Harvest Sessions, a free two-day celebration of live music, creativity and community, will take place across County Louth this October. The event will bring Festival in a Van's unique mobile stage to four locations, creating accessible and welcoming arts experiences in the heart of local communities.
The Louth tour begins on Friday, 2 October, with a performance at 11am in Cooley Kickhams GFC, where local people and visitors can enjoy a morning of live music and entertainment. Later that day, the mobile stage will visit the Redeemer Family Resource Centre, Dundalk, with performances starting at 4pm.
On Saturday, 3 October, the programme moves to Drogheda, with performances at 1pm in Rathmullan Community House, and 4pm in Connect Family Resource Centre, Moneymore.
Local artists performing across the two-day programme include Theresa McKenna, Róisín Ward Morrow, Breifne Holohan and Emer Furlong. Additional programme details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Harvest Sessions is presented by Festival in a Van in partnership with Louth County Council. The initiative is funded through Creative Ireland Louth and supported by Age Friendly Louth and Louth Local Development.
The tour coincides with Positive Ageing Week and the start of Louth Social Inclusion Week, highlighting the role creativity can play in bringing people together, building connections and supporting community wellbeing.
Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said:
"Harvest Sessions is bringing live music and performance directly into our towns, villages and neighbourhoods. Not only does this initiative create opportunities for people of all ages to come together and enjoy shared experiences close to home it also provides a stage for some of our incredible home-grown talent.
"I would encourage everyone in the communities hosting Harvest Sessions to come along, bring a friend, family member or neighbour, and be part of these events. Whether you are a regular festival goer or simply looking to enjoy something different in your local area, there will be a warm welcome for all."
Seán McCluskey, Creative Communities Engagement Officer with Louth County Council, added:
"Harvest Sessions is a wonderful opportunity to bring creativity directly into communities across Louth and create shared experiences that are welcoming and accessible to everyone. Taking place during Positive Ageing Week and at the start of Louth Social Inclusion Week, the tour is about bringing people together to connect, enjoy live performance and share in something creative."
Jackie Nowell, Director of Festival in a Van, said:
"A big part of our work is bringing brilliant artists and live performance into places where people already gather, particularly reaching people who may not always have easy access to the arts. We work closely with local partners to shape each visit around the people and place, so every stop has its own character. We’re delighted to be visiting these four communities and are looking forward to two great days of music, performance and people coming together."
For updates and further information, follow Louth County Council and Creative Ireland Louth on social media.