Fundraising
Lucan Festival would like to sincerely thank everybody for their support of our bag packing in Marks and Spencer’s Liffey Valley and also our bucket collection outside the churches in Lucan last weekend. Your support is greatly appreciated.
We also like to thank all those who helped with our efforts on the day by volunteering their time. Finally we would like to express our gratitude to the management and staff of Marks and Spencer’s Liffey Valley for their help on the day.
Lucan Festival
Lucan Festival
The Festival Committee will be fundraising in August as follows:
a) Bucket Collection in Superquinn on Thurs 9th August.
b) Bag Packing Collection on Sat 11th August in Marks and Spencer Liffey Valley
c) Church Gate Collections at all Lucan Churches on Sun 12th August.
If anyone can spare a few hours to help on any of the above dates please contact Kay at 087 2427837 or lucanfestival@gmail.com.
We are still looking for local organisations, companies or people (who have craft skills) who would like to display their wares or activities on the open day (16th Sept). Contact as per above.
Follow us on www.facebook.com/lucanfestival or our webpage www.lucanfestival.com
The Festival this year will be even better than previous ones but that will be up to you to participate and help make it a success. Remember! IT’S YOUR FESTIVAL, SO BE PART OF IT.
Lucan Festival Needs You
Lucan Festival is looking for people with a passion for craft and design to demonstrate their skills at the festival this year. These demonstrations can include basket making, glass beads, flower arranging, weaving, make up design etc. If you are interested in taking part please contact lucanfestival@gmail.com or Kay Carroll (087 242 7837)
Volunteer Appeal
Lucan Festival is looking for volunteers to help with our fundraising bag pack. The bag pack is taking place on the 11th of August at Marks and Spencer Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. If you are available and interested in volunteering please contact us at lucanfestival@gmail.com or Joe Byrne (Chairman) 0867944074
Lucan Festival Information
This years Festival will run from the 9th to the 16th September. On Sunday the 9th we are encouraging everyone to assemble at Griffeen Park for to participate in a 5km run/walk/cycle/wheel which will get you fit for the rest of the weeks events. Not only will you exercise yourself but monies raised at it will go towards the purchase of defibrillators in the area. More details later.
During the week a number of talks will take place and the subjects will include the following;
Lucan House (Suzanne Pegley) who is one of the authors of the book Aspects of Lucan.
Shackleton Collection(Christiann Corlett) a talk and slides on the famous collection of photographs
by Jane W Shackleton dating from 1880 to 1905. Christiann is publishing a book on this collection in August.
The life and times of Rev Dr J A H Irwin who was Presbyterian Minister in Lucan from 1932 to 1954 and who in the War of Independence supported the republican side,was a friend of Eamon DeValera and was reputed to have helped in the drafting of the 1937 Constitution. This talk will be given by Dr Éamon Phoenix a senior lecturer in History at Strangmills College Belfast.
British Musicals by our own Michael Grant who last year entertained us with his knowledge of the Broadway Musical. This should make a good nights entertainment with excerpts from Oliver ,Phantom etc.
There will also be a number of informative walks in the Village giving the history of areas and buildings.
Joe Byrne Chairman 0867944074
Annual appeal to all businesses in the area
Lucan Festival
This week we are launching our annual appeal to all businesses in the area for a donation towards the costs of this years Festival. A letter signed by the writer will be delivered by hand /post or email to all generally within the Lucan area and a follow up visit by one of our committee members will occur within the next few weeks.
Last year the local businesses supported us very well and we hope they will give as generous this year. Members of the committee will have identification and do not hesitate to ask for same.
The Festival this year runs from 9th to the 16th September a little earlier than last year due to changes in the dates for the All Ireland Finals. The final day on Sunday the 16th will be in the Village with the road closed to traffic from Ardeevin to the Ulster Bank. We are looking for local producers of crafts, food and also local groups/organisations who would like to have a stall either to sell or just display what they do in Lucan. Please contact the writer for details. Joe Byrne, Chairman, 0867944074
Lucan House Walk (Liffey Champion Coverage)
Walk at Lucan House
I hope everyone has recovered from their trip to Italy last Sat. We were blessed with the weather and the attendance. All tickets were sold (600) and apart from initial delays on some of the walks everything went to plan. Thanks to Committee members and Volunteers from the SDCC volunteer group, Lucan Garda, Lucan Newsletter for allowing us their space, Martone Press for the printing of our leaflet, Tommy Lynch and St Mary’s Parish Centre for the use of their premises to sell tickets and Gerry ONeill for unlocking the gate of the Cemetery.
Sincere thanks once again to His Excellency Mr Maurizio Zanini,Italian Ambassador and his wife Madame Zanini for allowing us into the grounds of what is their private residence. We would also express our thanks to Ms Antonella Fontana, Deputy Head of Mission, Ms Ester Tossi, Secretary to the Ambassador and the very polite and efficient Carabinieri who kept a very discreet eye on us all. On a personal note thanks to my good wife Josephine who has put up with me for the last 6 weeks during which everything seemed to revolve around the walk. Last but not least of course thank you to all who supported the walk and the funds raised will go a long way towards funding this years Festival.
Would the lady who sent me a text about a mix up on dates please contact me.
Joe Byrne, Chairman Lucan Festival Mob: 0867944074
Pub Quiz
We are having a fundraiser table quiz tomorrow, Thursday 15th March at 8.30pm in Courtney’s. Tables of four only €20!! Why not get your St. Patrick’s weekend off to a great start by taking part??!
All Welcome to share views at Lucan Festival AGM
Wednesday, 7th December, 2011, 8pm in Kenny’s Pub
Now that the dust has settled on another Festival, we would like to invite all local residents and those involved this year to the Lucan Festival AGM on Wednesday, 7th December, 2011 at 8pm in the back lounge in Kenny’s Pub to share your views on this year’s Festival, what you liked and suggestions for next year.
We will also be reviewing the Treasurer’s report as well as electing new members of the Committee to bring in new ideas and experience. We would be delighted to hear what you thought and look forward to seeing you all there.
It’s your Festival, so be part of it!
Images from the festival
Lucan Festival says thanks
Tom Dowling, secretary of Lucan Festival for the past two years will be taken time out from Lucan festival in 2012 to attend college.The commitment and energy Tom bought to Lucan Festival will be greatly missed in 2012, all the committee want to wish him every success in his studies.
Lucan Dramatic Society to entertain with comedy, fun and folicks
We are delighted to welcome Lucan Dramatic Society back to the Festival again on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 8pm at Festival HQ/ Art Exhibition (down from Topaz Garage). This year they will be entertaining Festival goers with 30 minutes of comedy, fun and frolicks. Starting with “the 15 minute Moll” written by John B Keane and abridged by Niall Cassidy (think a mini Father Ted) followed by “the 15 minute Hamlet” written by Tom Stoppard. All we hated about Hamlet in the leaving Cert is left behind, as ghosts, madness, fights and laughter take over. It all promises to bea belly aching laughter session.
For more information about the Lucan Dramatic Society visit: http://lucandrama.com/#23
Images from Arts Exhibition opening
We had a fantastic opening to this years festival last night with the opening of a week long Arts Exhibition in the former Gunne Offices. Here are some of the images from last night more to come soon.
Lucan Festival 2011 is finally here!
Lucan Festival 2011 is finally here (19th – 25th September, 2011) in Lucan Village, this year’s festival is bigger and better this year with events, acts and performances for the kids, adults and the young at heart. These will take place all week leading up to the Festival weekend which expects to attract over 5,000 people to Lucan Village on Sunday 25th September for the Festival Family Day when the Lucan Village will be closed from 11am -7pm. To view the full programme click here
The Festival week will be launched on Monday 19th September at 7.30pm with the opening of the Art Exhibition (former Gunne offices) by Mayor Caitriona Jones and followed by a poetry evening (tbc). The exhibition sponsored by CBRE showcases the work of local artists and runs for the duration of the Festival. For the rest of the week locals and visitors alike can look forward to Lucan Historical walks, two15 minute excerpts of fun and frolicks courtesy of Lucan Dramatic Society of “15 Moll” and Hamlet like you have never seen him before, “Young at Heart” Tea Dance at the Spa Hotel on Wednesday 4-7pm admission €5.
How will Lucan exists as society in 2050? then get along to a talk on Lucan forward to 2050 in Finnstown House also on Wednesday evening and here some interesting debate. An evening with Sean Carabini at Lucan Library at 7pm, a wide variety of activities for kids and older to be held in Lucan Library details of which can be found on the Festival website. Talks by Aspen Counselling through the week at their Main Street office.
The Cinemobile (100 seater mobile cinema) will round up the week day activities with Spy Kids 4 at 3.30pm and a “Ladies Night” showing Bridesmaids on Friday night (booking essential contact Tom on 0862505665). At the same time Megabites, will be starting the weekend off with a bang with a gig for local bands at the Griffeen Youth Centre (over 15’s).
The weekend starts off for the kids with a treasure hunt on Saturday morning (11am) for the young explorers among us, more screenings at the Cinemobile starting at 1pm with Harry Potter and the ‘Deathly Hallows 2’ followed by ‘Super 8’ and the feature film ‘The Guard’ staring Brendan Gleeson. Meanwhile at the Art Exhibition Centre see Artist Eolaigan Fheile create a painting over the course of the weekend. The Historic Exhibition will be back again as well, laying out Lucan’s history in over 150 exhibits including photos and artifacts. In addition Lucan Sarsfield will be having their Family Day, A Saturday Night Fever 70’s Disco in the Spa Hotel in aid of Aspen Counseling tickets are €10.
The climax of the Festival will be Festival Family Day on Sunday, 25th September with street closure through Lucan Village this year there will be more than ever to keep everyone entertained. For music lovers there will be a new Village Stage showcasing a wide variety of musical tastes featuring local, bands others from further afield including the Riptide Movement (recently supported Bon Jovi), The Ghandis, Morgan La Fey, Adela and the Meanits, Half Shot, rap artist Prince4God, Sophie Coyle, and Lorcan James. On the Main Street Stage we will have Madra, Dancity Ireland, Lee Byrne Dancers, Heart Strings a number of intercultural acts including Hip hop dancers Liffey Valley Homework Group, a traditional Nigerian folk dance group, traditional Polish dancers and singers and an amazing Italian singer – Rosaria. Nathalie Moyano Gonzálezare will be giving Flamenco workshops a unique opportunity for participants will find out that marking the rhythm with the foot and clapping along is a lot of fun. The Garda open day will also take place on the Sunday and always proves very popular, with a concert by the Garda Band between 2 – 4pm.
Of course the Reptile Zoo, Punch and Judy, local dance acts, will be back again along with the bouncy castles, Street markets, Craft demonstrations, A Coral event at St Andrews, face painters and street entertainers for the kids. There will also be pony rides, a duck race in the Grifeen. Headspace, will also have a mixed media exhibition and workshop taking place on Sunday at the exhibition Centre.
Tom Dowling, Secretary, Lucan Festival Committee commented, “I would like to thank all our patrons for their generous financial support and general good will, which has enabled us grow the festival this year. There is so much to see throughout this year’s festival and I hope you can come along and enjoy the many events programmed over Festival week.”
Plenty for the kids at the Lucan Festival
Arts & crafts activities for all
There will be plenty for the kids again at this year’s Lucan Festival as well as arts and crafts activities for all highlighting local talent and getting the community involved too. This will all take place during Festival week from 19th – 25th September with the Festival Family Day on Sunday 25th September when the Village Mian Street will be closed from 11am-7pm.
Kids can look forward to the going to the cinema right here in Superquinn with the welcome return of the Cinemobile (mobile 100 seater cinema) which will be showing a kids show on Friday at 3:30pm. Ticket prices are €6 and kids will also be treated to a McDonald’s meal as part of the price. On Saturday Harry Potter is up at 1pm and kids are encouraged to dress up for the chance to win a best dress prize followed by Super 8 at 3:30pm. Adults are not to be left out as there will be shows of Bridesmaids at 8:30pm at the Ladies Night Out with a wine and cheese reception at 7:30pm (€8). Saturday’s showing at 8pm will be the Guard staring Brendan Gleason (€6). Contact Tom on 0862505665 to book.
In addition, there will lots of free events with a treasure hunt for all the young local explorers on Saturday (11am). Sunday is when it all happens with street entertainment, bouncy castles, the ever popular Punch and Judy shows and kids will be able to get up close and personal with all manner of creatures at the reptile zoo. New comers this year include pony rides (for a small fee) and the Festival Rubber Duck Race (tickets €2). There will also be music courtesy of Headspace a Lucan Youth Group and dance from Dancity, Westside Stage School and Lee Byrne Academy.
For all those with an interest in the Arts there will be lots for you too. The Art Exhibition, which was such a success last year will be held in the old Gunne offices (Mon – Fri 1-8pm/Sat 7 Sunday 1-6) which has been kindly loaned by CBRE for the duration of the Festival. The Exhibition launch will kick off the Festival this year at 7pm on Monday showcasing the work of our incredible local artists. Lucan Dramatic Society will be putting on 30 minutes of comedy fun and frolics in the form of two short humorous excerpts from the “15 Minute Moll” and Hamlet but not like you have seen them before (Thurs, Fri, Sat Art Exhibition Centre 8pm). Crafts will be on show too, theICAwill have a stall showing all how to knit, crochet and lots more as well as a casket weaver.
We are looking for volunteers to get involved in the run up to and during the Festival itself. So to get involved and keep up to date with Festival News become our fan on facebook
or contact lucanfestival@gmail.com, 0862505665 / 0876243562.
Prince4God – A Nigerian born artist carving out a successful career in Dublin
PRINCE4GOD – A Nigerian born artist, living in Ireland for the past 8 years. Following the successful release of the debut album PRAISE and subsequent Video of the hit track PRAISE in 2009 it has launched Prince4God as one of the well respected and recognized performing gospel music artist in Ireland.
He performed at the Art-I-am Gospel Music Show, Kirk Franklin Live in Dublin and Music Collision amongst others. He received an award at the first God’s Generals award ceremony in Dublin on the 28th Nov 2009, in recognitions of his contribution to the Gospel music scene in Ireland. He was also nominated for the Best Gospel Artist in Diaspora Category in the South South Music Award (SSMA) held in Edo State, Nigeria in 2009.
Prince4God is happily married and he is officially signed under the Urbanflow Records and Managed by P4G Entertainments Dublin, Republic of Ireland. We at Lucan Festival are delighted to have Prince4God on our list of artists performing on the Village Stage on September 25th. Have a listen to Praise I sure you will agree this guy has a great future.
For more information on Prince4God
http://www.urbanflowrecords.com & http://www.Prince4god.com
The Gandhis back in Lucan on the Village Stage, September 25th
Lucan Festival are delighted that The Gandhis have confirmed to play The Village Stage on Sunday September 25th. The Gandhis are a Dublin based four-piece, in which writing and singing duties are shared between all four members. They have a unique style and panache in creating a simple yet immediately infectious melody – something that you can sing along to as if you’ve known it all your life. Throw in a neat brass section; some wonderfully arranged harmonies, and a collection of delightfully sunny guitar riffs. The four band members are: Niall Cullen – Bass and Vocal, Conor Deasy – Lead Guitar and Vocal, Aidan McKelvey – Guitar and Vocal, Bazz O’Reilly – Drums and Vocal.
In 2008 they were signed to Dublin label 1969 records, and their debut album ‘You Are My Friend’ was released in October ’09 with a sell-out launch night in Whelans. The band have made national appearances on the likes of RTE’s “Saturday Night With Miriam” and “The Cafe”, Having developed a strong reputation for their energetic live shows, some press comments attributed to The Gandhis include:
“A sweet delight….some of the catchiest pop tunes you’re likely to hear all year” Evening Herald,
“a great night out is always guaranteed at their gigs” News Of The World..
In the recent past they played three support slots with Declan O’Rourke at Dolan’s Warehouse in Limerick, The Róisín Dubh in Galway and The Killarney INEC, Saturday. Gandhis. The guys should have a new single out in early October watch out for that.
What’s happening at Lucan Festival 2011? – find out at our public meeting on Wednesday 29th of June.
The Lucan Festival committee are holding a public meeting on Wednesday 29th of June. With the festival just over 3 months away we would like to update residents on events currently planned for September. We welcome your views on what you liked and enjoyed last year and any thoughts you may have on events for this year’s festival. Last year over 5,000 people! enjoyed the Family Fun Day (Sunday) in glorious sunshine taking part in the many great free events throughout Lucan village.
We have already run a number of fund raising events, but we clearly have a long way to go to cover the costs of this year’s festival. We are currently contacting all businesses in the locality seeking their support. So come along next Wednesday evening and let us know what you think!
Lucan Festival Ireland official Blog 