\n\n\nActing credits include: Liverpool\, Mint Productions (2019); Little Gem\, Dramat (2016)\, awarded Best Actress; The Circle Game\, BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2016); The Importance of Being Ernest\, Dramat (2015); Trojan Woman: A Love Story¸ BA Drama and Theatre Studies (2014); The Pearse Women\, Smashing Times (2022); The Plough and the Stars for Bloomsday\, Áras an Uachtaráin\, Smashing Times (2023). \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/smashing-times-and-theatre-in-palm-digital-coffee-talks/2024-09-27/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Online Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Shoreline-of-Valentia.-Image-by-May-Moynihanjpg.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Smashing Times":MAILTO:info@smashingtimes.ie
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20240917T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241026T160000
DTSTAMP:20240905T131118Z
CREATED:20240902T135438Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240905T131118Z
UID:10000474-1726570800-1729958400@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Art of Changemakers Visual Art Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nNo Booking Necessary \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival \n\n\n\nSpecial thanks to Aisha Hamdulay and Conor Fortune\, Front Line Defenders \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThe Art of Changemakers multidisciplinary exhibition features photography\, poetry\, and storytelling and is a visual and poetical reflection on the stories of human rights defenders today. The Art of Changemakers highlights the stories of the five inspirational human rights defenders honoured in 2024 for the Front Line Defenders Annual Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk.  Artist Mary Moynihan has created a series of poetry and ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ statements combining text and photographic imagery to accompany the stories of the five human rights defenders. The artistic work and stories are a celebration of the work of human rights defenders and a reflection on peace\, equality and human rights. \n\n\n\nThe exhibition runs from 17 September to 27 October 2024 at the DLR Mill Theatre\, Dundrum\, Tuesday to Saturday\, 11am to 4pm\, closed for lunch 1.30-2.30\, and is a collaboration between Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders. \n\n\n\nEach 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 laureates for the 2024 award come from Cyprus\, Honduras\, Mozambique\, Pakistan and Palestine and were honoured at a special ceremony held in Dublin in 2024.  The laureates are: \n\n\n\nAfrica: Gamito dos Santos Carlos of AJOPAZ\, the Youth Association for Peace (Mozambique) \nAmericas: The Trans women collective Muñecas de Arcoíris (Honduras)\, represented by Jennifer Bexara Córdova \nAsia and the Pacific: Sammi Deen Baloch of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (Balochistan\, Pakistan) \nEurope and Central Asia: Doros Polykarpou of KISA (Cyprus) \nMiddle East and North Africa: We Are Not Numbers (Gaza\, Palestine)\, represented by Ahmed Alnaouq \n\n\n\n“Given the immensity of the challenges we face and the adverse forces working against human rights in many parts of the world\, it might seem tempting to lose hope that a better world is even possible\,” said Alan Glasgow\, Executive Director of Front Line Defenders. “But these courageous human rights defenders have defied that temptation and inspire us to keep hope alive. They say ‘no’ to the perpetrators and ‘yes’ to optimism – they know a fairer\, more equal\, rights-respecting world is worth fighting for”. \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\nFor further information go to https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/2024-front-line-defenders-award-human-rights-defenders-risk \n\n\n\n\n\nBiographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGamito dos Santos Carlos\, Human Rights Defender \n\n\n\nExecutive Director\, JOPAZ\, the Youth Association for Peace\, \n\n\n\nNampula\, Northern Mozambique \nGamito dos Santos Carlos\, a human rights defender from Nampula\, northern Mozambique\, is the executive director of AJOPAZ\, the Youth Association for Peace. His human rights work centres around social\, civil and political rights and accountability. Gamito has been advocating for the protection of human rights activists and engaging with young people to advocate for significant social change in his community\, to foster justice and sustainable decision-making by authorities. \n  \nHe is a member of the Friends of Amurane Association for a Better Mozambique -KÓXUKHURO\, as well as an analyst and Provincial Coordinatorof the Mozambican Network of Human Rights Defenders (RMDDH). He has faced ongoing intimidation for his human rights work\, including repeated raids on his home and the loss of his job\, and in March 2023 he was kidnapped and tortured after he organised a demonstration. \n  \nDespite all the challenges he faces\, Gamito has consistently defended democracy\, human rights and anti-corruption initiatives in Mozambique\, having a significant impact in improving conditions for the Nampula community. \n  \nGamito dreams of a fairer\, equal country; where health\, education\, housing and employment are rights which are properly realised\, where equity and gender equality are accepted without prejudice\, where young people and women are involved in decision-making processes\, where politicians treat people with respect and dignity and adhere to the rule of law\, where freedom of speech is a respected right\, and where democracy is genuine and people exercise their rights without fear. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMuñecas de Arcoíris (Rainbow Dolls)\, \n\n\n\nThe Trans Women Collective\, \n\n\n\nRepresented by Jennifer Bexara Córdova\, \n\n\n\nHonduras \nMuñecas de Arcoíris (Rainbow Dolls) is a collective of trans women from the city of Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela in Honduras\, founded in 2008. Muñecas works under the LGBTI+ Arcoíris Association of Honduras with the aim of creating a safe space for trans sex worker women. The members of Muñecas started as volunteers of the Arcoíris Association\, where they became more aware of the situation that trans people were facing in Honduras. With the support of the Arcoíris Association\, Muñecas members received training related to their rights as LGBTI+ people. They then started to document human rights violations specifically against trans women in 2006 and two years later\, the collective was formally created as a trans women organisation. Most of its members are sex workers\, informal workers\, stylists\, and house keepers\, among others. \nAs human rights defenders\, members of Muñecas have a double layer of vulnerability. They are adversely targeted\, firstly due to their identity\, and secondly due to their work defending trans rights. Over the years\, the work of Muñecas has led to high-risk situations for a number of its members\, who have faced threats\, physical\, psychological and verbal attacks\, and killings. \nThe members of Muñecas dedicate their lives to the defence of human rights\, fighting for a more equal world\, in which respect\, tolerance\, empathy is present. For the members of Muñecas\, it is invaluable to have a safe space where they meet and learn more about their human rights. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSammi Deen Baloch\, Human Rights Defender \n\n\n\nVoice for Baloch Missing Persons \n\n\n\nBalochistan province\, Pakistan \nSammi Deen Baloch is a Baloch woman human rights defender from Mashkai\, Awaran District of Balochistan province\, Pakistan. She is the General Secretary of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP)\, a non-governmental organisation that represents and supports victims and relatives of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. \nIn June 2009\, at the age of 10\, Sammi’s father\, Dr Deen Mohammed Baloch\, was forcibly disappeared in Khuzdar\, Balochistan. She began persistently campaigning for the release of her father\, which further led to her deeper\, collective involvement in advocating against enforced disappearances in Balochistan by state forces. \nSammi has led campaigns and actions including marches\, protests and sit-ins; documented violations and cases of enforced disappearance; and assisted families with registering cases with relevant authorities. She has been a vocal advocate on women’s and girls rights\, the right to education and ongoing violations including killings\, mass graves and the collective punishment of families. \nSammi has faced persecution and reprisals including violence towards herself and family members. Since 2009\, the military have raided her home several times\, burned and seized valuables and even tried to abduct her brother. The family were forced to relocate to Karachi where her work continued\, and threats against her escalated.  She has also been forcibly disappeared herself. \nDespite being targeted and risking so much\, Sammi remains undeterred\, driven by her unwavering commitment to justice and the protection of human rights in Balochistan. Her work has enabled thousands of women and girls to stand up for their rights and has brought attention to the struggles of the Baloch people. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDoros Polykarpou is a leading human rights defender and founding member of KISA (the Movement for Equality\, Support and Anti-Racism). He is an expert on migration\, asylum\, discrimination\, racism\, and trafficking in Cyprus. For over 27 years\, he has dedicated himself to defending and advocating for the rights of people on the move and tackling discrimination and xenophobia in Cyprus\, navigating the unique socio-political environment of the small island nation with strong conservative elements. \n\n\n\nCyprus first developed its immigration policy in 1996\, and strong right-wing conservatism led to a model focused on temporary residence and filling of undesired jobs by migrants. The policy ultimately led to a rapid increase of migrants\, along with strong sentiments of racism and discrimination. In response to this\, Doros and other activists founded KISA\, with the objective of combating discrimination against migrants and asylum seekers\, and addressing human trafficking. \n\n\n\nDoros has been the target of a multitude of attacks\, including defamation campaigns\, criminal prosecutions and death threats – the latest being the bomb attack on KISA’s offices on 5 January 2024\, with the planting of an explosive device right opposite Doros’s workstation at KISA’s offices. \n\n\n\nDoros was born in Silikou\, a mixed village where Turkish and Greek Cypriots lived together peacefully\, even during intense inter-communal conflicts. In the 80s\, Doros moved to Germany to study where he stayed for 10 years working and studying. \n\n\n\nReturning to Cyprus in the early 1990s\, he engaged in the movement for reconciliation and reunification of the divided island and worked to protect children and women from domestic violence. \n\n\n\nDespite the threats and challenges\, Doros finds great satisfaction in his work\, engaging directly with individuals and migrant groups through a human rights-based approach and making positive changes in people’s lives. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe Are Not Numbers (WANN) \n\n\n\nYouth-Led Palestinian Non-Profit \n\n\n\nGaza Strip \nWe Are Not Numbers (WANN) is a youth-led Palestinian non-profit project established in the Gaza Strip in 2014\, with the aim of telling the everyday\, human stories of thousands of Palestinians. Their vision is to spread Palestinian voices and narratives\, based on respect for human rights through the work of peaceful\, non-violent\, youth led Palestinians. When co-founder Ahmed Alnaouq lost his 23-year-old brother\, Ayman\, during an Israeli military attack on Palestinians in the summer of 2014\, he was devastated\, and sunk into a depression from which he thought he would never escape. During this time\, he met American journalist Pam Bailey\, who encouraged him to celebrate his brother’s legacy by writing a story about him. \nThe idea came fully to fruition in early 2015 in collaboration with Dr. Ramy Abdu\, chair of the board of directors for the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Euro-Med Monitor). In a context where the media was dominated with news and stories of Palestinians as mere political numbers; living under occupation\, amid war\, WANN wanted to share the humanity of Palestine beyond politics and numbers. It became a platform both to document human rights violations\, but also to share the personal struggles and triumphs\, tears and laughter\, and the universal human experiences of Palestinians. The mission of WANN is to break stereotypes about Palestinians\, by creating and empowering a new generation of Palestinian writers and thinkers who can share unfiltered stories of the Palestinian cause. \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/the-art-of-changemakers-visual-art-exhibition/
LOCATION:DLR Mill Theatre\, Dundrum Town Centre\, Dublin 16\, D16 C5X6\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Exhibition,Photography,Poetry,Visual Art
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20240713T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241019T170000
DTSTAMP:20240904T134941Z
CREATED:20240903T103140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240904T134941Z
UID:10000459-1720868400-1729357200@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Rites of Care\, Curse & Comfort
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory\, Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is scripted from the words and stories of five 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\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nNo Booking Necessary \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nThaís Muniz\, visual artist \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nThis exhibition features a selection of new\, recreated and past works that engage transgenerational trauma\, manifestations of racism\, the objectification of womanhood by the male gaze\, and the erasure of ancestral knowledge systems. A key motif is an inverted triangle\, which Muniz puts forward as a visualisation of the transatlantic trade of enslaved people – representing Europe\, West Africa and the Americas – as well as her own autobiography\, in terms of her Brazilian origins\, African ancestry and Irish citizenship. The circle is another recurrent motif\, and represents ori – referring to spiritual intuition and destiny among the Yoruba\, a West African ethnic group with whom Muniz self-identifies. The exhibition demonstrates Muniz’s interest in the long-lasting impacts\, both material or psychological\, of colonialism on racialised communities. \n\n\n\nCentral to the exhibition is New Atlantic Triangulations Flag (2022)\, consisting of triangular and circular shapes printed on hanging fabric pieces. The work formally mimics a traditional national flag\, but the designed emblem is intended to represent motion\, whether metaphorically linking dispersed populations or referring specifically to the movements of persons undermining borders. Muniz blends references to Yoruban\, Brazilian or Irish histories and mythology\, for instance\, the Celtic legend of the island of Hy-Brasil or the ancient alphabet known as Ogham\, to meditate on her hybrid cultural identity. In the print Ori Axe Ogham (2024)\, ori evokes her African heritage; axe is the Brazillian word for ori; and Ogham is an ancient Irish alphabet. Muniz uses the slanted dashes of Ogham typography to spell out the words ‘axe’ and ‘ori’. The abstract geometric diagram can be understood as both an illustration of the movement of the artist’s body and a mapping of dispersed populations. \n\n\n\nThis exhibition is produced by SIRIUS and curated by Miguel Amado\, Director\, with production support provided by Cork Printmakers. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtist Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThaís Muniz is a Brazilian Irish artist with African heritage\, based in Dublin. She examines representations of ‘otherness’ through ideas of blackness\, displacement and memory in a postcolonial context\, and explores embodied and experiential art-making processes and outcomes. Her prints\, collages\, textile pieces\, and performances combine archival materials and personal memorabilia\, storytelling and symbology. \n\n\n\n\n\nSirius Arts Centre\n\n\n\nSirius Arts Centre is a multi-disciplinary arts organisation in the Cobh-Glanmire municipal district of east Cork. It is housed in a beautiful Italiante building that was designed by Anthony Salvin in 1854 to house the Royal Cork Yacht Club\, the oldest in the world. Salvin was best known for his restoration work on Windsor Castle and the Tower of London. This is the only example of Salvin’s work in Ireland. \n  \nFor thirty-one years the building has housed the Sirius Arts Centre; an organisation that is dedicated to the facilitation and development of artistic expression on a local\, national and international stage. This is the only organisation of its kind in the east Cork area. \n  \nSirius is an arts centre that serves as an intermediary between art and the public that endeavours to raise public awareness of art. It offers developing opportunities for both emerging and more established artists from both Ireland and abroad. The programme is dedicated to the facilitation and development of artistic expression\, with additional community programming that encourages exploration through direct participation in the arts. \n  \nThis is achieved through a mix of activities including: visual arts programming and exhibitions\, an international artist in residence programme\, music performances\, community arts programmes and workshops\, all of which bring people to east Cork. The Sirius Arts Centre building provides the organisation with a unique environment and gives continuing life to a heritage building of architectural and historical importance in Cobh. \n\n\n\nSirius Arts Centre\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\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/rites-of-care-curse-comfort-2/
LOCATION:Sirius Arts Centre Cobh\, The Old Yacht Club\, Westbourne Place\, Cobh\, Cork\, P24 F209\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Exhibition,Visual Art
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20240708T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20241031T170000
DTSTAMP:20240919T141703Z
CREATED:20240902T132135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240919T141703Z
UID:10000472-1720432800-1730394000@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Eternal Rebels Changemakers Multidisciplinary Exhibition with artist Mary Moynihan
DESCRIPTION:Culture Night 2025 – Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEternal Rebels Changemakers exhibition by artist Mary Moynihan is a visual and poetical reflection on stories of revolutionaries\, artists and women changemakers from Irish history 1916-23 combined with landscape photography and poetry of love and courage. The exhibition was launched by Kate Kennelly\, Arts Officer\, Kerry County Council on Friday 2 August 2024 as part of the Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival and the Kerry International Arts and Human Rights festival. Supported by Creative Europe. Changemaker stories highlighted in the exhibition include Eva Gore-Booth (1870-1926)\, a poet\, writer\, trade unionist\, feminist and campaigner for equality and social justice\, and James Connolly (1868-1916)\, trade unionist\, socialist\, supporter of Irish freedom\, worker’s rights and women’s rights. The exhibition runs Monday 8 July – Thursday 31 October 2024\, Monday to Sunday 10am – 5pm at The Old Barracks and Events Centre\, Cahersiveen\, Co Kerry. \n\n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nNo Booking Necessary \n\n\n\nTickets at door: Adult – €6.50. Child (Under 12) – €4.00. Student/OAP – €5.50Family Ticket 2 Adults + 3 Children under 12 – €20.00 \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography\, Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\n‘If you’re always trying to be normal\, you’ll never know how amazing you can be’. \n\n\n\nMaya Angelou\, Poet and Writer \n\n\n\nEternal Rebels Changemakers Exhibition is a multidisciplinary visual art exhibition by artist Mary Moynihan featuring photography\, poetry and film. The exhibition is a visual and poetical reflection on the stories of twenty-six change-makers from the Decade of Centenaries period in Irish history (1913-1923). Changemaker stories highlighted in the exhibition include Eva Gore-Booth (1870-1926)\, a poet\, writer\, trade unionist\, feminist and campaigner for equality and social justice\, and James Connolly (1868-1916)\, trade unionist\, socialist\, supporter of Irish freedom\, worker’s rights and women’s rights. The exhibition runs from 8 July to 31 October 2024\, Monday to Sunday 10am to 5pm at The Old Barracks Heritage and Events Centre\, Cahersiveen\, County Kerry.  \n\n\n\nAlongside the stories of change-makers from Irish history\, the artist presents a series of poetical texts with photography and a poem-film under the title of ‘The Feeling Soul: Paradise Lost and Found’.  These are personal reflections on themes of love and courage and the internal journey of a person experiencing loss and the possibility of finding a way through\, holding onto the courage to let ourselves shine. \n\n\n\nThe work is a celebration of the human spirit. The storytelling\, original poetry and associated photographic images of the Irish landscape in all its forms – calm and serene\, wild and wilful\, alluring and physical –  explore intersections between historical memory\, storytelling\, visibility\, love\, loss and courage\, and the inner world of the mind and soul linked to the physicality of the body and nature. The photographs highlight the variety of life and nature\, while artist Mary Moynihan’s thought-provoking storytelling and poetic text offer avenues for the mind to explore. \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Nature and the sea\, stars and sky alongside stories of bravery\, passion\, desire and adventure are a driving force behind Mary’s career creating some of the finest writings\, photography and paintings on what it is to be human and a search for love and meaning-making in life. \n\n\n\nThe Eternal Rebels Changemaker Exhibition features: \n\n\n\n23 Eternal Rebels storyboard prints on wooden easels showcasing 26 Changemaker Stories from the Decade of Centenaries revolutionary period in Irish history (1916-1923) with each story accompanied by a photographic artwork depicting Irish landscapes.  Eleven displayed on floors 1 & 2 and twelve on floor 3. \n\n\n\nTwo photography and poetry artworks mounted on foamboard displayed on floor three \n\n\n\n1 Artwork with poem and photographic image – The Ship of Belonging by Mary Moynihan \n\n\n\n1 Artwork with poem and photographic image – Prayer by Féilim James \n\n\n\nThe Feeling Soul: Paradise Lost and Found – Eight photography and poetry artworks framed \n\n\n\n\nFreedom – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm\n\n\n\nFinding My Way – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm\n\n\n\nImperfections – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm\n\n\n\nA Broken Heart – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm\n\n\n\nTotality of My Soul – poetry artwork by Mary Moynihan. 60cm x 42cm\n\n\n\nThe Feeling Soul – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60cm x 42cm\n\n\n\nDreamscape – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm\n\n\n\nOn the Ledge of Courage – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60cm x 42cm\n\n\n\nOn the Ledge of Courage – poem film by Mary Moynihan.\n\n\n\n\nOne of the artworks on display is ‘On the Ledge of Courage’\, a  poem film by Mary Moynihan\, performed by Carla Ryan\, and is a reflection on love\, courage\, fear and finding a way through darkness. The poem dedicated to all those who stand up for the rights and dignity of others and can be viewed here https://youtu.be/ELNGirWrCSE. Speaking about ‘On the Ledge of Courage’ the artist Mary Moynihan says: \n\n\n\n\n‘fear and courage can exist within us at the same time\, in the same way that we can have strength in our vulnerability.   The physical cliff edge in the poem is inspired by Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichíl)\, a majestic island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Iveragh peninsula in county Kerry\, the site of an ancient medieval monastery.  The cliff edge is overlooking the ocean but this ‘ledge’ is in all of us and we often have to dive into the unknown for both ourselves and others. I’ve been coming to Valentia for many years and I often refer to the island and surrounding areas as my spiritual home\, a place of peace\, solitude and inspiration. The Great Skellig is a steep island shooting straight up two hundred metres out of the Atlantic Ocean\, standing aloof like a majestic stone palace that can be seen for miles around. I often find myself thinking about the Great Skellig in the middle of the ocean\, tall\, silent and rooted\, whether the seas around it are calm or stormy. Life is the same\, some days will be calm and others stormy\, but to remember that the storms shall pass.’ \n\n\n\n\nThe Eternal Rebels  Changemakers exhibition highlights the stories of two women who lived on Valentia Island – Helen Blackburn (1842 1903) a writer\, suffragist and Feminist Campaigner for Women’s and Worker’s Rights and Maude Jane Delap (1866-1953)\, a pioneering Marine Biologist who had a sea anemone named after her\, the ‘Edwardsia delapiae’\, which she discovered in shallow sea waters on Valentia Island’s shores. \n\n\n\nThe Old Barracks is an ideal location for the Eternal Rebels Changemakers exhibition. The building is situated on an elevated site close to the bridge over the River Fertha in Cahersiveen. It is home to a permanent exhibition over three storeys which recounts the building’s remarkable history and that of the local region and includes the story of Daniel O’Connell (1775-1847)\, an Irish political leader\, activist and nationalist known as the liberator. The building has views over the bay at Cahersiveen and out to Valentia island and was originally constructed between 1870 and 1875 as a police station for the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC).  \n\n\n\nSmashing Times are delighted to announce that eleven of the artworks highlighting the stories of women in history will remain on in the Barracks on permanent display. The women include Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946)\, a radical activist\, feminist\, pacifist\, human rights campaigner and one of Ireland’s foremost suffragettes; Dr Kathleen Lynn (1874-1955)\, a Medical Doctor\, politician\, feminist\, suffragist\, Republican and socialist; and Helena Molony (1884-1967)\, a Republican\, feminist and labour activist \n\n\n\nThis exhibition is presented as part of Theatre in Palm supported by Creative Europe for the annual 2024 Arts and Human Rights festival. The exhibition was originally created as part of States of Independence – A Celebration of Change-Makers presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality.  \n\n\n\n\n\nThe Old Barracks Heritage Centre\, Cahersiveen\n\n\n\nThe change-makers whose stories feature in the exhibition are:  \n\n\n\n1.Constance Markievicz (1868-1927) \n\n\n\nIrish politician\, revolutionary nationalist\, suffragette and socialist \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Shadowland. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n2. Eva Gore-Booth (1870-1926) \n\n\n\nPoet\, writer\, trade unionist\, feminist\, a campaigner for equality and social justice\, and a sister of Irish revolutionary Countess Markievicz \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Sky at Night. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n3. Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington (1877-1946) \n\n\n\nRadical activist\, feminist\, pacifist\, human rights campaigner and one of Ireland’s foremost suffragettes \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Light. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n4. Dr Kathleen Lynn (1874-1955) \n\n\n\nMedical Doctor\, politician\, feminist\, suffragist\, Republican and socialist \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Full Moon. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n5. Margaret Skinnider (1893-1971) \n\n\n\nRevolutionary feminist and trade unionist \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Blues. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n6. Helena Molony (1884-1967) \n\n\n\nRepublican\, feminist and labour activist \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Stay. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n7. Grace Evelyn Gifford (1888-1955) \n\n\n\nIllustrator\, caricaturist and supporter of Irish independence \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Darkness. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n8. Sarah Curran (1782-1808) \n\n\n\nA true disciple of Mary Wollstonecraft and Robert Emmet’s clandestine lover \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Light. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n9. Helen Blackburn (1842-1903) \n\n\n\nWriter\, Suffragist and Feminist Campaigner for Women’s Rights and Worker’s Rights \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Across the Divide. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n10. Maude Jane Delap (1866-1953) \n\n\n\nA pioneering Marine Biologist who had a sea anemone named after her\, the ‘Edwardsia delapiae’\, which she discovered in shallow sea waters on Valentia Island’s shores. \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Shoreline of Valentia Island. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n11. Mary Elmes (1908-2002) \n\n\n\nHonored as ‘Righteous Among Nations’ for her work saving Jewish children from the Nazi gas chambers during World War II \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Haunting. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n12. The Pearse Women \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Escape. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\nMrs Margaret (Brady) Pearse (1857-1932). Political activist\, politician and Dáil Deputy \n\n\n\nMargaret Mary Pearse (1878-1968). Teacher\, TD and Senator \n\n\n\nMary Brigid Pearse (1884-1947). Musician\, teacher and author \n\n\n\n13. James Connolly (1868-1916) \n\n\n\nTrade Union leader\, socialist\, revolutionary\, supporter of Irish freedom\, worker’s rights and women’s rights \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Escape. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n14. Francis Sheehy-Skeffington (1878-1916) \n\n\n\nJournalist\, writer\, radical activist\, suffragette and pacifist \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Double Spirit. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n15. Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887-1916) \n\n\n\nIrish nationalist\, poet\, journalist and a leader of the 1916 Rising in Ireland \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Glory. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n16. William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) \n\n\n\nPoet\, dramatist and writer \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Rock. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n17. Jack B. Yeats (1871–1957) \n\n\n\nPainter and illustrator \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Life and Death.  Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n18. Elizabeth ‘Lollie’ Yeats (1868-1940) \n\n\n\nArtist\, cultural entrepreneur\, Froebel trained art teacher and publisher \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Hope by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\nSusan ‘Lily’ Yeats (1866-1949) \n\n\n\nArtist\, cultural entrepreneur\, embroider \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Hope by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n19. James Joyce (1882-1941) \n\n\n\nWriter.  \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Yesteryear. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n20. Lucia Joyce (1907-1982) \n\n\n\nDancer.  \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: To the end. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n21. Seán O’Casey (1880 – 1964) \n\n\n\nDramatist and politically active writer \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Darkly Calm. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n22. Augusta\, Lady Gregory (1852-1932) \n\n\n\nAn Irish writer\, dramatist\, folklorist\, and patron of the arts and a founding member of the Irish Literary Theatre (1899) and the Abbey Theatre founded in 1904 as Ireland’s national theatre \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: Serenity. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\n23. John Millington Synge (1871-1909) \n\n\n\nDramatist and writer and a leading figure in the Irish literary renaissance \n\n\n\nPhotographic Artwork: The Walk. Image by Mary Moynihan\, 2023 \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan MA \n\n\n\nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films\, Plays \n\n\n\nCreator of Art and Photography \n\n\n\nCreative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Equality\, Leadership and Self-Esteem \nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is 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. \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 is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction\, Mary’s characters are clever\, fearless\, vulnerable\,  crazy\, strong\, and dangerous\, looking for love\, fun\, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots\, dramatic lives\, lots of laughs\, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love\, happiness\, creativity and meaning in life. \nMary 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 \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. \nSmashing Times \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. \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. \nAwards \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.    \nWriter of Novels\, Poetry\, Films and Plays \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. \nMary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As 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; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; 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.  \nPlays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond\, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess\, The Hummingbird\, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children\, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir\, The Three Bears\, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings. \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. \nMary’s documentary film work includes 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; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor\, a Human Rights Defender\, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter\, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland. \nKeep in touch with Mary on: \nTel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722 \nEmail: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com \nWebsite: MaryMoynihan.ie \nFollow Mary on Facebook\, Instagram and LinkedIn \n  \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\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/eternal-rebels-changemakers-multidisciplinary-exhibition-with-artist-mary-moynihan/
LOCATION:Old Barracks Heritage Centre\, Cahersiveen\, Co Kerry\, Cahersiveen\, Kerry\, V23VR62\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Photography,Poetry,Visual Art
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