The Black Gate

04/12/2025

We are so sorry, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the Suzanne Savage gig due to take place this Saturday evening at the has been cancelled.

We are working on bringing the wonderful .suzanne back at a later date.

To our valued audience members who have bought tickets, we are currently processing refunds and feel free to dm if you have any queries.

24/11/2025

We’re back with a bang to announce The Kate Bush Songbook on Saturday Dec 6th,
performed by incredible vocalist .suzanne with full band “The Sensual World” Doors 8pm, Tickets available via link in bio.

Suzanne’s crystalline voice spins the thread of through a night of iconic Kate Bush songs, from “Wuthering Heights” to “Hounds of Love,” “Running up that Hill” and many more, with the full band sound - synths, guitar and strings from a new Irish ensemble dedicated to the music of Kate Bush.

A well respected contemporary classical soloist, jazz vocalist and prolific session musician across genres, in Sept 2024 Suzanne revisited her role as soloist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in the 3Arena for “The Words and Music of Leonard Cohen” after sold-out Bord Gais concerts in 2022 and 2020.

Recent soloist work includes projects with Dana Masters, Siobhan Brown and Winnie Alma to celebrate the legacy of N.Ireland Blues pioneer Ottilie Patterson in their dedicated concert Nov 6th 2025 at The Mac Theatre Belfast, for Sound of Belfast Festival, and with contemporary voice ensemble Tonntá and The Crash
Ensemble at The National Concert Hall Dublin for Music Town Festival this summer.

Other work include collaborations and session work with songwriters, composers, and artists such as Amanda Coogan and Linda Buckley’s 2024 co-
production ‘Possession,’ with The Dublin Dance Theatre of the Deaf.

A recipient of the 2023 Irish Arts Council Music Bursary for her songwriting, her other main
creative work is with international voice and string ensemble collaboration “The Savage Five”, who toured Ireland Oct 2024.

She had performed with the Paul Brady Band as backing vocalist and violinist for ten years, and for many international Jazz and Folk festivals with her own music, and recent successful touring acoustic show, “A Case of You - The Songs of Joni Mitchell.”

21/11/2025

Thanks so much to Gary McMahon for having the wonderful Suzanne Savage on Galway Bay FM's Arts Culture and Entertainment show on Wednesday night to talk about our upcoming concert where she will explore the weird and wonderful songbook of Kate Bush at Róisín Dubh on Saturday December 6th, Doors 8pm.

Tickets available from
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theblackgateculturalcentre/1913129

And you can listen back to Gary & Suzanne's conversation here:
https://www.galwaybayfm.ie/podcasts/arts-culture-entertainment/hidden-assets-and-kate-bushs-sensual-world-207781

On this week's show, Gary was joined by Mary Fahy & Marty Thornton to discuss 'Hidden Assets' and Suzanne Savage to discuss her tribute show to Kate Bush's 'Sen...

21/11/2025

📣Event Announcement📣

3 Kinds of Music
🕰 : Saturday 22 November, 3:00pm
📍: The Mick Lally Theatre
🎫: Free! No booking required, but early arrival is advised.

We are thrilled to present 3 Kinds of Music in partnership with MusicConnects this year! The ever popular multi-genre series returns to the Mick Lally The Mick Lally Theatre in two weeks with an afternoon of music that never fails to entertain and inspire.

Artists will include:
🎵Siblings Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, noted for their sean-nós singing and unique arrangements or both Irish and English language songs.
🎻Cellist and the Artistic Director of Crash Ensemble, Kate Ellis
🎼Songwriter and producer, Eoin Dolan
This series of events is family-friendly! 🚸

23/10/2025

We’re back with a bang to announce The Kate Bush Songbook at the Róisín Dubh on Saturday Dec 6th, performed by incredible vocalist Suzanne Savage with full band “The Sensual World”
Doors 7.30pm.

Tickets available here:

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theblackgateculturalcentre/1913129

Suzanne’s crystalline voice spins the thread of through a night of iconic Kate Bush songs, from “Wuthering Heights” to “Hounds of Love,” “Running up that Hill” and many more, with the full band sound - synths, guitar and strings from a new Irish ensemble dedicated to the music of Kate Bush.

A well respected contemporary classical soloist, jazz vocalist and prolific session musician across genres, in Sept 2024 Suzanne revisited her role as soloist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in the 3Arena for “The Words and Music of Leonard Cohen” after sold-out Bord Gais concerts in 2022 and 2020.

Recent soloist work includes projects with Dana Masters, Siobhan Brown and Winnie Alma to celebrate the legacy of N.Ireland Blues pioneer Ottilie Patterson in their dedicated concert Nov 6th 2025 at The Mac Theatre Belfast, for Sound of Belfast Festival, and with contemporary voice ensemble Tonntá and The Crash Ensemble at The National Concert Hall Dublin for Music Town Festival this summer.

Other work include collaborations and session work with songwriters, composers, and artists such as Amanda Coogan and Linda Buckley’s 2024 co-production ‘Possession,’ with The Dublin Dance Theatre of the Deaf.

A recipient of the 2023 Irish Arts Council Music Bursary for her songwriting, her other main creative work is with international voice and string ensemble collaboration “The Savage Five”, who toured Ireland Oct 2024.

She had performed with the Paul Brady Band as backing vocalist and violinist for ten years, and for many international Jazz and Folk festivals with her own music, and recent successful touring acoustic show, “A Case of You - The Songs of Joni Mitchell.”

Now based between Belfast and Dublin, Suzanne continues to be a vital presence on the Irish and European music scenes. Join us for what promises to be a very special evening.

REVIEWS:

'One of Ireland's hidden music heroes' - Lisa Flavelle, BBC

'A natural born star' - Pat Carty, Hot Press

'This girl could sing the phonebook and bring a tear to my eye' - Muireann NicAmhlaibh (RTE Radio One)

'Probably one of the best voices out of N.Ireland in the past thirty years' - Jackie Flavelle, downtown radio

16/10/2025

Building on our track record in providing a platform for younger musicians, we also see the need for quality live music experiences for younger audiences - so who better to pilot our first afternoon gig with than Bressie - an artist who has already made a huge connection with younger people in Ireland?

And so, while we host him at the The Mick Lally Theatre as he launches his new album on Friday 24th October, there will be an extra afternoon show which will be suitable for all ages and which has a special concession ticket rate.

'Bressie', over the years, has blurred the lines between music and mental health. Currently one of our music industry's most prolific mental health campaigners , he is an author, a podcaster, academic, author, musician as well as a philanthropist and former professional athlete.

He will be touring to launch a spacious, introspective and emotionally resonant new album, a new direction, The Place That Has Never Been Wounded, to be released October 24th via the Icelandic label INNI.

Featuring 14 carefully crafted piano compositions, gently framed by atmospheric strings and immersive ambient details, the album is a stylistic swerve from Breslin’s earlier work.

Speaking of the single, Niall says: “‘The Credence Frequency’ is about tuning back into the primal transmission between body and mind, the signal that the chaos of modern culture drowns out. Endless metrics, curated feeds, the circus of self-optimisation, spiritual bypassing, individualism… it all distorts the frequency until you mistake the noise for your own voice.”

This promises to be a very special gig, so why not bring some of the favourite young people in your life?

Book now at:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theblackgateculturalcentre/1819543

Niall Breslin - The Place That Has Never Been Wounded – The Mick Lally Theatre, Fri 24 Oct 2025 - Black Gate PresentsNiall Breslin - The Place That Has Never Been Wounded  Mick Lally Theatre3pm October 24thDoors at 2:30pm All Ages Show Tickets: €30 Concession ( tee...

23/09/2025

We are delighted to be hosting Niamh Regan at The Mick Lally Theatre on Sunday October 19th at 8pm, for the Galway leg of her national tour.

With her stunning 2024 release Come As You Are, Niamh Regan has cemented herself as one of Ireland’s most distinctive songwriters. Nominated for the RTÉ Choice Prize for Irish Album of the Year, Come As You Are is a masterwork of intimate storytelling, rich arrangements, and unflinching emotional honesty. The album marks a bold evolution from her debut Hemet(2020), which garnered nominations for the RTÉ Folk Awards and the Choice Music Prize.

Come As You Are, produced by Tommy McLaughlin/Attica Studios, is an album full of vulnerability and unflinching introspection. As the title suggests, it invites listeners to embrace their true selves, confronting personal doubts, complicated relationships, and questions about life's direction. Each track is a delicate balance of delicate folk instrumentation and expansive soundscapes.

Niamh Regan first caught the attention of listeners with her 2020 debut Hemet, which was released on our Black Gate musical label, a strikingly collection that showcased her gift for penning folk-tinged songs with emotional depth and reflective sincerity. That album paved the way for a whirlwind of performances across Ireland, the UK, Australia, and beyond. Opening for artists such as CMAT, Villagers, John Grant, SOAK, Patrick Watson, James Vincent McMorror, and Sam Amidon, Regan honed her live performance chops and began to embrace the joy and catharsis of sharing her music with a wider audience.

With Come As You Are, Regan's vision grew. She sought to create a richer, more expansive sound, inspired by artists like Julia Jacklin, Caroline Rose, and Wilco. The result is an album that feels both intimate and cinematic.

Niamh Regan has always been a storyteller at heart, and Come As You Are proves that her voice, both literal and musical, is one that demands attention.

Doors at 7.30pm. Tickets €20.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theblackgateculturalcentre/1750882

23/09/2025

Pre order Niall Breslin's new album ‘The Place That Has Never Been Wounded’, out on Inni Music on 24th October. Available on Digital and Vinyl from Bandcamp

Tickets still available for Bressie ‘s two gigs at The Mick Lally Theatre in Galway on Friday 24th October - 3pm & 8pm

To book our afternoon gig - doors 2.30pm - with its special concession rate for a younger audience:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theblackgateculturalcentre/1819543

To book our evening gig, doors 7.30pm (only 19 tx left):
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theblackgateculturalcentre/1819616

17/08/2025

A sneak preview of what promises to be a very special concert with Niall Breslin (aka Bressie) as we launch his album The Place That Has Never Been Wounded at The Mick Lally Theatre on Friday 24th October.

There will be two shows - one at 3pm for all ages and an evening show at 8pm.

'Bressie', over the years, has blurred the lines between music and mental health. Currently one of our music industry's most prolific mental health campaigners , he is an author, a podcaster, academic, author, musician as well as a philanthropist and former professional athlete.

He will be touring to launch a spacious, introspective and emotionally resonant new album, a new direction, The Place That Has Never Been Wounded, to be released October 24th via the Icelandic label INNI.

Featuring 14 carefully crafted piano compositions, gently framed by atmospheric strings and immersive ambient details, the album is a stylistic swerve from Breslin’s earlier work.

Speaking of the single, Niall says: “‘The Credence Frequency’ is about tuning back into the primal transmission between body and mind, the signal that the chaos of modern culture drowns out. Endless metrics, curated feeds, the circus of self-optimisation, spiritual bypassing, individualism… it all distorts the frequency until you mistake the noise for your own voice.”

This promises to be a very special gig, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming a younger audience for the Friday afternoon!

Tickets are available here:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theblackgateculturalcentre

14/05/2025

Due to popular demand, we've moved the venue for our upcoming gig on Saturday June 7th with Jinx Lennon & RÓIS to Nun's Island Theatre, and are delighted to announce we have more tickets on sale!

Jinx has been at the periphery of the Irish music scene since the mid-80s playing in Novena Babes, Silver Seeds, Sneaky Pete and The Ostrich before going solo in 1999. Described as Ireland’s premier punk poet, he writes about his own head wrecks, the local oddballs, the drama and the characters of Dundalk border existence and beyond.

After a busy 2024, Jinx is set to hit 2025 with his new album The Hate Agents Leer At The Last Isle Of Hope releasing in April 2025.

Lennon's work has been compared to Mark E. SMITH and John Cooper Clarke for the "off-beat genius of his lyrics". Themes explored in his music include childhood, poverty inequality, the Celic Tiger, domestic violence, mental health, loneliness, the importance of self-love, recession, emigration, anti-Irish sentiment, environmentalism, racism, the 2014 Garda Whistleblower scandal, the Lisa Smith case as well as wider societal issues affecing the border region, Dundalk and Ireland at large.

RÓIS is a composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and electronic artist from Fermanagh, whose songs breathe new life into a forgotten Ireland. Blending elements of folk, sean-nós, electronics, and jazz harmony, RÓIS’ genre-bending sound mtransports listeners to a different realm. With shapeshifting sets, no two performances are ever the same, as audiences accompany RÓIS into her sound world. Expect twists and turns of tempo and genre, and moments of sheer magic, as she conducts the energy of the room. This is a place where the ancient meets the new.

RÓIS’ ethereal voice has been compared to the likes of Björk, Meredith Monk and Hatis Noit. It is a vocal style rooted in traditional sean-nós singing, as she summons the dead and forgotten, with ancient ‘keening’ songs. With RÓIS’ performances the old and the new are enmeshed, alongside encapsulating visuals, in the hope of creating good art. Leading audiences into a realm of mysticism and creating a space for introspection, these live experiences are completely unique.

Tickets available below. Doors 8pm.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theblackgateculturalcentre/1609768

14/05/2025

Please support local artist Lisa Clancy in the launch of her new book, Insect Portraits.

📅 Date: May 22

⏰ Time: 8 PM

📍Location: The Mick Lally Theatre, Druid Lane.

Insects are “the little things that run the world.” They pollinate our crops, decompose waste, aerate soil, serve as a primary food source, and keep ecosystems functioning properly, yet they are vanishing at alarming rates. Insect Portraits, however, does not dwell in the despair of that collapse. In a time when the weight of environmental crises can leave people feeling emotionally exhausted, Insect Portraits serves as a celebration, showcasing the charming, and often entertaining, side of insects. Using macro photography and engaging storytelling, this collection brings insects into visual and conceptual focus, hoping to spark admiration, and through admiration, action.

Míle Buíochas ❤️

Pre-order link: https://www.mayobooks.ie/Insects-Ireland-Lisa-Clancy-Photography-9781914596391?search=lisa%20clancy