April Newsletter

Hi everyone and welcome to our April newsletter

GENERAL NEWS

REMINDER OF NEW MEMBERSHIP RULES

Just reminding you once again of our new membership rules were approved at the AGM last November. Full details on how to become a member—or how to renew your membership—are available on our website: https://thencf.art/registration/new

There are two types of membership: simple member and full member. Full members have the right to vote and to book the space.

WEBSITE

We're launching a new website where members can "do stuff".  Jokes aside the aim is to gradually remove the admin bottleneck that exists currently and make cross member communication easier. You can try it out by going to

https://thencf.art/dashboard and resetting the password for whatever email you used to sign up. Feedback / contributions welcome.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE OPEN CALL - EXTENDED TO MAY 15TH

The NCF cultural co-op, in partnership with Ballina Fringe Festival, invites applications from visual artists based in Ireland or Europe for an artist residency in Ballina, County Mayo. This residency is funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and supports an LGBTQ+–related visual arts residency.

The residency offers an opportunity for a visual artist to spend time in Ballina developing new work or research that engages with LGBTQ+ themes, lived experience, histories, or futures. Artists are encouraged to approach this openly and critically, and proposals may be personal, political, social, or experimental in nature.

More info https://ballinafringefestival.ie/open-calls/

EVENTS

Fierce Shook, Yop and Sean Gorman

Friday, April 3rd 

From Tullamore 3 piece punk outfit Fierce Shook will be bringing their experimental punk rock sound. 

Your favourite Krauty Na boys Yop are back! Since last gig in November, they have received some killer reviews on their latest record In Vile Viciousness.

And from the Kingdom of Gorman our favourite comedy bard Sean Gorman will provide the musical laughs. 

DOORS 9pm 

€10

BYOB

Ben De La Cour (USA) + support

Sunday, April 5th  — 7:30 PM

Brooklyn-raised Ben De La Cour was last in Ireland as special guest of Lucinda Williams at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre in January 2026.

Easter Sunday sees him play an intimate show at the NCF in Ballina, as part of an extensive Irish tour.

A natural storyteller, Tennessee's Ben De La Cour's visceral songwriting grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go. Weaving evocative stories of desperate characters with his signature “Americanoir” sound, de la Cour shines a glaring light on the human condition.

Tickets: 20 euro (plus booking fee)

Start time:

8pm: Doppler

8.30pm: Ben De La Cour

Buy tickets here

Ballina Punx Present: Zeal Machine, Dash! and Mart

Saturday, April 18th — 10PM

Doors: 9 PM/ €10

BYOB

Accidental Music Club #3

Friday, April 24th  —  7:30 to 10:30 PM

The second edition of Accidental Music Club. A new sound improvisation meetup at theNCF. Everyone is invited to bring along non-musical objects and explore sound-making together through listening, experimentation, and playful collaboration. There's no musical experience needed — just curiosity and openness. 

Hosted by Jonathan Crean. 

Free event. 

Tea & coffee will be provided! 

Open Mic

Saturday, April 25th  — from 9PM

Open mic night  returns to the NCF! Whether it’s music, poetry, comedy, or storytelling, the stage is open for you. Sign-up begins at 9PM, and performances start at 10PM. Guitars (right- and left-handed) will be available. The evening will be hosted by Seán Gorman and Joe Clarke — come along for a relaxed night of creativity, fun, and community spirit.

Free event.