A fixture in Dublin for 12 years and counting, First Fortnight’s Mental Health Art & Culture Festival features artists from across the creative sector, who through their beautiful and impactful contributions help lend a spotlight on and amplify the consistent need to end the stigma attached to mental illness and mental health.

The full programme for the festival’s 13th edition will be revealed Thursday, November 16; however, tickets for the Therapy Sessions event, a festival favourite since its addition, go on pre-sale this Thursday, October 26, with discounted ticket prices.

Created by contemporary poet Stephen James Smith and added to the First Fortnight festival programme over ten years ago, Therapy Sessions promises a glorious evening of poetry, music and meaningful connections between the performers and audience.

Stephen James Smith / photo credit: Babs Daly Grace Photography

Reflecting on the event, Smith shares, “It's hard to believe Therapy Sessions has been running for over 10 years. Over that time, we've brought it to various locations across Ireland, with about 30 sessions spanning cities from Dublin to Cork, Belfast, Laois, Galway, and Wexford. The enthusiasm from both the audience and performers is palpable, and there's a shared understanding that we have a knack for booking artists on the brink of significant success.”

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He adds, “It's difficult, and perhaps a touch unfair, to single out only a few past performers when we've had around 40 poets and 40 musicians share their art with us. Tickets always fly off the shelves, and I believe that's because attendees trust the event's consistent quality and atmosphere. They know they're in for a rich amalgamation of talents and insightful voices. I feel deeply privileged to have played a part, however modest, in shaping the Therapy Sessions over the years. With excitement brewing, I eagerly look forward to hitting the road with it again in 2024. We have a fantastic line-up of performers eager to share their craft. I hope to see you there. Come join us!”

Past performers include renowned musicians Dermot Kennedy and CMAT, plus poets such as Forward Prize winner Bohdan Piasecki.

Therapy Sessions will take place in its usual Dublin home, The Workmans Club, on Friday, January 12. It will also hit the road later next year for two more locations, to be announced soon.

The full 2024 programme for the First Fortnight Mental Health Art & Culture Festival will be announced soon.

Tickets for Therapy Sessions are priced €15; however, a limited number of tickets will sell at the reduced price of €12 when the pre-sale opens at 12 noon this Thursday, October 26, via the First Fortnight website. More information will follow.