Later this month, Naas, will play host to the ‘More Than That’ Festival, which includes the inaugural Christy Dignam Recovery Champion Award.
Taking place on September 30, the festival will host the Recovery Champions 5K Run, which will be also followed by music from the Druids, along with in conversation with Bressie at the Farmers Market in Naas.
The event promises to “shine a light” on recovery and those recovering from addiction.
The Christy Dignam Recovery Champion Award
That evening, Keira Dignam, daughter of the late Irish music legend Christy, will pay a beautiful tribute to her father through song, and the use of the spoken word.
This festival will also see the maiden Christy Dignam Recovery Champion Award presented at the Old Dara Cinema in Naas, in what has been described as a “fireside event”, which promises “an intimate evening of music, poetry and conversation”.
Keira will also present the Christy Dignam Recovery Champion Award later that evening.
‘More Than That’ will raise awareness around the whole issue of recovery and people who battle with addiction issues.
Mary Hulgraine, goalkeeper for the Kildare Ladies Gaelic Football team, who played a key role in their All Ireland Intermediate victory this year, will will speak about recovery.
Hulgraine is a Mental Health advocate.
Congratulations to our Roísín 💚💚💚💚
𝐓𝐆𝟒 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩!
Six of our All Ireland winning stars have been named on the @sporttg4 Team of the Championship. Congratultions to Lauren, Laoise, Neasa, Róisín, Grace and Mary!#Proudclub pic.twitter.com/bg17gEgQrc— sashgaa (@SashGAA) September 11, 2023
“bring recovery out of the shadows”
Hosting the event, Keith Walsh offered an insight into what the festival is all about.
“the event seeks to bring recovery out of the shadows and the best way to do that is to shine a light on it”, he goes on to say “it is great to see the local authorities in Naas showing their support by illuminating town in Purple in a act of solidarity with all those in recovery from addiction”, Walsh said.
Elsewhere, Aubrey McCarty who is the Chairperson of the Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force and event organisers, also had this to add.
“I am absolutely thrilled to see my home town of Naas playing an integral part in “recovery month”. Recovery shows that although we cannot change the past we certainly can change the ending. Naas will light up in purple and shine a light for those who are still trying to find their way”.
Check out a list of guest speakers below.
- Award-Winning Folk Band The Druids
- Ryan Mack
- Bressie
- Kildare senior football management and players, including Johnny Doyle and Anthony Rainbow
- Mental Health advocate and goalkeeper for the All Ireland Intermediate Champions 2023, Kildare, Mary Hulgraine
- Award-winning actor and comedian Willa White
- Naas Singer-Songwriter Sive
- Kildare musician and producer Hally
- Polish Naas DJ and Big Brother Poland Runner Up ‘Bart’
- Keith Walsh Mental Health advocate, comedian, DJ
- And many more
For more information on how to get involved with the ‘More Than That’ Recovery Festival. Click here.
