NEAR FM atteneded our Community Festival on March 26th at the Plaza in Ballymun. While they were there they recorded interviews with our Director Dermot King as well as some of the artists performing at the event. NEAR FM have now posted a podcast of the interviews which can be found here. Amongst the artists featured in the podcast are Colm Quearney, who helped programme the festival and hip-hop group Street Literature.
Photos from our 30th Anniversary Events
Here is a small selection of photographs from our 30th anniversary events. There are also hundreds of photographs uploaded to our Facebook page. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who got involved in our events, helped in their organisation, and came along and offered their support.
Dean Scurry – one of the artists whose work featured in the ‘BYAP 30 Years’ art exhibition – pictured with his painting ‘Bloke’ at the launch of our 30th anniversary programme of events
BYAP staff members Mairead Kavanagh and Ann Marie Hughes pictured at the launch of the 30th anniversary programme of events, alongside artwork produced by BYAP clients
The artwork developed by BYAP clients – working with local artist John Duffy, axis Ballymun and facilitator Dean Scurry – as a result of the public art project organised as part of the 30th anniversary events
Participants in the public art project organised as part of our programme of 30th anniversary events
Local school-children warming up in advance of their performance for President Mary McAleese during her visit to BYAP’s premises
President McAleese arriving at BYAP’s premises. Gina Quinn and BYAP’s Chairperson, Joe Merry, accompany her indoors.
President McAleese helps to plant a rose-bush, which will grow in our courtyard to commemorate all those with links to BYAP who have died over the past 30 years
President McAleese is given a tour of the ‘BYAP 30 Years’ art exhibition by one of the exhibition curators, local artist John Duffy
President McAleese meets members of the local community at the opening event
President McAleese meets members of the local community at the opening event
Owen O’Grady presents President McAleese with a bouquet of flowers at the opening event
Artists Paddy Kavanagh and Fiona Ginnell, whose work was included in the ‘BYAP 30 Years’ exhibition, pictured at the exhibition opening event
Exhibition curators John Duffy and Guggi pictured at the opening event, along with John’s daughter, Erin
Local TDs John Lyons and Dessie Ellis pictured at the opening event
Exhibition curators John Duffy and Guggi pictured with ‘My Man Bob’ by Christy, a BYAP client, at the art exhibition opening event
Peter Cassells, conference Chair; John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy; Sunniva Finlay, Manager of Ballyfermot STAR; and Joe Merry, Chairperson of BYAP, pictured in Dublin Castle for our conference on substance misuse
Fr. Peter McVerry speaking at our conference on substance misuse, which was held in Dublin Castle and took place as part of our 30th anniversary programme of events
Delegates at the conference
Conference speakers Joe Merry, Chairperson of BYAP; Fr. Peter McVerry; Professor Joe Barry; Dr. Mary Ellen McCann; and Chris Flood
Enjoying the community festival, held at the plaza in Ballymun as part of our 30th anniversary programme of events
Street Literature performing at our community festival
Local children enjoying the free face-painting and balloon art
Listening to the performances on the main stage
Our Director, Dermot King (on the right), being interviewed by NEAR FM at the event
The lead singer of The Unknown pictured during their performance at the community festival
Local singer-songwriter Garry O’Brien performing at the community festival
(Photographs by Marc O’Sullivan, www.marcosullivan.ie).
Great Turnout for Community Festival
Local singer-songwriter Niall O’Shea performing at the event
There was a great turnout for our community festival at the plaza in Ballymun on Saturday, with approximately 500 people attending the event over the course of the afternoon. With free face-painting and entertainment from the clown Janey Mac on offer for younger members of the audience – and a fantastic line-up of performers on the main stage – the day was hugely enjoyable, with a great atmosphere throughout.
We would like to thank the local Gardaí, Dublin City Council, Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. and axis Ballymun for their cooperation and assistance in relation to this event. We would also like to thank all those who came along on the day and, in particular, all those who took part, performed and helped to make the day a success!
Stage Times for Community Festival Tomorrow
The stage times for our community festival, taking place tomorrow at the plaza in Ballymun, have now been confirmed. Christy Dignam and Joe Jewell from Aslan will open the event at 12 noon. They will be followed on-stage by a whole host of performers, all of whom have strong links to Ballymun. With samba, rock, hip-hop, rap, R’n’B and lots more on offer, there should be something to please everyone! The event will be MCed by well-known local stand-up comedians, Dean Scurry and Eric Lalor. Free facepainting will also be on offer, as well as children’s entertainment, with a clown wandering around the venue to keep younger members of the audience amused.
To see the times at which all acts will perform, please click here.
PLEASE NOTE: This event is open to the public, free of charge. This is a family-focused event, and a strict ‘no alcohol’ policy will be enforced.