Our December's news

Welcome to our December newsletter!

AGM

Thanks to all who came along to the AGM, it was a great turn out on the night and we appreciate all the input we received. The detailed minutes of the meeting will be published on our website in due course but in the meantime, we would like to highlight two important motions that were carried: 

• From 2026 we will ask for an annual membership donation of 20 euros to help cover our overheads (current 2,000 euro per annum).
• A code of ethics was approved, which all members and company officers agree to abide by.

We will publish full details of the above new policies on our website in the next month.

Community Employment Scheme and TÚS

We are working together with Moy Valley Resources to hire someone who may be interested in helping us run the co-op.

This role offers the opportunity to develop skills in event planning, administration, fundraising, and managing the space. If you’re interested, please drop us a line at info@thencf.art so we can check your eligibility for the scheme.

We are also working toward having support from a person on TÚS scheme. All the info on this coming next month. 

Events in the space

Unity @ theNCF – Saturday, 6th of December, 9PM

FunknHard returns with a high-energy night of House, Techno, and Trance, uniting music lovers for an unforgettable experience. The event brings together top DJs from both Ballina and Sligo, showcasing a diverse mix of local talent and driving underground sounds. With pulsating rhythms, vibrant atmosphere, and a crowd ready to move, FunknHard’s latest gathering promises an electrifying celebration of community, creativity, and cutting-edge electronic music.

Open Mic Xmas Edition– Saturday, 13th of December, 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.

Abhainn Studio & Pals Xmas Party in theNCF 

Saturday, 20th of December, 9PM

New Years Eve Party @ theNCF 

Wednesday, 31st of December, 10PM

Ring in 2026 at the NCF with DJ Quincy and DJ Spuggy as they close out 2025 in style. Expect a night of upbeat underground house, rolling techno vibes, and a few unexpected gems dropped in along the way. Great music, good people, and a seriously fun atmosphere—no stress, no fuss, just a brilliant New Year’s Eve to remember.

Other events from members

The last exhibition in the studio this year. Opening December 3rd at 6pm.The evening will be opened by Úna Forde from the Ballinglen Arts Foundation.

About the Artist

Emmanuel Matt is a French-Swiss artist based on Ireland’s northwest coast. His work moves between abstraction and landscape, drawing on memory, myth, and the quiet presence of place. Working mainly in oils and natural pigments, he creates paintings that feel both atmospheric and deeply rooted in the land. His sculptures use multiple elements and deal with abstract concepts.

His work has been shown in Ireland, the UK, France and the USA, including recent exhibitions at So Fine Art Editions (Dublin), Birch Tree Gallery (Edinburgh) and the Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition.

Opening: Tomorrow, 3rd of December, 6pm

Abhainn Studio

Artist: Emmanuel Matt

All welcome — we’d love to see you there.