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?
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.
Supported by:
