Nollaig na mBan

Dublin’s Nollaig na mBan festival returns for its second year to celebrate outstanding local women and presents an exciting line-up of events including unique musical performances by Mary Coughlan & her band and Maria Doyle Kennedy, and the extraordinary story of Dr Katriona O’Sullivan, author of ‘Poor’ and former local resident in our Awards Ceremony.

Traditionally a day for Irish women to “put the feet up” after the tiresome work involved in the Christmas festivities, ‘Nollaig na mBan’ or ‘Women’s Christmas’ / ‘Little Christmas’ on 6th January, gave women the opportunity to get together and enjoy some time off with their female relatives and friends.

Emerging from a series of informal gatherings in the north east inner city over many years, the festival was established in 2023 to formally honour the contribution to the local area of exceptional women, provide an evening of entertainment and raise money for Sonas Services, which supports women and children experiencing domestic violence.

2024’s festival will take place in multiple venues across the North East Inner City on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Highlights include:

• Award Ceremony Sat 6th Jan 2–3 pm with award winning Author of An Post Irish Book Awards ‘Poor’, Dr Katriona O’Sullivan interviewed by local journalist and author Aoife Barry at Charleville Mall Library, North Strand, Dublin FREE

• A double-headliner concert featuring Mary Coughlan & Band and Maria Doyle Kennedy with Kieran Kennedy, at St. Columba’s Church on North Strand Road on Sat 6th January Doors open 5 pm, Mary Coughlan on stage 6 pm & Maria Doyle Kennedy on stage 7 pm.

• Jazz/blues singer Honor Heffernan at Annesley House, North Strand Road, Dublin 3, 10:00 pm Sat 6th Jan

• Photography exhibition by local artist Paula T Nolan at Da Mimmo restaurant, North Strand Road, Dublin 3

• Pub trail across the area with live bands and karaoke

Celebrating local women’s exceptional, yet often unacknowledged achievements, a series of portraits of this year’s honorees will be displayed across the streets of the north east inner city and the women will be honored in a special award ceremony on the afternoon of 6th January at Charleville Mall Library, North Strand.