' Strange Enlightenments'- Flann O'Brien International conference: The Alley Arts Centre, Strabane, N. Ireland
Current exhibition
Overview
' Strange Enlightenments' responses to the work of Brian O'Nolan, featuring artwork by Eddie O'Kane, Joanna O'Kane, Eamon O'Kane, Matthew O'Kane and David O'Kane
Thursday 26th June-
7.00pm Book & Art Launch
Launch of Flann O’Brien and the European Avant-Garde, 1934–45 by Tobias Harris
(Bloomsbury Academic, 2025)
Launch of Terminal 1: Arrivals by Niall Montgomery, edited by Joseph LaBine
Launch of ' Strange Enlightenments' responses to the work of Brian O'Nolan, featuring artwork by Eddie O'Kane, Joanna O'Kane, Eamon O'Kane, Matthew O'Kane and David O'Kane
Micheál Ó Nualláin Art Exhibit launch by Anna Uí Nualláin
This exhibition features painting, drawing, sculpture and animation.
The work has been selected in response to a quote from The Third Policeman; 'Strange enlightenments are vouchsafed to those who seek the higher places'. It points to each artists' journey in interpreting the writings of Brian O'Nolan/Flann O'Brien, the experience of creating their responses and the aesthetic outputs that provide strange enlightenments for the viewer.
This is the first time that artwork responding to Brian O'Nolan by five members of the O'Kane family has been created and exhibited. It adds to the corpus of artwork that has been produced over more than a decade by Eddie, Joanna and David O'Kane.
The 8th International Flann O’Brien Conference
Wed 25th - Fri 27th June
An Fód Dúchais: Home, Heritage, and Origins
The 8th International Flann O’Brien Conference is set to bring a vibrant gathering of scholars and enthusiasts of Flann O Brien’s work to Strabane’s Alley Theatre
Jointly hosted by the International Flann O’Brien Society and Strabane History Society the conference marks a significant return to O ’Nolan’s birth town, Strabane. The town, with its unique geographical and historical position perfectly embodies themes of fluidity and contested spaces — concepts central to O’Brien's satirical and often surreal literary output.
Join us for an extraordinary celebration of one of Ireland’s most iconic literary voices – featuring world-class speakers, walking tours, film, exhibitions, and performances rooted in the cultural soul of Strabane.
See what's on and check out the full programme by CLICKING HERE
Works
