Text size
Greyscale
High contrast
From November 5-9, the 2025 Allingham Festival will bring a tapestry of ideas, films, theatre, music and high-profile guests to Ballyshannon. The five-day Festival programme includes 29 events in the Abbey Arts Centre and nearby venues, with topics ranging from international politics to book launches to fly-fishing.
Highlights of the 2025 Allingham Festival will include:
A Keynote Speech by Nelofer Pazira-Fisk, journalist and human rights activist who, along with her late husband Robert Fisk, has reported on war, politics and the colonial legacies that haunt the Middle East. Her topic could not possibly be more timely – “Age of Chaos: The New World Order” (Wed 5 Nov, 8:15 pm)
Allingdram – Remembering: Brian Friel – Excerpts from the plays, short stories and journalism of the beloved Donegal playwright on the tenth anniversary of his passing (Sun 9 Nov, 4:30 pm). Developed in cooperation with the Ballyshannon Drama Society and curated by Michael McMullin, the event will be complemented by an exhibit of Brian Friel memorabilia in the Ballyshannon Library.
Framed by these two exceptional events, the 2025 Allingham Festival programme offers a programme of performances, films, workshops and music to attract all interests:
Current Affairs and Ideas
Wednesday
Keynote Speech by Nelofer Pazira-Fisk – “Age of Chaos: The New World Order”
Thursday
History Ireland Hedge School – “Mapping Old Ballyshannon Town”
Friday
Fifth Court Podcast – Human rights lawyer Darragh Mackin, interviewed by Peter Leonard and Mark Tottenham
Saturday
“This is Not a Movie” – a biographical film of Robert Fisk by Nelofer Pazira-Fisk
Historian Paul O’Brien on Peadar O’Donnell
Sunday
RTÉ Broadcaster John Creedon in conversation with Sean Perry
Theatre
Lady Morgan and Lola Montez, performed by Marianne Fahy and Maura Logue
Paddy: The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong, performed by Don Wycherley
Allingdram – Remembering: Brian Friel
Writing and Literature
Reading - Sherrie Scott and the Mertales Poetry Group
Poetry Reading – Aideen Henry and Christine Hennemann
Creative Writing Workshop with Afric McGlinchey
The Literary Lunch
Allingham Poetry and Flash Fiction Awards
Book Launches by Trish Bennett and Afric McGlinchey
Primary School Writing and Art Awards
Poetry Chapbook Launch – The Weather on a Peninsula, by Winifred McNulty
Orwell-Award-Winning Author Donal Ryan in Conversation with Nuala O’Connor
Book Launch by Monica Corish – LeafLight Moon: A Novel of Prehistoric Ireland
Film
“TRAD” – a film by Lance Daly
“The Call of the Shannon” – a film by Bernie Masterson – plus “The Lost River - Remembering the Erne” – A nostalgic exhibition of historical fly-fishing equipment and memorabilia with Frankie McPhillips and Ken Ramsey
“Cast a Cold Eye...” – a film by Emer O’Shea
“The Last Bus” and “What the Island Gives” – films by Winifred McNulty and Emer O’Shea
Music
The Ballyshannon Samba Band
Colaiste Cholmcille Choir
Music in the Ballyshannon Community Hospital – John Meehan
Concert – featuring singer Shauna Mullin, guitarist Alan Colfer and the launch of a new album by Mark Langan
Choral Concert – St Anne’s Church
Open Mic Sessions
McIntyre’s Pub
Gather Again, with Conor Carney
Exhibitions
Wednesday & Friday
Brian Friel Memorabilia – Bundoran Library
Friday & Saturday
“The Lost River - Remembering the Erne” – a nostalgic exhibition of historical fly-fishing equipment and memorabilia with Frankie McPhillips and Ken Ramsey
Workshops
Tik Tok Workshop for Schools (by invitation)
Children’s Art Workshop with Christine Fox
Tik Tok Workshop for Local Businesses
Times and locations are detailed on the Allingham website www.allinghamfestival.com. Tickets for most Festival events can be purchased online at https://abbeycentre.ie or at the Abbey Box Office. To reserve a seat in the Afric McGlinchey creative writing workshop, send email to allinghamfest@gmail.com
Key to map
Please select categories you wish to view on the map.