Kieran Gallagher is a musician, artist, performer, award winning project creator and coordinator receiving the Allianz Business to Arts Awards from former president Michael D. Higgins. For almost thirty years, a prolific instigator in providing communities with opportunities to engage with the arts. Through KadaKaBoomArts.com (Est 1998) his facilitation skills in music and percussion have captured him working with primary schools, secondary schools, third level colleges, youth groups, special need groups, women’s and men’s groups and theatrical groups.
As a musician/musical director he has performed in Ireland, Scotland, New York, Germany, Slovenia, Portugal and Italy. Continually touring and performing with The Absurdist Pipe Band, The Mad Hatters, The Funky Pirates, The Skeleton Crew as well as playing a significant role in the creation of The Samba Mamas and Ceol Batucada. His recordings include Orchestra Macaroon the BBC Sessions “Celtic Connections”, Orchestra Macaroon “Breakfast In Balquhidder”, Ceol Batucada “A-haon”.
Kieran has been the artistic director of the Droichead’s “Spooks Parade” 2021-2025, he played the same role for the centre’s “St. Patrick’s Day Pageant” 2023-2024 and our Back in the Groove & Back in the Groove “The Gathering” 2021-2022 (all to be found on our YouTube page)
“My first journey into the Arts was actually as a “Community Employment” employee for the Droichead Arts Centre in 1997. This new role will continue the adventure, and one I look forward to exploring”.
Rita Hynes is a creative producer and facilitator based in Drogheda. Her practice is shaped by DIY print culture, publishing and bookshops as socially engaged spaces. Rita has programmed annual editions of Drogheda Zine Fair and recently joined The Kiosk Project Art Space as a co-curator. She works collaboratively to deliver community projects, expanded exhibitions and workshops. Last year, Rita launched an experimental bookshop called Cailleach Books.
