Dolmen’s group leads local discussion on climate change and action needed to address it
The Dolmens Climate Action Network has a really busy couple of weeks ahead as they continue on their mission to raise engagement and awareness about the key existential environmental issues that face us all.
This voluntary community group, with over 700 members from around the Castlewellan area and County Down and beyond, supports community action and discussion about everything climate.
And no one can dispute the change in our weather and seasons as storm Agnes blasted across Ireland last week !
Mary McAnulty, one of the events organisers for the Dolmen’s group, said: “On Saturday 30th September, the first of two events was held in Castlewellan Community Centre to discuss all things climate and community.
“Twenty people engaged in conversation reviewing the past 4 years and the Dolmens actions/events and projects on climate and environments at the local level whilst building community.
“The second session takes place at 10am-1pm on Saturday 7th October, and it will focus on future themes and projects to continue the work and deepen the impact.
“Everyone is very welcome to come along and join in the conversation.
“Watch this space for more events and opportunities to get involved over the coming weeks.”
Mary McAnulty added: “The group are passionate about community action and initiatives.
“To illustrate the power of people working together they have organized a performance of the Kabosh production – ‘NOT ON OUR WATCH‘ to come to Castlewellan Lodge on Saturday 14th October, commencing at 8pm.
“The play, written by Louise Mathews weaves music, humour, and immense passion to tell the true story of six determined workers from Belfast.
“They rise together to fight against a failing system and an uncaring establishment when Northern Ireland’s only dedicated women’s hostel is threatened with closure in January 2022.
“For 12 weeks they live, work, and breathe resistance with cross-community support.
“The three actors animate the story of both residents and staff, teasing out the preconceptions of the both, as the workers’ struggle to keep the hostel open, for their residents and their own jobs.”
The three-strong cast brings this play with contemporary issues to life.
Bernadette Brown most recently seen on Hope Street (2022), Give My Head Peace (2022), Blue Lights (2022); Catriona McFeely in Dancing at the Disco at the End of the World (2021), The Shedding of Skin (2022) and Rough Girls (2021); and Rachael McCabe works with the comedy group Those Who Can’t, a regular cast member of Murder She Got Wrote Off (Accidental Theatre).
Kabosh Artistic Director Paula McFetridge said: “Louise has produced an amazing piece of work, full of compassion for the broken lives of these women while at the same time angrily denouncing the system that has failed them in every way possible.”
Mary McAnulty, Dolmen’s group organiser, said” “This is a wonderful production about ordinary people taking a stand and it might be the last chance for people to see it.
“It just shows that when the community comes together it can support and galvanise action.
“We have achieved so much in the Dolmen’s group through community action in the wider Castlewellan area, and we hope this production will inspire others to join.
“We are very grateful to the Community Fund and County Down Rural Community Network for supporting us.”
Tickets are £10 and £5 for students and available via Eventbrite (Not On Our Watch – Castlewellan Tickets, Sat 14 Oct 2023 at 20:00 | Eventbrite)
or at the door which opens at 7.30pm.
More about Kabosh
Bio’s.
Bernadette Brown – Aoife
Born and raised in Belfast, Bernadette has been acting professionally since 2004. She has over 19 years’ experience in television and theatre. Bernadette previously worked with Kabosh on To Have & To Hold and Belfast by Moonlight.
Her recent television credits include Hope Street, Give My Head Peace, Dry Your Eyes, Nowhere Special and Secret Life of Boys. All available to watch on BBC iPlayer!
Catriona McFeely – Grace
Catriona is from Derry and is based in Belfast. She studied Acting at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
Catriona previously worked with Kabosh on The Shedding of Skin and Drawing the Ring of Steel. Other recent theatre credits include Cinderella (Cahoots NI /The MAC); Teechers (Bruiser); Secrets of Space (Cahoots NI); Rough Girls, A Walk is not a Walk and Blackout (Lyric Theatre); Cinderella (GBL Productions); Grand (Verge 2 Rehearsed Readings – Prime Cut Productions) and Dear World (Big Telly Theatre Company).
Catriona has also worked extensively with Replay Theatre Company who specialise in Theatre for Younger and Inclusive Audiences, shows include Dancing at the Disco at the End of the World and Tribe.
Rachael McCabe – Mary
Rachael was born in Antrim and is an actor, musician, writer, and facilitator. After graduating from the University of Oxford and Sussex, she attended the Lyric Drama Studio.
Rachael previously worked with Kabosh on Drawing the Ring of Steel. She has also worked with Bruiser, Prime Cut and Wireless Mystery Theatre. Recent productions include Murder She Got Wrote Off (Accidental Theatre) and Shared? (Partisan Productions).
Rachael is a member of comedy group Those Who Can’t.
Louise Mathews
Louise is a Belfast playwright and actor who trained at Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin. Her play Immaculate premiered with Tinderbox Theatre Co. directed by Patrick J O’Reilly. She has also been a youth and community theatre facilitator for over 20 years, devising, writing and directing plays, particularly with her company Time To Shine Drama.
She previously worked with Kabosh as project co-ordinator and facilitator on the participatory project Aftermath, as an actor in The Shedding of Skin, No News Is Good News, Laser Lunacy and Hostel. Her other theatre performance credits include Conversations With Angels (Brassneck); Hansel and Gretel (The MAC); Here We Lie (Rawlife Theatre) and Sinners (Lyric Theatre). Her recent film credits include Ballywalter and Here Before by Stacey Gregg; Nowhere Special by Uberto Pasolini and Last Right written by Aoife Crehan.
