More Than That Festival 30th September 2023
‘More Than That’ Recovery Festival Naas to Debut with Inaugural Christy Dignam Recovery Champion Award
The new festival hosted in Naas is all set to celebrate addiction recovery with a day and night of music, comedy, and conversation, with some of Kildare and Ireland’s recovery champions
The festival will hit the ground running on Saturday, September 30th, 2023, with the Recovery Champions 5K Run, followed by music from the Druids, and conversation with Bressie at the Farmers Market in Naas.
The day full of activities and events will culminate with the ‘Leave a Light on Show’ an evening of inspiration and entertainment including a heartfelt tribute to the indomitable spirit of the legendary Christy Dignam, through song and spoken word from his daughter Kiera.
The inaugural Christy Dignam Recovery Champion award will be presented in what is described as a’ fireside event at the Old Dara Cinema in Naas, promising ‘ an intimate evening of music, poetry and conversation about recovery featuring All-Ireland Winning Kildare Ladies football team goalkeeper and mental health advocate Mary Hulgraine, singer songwriter and self proclaimed survivor Hally and Kiera Dignam who will also be on hand to present the Recovery Champion award named after her father.
The evening’s host Keith Walsh says “the event seeks to bring recovery out of the shadows and the best way to do that is to shine a light on it, he goes on to say it is great to see the local authorities in Naas showing their support by illuminating the town in Purple in a act of solidarity with all those in recovery from addiction”.
Aubrey Mc Carty Chairperson of the Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force and event organisers said “I am absolutely thrilled to see my home town of Naas playing an integral part in “recovery month”. Recovery shows that although we cannot change the past we certainly can change the ending. Naas will light up in purple and shine a light for those who are still trying to find their way”
Recovery Champions, Performers and Talkers on the day include
Bartlomiej Boruc
Bart is the runner-up of Big Brother in Poland, he is also a DJ, with his own style.
Location: Farmers Market, Church Road, Naas
TIme: From 10.30am – 3pm
Niall Breslin
Bressie believes in the innate human capacity to heal.
Niall is a seeker and speaker of truth. He is a thought leader, speaker, bestselling author, podcast host, composer & athlete. His currency is change & his mission is to help drive that change, both at an individual, collective & societal level.
Location: Farmers Market, Church Road, Naas
TIme: From 10.30am – 3pm
Keira Dignam
Kiera has recorded and released the new version of the song ‘This Time’ in tribute to her Aslan star dad Christy, Hailed as a “brilliant performer” she is bravely carrying on the musical legacy from her dad Christy.
Location: Old Dara Cinema Naas (NOTE VENUE IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE)
TIme: Doors open 7pm
Tickets on Eventbrite with a donation option (suggested donation of €5- €15).
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leave-a-light-on-show-tickets-719132443497?aff=oddtdtcreator
Johnny Doyle & Anthony Rainbow
Kildare senior football management and players including Johnny Doyle and Anthony Rainbow will be leading out the Recovery Champions 5K.
Location: Naas Racecourse, Tipper Road, Naas.
Time: Warm up 9am Start 9.30am
Tickets: Registration is Free on Eventbrite, Donation option for Festival t-shirt (subject to availability, minimum donation €15)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/recovery-champions-5-km-run-tickets-719079755907?aff=oddtdtcreator
Druids
THE Druids” are a 3 Piece REBEL Group made up of 2 Kildare Men and a Wexford Man… “Paddy Mangan” from Johnstown Bridge on Banjo, Mandolin and Vocals, “Gary Lawlor” from Clane on Acoustic Guitar and Lead Vocals and the one and only “Mick O’ Brien “originally from Wexford but now living in Newbridge on 5 String Banjo, Bodhran, Tin Whistle and Vocals…
Their songs carry the story of Ireland, songs and stories which are delivered with passion and conviction. The Druids have completed tours of Ireland, Scotland, UK, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Spain and up to three tours a year in the USA.
Location: Farmers Market, Church Road, Naas
TIme: From 10.30am – 3pm
Hally
hallymusic is an independent musician, recording artist, studio owner and record producer from Co. Kildare, Ireland. At his core he is a singer songwriter and a tentative poet whose nature is experimental. His style has an indie folk predominance, jazztastic undertones, ambient textures and electronic episodes.
Location: Old Dara Cinema Naas (NOTE VENUE IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE)
TIme: Doors open 7pm
Tickets on Eventbrite with a donation option (suggested donation of €5- €15), free ticket option available.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leave-a-light-on-show-tickets-719132443497?aff=oddtdtcreator
Mary Hulgraine
Mental health advocate and goalkeeper for the All-Ireland Intermediate Champions 2023 for Kildare.
Location: Old Dara Cinema Naas (NOTE VENUE IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE)
TIme: Doors open 7pm
Tickets on Eventbrite with a donation option (suggested donation of €5- €15), free ticket option available.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leave-a-light-on-show-tickets-719132443497?aff=oddtdtcreator
Ryan Mack
From a bedroom in Newbridge to sold out stages across the world, Ryan’s audience has over 2.5 million fans from all across the world.
His first success was a co-write with TikTok star, long-time friend and collaborator, Robert Grace. Their song Fake Fine that Robert released was without doubt the Irish breakthrough pop hit of 2020.
Location: Old Dara Cinema Naas (NOTE VENUE IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE)
TIme: Doors open 12 noon
Tickets on Eventbrite with a donation option (suggested donation of €5- €10), free ticket option available.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunchtime-songs-funny-stories-tickets-719177628647?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sive
Sive is a songwriter and musician who was recently dubbed ‘one of the most inspiring and exciting artists of our time’ by Female First UK. Influenced by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Tori Amos early on, Sive has carved a truly compelling style of alt-folk that is not afraid to differentiate from the norm.
Location: Old Dara Cinema Naas (NOTE VENUE IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE)
TIme: Doors open 12 noon
Tickets on Eventbrite with a donation option (suggested donation of €5- €10), free ticket option available.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunchtime-songs-funny-stories-tickets-719177628647?aff=oddtdtcreator
Keith Walsh
DJ, Writer, Podcaster, Mental Health advocate, and all round a good bloke.
Location: Old Dara Cinema Naas (NOTE VENUE IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE)
TIme: Doors open 7pm
Tickets on Eventbrite with a donation option (suggested donation of €5- €15), free ticket option available.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leave-a-light-on-show-tickets-719132443497?aff=oddtdtcreator
Willa White
Dublin native Willa White is originally from Ballymun, and he is well-known for his stand-up comedy routines at Whelan’s and for also supporting Tommy Tiernan at Vicar Street. In recent years, Willa has worked and starred in ‘The Examination’, a play which explores mental health and human rights in the prison system.
In 2019, he won Best Performer at the Dublin Fringe Festival for his performance in the gripping play.
Location: Old Dara Cinema Naas (NOTE VENUE IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE)
TIme: Doors open 12 noon
Tickets on Eventbrite with a donation option (suggested donation of €5- €15), free ticket option available.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunchtime-songs-funny-stories-tickets-719177628647?aff=oddtdtcreator
