Ladies Night shines at Hawk’s Well Theatre

Last Sunday evening, the stage at the Hawk’s Well Theatre came alive for the theatre’s much-loved annual Ladies Night, a vibrant celebration of women in the arts held to mark International Women’s Day.

Now in its fourth year, the event was conceived and organised by Maeve McGowan, Head of Programming at the theatre, who once again brought together an outstanding lineup of performers for an evening filled with music, laughter, poetry, drama and dance. There was a recurring theme of family throughout the night, reflecting the strong tradition of the arts in Sligo - a legacy nurtured and passed on by teachers, parents, and grandparents to the next generation. This heartfelt focus on community made the evening not just a celebration of women in the arts, but a joyful recognition of the enduring cultural spirit that shapes and inspires Sligo’s creative life.

Hosted with warmth and wit by actor Pauline McLynn, the evening gathered a remarkable lineup of performers for a vibrant showcase of music, theatre, dance, poetry and comedy. The event has become a highlight of the theatre’s calendar, offering audiences a joyful and inspiring night that celebrates creativity, talent and community.

The evening opened energetically with a dynamic performance from the Sarah Middleton Dancers, setting the tone for a lively programme. As Pauline took to the stage, the audience was welcomed into a night filled with laughter, storytelling and unforgettable performances. Pauline interviewed her relations Bairbre and Margaret McLynn about the music passed on in their family and through McLynns pub. A short clip from Trevor Sweeney’s ‘Sligo Sounds’ documentary showed Bairbre, Donal and Paula McLynn performing on TV at the National Song Competition in 1972.

Throughout the first half, audiences were treated to a diverse mix of musical and theatrical moments. Sarah Crummy delivered a beautiful rendition of Lark in the Clear Air, while Maura Logue moved the crowd with her poignant piece My Daughter Will Not Wear This Dress. Musical theatre fans enjoyed Fun Company's Kerry Golding performing Loose Ends from The Witches of Eastwick, while spoken word artist Mairéad Heffron brought poetry to the stage.

Rock classics arrived courtesy of Rock of Ages who performed More Than Words and Heaven, while the vocal group Note-Orious 4 captivated the audience with a cappella renditions of Lean on Me and That’s What Friends Are For.

The second half continued the momentum with comedy, music and storytelling. The Merry Murderesses dazzled with their take on Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend, and comedy duo Niamh McGrath and Orla McSharry brought big laughs with their Medium Rare sketch.

Musical highlights included Carrie Oates of Coolera performing Songbird by Fleetwood Mac, Karen Gordon delivering a moving rendition of Still Hurting from The Last Five Years, followed by Fiona-Maria Fitzpatrick comedy sketch.

There were also moments of reflection and storytelling throughout the night. Jackie Maguire spoke about the Soil Story and Tiny Trees projects, while a powerful poem written especially for the night by Maggie Kilcoyne, Past Midnight, was read by Niamh McGrath. Traditional music lovers were treated to a beautiful set of tunes about tae and women... with a local flavour from Joanna Sweeney and Grainne Horan, blending whistle and fiddle.

As the evening drew to a close, performers returned to the stage for a joyful finale led by Sinead Conway, uniting everyone in celebration and song, highlighted by Maeve McGowan, Michelle Feeney, and Pauline McLynn’s moving rendition of the anti-war song Arm Dreamers. The theatre brimmed with music and applause - a fitting conclusion to a truly uplifting night.

Ladies Night once again proved why it remains such a cherished event at the Hawk’s Well, celebrating the creativity, talent and spirit of women across the arts while bringing audiences together for an unforgettable evening.