Just confirmed as Guest Artists for August OMN 'The Woodbees' Ukulele and singalong band! 

Talented ladies Elma Mc Eneaney and Pauline McDonald front this exciting local group along with organising the ever popular 'Orchard Ukes'. So get your singing voices in order for Friday night and come down to Abbey Lane Theatre Armagh for a night of music, song, poetry and craic. Doors open 7.45pm £5 at door. Slots 5mins on stage under lights with a supportive audience to entertain , BYOB ,Raffle prizes and much more!

 Racquel McKee Poet and Educationalist

Dennis McCloskey: The singing Taxi Driver

What a cracking John Hewitt International Space Station of an Open Mic we had in Abbey Lane this year.

To quote the two Ronnies intro ‘and in a packed programme tonight…’ we had poets and writers, musicians and yarnspinners, singers and storytellers and a three ball juggler telling jokes.

Our talented contributors were POETS; Yvonne Boyle, Stan Galloway, Jay Rafferty, Ger Duffy, Nichole Yurcaba, Raquel McKee, Damien B Donnelly, Siobhan Flynn, Mollie Maguire, John Henderson, Sandra McD-Hill, Rachel Toner, Daniel Bacon and in abstention Dymphna Ferran.

SINGERS/MUSICIANS;  Theo Sinton, Sandra McD-Hill, Thomas Healy, Dennis McCloskey and Conchar White.

WRITERS/YARNS/STORYTELLERS; Therese Morgan, Joy Redmond, Mark Brownlee, Louis Graham and Adrian Millar.

 Our first ever Juggling comedian Brendan Fahy and by no means least our GUEST ARTIST for the night COLIN (Loud jacket) HASSARD who regaled us with his acerbic wit and humour in his unique poetic style.

Thanks also to our audience for their warm reception to all our artists. To Sandra our outdoor Box Office receptionist who squeezed all those fivers off you. To members of Armagh Theatre Group who helped with setting up and clearing away and lastly John Hewitt International Summer School for allowing us to be a small part of such an iconic week in  Armagh City’s calendar.

Our next Open Mic is on 25^th August Abbey Lane Theatre in the heart of old Armagh City 8pm.

Poet: Damien B Donnelly

Brendan Fahy, Juggler and Jokes (at the same time)

This month's winners are presented by Rachel Toner

Top prize £30 goes to Ellen McKenna; 'I wish' topic.

Jenny Murray ( Highly commended);  'Nostalgic memories' topic

Eugene Dugan-Bause (Highly commended); 'Mental health' topic 

'BORDER TALK'  - Expression of Interest Form

For further information on Border Talk or this Expression of Interest form, please contact Colleen Savage, Project Coordinator on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Please share! A new accredited storytelling course for folk in Armagh and Monaghan - free! https://bit.ly/446rwRe

Back row L to R. Tutor Aisling Kelly; Ava Farrell, Gerald McKinney, Siadhal O'Connor;

Middle row Lto R. Molly Feeney; Olivia Brady; James Brady; Caitlin Dickson;

Front row L to R. Chloe Steeson; Aoife Brennan; Sean Toner and TutorAdam Trotter .

Performances of 'Treading the Boards' in Abbey Lane Theatre last weekend to full houses. This group of very talented young actors are the first class of our Armagh Youth Theatre Group started in 2022. The future looks bright for Armagh Theatre Group.

This year's JHISS will have its official launch in the Market Place Theatre 4pm 21st June.

As members of Armagh Theatre Group you are all most welcome to this important event in Armagh's calendar.

Launched by ABC's Lord Mayor Alderman Margaret Tinsley , members of the JHISS board and guests will gather for the famous photo shoot in the new foyer. 

Put the date in your diary and come along to show your support for this world renowned week long Summer School based in our own historical city.

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This month's three topics for our 30-3-30 competition are

1) 'I wish'      2) Mental health      3) Nostalgic Memories   (30 words;3 topics; £30 winner prize)

Submisssions to be in by Friday June 23rd midnight. Results announced at our Open Mic on 30th in Abbey Lane Theatre, Armagh.

Contact details in body of email. Titled poem in attachment with no personal details. Title of work not included in 30 words. Word doc etc no PDF’s

RULES:  Judge’s decisions are final. Winner takes all. £30 star prize and Highly commendable certificates for runners up.

*One poem per submission on one subject. Submitting for each topic is allowed on separate attachments.

 *Original unpublished work.    Format open.

*Winner announced at next Open Mic (last Friday of month), also 2 Highly Commended certificates presented.

 *Reading by author on the night, when possible, and cash prize presented.

  *Winning work showcased on our website (copyright remains with the author).

Our guest artist Sinead McKenna got the night off to a brilliant start showing all of her musical and singing talents to another packed Abbey Lane last Friday.

Such a hard act to follow but Sandra McDonnell-Hill leapt at the opportunity to point out the irritating 

lean towards pomposity some 'famous' poets persist on expressing through their work. Well said Sandra.

Once again we had a wonderful mix of acts throughout the evening poets, storytellers, musicians, singers comics and 'poems and poise' presented by Thomas Healy at the evenings end.

They were Jacqui Ruddell,Mark Brownlee, Matthew Toner, John Henderson and Jay Rafferty all poets. Peter McAnespie,Steven Butler, Theo Sinton all singer songwriter musicians. John McAndrew storyteller, Matt McCullough stand-up comic and lastly possibly a new genre Thomas with his drawings and odes. 

Along with our fabulous raffle and poetry competition presentation a great night was had and all for £5! Next month's ,June 30th and a new guest artist awaits.

Comic Matt McCullough

We are delighted to announce the results of our In House poetry competition for May.

Winner of the prize money was Jay Rafferty and Highhly Commended Jacqui Ruddell. Absent for the presentation and also

recipients of certificates Mollie Maguire and Stephen McStravick. Many congratulations to all who participated 

June's 3 topics are;  1) 'I Wish'      2) Mental Health   3) Nostalgic Memories.

All the usual rules apply, 30 words, 3 topic and £30 prize money. Send entrants to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your titled submissions on attachments. Pick one topic or all three and submissions must be in by Friday 23rd June midnight.

All finalists work posted on our website and Social media pages remains the writers property.

Snobbery by Jay Rafferty

A stain glass snout snorts

wet over the town. Contemptuous,

holier than thou, a pedigree of mortar

and sandstone. Like its clear glassed

siblings weren’t hewn in the same quarry.

******************    

Hello by Jacqui Ruddell

“Hello mum,

It’s late, I cannot sleep, 

My heart feels numb

I’ve tried counting sheep

Now you are gone

I message your phone;

‘Wish you knew

I sorely miss you’” 

******************************  

• 1) HOME ;   by Mollie Maguire

Just Getting Home

Aroma of Sunday roast fills the air.

Laughter bellowing throughout the house.

Witnessing smiles released from faces.

Rapidly wrapped in loving arms.

Scrumptious flavours enrapture my taste buds.

I’m home. 

********************************  

GOOD AND EVIL.  by Stephen McStravick

LOCK UP YOUR CHILDREN

IT’S EVIL WITH A “ D”

DEVIL’S MUSIC.

COTTON BLACK POOR BLUES

JUMPED THE FIELDS AND CAME TO TOWN.

THE RIGHTEOUS WHITE ARE ALL SHOOK UP

AHUH-HUH !