Welcome to the annual Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival 2025
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders, and a range of partners, present the seventh annual Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival from the 10 to 19 October 2025. The festival features exciting and innovative events that promote equality, human rights and diversity throughout Ireland, Northern Ireland and internationally. The aim of the festival is to showcase and highlight 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.
“In a world where human rights continue to be under attack, Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival sets out to celebrate the people who have stood up for them around the world and throughout history and highlight the role artists can play in promoting a more just society.”
– Kevin Courtney, Irish Times
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders, and a range of partners, present the seventh annual, international Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival running for ten days from the 10 to 19 October 2025. The festival features exciting and innovative events that promote equality, human rights and diversity through the arts, taking place in a range of counties across the island of Ireland.
The aim of the festival is to showcase and highlight 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. The artistic curator for the festival is Mary Moynihan, Artistic Director, Smashing Times and the human rights curator is Laura O’Leary, International Events and Promotions Coordinator, Front Line Defenders.
The festival is a hybrid programme delivered over 10 days with a number of events running before and after the festival from August to December 2025, reaching audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. The festival hosts an exciting blend of events happening in-person and online, featuring Irish and international artists and guest speakers. There is something for everyone interested in the arts for equality, human rights, and diversity.
The 2025 festival comprises over fifty events including a special launch event, a closing ceremony, live performances, multidisciplinary installations and exhibitions, artist and curator talks and panel discussions, workshops, film screenings, online panel discussions, online visual art exhibitions, open mic nights, radio programmes broadcast on Dublin South FM, the launch of Tintreach: Arts and Literary journal and a major international arts conference on the environment and climate change. Events take place across a range of venues involving up to 20 different organisations nationwide. The aim is to have a festival in every county in Ireland using the arts to promote equality, human rights and diversity for all.
The festival has sought to be as inclusive as possible; opening up to all artists across Ireland and internationally and to all communities including those experiencing marginalization and disadvantage, to ensure that artistic voices are championed, and that the scale of the festival can grow to broaden a wide range of arts participation, playing a vital role in the fabric of Ireland’s cultural, social and political landscape.
The festival promotes human rights and justice for all, and the vision of a world where all people are treated equally, with dignity and respect – linking the arts to civil society, active citizenship and politics, aiming to celebrate and unite community connections, artists, human rights organisations and human rights defenders.
The festival showcases world-class and diverse acts, artists and speakers, including up and coming performers. It brings arts and human rights together through interdisciplinary events which include workshops, theatre performances, musical performances, visual arts, exhibitions, film screenings, panel discussions, poetry and literature events, historical memory performances, live art, digital installations, and more.
Join us to illuminate stories of courage and inspiration and to share stories of ordinary people who stand up for human rights. We bear witness to, and remember the past, explore the present and celebrate the future linked to equality, human rights and diversity for all.
Partners: The annual International Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival is an annual, international festival organised by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders, a Dublin based international organisation working to improve the security and protection of human rights defenders at risk, in partnership with Amnesty International, Fighting Words, Irish Council for Civil Liberties, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Trócaire, GOAL NextGen and Sightsavers Ireland.
Creative partners include Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Rathfarnham Castle, The Pearse Museum and Saint Enda’s Park, the OPW, the Iveagh Gardens, Rua Red, Dah Theatre, Zid Theatre, Lighthouse Cinema, Humanist Association of Ireland, Clondalkin Library, Mother Tongues, Hill Street Family Resource Centre, Clondalkin Tower Drama Group, Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, Department of Justice, Haven Horizons, Reclaim the Agenda, Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid, Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable, Lemon Soap Productions, The Freedom Theatre Jenin, Revolutionary Stage, Create, Ballina Arts Centre, Wexford Arts Centre, Ramor Arts Centre, Curve Ball, Pearse Centre.
Support: The TREES Project, Creative Europe, Erasmus+, Foras na Gaeilge, Office of Public Works, Dublin South FM, Dublin City Council, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, The Arts Council Commissions Award under visual art, literature, and festivals. Special Thanks to the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Network, the Smashing Times Artist Development Programme, and The Trees project.
Festival Events
62 events found.
September 5 @ 1:00 pm - October 5 @ 6:00 pm IST
Landscapes of the Soul Multidisciplinary Exhibition with artist Mary Moynihan – Inaugural exhibition for the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality
30 Sandycove Road
Landscapes of the Soul is a stunning multi-disciplinary exhibition by artist Mary Moynihan featuring beautiful 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.
September 16 @ 9:30 am - November 2 @ 5:30 pm IST
From The Forest to The Ocean, a multidisciplinary exhibition with artists Mary Moynihan and Hina Khan at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin featuring Visual Art, Photography, Poetry and Film
Event Category:
Rathfarnham Castle
From The Forest to The Ocean is a powerful, new multidisciplinary exhibition at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, D14K3T6, with artists Mary Moynihan and Hina Khan. The exhibition is a stunning collection of visual art, photography, poetry and film inspired by physical landscapes and the interconnectedness of life from forests to the ocean.
September 16 @ 11:00 am - October 25 @ 4:00 pm IST
The Art of Changemakers Multidisciplinary Exhibition with artists Mary Moynihan and Aisha Hamdulay at dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum
Event Category:
DLR Mill Theatre
The Art of Changemakers Multidisciplinary Exhibition with artists Mary Moynihan and Aisha Hamdulay 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 2025 with the Front Line Defenders Annual Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. The exhibition is a collaboration between Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders with the dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum.
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Launch Event for From The Forest to The Ocean, a multidisciplinary exhibition with artists Mary Moynihan and Hina Khan at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, featuring Visual Art, Photography, Poetry and Film
Event Categories:
Rathfarnham Castle
Rathfarnham Castle and Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality are delighted to invite you to the launch of From the Forest to the Ocean, a powerful, new multidisciplinary exhibition at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, D14K3T6, with artists Mary Moynihan and Hina Khan.
Free
Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Radio Show – Special Festival Broadcast
Online
Enjoy two special broadcasts of the Arts and Human Rights radio show for the seventh annual Irish Arts and Human Rights festival featuring interviews, chat and discussion on all things arts and human rights. The show features interviews with guest speakers and artists from Ireland and across the world celebrating all the action from this year’s Irish Arts and Human Rights festival taking place in Ireland from 10 to 19 October 2025.
October 3 @ 11:00 am - November 23 @ 6:00 pm IST
Go Ye Afar – new film by multidisciplinary artist Frank Sweeney at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
Event Category:
Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
Go Ye Afar is a new film on display at Temple Bar Galleries + Studios presented by multidisciplinary artist Frank Sweeney. The film brings attention to the ways broadcast media has been instrumentalised to impose or restrict certain viewpoints, often in relation to state ideologies such as religion and cultural identity.
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Men in Motion – a trio of athletic and hilarious dance pieces presented by Irish Modern Dance Theatre
Event Categories:
Ballina Arts Centre
MEN IN MOTION is an evening of three athletic and hilarious dance pieces, earning rave reviews and standing ovations in the Abbey, Edinburgh Fringe and New York, presented by Irish Modern Dance Theatre on tour to Ballina Arts Centre, Mayo; Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford, and Ramor Arts Centre, Cavan. Artists include John Scott, choreographer and dancer, Boris Charrion, dancer and Vini Martins Araujo, dancer.
Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Radio Show – Special Festival Broadcast
Online
Enjoy two special broadcasts of the Arts and Human Rights radio show for the seventh annual Irish Arts and Human Rights festival featuring interviews, chat and discussion on all things arts and human rights. The show features interviews with guest speakers and artists from Ireland and across the world celebrating all the action from this year’s Irish Arts and Human Rights festival taking place in Ireland from 10 to 19 October 2025.
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Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan – Live performances
Event Category:
Iveagh Gardens Waterfall
Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is a world premiere 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. Presented as a promenade, ‘walk-in-the-park’ performance blending theatre, poetry, and song, this unique show brings audiences through the Iveagh Gardens (Dublin’s secret garden, located close to St Stephen’s Green) to the Human Rights Defenders Memorial monument.
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Free
October 10 @ 1:00 pm - November 30 @ 6:00 pm IST
Irish in Resistance During World War II Multidisciplinary Installation
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Irish in Resistance during World War II is a multidisciplinary installation featuring visual art, photography, film, poetry, and storytelling. The installation reflects 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.
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Opening Reception and launch of the Seventh Annual International Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival 2025 with Guest Speakers, Artist Talks, Exhibition, Live performance and Refreshments
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Front Line Defenders and partners are delighted to invite you to the opening reception and launch of the seventh annual International Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival taking place on Friday 10 October, 6.30 to 9pm, at 30 Sandycove Road, Dublin A96V9P1.
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Free
Crafting Stories Together – Creative Multilingual workshops for families with children 3 to 6 years old
Event Category:
Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre
Join us for a series of creative multilingual workshop for families with children three to six years hosted by Mother Tongues and conducted by artist Margot A. Jones who is a puppeteer, performer and facilitator living in Co, Wicklow. Mother Tongues’ Language Explorer workshops provide a unique creative experience for parents and their children based on storytelling, play, visual arts and music. While the workshops will be guided in English, we encourage families to embrace their home languages.
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Bridging Worlds – Live interactive art installation
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Bridging Worlds is a live interactive art installation that invites participants to perform in a piece of self-reflective theatre, imagining what it might feel like to suddenly flee their home due to a threat to their safety. Presented by Mary Dillon, Humanitarian, Applied Ethnomusicologist and Art Activist and Berta Quiñonero, Social Justice Advocate.
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Songs of Empowerment Workshop presented by Fighting Words for teenagers aged 13-17
Event Category:
Fighting Words
Songs of Empowerment is a workshop conducted by Colm Quearney, a workshop facilitator and Development and Outreach Officer with Fighting Words. At this workshop, participants have the opportunity to look at the history of songs that empower and will draw on these themes to create their own songs relevant to today’s generation. The workshop is conducted onsite at Fighting Words, Behan Square, 12-16 Russell Street Dublin on Saturday 11 October from 11am to 1pm.
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Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan – Live performances
Event Category:
Iveagh Gardens
Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is a world premiere 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. Presented as a promenade, ‘walk-in-the-park’ performance blending theatre, poetry, and song, this unique show brings audiences through the Iveagh Gardens (Dublin’s secret garden, located close to St Stephen’s Green) to the Human Rights Defenders Memorial monument.
Get Tickets
Free
Language Explorers – Out of this world Workshops for parents and their children ages 3 to 6
Event Category:
Clondalkin Library
Language Explorer – Out of This World Workshops are a series of workshops designed for curious young explorers, presented by visual artist Paola Invernizzi. The sessions provide a unique creative experience for parents and their children based on storytelling, play, visual arts and music. Language Explorers is Mother Tongues’ award-winning programme, designed for children aged 3 to 6 and their families.
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Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan – Live performances
Event Category:
Iveagh Gardens Waterfall
Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is a world premiere 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. Presented as a promenade, ‘walk-in-the-park’ performance blending theatre, poetry, and song, this unique show brings audiences through the Iveagh Gardens (Dublin’s secret garden, located close to St Stephen’s Green) to the Human Rights Defenders Memorial monument.
Get Tickets
Free
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Voices of Peace Artists — Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality present an Evening of Artist Talks, Poetry and Short Story readings and a display of Artworks
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Join us for Voices of Peace - an evening of artist talks, poetry and short story readings, and a display of artworks. The evening features presentations by Voices of Peace Artists as they reflect on their creative journeys, the inspirations behind their work, and the theme of Voices of Peace, exploring the role of the arts in promoting equality, human rights, and diversity worldwide.
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€10.00 – €15.00
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Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan – Live performances
Event Category:
Iveagh Gardens Waterfall
Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is a world premiere 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. Presented as a promenade, ‘walk-in-the-park’ performance blending theatre, poetry, and song, this unique show brings audiences through the Iveagh Gardens (Dublin’s secret garden, located close to St Stephen’s Green) to the Human Rights Defenders Memorial monument.
Get Tickets
Free
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Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan – Live performances
Iveagh Gardens Waterfall
Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part 2 by Mary Moynihan is a world premiere 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. Presented as a promenade, ‘walk-in-the-park’ performance blending theatre, poetry, and song, this unique show brings audiences through the Iveagh Gardens (Dublin’s secret garden, located close to St Stephen’s Green) to the Human Rights Defenders Memorial monument.
Get Tickets
Free
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Imigrante da Silva Santos – live theatre performance presented by Revolutionary Stage
Event Category:
Pearse Centre
A live performance of a forum theatre play from Revolutionary Stage using Theatre of the Oppressed to explore the lived experiences of Brazilian migrants living in Dublin, the rise of the far Right and systemic oppression. Set during the backdrop of the Dublin riots, this devised play takes on discrimination in health, the workplace, and society at large, using Augusto Boal’s forum theatre from Theatre of the Oppressed, to change the narrative and build solidarity. This play is funded through the Artist in the Community Scheme Project Realisation Award from Create on behalf of the Arts Council.
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Exploring Cultural Resistance Through Theatre: A Collaboration Between GOAL NextGen & The Friends of the Freedom Theatre Youth Programme, Jenin, Palestine
30 Sandycove Road
GOAL NextGen is proud to partner with Friends of The Freedom Theatre, Ireland and the Freedom Theatre Youth Programme in Jenin, Palestine, to present a thought-provoking theatre and spoken-word performance reflecting on human experiences in the face of systemic injustice.
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Free
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Imigrante da Silva Santos – live theatre performance presented by Revolutionary Stage
Event Category:
Pearse Centre
A live performance of a forum theatre play from Revolutionary Stage using Theatre of the Oppressed to explore the lived experiences of Brazilian migrants living in Dublin, the rise of the far Right and systemic oppression. Set during the backdrop of the Dublin riots, this devised play takes on discrimination in health, the workplace, and society at large, using Augusto Boal’s forum theatre from Theatre of the Oppressed, to change the narrative and build solidarity. This play is funded through the Artist in the Community Scheme Project Realisation Award from Create on behalf of the Arts Council.
October 13 @ 10:00 am - October 17 @ 4:00 pm IST
The Eyes of the Storm – Climate Photo Exhibition by Trócaire celebrating the courage and determination of people on the frontlines of the climate crisis across the world
Martin Ryan Building
Eyes of the Storm is a photographic exhibition presented 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.
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Sightsavers Ireland Film Festival – A Vision for Action at Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin
Event Category:
Lighthouse Cinema, Market Street South, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 R6YE.
Sightsavers Ireland Film Festival is an evening of powerful storytelling, advocacy, and awareness through a special Film Festival presented to mark World Sight Day in 2025. The festival features a compelling selection of short films and documentaries exploring the global impact of avoidable blindness and the importance of inclusive eye health. Through the lens of filmmakers, activists, and those with lived experience, the festival invites audiences to see the world differently, and be inspired to take action for a future where no one is left behind, inspiring meaningful action towards disability inclusion and equality.
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Irish in Resistance During World War II – Storytelling, Poetry and Chat
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
We are delighted to present an Irish in Resistance during World War II event featuring artist talks, storytelling, poetry readings and chat. Join us as we explore the stories that feature in the Irish in Resistance During World War II exhibition - 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.
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€15.00
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Creative Arts Eco-Conference
Event Category:
Rathfarnham Castle
Join us for the Smashing Times Creative Arts Eco-Conference, a major international gathering that unites the arts and environmental awareness. Taking place at the historic Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, from 10am to 4pm, as part of the annual, international Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival, this event explores how the performing, visual, and digital arts can inspire action and advocacy around climate change, biodiversity, and marine conservation.
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Free
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Kneecapping Dissent: A panel discussion on the crippling of artistic and political expression
Event Category:
Hen’s Teeth
Join us for a panel discussion with Dan Lambert, manager of Kneecap, Claire Mc Evoy, Head of Research and Policy at ICCL, and Una Mullally, writer and journalist. This ICCL event for the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival will explore limitations on freedom of expression in Ireland and abroad, and the impact of these policies on artistic censorship, particularly in relation to Palestine, and what impact this is having on Ireland’s arts community.
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25 Glasses of Wine and Not Only One – Women’s Voices from Europe. Two International Live Performances from Serbia and The Netherlands
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Two international performances from Serbia and the Netherlands. Enjoy ‘25 GLASSES OF WINE’ a live lecture-performance by Dijana Milošević from Dah Theatre, Belgrade, Serbia followed by ‘Not Only One’ a performance by Nivin Baranbo from ZID Theatre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Free
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Humanism in The Arts with Ed Byrne – An online talk hosted by the Humanist Association of Ireland
Event Category:
Online
Humanism in the Arts with Ed Byrne is an online talk hosted by the Humanist Association of Ireland featuring acclaimed Irish comedian, presenter and actor Ed Byrne. The event takes place online on Tuesday 14 October, 7.30pm.
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The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan, live performances at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham and the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Sandycove
Event Category:
St Enda’s Park
The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a live multidisciplinary performance reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature – featuring theatre, poetry and movement.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €15.00
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The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan, live performances at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham and the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Sandycove
Event Category:
St Enda’s Park
The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a live multidisciplinary performance reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature – featuring theatre, poetry and movement.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €15.00
Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Radio Show – Special Festival Broadcast
Online
Enjoy two special broadcasts of the Arts and Human Rights radio show for the seventh annual Irish Arts and Human Rights festival featuring interviews, chat and discussion on all things arts and human rights. The show features interviews with guest speakers and artists from Ireland and across the world celebrating all the action from this year’s Irish Arts and Human Rights festival taking place in Ireland from 10 to 19 October 2025.
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Queen Dragon
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Queen Dragon is a performance by multidisciplinary artist Deirdre Murphy, incorporating song, movement, spoken word, and monologue based on a vision of matriotism, of devotion to the motherland, and to the wellness of all. It takes place on 15 October at 7pm at 30 Sandycove Road, Sandycove, A96V9P1.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €20.00
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Boyfriends – theatre performance presented by Lemon Soap Productions
Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable
Boyfriends is a theatre performance following a three-month affair between two anonymous men. Boyfriends, charts the ups and downs and roundabouts of a modern ‘situationship’. This production is presented as part of the LASTA festival, a unique, youth-led national arts festival with programmes created by young curators chosen through a competitive annual open call.
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The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan, live performances at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham and the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Sandycove
Event Category:
St Enda’s Park
The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a live multidisciplinary performance reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature – featuring theatre, poetry and movement.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €15.00
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The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan, live performances at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham and the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Sandycove
Event Category:
St Enda’s Park
The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a live multidisciplinary performance reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature – featuring theatre, poetry and movement.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €15.00
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Five Books That Could Save Your Life – panel discussion highlighting tactics and risks associated with coercive control
Event Category:
The Atrium, Department of Justice
Domestic Abuse experts from Haven Horizons, Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, and Reclaim the Agenda examine the destructive impact of coercive control and discuss ‘Five Books That Could Save Your Life’ with Sarah Harte, Irish Examiner columnist. The event is presented in collaboration with National Women’s Council of Ireland.
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Language Explorers – Make it and Play! Creative Multilingual workshop for families with children 3 to 6 years old
Event Category:
Hill Street Family Resource Centre
Mother Tongues’ Language Explorer workshops provide a unique creative experience for parents and their children based on storytelling, play, visual arts and music. While the workshops will be guided in English, we encourage families to embrace their home languages. This workshop with Fernanda Ferrari, multidisciplinary artist and workshop facilitator, focuses on the crafting of vintage toys with multidisciplinary artist Fernanda Ferrari. Unleash creativity using simple everyday materials, make friends from all over the world, and create a special bond with your child through the magic of art-making.
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Seo Chugainn na Mná – Live Stage Performances in Irish of The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of World War II translated by Áine Ní Ghlinn
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality are delighted to commission award-winning writer Áine Ní Ghlinn to translate into Irish the original highly successful stage script The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of World War II. The Irish language translation includes new poetry in Irish by writer Áine Ní Ghlinn and a translation of At Summer’s End by Féilim James.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €15.00
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Men in Motion – a trio of athletic and hilarious dance pieces presented by Irish Modern Dance Theatre
Event Categories:
Wexford Arts Centre
MEN IN MOTION is an evening of three athletic and hilarious dance pieces, earning rave reviews and standing ovations in the Abbey, Edinburgh Fringe and New York, presented by Irish Modern Dance Theatre on tour to Ballina Arts Centre, Mayo; Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford, and Ramor Arts Centre, Cavan. Artists include John Scott, choreographer and dancer, Boris Charrion, dancer and Vini Martins Araujo, dancer.
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Human Rights Open Mic – An evening of live poetry and music on themes of human rights, social justice and solidarity
Event Category:
Curve Ball
Open mic night is an evening featuring live poetry and music relating to themes of social issues, human rights, social justice, and solidarity presented at Curve Ball, Button Factory, Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin on Thursday 16 October 2025, 7-10.30pm. The evening features special guests presenting curated poetry and music and is open to anyone who would like to sign up to perform.
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The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan, live performances at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham and the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Sandycove
Event Category:
St Enda’s Park
The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a live multidisciplinary performance reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature – featuring theatre, poetry and movement.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €15.00
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The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan, live performances at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham and the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Sandycove
Event Category:
St Enda’s Park
The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a live multidisciplinary performance reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature – featuring theatre, poetry and movement.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €15.00
Smashing Times: Walking Through Women’s History (1916-1923), A guided walking tour through Rathmines and Ranelagh
Outside Swan Leisure Centre
This walking tour explores the architectural and social landscape of Rathmines and Ranelagh through the lives of four revolutionary women — Constance (Countess) Markievicz (1868–1927), Dr Kathleen Lynn (1874–1955), Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, and Grace Evelyn Gifford Plunkett (1888–1955) — who lived, worked, and resisted in Rathmines and Ranelagh during Ireland’s struggle for independence from 1916 on.
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Seo Chugainn na Mná – Live Stage Performances in Irish of The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of World War II translated by Áine Ní Ghlinn
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality are delighted to commission award-winning writer Áine Ní Ghlinn to translate into Irish the original highly successful stage script The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of World War II. The Irish language translation includes new poetry in Irish by writer Áine Ní Ghlinn and a translation of At Summer’s End by Féilim James.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €15.00
Crafting Stories Together – Creative Multilingual workshops for families with children 3 to 6 years old
Event Category:
Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre
Join us for a series of creative multilingual workshop for families with children three to six years hosted by Mother Tongues and conducted by artist Margot A. Jones who is a puppeteer, performer and facilitator living in Co, Wicklow. Mother Tongues’ Language Explorer workshops provide a unique creative experience for parents and their children based on storytelling, play, visual arts and music. While the workshops will be guided in English, we encourage families to embrace their home languages.
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Launch of Plaque to remember Deirdre O’Connell (1939-2001), an actor, teacher, director, founding member and Artistic Director of Dublin Focus Theatre from 1967 to 2001
Event Category:
Outdoors at 6a Pembroke Place
Dublin City Council are unveiling a plaque in memory of Deirdre O’Connell (1939-2001), an actor, teacher and director, founder of the Dublin Stanislavski Acting Studio, 1963-2001 and founding member and Artistic Director of Dublin Focus Theatre from 1967 until 2001. Launch by Councillor Ray McAdam, Lord Mayor of Dublin.
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Mother City Film Screening and Discussion
Event Category:
Pearse Centre
A screening of the film Mother City and panel discussion on land and housing in Dublin and Cape Town, presented by Front Line Defenders in partnership with Community Action Tenants Union. Exploring Cape Town's history with Apartheid, the story follows a social movement over a few years fighting for affordable housing to make the city more inclusive for people of colour. The event aims to spark discussion and draw parallels between housing issues and movements in Cape Town and Dublin, and more broadly, Ireland.
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Free
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The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan, live performances at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham and the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Sandycove
Event Category:
St Enda’s Park
The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a live multidisciplinary performance reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature – featuring theatre, poetry and movement.
Get Tickets
€10.00 – €15.00
Smashing Times: Walking Through Women’s History (1916-1923), A guided walking tour through Rathmines and Ranelagh
Outside Swan Leisure Centre
This walking tour explores the architectural and social landscape of Rathmines and Ranelagh through the lives of four revolutionary women — Constance (Countess) Markievicz (1868–1927), Dr Kathleen Lynn (1874–1955), Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, and Grace Evelyn Gifford Plunkett (1888–1955) — who lived, worked, and resisted in Rathmines and Ranelagh during Ireland’s struggle for independence from 1916 on.
Language Explorers – Out of this world Workshops for parents and their children ages 3 to 6
Event Category:
Clondalkin Library
Language Explorer – Out of This World Workshops are a series of workshops designed for curious young explorers, presented by visual artist Paola Invernizzi. The sessions provide a unique creative experience for parents and their children based on storytelling, play, visual arts and music. Language Explorers is Mother Tongues’ award-winning programme, designed for children aged 3 to 6 and their families.
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The Journey – live performance presented by Clondalkin Tower Drama Group
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
The Journey is a powerful and emotionally charged play exploring themes of migration, survival, betrayal, and resilience presented by Clondalkin Tower Drama Group at the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality at 30 Sandycove Road, Dublin on 18 October from 3 to 4pm. Through intense dialogue, raw emotion, and layered storytelling, The Journey sheds light on the lived experiences of migrants navigating uncertainty, trauma, and hope in their search for safety and belonging.
Get Tickets
Free
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Interview with Lana Estemirova on her book ‘Please Live: The Chechen Wars, My Mother and Me’
Event Category:
Pearse Centre
A live interview presented by Front Line Defenders on the life and work of Human Rights Defenders Natalia Estemirova, featuring her daughter Lana Estemirova, presenter of the Trouble with the Truth podcast, and working for the Justice for Journalists Foundation. Lana Estemirova talks about her book ‘Please Live: The Chechen Wars, My Mother and Me’ and the story of her mother, Natalya Estemirova, who was a human rights defender murdered in Chechnya for her human rights work in 2009.
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Free
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The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan, live performances at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham and the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Sandycove
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Following a successful international tour to Greece, Germany and Spain, The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan returns to Sandycove for two performances only. The Art of Trees is a live multidisciplinary performance reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature, featuring theatre, poetry and movement.
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€10.00 – €15.00
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Men in Motion – a trio of athletic and hilarious dance pieces presented by Irish Modern Dance Theatre
Event Categories:
Ramor Arts Centre
MEN IN MOTION is an evening of three athletic and hilarious dance pieces, earning rave reviews and standing ovations in the Abbey, Edinburgh Fringe and New York, presented by Irish Modern Dance Theatre on tour to Ballina Arts Centre, Mayo; Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford, and Ramor Arts Centre, Cavan. Artists include John Scott, choreographer and dancer, Boris Charrion, dancer and Vini Martins Araujo, dancer.
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Smashing Times: Architecture and Activism. A guided tour and public talk at the Smashing Times Centre for the Arts and Human Rights at 30 Sandycove Road, Dublin
30 Sandycove Road
In partnership with Open House 2025, Smashing Times offer a guided tour and talk in the new Smashing Times space titled “Architecture and Activism: What values do we embed into the spaces we leave behind?”. The talk explores how we are making innovative use of an intimate space in an inclusive, accessible way and explores what future heritage looks like when it embeds a human rights approach reflecting on justice for all. Presented by Freda Manweiler.
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From Mexico to Ireland; a discussion on corporate responsibility & Human Rights
Event Category:
Pearse Centre
Around the world, communities are resisting destructive extractive projects that threaten their ancestral lands, access to water, livelihoods and the planet. In this live panel discussion, the woman Human Right Defender Grecia Eugenia Rodríguez Navarro, from the Zacatecas Mining Conflict Observatory, Mexico will share her testimony of resistance and resilience from the front lines.
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Free
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The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan, live performances at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham and the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Sandycove
Event Category:
30 Sandycove Road
Following a successful international tour to Greece, Germany and Spain, The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan returns to Sandycove for two performances only. The Art of Trees is a live multidisciplinary performance reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature, featuring theatre, poetry and movement.
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€10.00 – €15.00
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CAS – Festival Musical Finale
Event Categories:
30 Sandycove Road
Join us for the grand closing celebration of the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival with an unforgettable evening of music, conversation and refreshments. Enjoy a fantastic and vibrant evening of music with CAS – the acclaimed trio of Sebastian Luthers, Carol Scott, and Andy McMenamin. Drawing inspiration from the landscapes ranging from Connaught to Auvergne, CAS weaves intricate melodies and spirited rhythms into their music, creating a unique sound with a blend of original and traditional Irish music that is both authentic and fresh.
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€10.00 – €15.00
Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Radio Show – Special Festival Broadcast
Online
Enjoy two special broadcasts of the Arts and Human Rights radio show for the seventh annual Irish Arts and Human Rights festival featuring interviews, chat and discussion on all things arts and human rights. The show features interviews with guest speakers and artists from Ireland and across the world celebrating all the action from this year’s Irish Arts and Human Rights festival taking place in Ireland from 10 to 19 October 2025.
Crafting Stories Together – Creative Multilingual workshops for families with children 3 to 6 years old
Event Category:
Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre
Join us for a series of creative multilingual workshop for families with children three to six years hosted by Mother Tongues and conducted by artist Margot A. Jones who is a puppeteer, performer and facilitator living in Co, Wicklow. Mother Tongues’ Language Explorer workshops provide a unique creative experience for parents and their children based on storytelling, play, visual arts and music. While the workshops will be guided in English, we encourage families to embrace their home languages.