About

« An Arts Centre is more than a building. It is a place of life and celebration where each day brings new opportunities to be inspired and connect »

What we do

Solstice is a home where we invite artists and communities to connect with us in our own special way. We programme a diverse range of music, theatre, visual arts, cinema and dance from local and international artists and companies. The architecture and quality of the building demand that we go beyond programming to embrace a positive ambition.

We work with, and listen to our communities ensuring ownership of the building, so that local life and people are always reflected in our activities.

We are a visual arts space curating exceptional local, national and international exhibitions of artistic excellence.

We are a performing house presenting a diverse range of performing arts and cultural cinema from local and international artists and companies.

We connect with children, schools, youth, families, individuals and groups through our learning and participation programme.

We are a café, a meeting point where people from different creeds and communities get together and socialise.

We support professional artists so that they have access to space, resources and expertise to develop and explore their practice.

We commission and produce new work with artists that often reflect our immense heritage, but also how we our lives. These events sometimes tour, reaching further both nationally and internationally.

Our Mission

Our mission is to be a thriving regional arts centre of excellence in the north east of Ireland, connecting artists and their work to local, national and international audiences.

Home
We aspire for Solstice to be an open comfortable space of welcome and belonging for all our users. Between the daily grind and domestic life, we are a third space of individual freedoms.

Awaken
We believe that arts and culture illuminate our lives, and awaken possibility in everyone. We create extraordinary creative moments that stir hearts and minds. We commission and produce contemporary arts that resonate with our lives and lands.

Bold
Solstice is a cultural resource that shares our creative projects beyond all types of barriers and borders. We like to be audacious and ambitious about what we can do and where we can do it.

Brilliance
We are a catalyst for artistic excellence and quality user experiences. Our staff are resilient and resourceful, using shared expertise to deliver operational and corporate brilliance.

Together
The diversity of our users enriches our vision. We nurture an inclusive and equitable environment, leveraging positive societal impact through our collective activities.

Spaces & Hire

Solstice Arts Centre is home to a range of spaces suitable for all types of artistic practice: performance, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and informal meets. A hub of connectivity, the award-winning centre was designed by leading architect Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects and opened to the public in 2006.

THEATRE

The 320-seat theatre space is the core of performing arts in Meath. With 20 flying lines and the latest lighting and audio technology, the theatre can support the professional development of regional groups whilst producing a vibrant national and international performance programme.

Downloads:
Technical Specifications
Stage Cross Sections
Stage with Fly Bars
Plug Map

CINEMA

The main auditorium also operates as a cinema, showing a mixture of new release, art house, independent, Irish and children's films. Cinema facilities include a state-of-the-art digital 4K Sony Projector, Dolby Surround Sound and a 10 metre screen which takes up the full width of the stage area, making it one of the best venues in the northeast to enjoy films. This project was supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in conjunction with Meath County Council.

GALLERY

Located on the third floor, the Solstice Gallery is finished to the highest professional standard. The natural light through three connecting rooms can be controlled when required by a bespoke blind system. Integrated track lighting offers dynamic lighting options for visiting artists. With the provision of internet ports and audio in each of the galleries, Solstice can support a diversity of visual arts curation.

Download Gallery Plan

FOYER

This ground-floor space provides a comfortable, child-friendly dining area for our cafe (open 9:00am – 4:00pm Monday – Saturday) and pre-concert bar with free wifi for customers. The Box Office and visual spaces are also located in the Foyer.

STUDIO

Located on the ground floor, the studio provides a space of making and engagement between visiting artists and you, ideal for workshops and meetings.

For information about booking a space at Solstice Arts Centre contact Programme Manager Erin Kenny: erin.kenny@solsticeartscentre.ie

For technical information contact Technical Manager Nell Conneally at: nell.conneally@solsticeartscentre.ie

Gallery Room 2 View Rooom 3 in background

Who we are

The team behind Solstice are always working to make your experience exceptional. Staff member contact details are below, or scroll down to read more about our Board of Directors.

Belinda Quirke

Artistic Director Email

Alison Dowling

Administration Manager Email

Erin Kenny

Programme Manager Email

Paula Piotrowska

Marketing & Business Development Manager Email

Deirdre Rogers

Visual Arts Facilitation & Engagement Officer Email

Nell Conneally

Technical Manager Email

Niall Murphy

Maintenance Manager Email

Louise Kirwan

Front of House Manager Email

Aisling McNamara

Box Office Assistant Email

Sarah-Jane Coxon

Box Office Assistant Email

Board and Governance

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jackie Maguire (Chairperson)

Jackie Maguire is Chief Executive of Meath County Council having been appointed Meath County Manager in June 2013. Jackie commenced her Local Government career in 1981 with Meath County Council, being promoted to Head of Finance in 2000 and Director of Services in 2003. She served as County Manager for Leitrim County Council from 2006 to 2013.

She is a member of The Executive Committee of the City and County Management Association (CCMA) and represents the CCMA at national level on various committees progressing the implementation of the change management process in local government. Jackie is a serving Director on The Boards of the Housing Finance Agency (HFA); Music Generation and Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).

Jackie holds a Diploma in Financial Management and a Masters in Project Finance/Venture Management.

Jackie was appointed as a Member of the Board on 15/11/2013.

Arthur Lappin

Arthur Lappin has for over 30 years been a leading film and theatre producer. He has been a producer on 16 feature films, several TV series and documentaries. He has produced over 20 stage productions in all major Dublin theatres and on tour in Ireland, the UK and Australia. His feature films, which include My Left Foot, The Field, In The Name of The Father and In America, were nominated for 16 Academy Awards and won 4 as well as many other international awards.

He also works as a Consultant in the cultural sector - previous clients include The Arts Council and The Abbey Theatre and most recently he was Strategist and bid book Editor for Galway’s successful bid for European Capital of Culture 2020.

His many voluntary board positions include Founding Chair of the National Training Committee for Film and TV (now Screen Training Ireland) and The Ark, as well as Chair of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. He is a native of Kells, Co. Meath with several business interests there.

Arthur was appointed as a Member of the Board on 24/10/2016.

Caitríona Heslin

Caitríona has been actively involved in all aspects of drama and theatre over many years including marketing, design, production, acting and directing. She has a particular interest in sustainable community-based drama activities through increasing standards and supporting local partnership developments.

Caitríona directed a number of productions for Navan Theatre Group in Solstice Arts Centre including A Streetcar Named Desire, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Translations and in 2016 The Plough and the Stars to mark the centenary celebrations. Caitriona has also designed and facilitated a range of theatre resources and workshops.

Working in the Irish public health system for many years in clinical, strategic, policy and organisation development consultancy gives Caitríona a rich blend of experiences and knowledge to share. She is a native of Longford and lives in Navan.

Caitríona was appointed as a Member of the Board on 07/05/2019.

Helen Stanton

Helen Stanton is Manager of Public Engagement, Outreach and Education at the Devenish Lands at Dowth, County Meath.

Previously, Helen worked as an executive coach and consultant for senior leaders in organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors such as Intel, eir, Bulmers, The Bar Council of Ireland, The Law Society of Ireland, Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, Dundalk IT, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and the South West Inner City Local Employment Centre. She worked in Eir as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive and also as Manager of Regulatory Affairs.

Helen started her working life in IBEC’s Brussels office specialising in telecommunications liberalisation and R&D funding. She has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in European Economic and Public Affairs. Despite the largely techie career, Helen has had a life-long interest in the arts.

Helen was appointed as a Member of the Board on 01/11/2018.

Cllr. Francis Deane

Cllr. Francis Deane was born and raised in Navan from a farming background and attended St Patrick's Classical School. Owner and operator of a well-known menswear shop on Trimgate Street for 23 years, Francis has been heavily involved in many local and national organisations, having served on the following bodies: Founder member and secretary of Leinster Lamb Producer group; Former active member of Macra na Feirme, An Taisce and the IFA; Former member of Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association; Former Mayor of Navan/Leas Chathaoirleach of Meath County Council.

At present Cllr. Deane is serving in the following roles/areas: Chairman of Ramparts/Boyne Canal Enhancement Plan; Chairman of Navan Live Animal Crib Committee; Chairman of Old Athlumney Graveyard Committee; Chairman of NMD Tidy Towns Committee; Member of Meath Joint Policing Committee; Vice-chair of Navan Enterprise Centre; Vice-chair of Old Johnstown Village Community Group; Committee member of Meath County Council SPC; Knights of St Columbanus member.

Cllr. Deane was appointed as a Member of the Board on 26/06/2019.

Cllr. Yemi Adenuga

Cllr. Yemi Adenuga is Ireland’s first ever elected Black Female public representative and Meath County Council’s first migrant councillor. She ran in the local elections of May 2019 and was elected as a Fine Gael councillor, representing Navan Municipal District. Yemi and her family ‘The Adenugas’ are the first migrant family to feature on the TV hit reality show ‘Gogglebox Ireland’ which airs on Virgin Media Ireland. Yemi first lived in Dublin when she came to Ireland in 2000, and relocated to Navan in 2004, where she lives with her husband and children.

Cllr. Adenuga has a background in Radio and TV Broadcasting as a presenter, Newscaster, producer and Talk show host. She is a People Development Strategist, a Confidence Coach and an entrepreneur who builds people through the MIB INSTITUTE of People Development. She holds a Post-graduate certificate in Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise from the University of Dublin (UCD) Innovation Academy, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree (Project Management stream) from the Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, a Bachelors of Business Studies (BBS Honors, Entrepreneurship Stream) and a Diploma in Business Studies (Human Resource Management Stream) both from University College Dublin (UCD).

Cllr. Adenuga was appointed as a Member of the Board on 26/06/2019.

Cllr. Padraig Fitzsimons

Biography coming soon.

Cllr. Padraig Fitzsimons was appointed as a Member of the Board on 26/06/2019.

Belinda Quirke (Company Secretary)

Biography coming soon.

Belinda Quirke was appointed as a Member of the Board on 26/09/2007.

GOVERNANCE

Solstice Arts Centre is committed to good governance, complies with all regulatory requirements, and operates in accordance with its governing document. Solstice Arts Centre keeps detailed books and records of accounts and maintains strict financial controls. The organisation is transparent in its audited financial statements. Solstice Arts Centre is committed to complying with the guidelines given in the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities as outlined in the Arts Council’s document ‘Recommended Guidelines for Financial Reporting’ in 2016 in respect of accounts for 2015.

Solstice Arts Centre is registered with Revenue as a charity (CHY 17588) and with the Charities Regulator (Registered Charity Number: 20065775).

Audited Accounts 2021

Please email us on info@solsticeartscentre.ie if you would like to access our Audited Accounts for previous years.

Articles and Memorandum of Association