A celebration of, music, drama, art, song, exhibitions, and family entertainment will shine a light on the local arts scene in Mid Ulster for the second year in a row.
Taking place from 1 – 31 March, the Mid Ulster Arts Showcase will include renowned acts The Muddlers Club, Lore and The Henry Girls, The Porter Bellys as well as Coalisland and Clonoe Comhaltas, Holy Trinity College Traditional Music Group and pupils from the Traditional Music in Schools Group.
Talented multi-instrumentalist Sinéad McKenna from Augher in County Tyrone will launch her debut album in The Square Box in Dungannon on 22 March as part of a series of Seachtain Na Gaeilge events.
Enjoy St. Patrick’s Celebrations in Mid Ulster
Celebrate St Patrick's Day in Mid Ulster and experience music, entertainment, and fun for all the family. The annual St. Patrick’s Celebration Concert will take place in The Burnavon Theatre on 9 March, compered by Malachi Cush and headlined by brilliant Irish Trad and Folk band, The Muddlers Club. The concert will showcase local talent and include performances from Holy Trinity College Traditional Group and pupils from the Traditional Music in Schools Group.
Enjoy St. Patrick's Day on Hill of The O’Neill, Dungannon on 17 March, at a free family fun day. Festivities commence at 1.30pm; there will be live folk, rock, and traditional Irish music, face painting, arts, and crafts and much more. Headlining this year’s celebrations are County Tyrone Folk-Rock Band, The Porter Bellys! There will also be traditional music from members of Coalisland and Clonoe Comhaltas.
Celebrate the Irish Language
Seachtain Na Gaeilge events take place across the district in a celebration of culture, music, and the Irish language. Carntogher Community Association, Maghera will host their launch event (Fréamhú Teanga) on 1 March in An Coire Art Centre as well as offering Irish Language Intensive Courses throughout the month of March. There will be a family fun day (3 March), conversation circles (Ciorcal comhrá) and BBC Blas Ceoil will broadcast live from An Coire.
Déaglán Ó Doibhlin will deliver a talk on ‘Place Names, Townland Names and Landscape’ at Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House on 15 March. There will also be an Irish language coffee morning in The Institute of Irish Leadership, Pomeroy, and a careers event at Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House for Year 9 students from local Irish medium secondary schools, both taking place on 8 March.
One of the major highlights of the festival is the launch of talented multi-instrumentalist, and singer Sinéad McKenna’s debut album in The Square Box, Ranfurly House on 22 March.
Performances, Talks and Events
Get ready for the much-anticipated return of writer and performer Mikel Murfi at Seamus Heaney HomePlace on 15 March. Following the success of "The Man in the Women’s Shoes" and "I Hear You and Rejoice," Mikel will present his latest one-man show, "The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey." Seamus Heaney HomePlace will also present a fabulous evening of music and song with Lore and The Henry Girls on 16 March. There is also gripping drama on offer in Bardic Theatre’s production of ‘The Ferryman by Jez Butterworth’ at The Burnavon Theatre on 15 March.
The first ‘Taste Mid Ulster’ Food Heritage event will take place in Moy Village from 9 - 10 March, to celebrate Mid Ulster’s food heritage from across the district. The event will showcase a variety of local food, drink and craft produce from Mid Ulster.
Workshops
On World Book Day, March 9, Seamus Heaney HomePlace will celebrate the theme of belonging and friendship with author John Bittles and illustrator Rebecca Elliott, creators of "The Book Who Wanted to Be Loved." Participants will enjoy a reading and participate in a workshop to delve deeper into the magic of storytelling. The Mid Ulster Arts Showcase will include a series of arts and crafts workshops across the district such as Felt Making and Easter Willow Wreath Making.
Exhibitions
Immerse yourself in the multi award-winning exhibition at Seamus Heaney HomePlace or uncover the stories, artefacts, and archaeology of Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House at any time throughout the month of March. A photographic exhibition by Dungannon Cookstown Camera Club, capturing a snapshot of Mid Ulster in 2024 will be on display in the exhibition space of the Burnavon Theatre from 1 - 29 March.
What’s on for children?
An Easter Family Fun Day will take place in The Burnavon on 23 March, from 12noon – 2pm, with drop in arts and crafts sessions, face painting and music. There will be an ASD-friendly hour from 10:30am to 11:30am. Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House will host their Easter Family Fun Day on 30 March from 12 noon – 2pm with a quiet hour from 11am – 12noon. There will be face painting, an Easter Treasure Trail, Jump, Jiggle and Jive and free arts and crafts sessions.
