Riverbank Arts Centre

Riverbank Arts Centre Welcome to Riverbank Arts Centre page! Here you'll find all the lastest on our programme of events from theatre, music, literature, cinema....
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Riverbank Arts Centre is County Kildare’s Arts Centre; it is based in Newbridge which is less than 45 minutes from Dublin city centre. Riverbank Arts Centre hosts a programme of local, national and international productions including theatre, music, opera, comedy and visual arts. The venue comprises of a 180 seat auditorium, a children’s gallery, a contemporary gallery hosting both local national

and international artists and a café. Riverbank Arts Centre is a member of Nomad Theatre Network which furthers the development of the performing arts in the North Midlands region and extend the parameters of regional, national and international performances available to venues and their audiences; Riverbank Arts Centre is also a member of Strollers Touring Network which is a network of 10 Theatre/Arts Centre venues located across Ireland. It is currently the largest touring network in the country. This enables the center to bring the best of national theatre to the county of Kildare while also providing visitors to Kildare the opportunity to stay in the county and see some of the best produced theatre, music, comedy and opera on our stage. The art house cinema at Riverbank Arts Centre is now a full digital system supported by Cill Dara Ar Aghaidh which is financed by the Irish Government under the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013 and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in Rural Areas. It has proved to be an invaluable part of the centre, programing high quality art house films and more recent releases.

Blame Game by Kundle Cru Friday 17 October, 7pmTickets €15/€12Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873656151/ev...
30/07/2025

Blame Game by Kundle Cru

Friday 17 October, 7pm
Tickets €15/€12
Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873656151/events

Blame Game explores the dirty politics of scapegoating. Sometimes we're feeling a pressure cooker of emotions and we need to let off steam.

But what happens when that involves unfairly blaming others?

Join us for a day in the life of a group of office workers trying to climb the greasy pole of success, competing for the attention of their nightmare boss.

International circus and dance group Kundle Cru fuse breakdancing, juggling, Chinese pole and contemporary dance to create a high-energy, highly physical show with some great comic moments.

Featuring well known Dublin based contemporary and urban dancer Mateusz Szczerek of D2C LAB and Human Collective.

“Gorgeous sequences of dance” The Irish News

Suitable for 7 years upward

Running time: 1 hour

This tour has been funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and produced by Ireland.

Created with funding from the Arts Council with additional support from Crying Out Loud, La Verrerie d’Alès Pole National Cirque Occitanie, France; 101 Arts Creation Space, UK; CircusStad Holland; Cheptel Aleïkoum, France; Het Klooster, Holland; Karlsruhe Atoll Festival.

Photo credit: Alice Underwood

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘀𝘁Saturday 6 September, 8pmTickets €20/€18Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/87365438...
30/07/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘀𝘁

Saturday 6 September, 8pm
Tickets €20/€18
Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873654388/events/128591673/seats

by Oisín Flores Sweeney
Directed by Geoff Gould
Starring Seamus O'Rourke and Joan Sheehy

Tony and Sheila are watching television... again. Their children are reared, and their grandchildren are invading their lives. Sheila wants to travel; Tony is determined to stay put. Tony is on a new diet; Sheila could cut you in two with a sharp comment. All that's on the television is s*x... and they can’t remember when they did it last! Oisín Flores Sweeney’s debut play is an hilarious piece of theatre that looks at how couples negotiate life after the kids leave, their dreams, disappointments, longings and uncompromising opinions on everything - Gogglebox on speed!

The Empty Nest debuted at Smock Alley as a work-in-progress as part of the Scene + Heard Festival of New Work last year, before embarking on sellout runs at Cork Arts Theatre and The Viking Theatre in Dublin. Directed by Geoff Gould, it stars Irish Times Theatre Award nominee Seamus O’Rourke (Lakelands), alongside established actor and director Joan Sheehy (An Cailín Ciúin).

️️️️'hugely funny, uncomfortably accurate, and comedically sharp' - THE ARTS REVIEW️️️️
'This wonderful little comedy is a perfect match of humour and heart' - THE REVIEWS HUB
'The humanity of this pair is winning and inviting' - IRISH INDEPENDENT
'a gentle exploration of a marriage as it continues into its maturity... makes for an enjoyable evening' - NO MORE WORKHORSE

Photo credit: Marcin Lewandowski

We hope to be back to business ASAP!
30/07/2025

We hope to be back to business ASAP!

Design an Anime Character with Amy Louise O’CallaghanSaturday 27 September, 10am (7-9 years) & 12pm (10-12 years)Tickets...
30/07/2025

Design an Anime Character with Amy Louise O’Callaghan

Saturday 27 September, 10am (7-9 years) & 12pm (10-12 years)
Tickets €10
Book
10am - https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873657101/events
12pm - https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873657103/events

Japanese anime and manga are known for their distinctive character designs, featuring large, expressive eyes, complicated hair styles and exaggerated expressions. In this introductory workshop, participants will learn how to draw a basic Anime-style face, which can be used to develop their own character or to create a unique self-portrait. Throughout the workshop, participants are encouraged to give their characters a back-story and think about the decisions they are making as they draw their characters. Is the character happy? Are they sad? Why so?

On completion of the workshop, each participant will have created their own character, and in turn will have developed their individual drawing skills, shaping their awareness of line, shape and form, as well as move further towards a stylistic expression rather than realistic. Through developing backstories for their characters, participants will explore their own story-creating abilities and will feel prompted to think about these decisions when engaging with their favourite manga and graphic novels.

10am - 7-9 years
12pm - 10-12 years
Duration: 1 hour

Emma DoranEmmaculate𝑳𝑨𝑺𝑻 𝑭𝑬𝑾 𝑻𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑻𝑺Saturday 8 November, 8pmTickets €28Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873...
29/07/2025

Emma Doran
Emmaculate

𝑳𝑨𝑺𝑻 𝑭𝑬𝑾 𝑻𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑻𝑺

Saturday 8 November, 8pm
Tickets €28
Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873655081/events

Smash hit Irish comedian, best-selling author, podcast host and viral online star Emma Doran hits the road once again taking her brand-new stand-up show Emmaculate across the UK and Ireland in 2025/26.
There's no such thing as a perfect family, but Emma wouldn't want one anyway...

The many trials and tribulations of Emma’s blended family are laid bare in this witty, rambunctious show from one of Ireland’s most beloved stand-ups. Strap in for a night to remember, jam-packed with razor-sharp observations, riotous on-stage antics and conspiratorial gossipmongering.

As seen and heard on No Worries If Not! (RTÉ 2), The Tommy Tiernan Show (RTÉ 1), LOL: Last One Laughing (Prime Video) hosted by Graham Norton, The Late Late Show (RTÉ), Celebrity Gogglebox (Virgin Media One), Modern Love (Prime Video) alongside Kit Harington, The Deirdre O’Kane Show (SKY), Bridget and Eamon (RTÉ), Callan Kicks (RTÉ), Republic Of Telly (RTÉ) and Irelands Fittest Family (RTÉ), while her podcast credits include: You’re Grounded with daughter Ella, And Another Thing! with Muireann O’ Connell and the four-part series Mischief Makers.

Emma currently co-hosts the podcast Keep It Tight alongside fellow stand-up and LOL: Last One Laughing contestant Deirdre O’Kane.

Emma is also author of best-selling book, Mad, Isn’t It? (published in 2024).

“End-to-end laughs… you’d be mad to miss her” Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard ★★★★
“Wickedly funny” Brian Logan, The Guardian
"Uproariously funny... a fiercely accomplished and fully formed talent" Jay Richardson, The Reviews Hub ★★★★
“One of the funniest humans I’ve ever encountered” Joanne McNally
“A legend… one of the greats” Brett Goldstein

Age guidance: 14+ years

LemonSoap Productions PresentsBoyfriendsSaturday 1 November, 8pmTickets €20/€18Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/s...
29/07/2025

LemonSoap Productions Presents
Boyfriends

Saturday 1 November, 8pm
Tickets €20/€18
Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873656176/events

Following a three month affair between two anonymous men, Boyfriends charts the ups and downs and roundabouts of a modern situationship. As they swing through four million one hundred and ninety one thousand possibilities of what they might mean to one another, through time, s*x, Madonna songs, nightclubs, period dramas and calorie counting, Boyfriends asks us to ponder on that age old question: what the f*ck is romance anyway?

Don’t miss the return of this 5 star sold out smash hit from LemonSoap Productions, as they hit the road for their first national tour!

“Smart, raw, and above all, hilarious…a thoroughly entertaining and poignant experience.”
The Irish Times ★★★★
“Boyfriends is one of the best, if not the best, new plays of 2024.”
The Arts Review ★★★★★

Trigger warning
This production contains mentions of disordered eating, suicidal ideation and bereavement.

For ages 14+ years
Duration: 85 mins
Photo by Samuel Casey

ABBA Sensations Thursday 11 December, 8pmTickets €28Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873656347/eventsA fant...
29/07/2025

ABBA Sensations

Thursday 11 December, 8pm
Tickets €28
Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873656347/events

A fantastic tribute to ABBA featuring all of the ABBA classics, brilliantly performed with stunning vocals, beautiful harmonies, musicianship and musical arrangement.

This must see show features choreographed dance routines, and fabulous costumes in a dynamic and dazzling performance. Relive the magic of a live ABBA concert that had entertained audiences nationwide, taking them on a nostalgic journey recreating that special ABBA sound so loved by fans everywhere.

As one of the most successful ABBA tribute bands, you can expect a spectacular show capturing the magic and excitement of one of the most popular and entertaining bands.

Arán & Im by Manchán Magan Saturday 22 November, 8pmTickets €23Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873656013/e...
28/07/2025

Arán & Im by Manchán Magan

Saturday 22 November, 8pm
Tickets €23
Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873656013/events

Manchán Magan bakes sourdough bread for 75 minutes while offering insights into the wonders of the Irish language – exploring potent words of landscape, terms of intuition and insight, and the many phrases that bring to life the mysterious glory of our natural world. The show is a celebration of language, land and local Irish food, with freshly-baked bread for the audience to spread with butter they churn themselves. (Knowledge of Irish is not required.)

Photos by Ros Kavanagh

Cat Crainn agus Madraí Uisce made a stop into - thank you to everyone who visited!We're thrilled to be able to share t...
28/07/2025

Cat Crainn agus Madraí Uisce made a stop into - thank you to everyone who visited!

We're thrilled to be able to share this exhibition, which explores words for nature and our connection with the natural world, around Kildare County. Featuring illustrations by Corrina Askin and audio by Manchán Magan, the exhibition will travel to The Linenhall, Castlebar later this year.

Co-commissioned by Riverbank Arts Centre, Linenhall Arts Centre and Kildare Library Service.

Inni-K Thursday 30 October, 8pmTickets €20/€18Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873655579/eventsJoin Inni-K ...
28/07/2025

Inni-K

Thursday 30 October, 8pm
Tickets €20/€18
Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873655579/events

Join Inni-K and her band live - in celebration of her fourth studio album.

Renowned for her ever-evolving sonic landscapes and creative vision, Inni-K returns with the launch of her fourth studio album — a powerful new collection of nine original songs.

This album marks a bold evolution in Inni-K’s sound: at times quieter, deeper, and more reflective than before — yet still free, wild, and tuned into moments of pure ecstasy. There’s a sense of flow through these songs — experiences lived and transformed, expressed in ethereal vocals, intricate instrumentation, and the golden threads of a voice discovering new depths. Her fiddle takes on a more central role through the album too, with gutsy, bold playing that weaves a raw energy into the heart of the sound.

“Luminous, light and dark... Rich with moments that will astonish you and melodies you won’t want to stop hearing or singing.”

Birds fly through it — sometimes the bright flash of goldfinches, sometimes pigeons perched on the roof of a Dublin train station. The music is studded with stars, rippling with lakewater, and alive with a kind of longing and movement — something quietly powerful still transmitting, like depth charges felt long after they’ve landed. And beneath it all, loss lightly worn, a quiet presence that neither drags nor disappears, but simply is.

Join Inni-K and her band for what promises to be a radiant evening of live music, as they share this new work alongside beloved favourites from her past releases, including the acclaimed contemporary sean-nós album Iníon (2022).

It’s a night to witness an artist at the height of her craft — a celebration of music’s power to delight, move, and transform.

We are delighted to share that The Maker by Dan Colley will be part of Dublin Theatre Festival!Drexel, an idealist inven...
28/07/2025

We are delighted to share that The Maker by Dan Colley will be part of Dublin Theatre Festival!

Drexel, an idealist inventor and his quietly brilliant servant, Pipe, are trying to invent something extraordinary — from absolutely nothing.

The Maker invites audiences into a world full of visual surprises, physical comedy, and strange magical experiments that teeter between brilliance and disaster.

From the team that created the world-touring hit show A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings and Barabbas co-founder Raymond Keane, comes this brilliantly playful new show inspired by Beckett, Borges, and Buster Keaton.

Catch it at Draiocht Blanchardstown this October!

The Maker is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and co-produced by Riverbank Arts Centre and Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre.

Photo by Ste Murray

27/07/2025

An Táin Arts Centre and Quintessence Theatre Present
Belfast Girls

Wednesday 5 & Thursday 6 November, 8pm
Tickets €20/€18
Book: https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/shows/873656135/events

"We have this one an’ only chance. An’ in all the kingdom of Ireland aren’t we – us women – aren’t we damned lucky to be getting out of it?”

Set in 1850, Belfast Girls tells the story of five fierce young women who face their dark pasts on a ship bound for Australia, as they leave Belfast in search of a better life. Confined in close quarters in the belly of the ship, they embark on a tumultuous sea journey as they sail away from their homeland. Secrets are revealed, enemies made, and it becomes clear that no matter where they go, there is no escaping the past.

***

An award-winning feminist play based on a true piece of largely untold Irish history Jaki McCarrick’s Belfast Girls follows the story of five fierce young Irish women aboard the Inchinnan travelling from Belfast to Australia during the Famine in the desperate hope of a new life abroad. But the further from home they voyage the more each of them comes to realise they cannot escape their pasts, nor the seemingly universal subjugation of their gender. Over the long ship journey the women form intense bonds, and life-changing secrets are revealed, personal and political.

Originally presented in 2024, this is a new production under the direction of Rhiann Jeffrey.

Address

Main Street
Newbridge
W12D962

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+35345448327

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Riverbank Arts Centre is County Kildare’s Arts Centre; it is based in Newbridge which is less than 45 minutes from Dublin city centre. Riverbank Arts Centre hosts a programme of local, national and international productions including theatre, music, opera, comedy and visual arts. The venue comprises of a 180 seat auditorium, Children’s Gallery, McKenna Gallery, a contemporary gallery hosting both local national and international artists, and a café. Riverbank Arts Centre is a member of Nomad Theatre Network which furthers the development of the performing arts in the North Midlands region and extend the parameters of regional, national and international performances available to venues and their audiences.

Riverbank Arts Centre is also a member of Strollers Touring Network which is a network of 10 Theatre/Arts Centre venues located across Ireland. It is currently the largest touring network in the country. This enables the centre to bring the best of national theatre to the county of Kildare while also providing visitors to Kildare the opportunity to see some of the best produced theatre, music, comedy and opera on our stage.