Thank you young artists
![]()
We had a great time recently working with the young artists at ChildVision for our 'Magic Making' workshop. These workshops encouraged young artists to consider celestial shapes such as the moon, the sun and stars. The sculptural artworks were designed so they could be hung from windows inside and reflect the sun, moon and stars outside. We had a wonderful time with these fantastic young artists. Big thank you to all at ChildVision.You can find more about ChildVision and donate at childvision.ie.
(Image description: a beautiful sculptural black star made by Joseph with a black thread to hang the work)
Thank you Open Call Artists
We would like to thank all of our open call artists for your applications. We know how hard it is to make an application and we appreciate your time and dedication to your art. We have received proposals from artists all around the world from England to South Africa to China and it has been a very difficult assessment year. All open call artists have been emailed their application status. Thank you all.
(image description: A black rose on a black background with a red border and red text stating 'Thank you open call artists' in capitals.)
Thank you to all that came to The Secret Life of Crows
Thank you Ricky Whelan and Marsh’s Library for collaborating with us on World Goth Day for Ricky's 'The Secret Life of Crow's'talk . All proceeds of ticket sales went to Kildare Wildlife Rescue . Ricky has generously donated his artist fee to them also. Thank you Dublin City Council Arts Office and our audience for your support. The audio will be uploaded to our Vimeo shortly.
(image description: Image 1 is an image of part of the historic Marsh's Library , a long corridor with many shelves of antique books. The room is darkly lit with a window of bright light at the end. Image 2 is of Ricky Whelan who is tall with brown hair. He wears an orange checkered shirt and is photographed mid gesture in front of his slide show opening slide which features a beautiful black crow. Image 3 is a black and white image of the audience from the back of the room.)
The Secret Life of Crows - a talk by Ricky Whelan
on World Goth Day
You are all welcome to 'The Secret Life of Crows' - a talk by Ricky Whelan on the wondrous multiplicity of Crows.
Venue: Marsh's Library, St.Patrick's Close, Dublin 8.
When: World Goth Day, May 22nd from 6 - 7pm
There are four main species of Corvoids (commonly referred to as crows) jackdaws, magpies, rooks and grey crows. They are social birds that can congregate in large flocks, and are quite common across Ireland. Crows are a very intelligent species, have a varied diet and are opportunistic feeders. They are commonly recognised through their distinctive calls and caws. And Crows are one of the smartest of the birds. For example, Crows understand analogies, can exercise self-control, can fashion tools and like to play. All proceeds of ticket sales will go directly to Kildare Wildlife Rescue who have an outstanding track record in helping our injured Crow friends. The talk will be in the stunning surroundings of Marsh's Library, Ireland's Oldest Public Library opened in 1707.
Ricky Whelan is the Biodiversity Officer for Offaly County Council (formally of BirdWatch Ireland) and has generously agreed to do his much loved talk on Crows for us on World Goth Day so please join us for this celebration.
Get your tickets here
(image description: a white poster with the details we have listed above and a colour photograph by Birdwatch Ireland of a beautiful black crow. Poster designed by Siobhan Fitzsimons)
Fire Brand announced for 2023!
We are profoundly honoured to have artist Dolorosa de la Cruz as our 2023 Fire Brand. An influential and powerful force in the alternative community, Dolorosa represents the heart of what we stand for.
Artist Bio:
Dolorosa de la Cruz is a visual artist based in Dublin, Ireland. Her Art is an on going enquiry into spiritual, magical and esoteric matters, through the female sensibility.
Capturing phantastical and talismanic presences, observing their mysteries and sexualities, through drawing, sculpture and collages. Her allies in this journey are her familiars, occult practices, surrealist games, literature, poetry and always in kinship with the Chthonic and Elemental.
Her art has been exhibited in Dublin, Belfast, London, New York, Seattle, Brussels, Poland and Chile. It has also been published in several contemporary Occult and Art Journals and books.
Published work:
Archetype - Zagava Books 2022
Materia Oscura - Jerusalem Press 2022
The Debutante (The Feminist-Surrealist arts journal) 2022
Notable Exhibitions
Solo show Moon's Milk September 2022 Gallery X Dublin
The Cabinet of the Solar Plexus, curator and exhibitor April 2022 Gallery X Dublin
The Cabinet of the Solar Plexus, curator and exhibition September 2016 Gallery X Dublin
Soul Noir Magics & Ritual 2022
Magica Sexualis, Stephen Romano Gallery 2015 New York
Apparitions curated by Stephen Romano at The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick Ohio 2020
You can find more of her work here.
The Fire Brand is a symbol of our subcultural representation, the heart of what we stand for and the face of our festival for the calendar year. The selected Fire Brand represents the ethos of rebellion, darkness and radicalism in the field of the Gothic / dark / alternative / underground cultural arts. The Fire Brand is an agitator in the landscape of Soul Noir for their reigning year, generating events and happenings.
Kevin Nolan - Let’s All Get Nervous Listening
Party with The Big Romance, December 13th
We are pleased to present a collaboration with The Big Romance in the Kevin Nolan - Let's All Get Nervous listening party at 6 - 8pm on December 13th. The Big Romance is located at 98 Parnell St, Rotunda, Dublin.
"They say that good things come to those who wait. That evergreen proverb feels tailormade for Kevin Nolan. Hailed as one of Ireland’s most fascinating artists by this very mag, the fiercely gifted singer/composer’s first full-length (the still shimmering 'Fredrick & The Golden Dawn') was unleashed in 2014. While Nolan has since released a fistful of singles, EPs and a compilation LP, fans had to re-learn the lost art of being patient when it came to getting their mitts on a second album. Now, after six years of toil, Nolan has finally unveiled 'Let’s All Get Nervous'. Nolan displays a shark-like mentality throughout, always moving ahead and not afraid to show his teeth. Featuring appearances from the likes of Vyvienne Long, Mik Pyro, AlabasterDePlume and Susanne Wawra, tracks such as ‘The Dead-Beat’ and ‘The Coming Of Complete Night’ dazzle, in particular thanks to Kevin’s storytelling skills. Best of all is ‘Bow The Lyre’, which blends ’60s flower-power organ with bleeding edge beats to impressive effect.Tapping variously into dirty blues, art and math rock, jazz and spoken word, Let’s All Get Nervous is truly a feast for the ears. We need to talk about Kevin Nolan." - Review of Let’s All Get Nervous by Edwin McFee, Hot Press.
Kevin Nolan bio:Born and based in Dublin, Ireland. Nolan’s music has been played on BBC 6 radio and John Kelly, Lyric FM. In 2019 he collaborated with Susanne Wawra on an audio installation, 'Kinderkurheim' which was exhibited in The Irish Museum Of Modern Art. His latest release is 'Let’s All Get Nervous'. Discover more of his work at www.kevinnolan.info.
The Big Romance is an audiophile bar with a custom soundsystem, a passion for great music, craft beers & good company. From the people behind Hidden Agenda.
The first 5 people will get a free 12 inch vinyl copy of Let's All Get Nervous. There is no ticket needed.
2022 Awards Winners Announced
We would like to congratulate our 2022 award winners
Best in Show - Alice Maher's 'Cassandra's Necklace'
Best Emerging Artist - Anne O'Brien from the Hardliners Writing Collective
Audience Favourite - Michael Keane's 'Draco Tenebris'
and
The Dark Heart Award to Glen McQuaid for his career of work covering alternative and Gothic themes.
Thank you all
Thank you to our 2022 Funders!
Thank you Darling! We are very grateful to our kind individual funders, their generosity and support. A full list of our black angels can be found here.
ESTHER RAQUEL MINSKY DARK ENTRIES DOCUMENTARY NOW AVAILABLE
26/08/22
Still from Dark Entries - photograph by Andrew Kohn
Dark Entries is a new mini- documentary series examining the practices of Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists in Ireland today. This series is a free online resource readily available for audiences who are seeking to further understand what Gothic / dark / alternative / underground art is, who makes this work and what is it's value in today's contemporary art scene. Dark Entries strives to reach beyond the stereotypes placed on Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists and provide authentic narratives of Ireland's darkest and boldest. This series will feature new artists each year, expanding upon diversity and career stage. The series will be made available on Soul Noir's new Vimeo channel in full hd. There are subtitles for audiences who are hard of hearing or deaf.
Esther Raquel Minsky
Esther Raquel Minsky may well be the invention of novelist and lecturer Denis Kehoe. Or Denis Kehoe may be the invention of Esther Raquel Minsky. Though perhaps both of them were just dreamed up by the man known as Oscar Esterson, once upon a time, somewhere between Europe and South America.
You can follow the artist on Instagram
2022 FIRE BRAND ANNOUNCED!
22/05/22
Happy World Goth Day Darling! Soul Noir is very proud to announce our 2022 Fire Brand -Breda Lynch. The Fire Brand is a symbol of our subcultural representation, the heart of what we stand for and the face of our festival for the calendar year. The selected Fire Brand represents the ethos of rebellion, darkness and radicalism in the field of the Gothic / dark / alternative / underground cultural arts. The Fire Brand is an agitator in the landscape of Soul Noir for their reigning year, generating events and happenings.
Breda Lynch - born in Kilkenny and lives in Limerick city where she works as a full-time lecturer in Fine Art at Limerick School of Art and Design. She holds a BA (Hons)Degree in Fine Art Print at Crawford College of Art, an MA in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Art and Design, London and an MPhil in Fine Art Print and Digital Media from the University of Wolverhampton. A visual artist working in a variety of media, including drawing, photography, print and digital media, video and installation. She engages with dialogues and discourses on - queer feminisms, th western mystery tradition and occulture, appropriation and the economy of the image. Lynch has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions in Ireland and abroad. A recipient of several awards and residencies Lynch is included in national and private collections. Her work was recently purchased by IMMA - Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Arts Council of Ireland for their permanent collections.
More details of Breda's plans for the year will be announced soon.
You can find this legendary artist's work on her website at her website and Twitter to learn more.
PAT BYRNE DARK ENTRIES DOCUMENTARY RELEASED
11/12/21
Still from Dark Entries - Pat Byrne (2021)
Dark Entries is a new mini- documentary series examining the practices of Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists in Ireland today. This series is a free online resource readily available for audiences who are seeking to further understand what Gothic / dark / alternative / underground art is, who makes this work and what is it's value in today's contemporary art scene. Dark Entries strives to reach beyond the stereotypes placed on Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists and provide authentic narratives of Ireland's darkest and boldest. This series will feature new artists each year, expanding upon diversity and career stage. The series will be made available on Soul Noir's new Vimeo channel in full hd. There are subtitles for audiences who are hard of hearing or deaf.
Visit Soul Noir's new Vimeo to experience these documentaries online.
Pat Byrne
Originally from Laois,Pat Byrne moved to Galway in 2006 to study at the GMIT Cluain Mhuire Campus. Specialized in fine art painting and graduating in 2010 with a BA Honours Degree, Patremained in Galway for a time, during his final year in college he became one of the founding members of the artist collective, A – merge. Early in 2011, having failed to secure a studio in the Arthouse, Stradbally, Pat was awarded a studio by Laois County Council and in March returned to hishome county. Pat worked in Laois for just over a year before undertaking a 3 month residency in Iceland with NES, it was at this time that folklore began to appear in his work. He returned to Ireland and the following year he began his Masters in Fine Art at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, graduating in 2015. Pat is currently based in Laois where he continues to work on his studio practice, showing both in Ireland and abroad.
Visit the artists website, Instagram and Facebook for more information.
TACTILE TOUR WITH PAT BYRNE
07/11/21
Thank you to everyone who came to our tactile tour of From Under the Hill, a solo show of works by Pat Byrne at Tallaght Library. We had a great time learning about Pat’s work and great tea and chats afterwards.
NEW SOLO SHOW FROM UNDER THE HILL BY PAT BYRNE
04/11/21
Soul Noir is pleased to present a solo show of work by the artist Pat Byrne. 'From Under the Hill' will be exhibited from the 5th to the 30th of November in Tallaght Library.
'My practice explores superstitions and folklore as I look at mythological humanoids and fairies while attempting to portray them in a more realistic and contemporary fashion wanting to render them as somebody who could possibly pass us by on the street. Superstitions have always held a core place in Irish culture but as time progresses the mischievous and malevolent spirits that once occupied the spoken word and imagination are being forgotten only to be seen as figures of parody. The lack of faith in this make- believe world is something that I feel reflects the current human condition in Ireland with so many people unemployed and no structure to their daily lives, figures of folklore are effectively in the same situation and on the mythological dole queue simply living out each day completing mundane tasks. '
Bibliography
Originally from Laois,Pat Byrne moved to Galway in 2006 to study at the GMIT Cluain Mhuire Campus. Specialized in fine art painting and graduating in 2010 with a BA Honours Degree, Patremained in Galway for a time, during his final year in college he became one of the founding members of the artist collective, A – merge. Early in 2011, having failed to secure a studio in the Arthouse, Stradbally, Pat was awarded a studio by Laois County Council and in March returned to hishome county. Pat worked in Laois for just over a year before undertaking a 3 month residency in Iceland with NES, it was at this time that folklore began to appear in his work. He returned to Ireland and the following year he began his Masters in Fine Art at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, graduating in 2015. Pat is currently based in Laois where he continues to work on his studio practice, showing both in Ireland and abroad.
Visit the artists website, Instagram and Facebook for more information.
There will also be a visually impaired friendly artist talk on November 13th at 12.30pm. You can get your tickets here.
Brought to you by Tallaght Library and Soul Noir
(image description: a poster of Byrne's work “Battle's in the Sky' (2020) of a blue / green ceremonial mask hanging from a coat rack. The mask is in colour and the canvas is raw. The exhibition information such as the title, address and dates are on the poster.)
Address: Tallaght Library, Library Square, Tallaght (across from The Square Shopping Centre) Dublin D24 A3EX.
BIG thank you to Sarah Brooks for covering the show on News Group. Find article here.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR OUR 2021 OPENING!!
14/10/21
Join us for the opening for this Halloween at Dublin Castle- October 31st 6 - 9 pm (Additionally open November 1st 1 - 8 pm). Situated at Bedford Hall, Upper Courtyard at Dublin Castle, Dame St. Dublin 2. Entrance via Corke Hill (beside City Hall) on the opening and after 5 on November 1st.
At the opening there will be performances by RAM Cellist Ailbhe McDonagh, Performance Artist Fergus Byrne and Dance Artist Isabella Oberlander. Prepare yourself for a haunting halloween of Ireland's best underground and Gothic art featuring Susan MacWilliam, Daire Lynch and Pat Byrne. High end Gothic attire is highly encouraged.
7 – 7.25 Ailbhe McDonagh and Fergus Byrne bespoke performance
8 – 8.25 Isabella Oberlander performs a site specific response to the courtyard, 'Absorbing - or what are you listening to?'
8.30pm: Awards ceremony. Featuring 'Best in Show', 'Best Emerging Artist' and the 'Dark Heart Award'. Have your say and vote for 'Audience Favourite' (announced on November 2nd). There will also be a special award for an audience member in 'Best Dressed'.
Bedford Hall, Upper Courtyard at Dublin Castle, Dame St. Dublin 2. Entrance via Corke Hill (beside City Hall).
Covid measures will be in place in accordance with government guidelines at the time of event.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are broken into 2 time slots
Time slot 1 is 6 - 7.30 available here
Time slot 2 is 7.30 - 9 available here
No tickets are needed for November 1st and live events include a reading by The Hardliners at 1pm and a talk with GalleryX at 6pm. Entrance via Corke Hill for the GalleryX talk.
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS FOR OCTOBER
13/10/21
Tallaght LibraryMonday and Wednesday 18th & 20th Oct 3.30-5.30 pm. County Library, Library Square,Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Castletymon Library Tuesday 19th & Thursday 21st Oct 3.30-5.30pm. Castletymon Public Library, Castletymon Road, D24EC1X, Dublin 24
Led by artist Aoibhinn O'Dea
Join us for a Goth friendly workshop for children aged 8-12 to unleash their inner artist and get creating with Tim Burton inspired puppets to make and keep forever! Using high quality materials your child's new little friend can go on as many adventures as they like for years to come. Children can choose from Corpse Bride, Jack Skellington, BeetleJuice, Edward Scissorhands or maybe their own character inspired by Tim Burton! Workshops are free but booking is essential. Led by artist Aoibhinn O'Dea. P.S dress up is also highly encouraged!
TICKETS FOR TALLAGHT LIBRARY ARE SOLD OUT
Get your tickets for Castletymon Library here
SUPPORT OUR 2021 FUND IT CAMPAIGN
30/09/21
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS FUNDERS. You can find our funder’s list here
This will be our fifth edition of the festival. Soul Noir was built to support true alternative and Gothic artists in Ireland and give them the platform they deserve. This is a unique festival designed to lift the veil of Gothic culture to Irish audiences and experience the highest standard artists in haunting and historic locations. This year will be a 2 day festival in Dublin Castle from October 31st - November 1st. Our programme ranges from video art by Susan MacWilliam to a performance by cellist Ailbhe McDonagh and performance artist Fergus Byrne. We showcase all artists with respect and our open call is open to everyone regardless of social class, education history, gender or race. We seek only to bring together all walks of life to celebrate the glory that is Goth. You can also check out our manifeso here which details our principles and motivations.
The following is what is costs to run this event:
Venue rental fees - €2000
Professional photographer - €600
Catalogue designer - €811.80
Poster design - €300
Poster / catalogue / rewards printing - €500
Special display plinths - €860
Insurance - €361
Professional security - €100
Opening reception - €100
Additional artist fees - €300
Presentation stands - €81
Additional framing - €100
Additional printing - €30
Fund it fees - €493.28
Total = €6659.28
We are aiming for €4,500 as a target goal,but if you can help us reach the full costs, please keep supporting the campaign once we hit €4,500 to help us cover our expenses.
Our team is made up of artists and industry professionals. This includes (i) MA Law graduate John Paul Maguire as our Director;(ii) BA artist Shota Kotake as our Artistic Consultant; (iii) BA dance artist Jack Rabbit as our Creative Co - Director and ; (iv) MA artist Sinéad Keogh as our Curator and Director. We run like a well oiled Victorian pocket watch. We are confident we can run this festival again and to a high standard with YOUR support.
We have faced and overcome each obstacle as a team. What we need is financial support to help us cover the costs of such an intricately designed festival. The financial burden weighs as much as a pair of Demonia boots.
We received a €3000 grant from DCC which we are using to pay our artists.
(although we are still fundraising to pay the artists the grant did not cover). We have no funding for the costs of the festival itself whatsoever. This is why your support is so crucial.
Thank you for your interest in supporting Soul Noir. With YOUR support we can make this festival run... maybe even fly. You will receive beautiful gifts designed by Shota Kotake, including tote bags, postcards, posters, T- Shirts etc in exchange for funding and supporting underground arts and Gothic subculture in Ireland.
Thank you.
You can donate here
Soul Noir Fund it campaign 2021 from Soul Noir Festival on Vimeo.
NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES DARK ENTRIES OF UNDEGROUND ARTISTS
02/09/21
Still from Dark Entries - Sean Fitzgerald (2021)Another new initiative of our education and outreach programme, Dark Entries is a new mini- documentary series examining the practices of Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists in Ireland today. This series is a free online resource readily available for audiences who are seeking to further understand what Gothic / dark / alternative / underground art is, who makes this work and what is it's value in today's contemporary art scene. Dark Entries strives to reach beyond the stereotypes placed on Gothic / dark / alternative / underground artists and provide authentic narratives of Ireland's darkest and boldest. This series will feature new artists each year, expanding upon diversity and career stage. The series will be made available on Soul Noir's new Vimeo channel in full hd. There are subtitles for audiences who are hard of hearing or deaf.
Visit Soul Noir's new Vimeo to experience these documentaries online.
2021 Dark Entries Artists
Sean Fitzgerald
Sean Fitzgerald lives in a remote area of the North West of Ireland. His art investigates the darker elements from Irish mythology, folk magic and sacred sites. The resulting drawings are dark motifs which are intricately layered with traditional knotwork and full of powerful symbolism.
Instagram @seanfitzgeraldart
The other two artists will be announced in the coming weeks - Stay tuned!!
SOUL NOIR 2021 FIRE BRAND ANNOUNCED!!
02/05/21
Soul Noir is very proud to announce our very first Fire Brand - Sean Fitzgerald. A new initiative for our 2021 education and outreach programme, the Fire Brand will be a symbol of our subcultural representation, the heart of what we stand for and the face of our festival for the calendar year. The Fire Brand will represent the ethos of rebellion, darkness and radicalism in the field of the Gothic / dark / alternative / underground cultural arts. The Fire Brand will be an agitator in the landscape of Soul Noir for their reigning year, generating events and happenings. The role of the Fire Brand will be to bring about an awareness of our festival and to Goth /dark / alternative / underground culture as a whole through their practice, our combined social media platforms and additional events. The Fire Brand will enrich our organisation by garnering awareness for important movements / happenings to educate and agitate the public on underground arts and for Soul Noir to serve as a platform to our yearly selected firebrand.
Sean Fitzgerald was inspired from an early age by the many mysterious tales from Irish myths and folklore. His stippled illustrations are a celebration of these stories with strands of nature and ritual magic which he fuses into part traditional Celtic motifs. In 2019 he wrote and illustrated the book The Last Battle of Moytura (Hill of Tara Press) which told the story of the battle between good and evil with Balor of the Evil Eye and the God of Light, Lugh Lamfhada.
He has exhibited in the UK, Ireland, Europe and Australia.
More details of Sean's plans for the year will be announced soon.
You can find this outstanding artist's work on Instagram and Facebook to enrich your life and feed your soul. Walk in beauty and in darkness.