The St. Brigid’s Weekend Festival ‘Feile na mBan’ Returns to Bundoran for 2026

Written By Maria Noonan-McDermott

Art and Poetry Event

'Between Winter and Wonder'

Art and Poetry Event

Date: Friday 30th January

Time: 8pm - 10pm

Location: Marc Geagan Suite, 

Bundoran Community Centre, Bundoran,  Co.Donegal.


’Between Winter and Wonder', An intimate evening of art and poetry celebrating creativity, renewal and community on St Brigid’s weekend. Featuring Opening readings in English and as Gaeilge, along with exhibitions and workshops as part of Féile na mBan 2026 Festival in the Marc Geagan Suite, Bundoran Community Centre. 

This Art and Poetry Event is presented in association with Poetry Ireland, marking a welcome partnership for this year’s programme.


Official launch with wine reception and poetry readings from Maria Noonan-McDermott and Sherrie Scott, featuring special guest poet Eye-Dye reading from Wax Poetic (A Chronicle of Sleepless Nights), alongside poet Róise Ní Bhaoill reading as Gaeilge from her newly published work.

TG4 will be covering the events over the weekend. 


A host of Workshops will run throughout the entire weekend in the Marc Geagan Suite of Bundoran Community Centre. 


Participating Artists...

Maria Noonan-McDermott (Curator and Host)

Gillian Wright

Maria Mollohan 

Sherrie Scott 

Marion Rose McFadden

Deborah Stockdale

Yvonne Carey 

Susan Farrell

Fiona O'Grady


Weekend Workshops...


Saturday 31st Jan 12pm - 2pm 

Marion Rose McFadden - St. Brigid's Cross Making Practical Workshop


Saturday 31st Jan 3pm - 5pm

Gillian Wright - Print workshop


Sunday 1st February 11am - 12.30pm

Marion Rose Mc Fadden - Sacred Art and Ogham Blessings 


Sunday 1st February 

1.30pm - 2.30pm

Bundoran Community Choir. 


Sunday 1st February 3pm - 4.30pm 

Valerie Whitworth - Natural Voice Workshop 


Sunday 1st February 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Sherrie Scott - Mertales writers Workshop


For full Festival details and events at other venues, see www.feilenamban.ie

Maria Noonan-McDermott

Irish Artist Maria Noonan-McDermott Bio


Originally from Donegal, Irish artist and poet Maria Noonan McDermott now lives and works from her studio in Kinlough, Co. Leitrim.


Heavily influenced by the impressionist movement, her work focuses on the study of light and form in Irish landscapes.

With a love of folklore and story-telling, Noonan McDermott's influences lie in rural Ireland, it is in these magical places that share a colloquial history where stories and the people are often ingrained into the landscape.


I began my artistic career in Dublin in 1985 and qualified in Fashion and Design. I returned to college and completed a certificate in visual education before continuing on to study Fine Art. In the year 1990, I had my first solo exhibition of paintings. The feedback and encouragement I received helped direct me on my current path.


My work has always been influenced by a deep connection with the natural environment, the beautiful rugged Irish landscape with its endlessly changing skies and dramatic seas. I am equally fascinated by the people that the land holds so tightly and am firmly bound in kinship with their poetic writing, their stories and soulful lyrics.


I've always been in awe of the storyteller, those gifted people who so fluidly guide you into their fantasy worlds, who submerge you so deeply, you cry, laugh and often seethe with anger and frustration. To me, this is true magic, possessing the rare skill of creating something from nothing, evoking such passion and emotion.


Growing up I found words didn't come so easily to me, art and writing became my outlet. I was transformed into the 'Cailleach Feasa', the storyteller. I recorded and recollected all the tales from times gone by, breathing life back into places and quirky characters I met along the way.


I was raised in a small village in Donegal and like most small communities in Ireland, it was filled with the most amazing characters.


As a child, my head was filled with fantastical stories told and dramatised by neighbours and family, the gatekeepers of local history. These tales, were, of course, exaggerated and embellished with such fun and gusto, like only true Irish seanchai can, that I couldn't help growing up with a great love of the people around me and all their fascinating antics.


In my work, I narrate the stories with colour and humour as over the years they've formed and shaped in my memory.
My paintings become the text and you the reader and as the reader, you are challenged to participate and choose your own journey. Thus, enabling the story to live all over again!


This attachment is ingrained in my work and I strive to bring forth its warmth in the most honest and pure way I know how.

https://www.marianoonan-mcdermott.com
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