Bleeding Pig Film Festival
This year’s Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival is set to launch in style with the return of the ever-popular Bleeding Pig Film Festival! Kicking off the celebrations, the film festival will once again showcase an exciting mix of short films, documentaries, and features, shining a spotlight on both local and international talent. It’s the perfect start to a week filled with art, music, theatre, and community spirit. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for what promises to be another unforgettable festival experience!
Monday 19th. May to Wednesday 21st. May
Wednesday 21st. May.
Skincare Making Workshop
Date: Wednesday, 21st. May
Time: 11.00 – 3.00
Location: Studio 2. Donabate Portrane Community Centre. K36 F598
Join this hands-on, informative workshop on making your own natural skincare. We’ll make:
- Moisturising Bars– one will be exfoliating, both packed with skin-loving cocoa butter & shea butter
- Natural Deodorant– in a jar, scented with essential oils that help deodorise naturally
- Moisturising Lip Balm– also in a jar, with the option to tint it for a touch of mica colour
All products are made using locally-sourced natural ingredients, and are deeply nourishing and gentle on the skin.
You’ll go home with your handmade creations, recipes, and the know-how to keep making them again and again.
All ingredients, equipment, and recipes are included.
Workshop: Lampshade Making
Date: Wednesday 21st May 2025.
Time: 2.00 – 5 pm
Location: Studio 1, Donabate Portrane Community Centre. K36 F598
Learn how to make and customise your own lampshade in our half-day workshop. This hands-on workshop is fun and educational, providing you with the skills to craft a unique item for your home. Whether you’re looking to pick up a new hobby or enjoy a day out, our workshop is the perfect place to unleash your creativity.
Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
Supplies: All materials and tools included
Price: €15 per person
Limited number of spaces – booking essential.
Thursday 22nd. May.
Candle and Wax Melt Workshop
Date: Thursday, 22nd May
Time: 2 pm
Location: Portacabin, Donabate Portrane Community Centre. K36 F598
A relaxing and creative workshop where you’ll learn to make your own beautiful soy wax candles and wax melts. Using natural, eco-friendly soy wax, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a stunning container candle in a glass jar, which you can personalise with your choice of scent and decorations of botanicals, bio-glitter, mica or coloured wax pieces. You’ll leave with a unique hand-poured candle and some wax melts – the perfect way to create and unwind.
🎤 The Show Off Sessions 🎨
Date: Thursday, 22nd. May
Time: 7:00 pm.
Location: The Brook, Portrane
Are you ready to show off your talents?
The Show Off Sessions is an exciting evening dedicated to celebrating the incredible creativity of artists from across the peninsula! Whether you’re a musician, comedian, spoken word artist, or poet, this is your chance to take the stage and share your passion with a live audience.
Hosted by the fantastic Killer Ceol, the night promises a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where performers of all levels can shine. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or making your stage debut, we encourage you to come along and showcase your work.
Entry is free for everyone, so come support your local talent, enjoy a night of live entertainment, and maybe even discover your new favorite act!
Important:
Artists who wish to perform must pre-book their slot in advance.
To secure your place, please contact:
📸 Instagram: @killerceol
✉️ Email: killerceol@gmail.com
Don’t miss out — come and be part of a vibrant night of music, laughter, words, and community spirit!
Friday 23rd. May.
Children’s Self-Portrait Workshop
Date: Friday 23rd May
Time: 3.00 – 4.00 pm
Venue: Portacabin, Donabate Portrane Community Centre. K36 F598
Join us for a fun workshop (suitable for children aged 5-6 years).
Lots of fun and laughs guaranteed as pairs of young artists draw around each other, to make life-sized masterpieces.
Duration: 1 hour
Supplies: All materials and tools included
Price: €10 per child
Limited number of spaces- Booking essential.
Children’s Design a Bag Workshop
Date: Friday 23rd May
Time: 4.15 – 5.15 pm
Location: Portacabin, Donabate Portrane Community Centre. K36 F598
This fun workshop is suitable for children aged 7-12 years.
Each child will design, decorate and bring home a fabulous drawstring bag.
Duration 1 hour.
Price is €10 per child
All materials supplied
Limited Number of spaces- booking essential
Sounds From The Square.
Date: Friday, 23rd. May.
Time: 7.00 pm ’til…….
Location: Church of Ireland. K36 Y521
Join us on May 23rd for Sounds from The Square, a vibrant evening of music celebrating the incredible talents of young musicians! Taking place in the beautiful Church of Ireland on The Square, the event will feature an exciting mix of rock bands, classical performances, and vocal acts. Whether you love the energy of live bands or the beauty of classical singing, there’s something for everyone. Come support the next generation of musical talent and enjoy a night to remember!
Saturday 24th. May.
Skincare Making Workshop
Date: Saturday, 24th. May
Time: 10.00 – 12.30
Location: Studio 2. Donabate Portrane Community Centre. K36 F598
Join this hands-on, informative workshop on making your own natural skincare. We’ll make:
- Moisturising Bars– one will be exfoliating, both packed with skin-loving cocoa butter & shea butter
- Natural Deodorant– in a jar, scented with essential oils that help deodorise naturally
- Moisturising Lip Balm– also in a jar, with the option to tint it for a touch of mica colour
All products are made using locally-sourced natural ingredients, and are deeply nourishing and gentle on the skin.
You’ll go home with your handmade creations, recipes, and the know-how to keep making them again and again.
All ingredients, equipment, and recipes are included.
Robert Shaw Art Workshop
Date: Saturday, 24th. May
Time: 12.30 – 3.00
Location: Studio 1, Community Centre, Portrane Rd, Donabate. K36 F598.
Workshop – ‘Breaking the Line’ with Robert Shaw. Join local acclaimed artist Robert Shaw for a fun-filled and informative class on how to break out with expressive drawing using pastels, charcoal and more.
Robert Shaw – Born in Dublin – 1964 robertshaw.ie
Shaw trained at the Dun Laoghaire School of Art and Design in the late 1980s. He is a native of Malahide, a coastal village north of Dublin city, but has resided in Donabate for many years.
- Cost: €10 per person
- All materials supplied.
Zine Workshop (16+)
Date: Saturday 24th. May
Time: 2.00 – 5.00
Location: Portacabin, Donabate Portrane Community Centre. K36 F598
Pizza & Trad Ceili
Date: Saturday 24th. May
Time: 4 pm
Location: The Brook, Portrane. K36 W584
Calling all dance enthusiasts and pizza lovers! Get ready for a unique and unforgettable experience right outside the Brook pub! Join us for A Pizza’ Trad. Ceilidh Dancing on the road, where we’ll be combining the joy of traditional Irish ceilidh with the mouthwatering delight of pizza.
Picture this: a lively street filled with laughter, music, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pizza. As the evening comes alive, we’ll be kicking up our heels to the infectious rhythms of lively jigs, reels, and waltzes.
Whether you’re a seasoned ceilidh dancer or a curious beginner, this event is open to everyone. The spirit of the ceilidh is all about inclusivity, community, and most importantly, having a great time. So, grab your dancing shoes and gather your friends and family for an evening of pure enjoyment.
Wine & Spoken Word/Poetry
Date: Saturday 24th. May
Time: 6.00 - 9.00 pm
Location: Triangle Coffee, Main St. Donabate. K36 YC83
Join us for an enchanting evening of poetry, spoken word, and wine at Triangle Coffee Shop on Main Street, Donabate. Nestled in the heart of the village, the cozy ambiance of Triangle sets the perfect stage for a night of heartfelt expression and community connection. Local poets and performers will share their work, blending powerful words with intimate storytelling. Sip a glass of wine, relax, and let the rhythm of language carry you away. Whether you're a seasoned poetry lover or just curious, this welcoming event promises inspiration, warmth, and creativity. Don’t miss this celebration of voices and verses.
Pop-Up Gaeltacht
Date: Saturday 24th May
Time: 7.00 - 8.00
Location: The Brook, Portrane
The Pop-Up Gaeltacht at The Brook Pub in Portrane on Saturday, 24 May 2025, promises an engaging evening celebrating the Irish language. Organized by the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival, this event invites speakers of all levels to immerse themselves in casual Irish conversation from 8:00 PM onwards. Attendees can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, fostering connections among language enthusiasts over drinks and lively chats. Events like this play a crucial role in revitalizing Gaeilge and building community spirit in Fingal. Whether you're fluent or just starting with your "cúpla focal," this gathering offers a welcoming space to practice and celebrate Irish heritage.
Eamonn Galldubh and friends are back providing the music, and you provide the Craic!
Date: Saturday, 24th May
Time: 8.00 pm
Location: The Brook, Portrane
🎶 The Bleeding Pig Festival is delighted to welcome back Eamonn Galldubh & Friends, along with the talented musicians of Leithinis Donabate Portrane, for a magical evening of traditional Irish music! 🇮🇪🎻
Eamonn Galldubh, one of Ireland’s finest uilleann pipers and a master of all things trad, returns with a group of outstanding musicians for what promises to be a lively and heartwarming performance. Blending rich melodies, foot-tapping rhythms, and a deep love of Irish musical heritage, this is a night that will lift the spirits and stir the soul.
They’ll be joined by the ever-passionate Leithinis Donabate Portrane, whose commitment to promoting local culture and traditional music is at the heart of everything they do. Expect a powerful celebration of community, culture, and the timeless joy of live music.
Sunday 25th. May.
Martello Tour
Date: Sunday, 25th. May.
Time: 12.00 - 1.00
Location: Tower Bay Beach, Portrane. K36 PH93
Hidden away in North Dublin is Portrane’s lovingly restored Martello Tower & Gardens. Explore two centuries of history encased in 8ft thick stone walls built to withstand maritime attack by Napoleon. Experienced guide Bryan Greene gives a tour. The tour starts at 12.00 am sharp.
Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.
AGE 16
Location Tour 1. Please assemble in Tower Bay Car Park, Portrane, Co. Dublin, at 11.45am.
Fusion of Inclusion Exhibition
Date: Sunday 25th May
Time: 1.00 - 4.00
Location: Studio 1 & 2, Donabate Portrane Community Centre. K36 F598
Art, photography and quilting exhibition
Date: Sunday, 25th. May
Time: 11.00 am – 4.00 pm
Location: Parish Hall, Donabate, K36 PC94
The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival would like to welcome back our regular art exhibitors and any new artists who would like to display their work in the newly refurbished Parish Hall. This year we are again including an exhibition of quilts designed and made by Donabate Quilters.
This exhibition has been a regular feature of The Festival for many years and a great place for artists to display their work.
Children's Workshop: Self-Portrait-Workshop 1
Date: Sunday 25th May
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Venue: Portacabin, Donabate Portrane Community Centre
Join us for a fun workshop (suitable for children aged 5-6 years).
Lots of fun and laughs guaranteed as pairs of young artists draw around each other, to make life-sized masterpieces.
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours
Supplies: All materials and tools included
Price: €10 per child
Limited number of spaces- Booking essential.
Children's Workshop – Silk Clay Owl
Date: Sunday 25th May
Time: 2.45 – 3.45 pm
Location: Portacabin, Donabate Portrane Community Centre.
A charming workshop for children aged 7-12 years. Using soft & pliable modelling clay to make your very own Owl decoration.
Duration: 1 hour
All materials provided
€10 per child
Numbers are limited, so booking is essential.
Church of Ireland Tour
Date: Sunday, 25th May
Time: 3.00 pm
Location: Church of Ireland, The Square, Donabate. K36 Y521
St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland in Donabate offers a captivating journey through centuries of Irish history. Built in 1758 on the site of a medieval parish church, it features a 15th-century doorway and a castle-like tower that once served as the Cobbe family vault. The Cobbes, prominent figures from nearby Newbridge House, were instrumental in the church's development. Archbishop Charles Cobbe, who acquired extensive lands in the area in 1736, is interred here. His son, Thomas Cobbe, enhanced the church by adding a private gallery adorned with ornate stucco plasterwork and a fireplace, reflecting the family's status. The church also houses monuments to notable families like the Barnewalls. Adjacent archaeological findings reveal activity dating back to the 7th century, underscoring the site's long-standing significance. A visit to this church, coupled with nearby Newbridge House, provides a rich tapestry of Ireland's ecclesiastical and social heritage.
Sing-a-Song or Singalong
Date: Sunday, 25th May
Time: 7.30 pm
Location: Shoreline Hotel, Balcarrick, Donabate. K36 V064
Bean a’Tí Ali O’Leary
The Tower Singing Circle
All welcome – Singers and Listeners, any genre of song, accompanied or unaccompanied
Complimentary refreshments courtesy of The Shoreline Hotel
The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival extends its heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for their invaluable support in making this year's festival a resounding success:
The Brook, Portrane. - For their dedication and support.
Fingal County Council (Fingal Co Co) - For their continuous support and partnership.
Thank you all for your continued support and for helping to make the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival a memorable and vibrant celebration of our community's culture and heritage. We look forward to your continued partnership in the future!