Hawk’s Well's New Brochure Arrives 2025
We at Hawk’s Well Theatre are delighted to unveil our brand-new brochure, packed with an inspiring season of events running from September to December 2025 - and it’s out now! Featuring all the incredible shows and events taking place during the coming months, the booklet is available to pick up at the theatre, at locations all over Sligo, and to view or download at www.hawkswell.com.
Our new Autumn/Winter Brochure promises a season full of energy, imagination, and unforgettable experiences. Bursting with live performances from local talent and acclaimed touring artists, along with community celebrations, workshops, and festive family favourites, this vibrant programme truly offers something for everyone.
Three standout highlights include Hawk’s Well Theatre’s
own productions; B O Y and Two Sisters, along with launch of Project Lighthouse. And the continuation of the Lunchtime at the Well series offers audiences free midweek concerts showcasing traditional, jazz, folk and world music.
From 23rd October to 2nd November, Sligo Live celebrates its 20th anniversary with an exciting programme showcasing the very best of international and Irish talent.
And as Christmas approaches, audiences can look forward to two very special festive productions: Glitchmas, a Hawk’s Well
family comedy with a high-tech twist, and the much-loved community panto Mother Goose from Coolera Dramatic Society.
As always, community is the beating heart of our theatre. With new workshops, creative courses, and our inclusive SHINE programme, we continue to celebrate voices from all walks of life.
THEATRE
This September, Ballaghadereen Players bring John B. Keane’s The Field to life, exploring the deep ties between land and identity. Padraig Potts by Seamus O’Rourke follows a young man’s coming of age in rural Ireland, filled with innocence and heart. Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party takes audiences on a journey of love and obsession, inspired by Chekhov’s ‘The Kiss’.
September also marks the premiere of B O Y: An Unforgettable Life in Words and Music, featuring two Irish brothers: Leonard Barry, a renowned uilleann piper based in Sligo, and Damian Gorman, one of the country’s most respected poets and playwrights. Together, they will bring the heart of a nationally significant story to the stage for the very first time.
Into October, Two Sisters is a duo of powerfully evocative musical portraits, inspired by the enigmatic Gore Booth sisters, Constance and Eva. Two Sisters transcends genres and expectations in a groundbreaking fusion of new music with original texts, adapted for performance. Set in the beautiful surrounds of Juniper Barn, this unique experience is one you will not want to miss.
Also in October, Sligo audiences will enjoy the atmospheric Night Joe Dolan’s Car Broke Down, a stormy-night pub tale filled with music and humour. Pat Kinevane’s award-winning Silent returns with its unforgettable story of McGoldrig and the wounds of the past, and Belfast Girls also takes to Hawk’s Well stage, a powerful feminist play about five young women emigrating during the Famine.
And in December, 3 Hail Marys closes the year with laughter and poignancy, telling the story of three women with memory loss whose bonds are unbreakable.
THEATRE/SCHOOLS
Passionate performances and striking stage images combine with dazzling film in terrifying technicolour by Dara McCluskey to guarantee a memorable piece of multimedia theatre for schools from 5th Class upwards as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein takes to the stage in October.
PROJECT LIGHTHOUSE LAUNCH
Join us at the Hawk’s Well Theatre on the International Day of Peace as we illuminate Project Lighthouse, a powerful exploration of what peace means to the generation born after the Good Friday Agreement. The event features a keynote from Linda Ervine, community leader and advocate for cross-community understanding, and an Artist Spotlight with Raymond Watson, renowned for his work on peace, conflict, and visual arts. Attendees will also be introduced to our cross-border artists tasked with delivering Project Lighthouse, followed by a free screening of Lyra, the compelling documentary about journalist Lyra McKee. Experience a day of reflection, creativity, and dialogue as we celebrate peace in all its forms.
MUSIC
Music lovers are in for a treat with a wide array of genres on offer. September begins with A Night at the Opry, celebrating country legends with Claudia Buckley, John Hogan, and Johnny Brady, followed by Mack Fleetwood, a magical tribute to Fleetwood Mac. West African kora master Seckou Keita brings his award-winning artistry, while Live Forever delivers Oasis hits for fans of Britpop nostalgia. Towards the end of September Plight of the Bumble Bee combines film and live Irish music in a unique tribute to bees, and then as we head into October Mairin Mannion’s album launch Seer offers intimate, nature-inspired songs.
October also opens with Bell X1’s sold-out acoustic concert, followed by CLADA, a fresh take on Irish folk. Then hear all the hits from artists like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Go West, Paul Young, Phil Collins, Nik Kershaw and many more, played to perfection by 7-piece live touring act 80’s Icons Show.
As Sligo Live kicks off for its 20th Festival Anniversary, jazz innovator Daniel Herskedal presents his world-class trio, while US singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier brings heartfelt songs alongside guest Jaimee Harris. Finnish bluegrass rockers Steve N Seagulls promise foot-stomping fun, while Frazey Ford shares her soulful voice. The North Atlantic Drift, a natural, unifying force connecting Scotland, Ireland and the Canadian east coast, bring people and traditions together as part of Hawk’s Well’s Trad@Lunch series. And at the end of October, folk legend Luka Bloom performs with Sabrina Dinan, and Cathy Jordan’s Crankie Island honours musical traditions through songs and visuals.
November highlights include the Máirtín O’Connor Trio, Declan O’Rourke’s 20th anniversary of Since Kyabram, country favourite Gerry Guthrie with guests, and the powerful harmonies of White Horse Guitar Club. Lisa Lambe’s Nightvisiting blends folklore and song, while Sligo native Nils Kavanagh launches his debut jazz album. Audiences can also look forward to the ever-popular Theme Night Social, the legendary Mary Coughlan in concert, and the high-octane Rock Rising show celebrating classic rock. The month ends with The Ennio Morricone Experience and ABBA Forever Christmas Show.
December rounds things off with festive cheer from Christmas Toons, the 20th anniversary of Rumbatism, and a nostalgic recreation of Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged with In Bloom.
And join us every Wednesday from September through to November as we continue our weekly inclusive music sessions with Lunchtime at the Well, spotlighting talented local and visiting musicians.
FESTIVALS
All-island for all, and always free! One of the country’s largest cultural events, Culture Night invites people all over Ireland to celebrate the arts and experience something special. On 19th September Sinéad Conway is calling all Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo fans who love to sing to unleash their inner pop-star in a fun-filled Pop Singalong for kids.
Born of fragile hope, come see some striking artwork by artist Raymond Watson who presents over 30 bronze hand-casts of political leaders who negotiated the Good Friday Agreement. Mounted on three granite stones, it features figures such as Gerry Adams, John Hume, David Trimble, Monica McWilliams, and David Ervine - former opponents who chose dialogue over division to reach common ground.
And the Change Your Mind Festival returns for a full day of free mental health and well-being talks, wellness sessions, and family-friendly activities in October. Hear from Dr. Harry Barry on anxiety and emotional resilience, Shane Casey on personal growth and self-worth, and Daniella Moyles on mental health and self-care, plus lots more.
COMEDY
Laughter takes centre stage in September with Anne Gildea’s hilarious Further Adventures in WOMANING, Conal Gallen’s riotous Off Your Trolley, and as part of Sligo Live in October Joel Dommett’s stand-up special Happy Idiot while Dylan Moran’s DOLLA HO delivers his trademark lyrical humour. Al Porter returns in November with Algorithm blending wit and heart. And for schools, Ger Carey’s Psycho Spaghetti takes a comic dive into the teenage mind.
MUSICALS
Musical theatre fans will be thrilled by Matilda Jr. in November, presented by Sligo Fun Company, packed with energy and unforgettable songs, and Hawk’s Well’s very own festive comedy Glichtmas, where SantyBot and Claus-GPT threaten to glitch Christmas into chaos.
DANCE
For schools, REVERB fuses dance and live music in an electrifying performance about legacy and connection. And Ballet Ireland’s Cinderella
dazzles with a 1950s New York setting in November, weaving romance and resilience into the timeless tale.
OPERA
As part of the Sligo Baroque Festival, Murder at Midnight premieres - a sparkling short opera set at a New Year’s Eve ball, created by a new generation of young opera-makers.
PANTO
The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without Coolera Dramatic Society’s Mother Goose, a family favourite filled with music, laughter, and festive cheer.
TALKS & LITERARY
Storytelling and ideas shine throughout the season. Between Dog & Wolf sees Tommy Tiernan and Martin Shaw weave dreamlike tales, while Clare Murphy’s The Spanking Goddess & Other Discarded Tales dives into myth and mischief. Jennifer Rees explores shocking true crime in Strange but TRUE CRIME, and Blindboy brings his acclaimed podcast to the live stage. In November, Manchán Magan’s Arán & Im combines bread-baking and the beauty of the Irish language.
FOR KIDS & FAMILIES
Children and families can enjoy a wealth of magical experiences this season. Jackula mixes magic and juggling in a fun Halloween show, while The Speks bring nursery rhymes to life with Irish music also in October. Into November, The Adventures of Shay Mouse delights young audiences with storytelling and songs, while Christmas Toons brings festive favourites to life with Sligo’s finest musicians in December. Little ones can join in Santa Babies for a magical music moment, or discover gentle wonder in Tiny Apple and Tiny Samhain. Babies can also experience the dreamlike dance show Shimmer in September.
Creative workshops in the coming months also include Drama at the Well courses for toddlers and children, Culture Night Pop Singalong with Sinéad Conway, and a Halloween Family Drama Adventure with Artist in Residence Niamh McGrath. The new year brings an electrifying weekend of high-energy music, movement and supernatural flair with K-Pop Demon Academy, inspired by the Netflix smash hit K-Pop Demon Hunters.
TAKE PART – WORKSHOPS & COMMUNITY
Adults can develop new skills with Storycraft with Brian Leyden in September, Isabel Claffey leads Acting for Adults running from September into October, as does Ukulele Lessons with Lisa Cannon and Comedy and Improvisation with Terry Markey, and walk through the entire short film process with How to Make a Short Film led by Caroline Harvey. Ursula McHugh returns with The Creative Path in October, Megan O’Kelly hosts Embodied Presence for performers, and Dave Flynn’s Sing For The Hell Of It continues its popular singalong nights running from October to December. Cultural Companions offers acting workshops and social gatherings on the last Friday of every month, while Sligo Community Orchestra, led by Niamh Crowley, invites musicians to join in a relaxed, collaborative setting.
That’s just a taste of what’s to come this Autumn/Winter! There’s something for everyone at Hawk’s Well Theatre this season, so pick up the new brochure today.
Full details of all Hawk’s Well events are available online, and in the new brochure. For ticketing, visit the website or call the box office on 071 916 1518.