Four Louth Communities to Host Festival in a Van This October
Harvest Sessions, a free two-day celebration of live music, creativity and community, will take place across County Louth this October. The event will bring Festival in a Van's unique mobile stage to four locations, creating accessible and welcoming arts experiences in the heart of local communities.
The Louth tour begins on Friday, 2 October, with a performance at 11am in Cooley Kickhams GFC, where local people and visitors can enjoy a morning of live music and entertainment. Later that day, the mobile stage will visit the Redeemer Family Resource Centre, Dundalk, with performances starting at 4pm.
On Saturday, 3 October, the programme moves to Drogheda, with performances at 1pm in Rathmullan Community House, and 4pm in Connect Family Resource Centre, Moneymore.
Local artists performing across the two-day programme include Theresa McKenna, Róisín Ward Morrow, Breifne Holohan and Emer Furlong. Additional programme details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Harvest Sessions is presented by Festival in a Van in partnership with Louth County Council. The initiative is funded through Creative Ireland Louth and supported by Age Friendly Louth and Louth Local Development.
The tour coincides with Positive Ageing Week and the start of Louth Social Inclusion Week, highlighting the role creativity can play in bringing people together, building connections and supporting community wellbeing.
Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said:
"Harvest Sessions is bringing live music and performance directly into our towns, villages and neighbourhoods. Not only does this initiative create opportunities for people of all ages to come together and enjoy shared experiences close to home it also provides a stage for some of our incredible home-grown talent.
"I would encourage everyone in the communities hosting Harvest Sessions to come along, bring a friend, family member or neighbour, and be part of these events. Whether you are a regular festival goer or simply looking to enjoy something different in your local area, there will be a warm welcome for all."
Seán McCluskey, Creative Communities Engagement Officer with Louth County Council, added:
"Harvest Sessions is a wonderful opportunity to bring creativity directly into communities across Louth and create shared experiences that are welcoming and accessible to everyone. Taking place during Positive Ageing Week and at the start of Louth Social Inclusion Week, the tour is about bringing people together to connect, enjoy live performance and share in something creative."
Jackie Nowell, Director of Festival in a Van, said:
"A big part of our work is bringing brilliant artists and live performance into places where people already gather, particularly reaching people who may not always have easy access to the arts. We work closely with local partners to shape each visit around the people and place, so every stop has its own character. We’re delighted to be visiting these four communities and are looking forward to two great days of music, performance and people coming together."
For updates and further information, follow Louth County Council and Creative Ireland Louth on social media.
Harvest Sessions – A Festival in a Van Community Tour
Friday, 2 October 2026
- 11am – Cooley Kickhams GFC, Cooley Peninsula
- 4pm – Redeemer Family Resource Centre, Dundalk
Saturday, 3 October 2026
- 1pm – Rathmullan Community House, Rathmullan Park, Drogheda
- 4pm – Connect Family Resource Centre, Moneymore, Drogheda
About Festival in a Van
Established in 2020, Festival in a Van is a mobile live arts initiative that brings free performances directly to communities. Whether it is a trad session outside a window, a classical concert on a village green or a theatre performance in a garden, the van travels nationwide, bringing live arts experiences to people across Ireland.
Festival in a Van focuses on meaningful engagement with communities that may face barriers to attending traditional arts venues. By bringing performances directly to where people live and gather, the initiative makes the arts more accessible and inclusive. Festival in a Van is Supported by Creative Ireland and the Arts Council and led by a team of arts professionals.
Harvest Sessions Artist’s Bios
Theresa McKenna: A singer-songwriter and pianist from Drogheda, Theresa has toured internationally with Best of Ireland and supported artists including Emma Langford, Síomha and Brian Kennedy. Her latest single Blue Eyes earned her a place on BBC Introducing Northern Ireland’s Sound of 2026, with BBC radio describing her as “someone you’d hear on Jools Holland’s New Year’s Hootenanny.”
Eimear Furlong: A country singer from Drogheda, Eimear is known for her distinctive voice, warm stage presence and love of traditional country music. She has performed for audiences across Ireland, the UK and USA, from festivals and country dances to community events and intimate gatherings. Her recent release Hell Hath No Fury showcases her fresh take on classic country storytelling.
Róisín Ward Morrow and Breifne Holohan: Louth musicians Róisín Ward Morrow and Breifne Holohan are long-time musical collaborators, bringing together Róisín’s fiddle and vocals with Breifne’s guitar and bouzouki. Rooted in Irish traditional and folk music, they have performed and recorded together for several years, including on Róisín’s acclaimed 2024 EP Whereon She Stands. Their music combines traditional songs and tunes with original compositions and a strong connection to the musical landscape of County Louth.