Drogheda Festival of Ideas
Tuesday 08th September 2026, 16:00pm
The Festival of Ideas is a dynamic, interdisciplinary celebration that explores the powerful themes of dereliction, vacancy, and revitalisation. Rooted in architecture, urban planning, art, and social change, the festival invites communities, creatives, thinkers, and activists to reimagine the spaces we overlook — abandoned buildings, forgotten corners, and dormant infrastructures — as sites of potential and transformation.
Through thought-provoking talks, interactive installations, guided urban walks and collaborative workshops, the festival delves into the layered histories of neglected spaces and investigates their roles in shaping identity, memory, and possibility.
From grassroots regeneration projects to radical visions for future cities, the Festival of IDEAs challenges us to see Drogheda differently.
Held at the intersection of creativity and civic engagement, this festival serves as both a platform and a provocation: how might we breathe new life into what’s been left behind?
This years festival runs from September 17 – 20 in multiple venues throughout the town.
The launch event in the Droichead Arts Centre on Thusday 17th entitled Urban Renewal, imagining a better future for Drogheda City is an evening of discussion with contributions from experts on urban regeneration, heritage, lessons from Aberdeen and the next steps forward for Drogheda’s rebirth. There will be an opportunity to engage on the night as the event with include a Q&A session.
This event will be hosted by Gavin Duffy, with contributions from:
- Adrian Watson – CEO of Aberdeen Inspired
- Ali Harvey – formerly Heritage Council and Town Centre Health Checks
- Kevin Duff – Dublin City Planning Officer with An Taisce
- Bryan Coughlan – Senior Executive Officer, Louth County Council
Gavin Duffy – Moderator
Drogheda entrepreneur Gavin Duffy, began his business career working in the family pub, The Weavers on West St. He set up LMFM in 1989, a very successful local radio station, and subsequently sold it in 2004. He established his own media and management consultancy Gavin Duffy and Associates in 1992. He’s probably best known as an investor dragon on Ireland’s Dragon’s Den. He was a candidate in the 2018 presidential campaign. He is a regular conference speaker at business events in Ireland.
Adrian Watson – Contributor
Adrian has been CEO of Aberdeen Inspired, since 2016, a business improvement district company, funded by the rate payers of Aberdeen City. He previously spent 30 years in the police service, including 7 years a Commander for Aberdeen City, gaining wide ranging experience in criminal investigation, intelligence, and leadership at both national and international levels. With a strong commitment to Aberdeen and its people, Adrian works to create a vibrant, thriving city centre where businesses, residents and visitors can enjoy everything the Granite City has to offer. He holds a BSc, MSc and MBA from Aberdeen Business School and serves as an Executive Director of Scotland’s Towns Partnership.
Ali Harvey – Contributor
Ali is a Chartered Planner and a qualified project manager, with Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd. With over 20 years experience in town planning and projects in accordance with Irish and European planning and environmental legislation. She has led on the provision of evidence based regeneration with planning and development advice to all levels of Government. Previously she led the Town Centre Health Checks, an initiative to help improve town centre vibrancy. She previously worked as a community-led regeneration specialist.
Bryan Coughlan – Contributor
Bryan is a Senior Executive Officer in the Major Capital Projects & Infrastructure Delivery directorate of Louth County Council. He currently leads a number of public realm projects across County Louth, including specifically to Drogheda, the Westgate Vision scheme, the proposed Laurence’s Gate Plaza and the redevelopment of St. Dominic’s Park.
Previously, Bryan has held a number of roles in the Civil Service and Local Government, including the Houses of the Oireachtas, Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council.
Bryan holds a BA in History, Sociology and Politics and a MA in Economic Policy Evaluation and Planning.
Kevin Duff – Contributor
Kevin is a prominent conservationist and Dublin City Planning Officer for An Taisce. He handles planning monitoring, reviews, and formal submissions regarding architectural heritage and urban planning within the Dublin City area.
Kevin is a regular contributor to media discussions on urban development in Dublin and it’s impact on the city’s historical landscape.
Tickets for the event, supported by Fitz Scientific and Love Drogheda which starts at 7pm in the Droichead Arts Centre, are priced at €12.50 and are available via the Droichead Arts Centre website www.droichead.com and www.developmentprespectives.ie/festivalofideas
About the organisers:
Drogheda Dereliction and Vacancy (DVD) was established in late 2024 as a multi-stakeholder task force whose mission was the eradication of dereliction and vacancy in Drogheda
Development Perspectives: The mission of Development perspectives is to tackle poverty, inequality and climate change through transformative education and active global citizenship. Our work explores, examines and acts upon a range of issues and challenges that face our world. In order for this to work effectively, we use participatory and interactive learning methods to ensure the greatest impact for participants of our programmes.
Upstate Theatre Project: Upstate Theatre Project is a community-engaged performing arts organisation adhering to collective and collaborative approaches in keeping with principles of cultural democracy. Upstate was founded in 1997 and has pursued a collaborative, participatory practice since its inception.
