New festival in Naas to celebrate addiction recovery with day and night of music, comedy and conversation

A new festival in Naas is all set to celebrate addiction recovery with a day and night of music, comedy, and conversation, with some of Kildare and Ireland’s recovery champions.

The "More Than That" Festival, Naas is set to hit the ground running on Saturday, September 30th, 2023, with the Recovery Champions 5K Run, followed by music from the Druids, and conversation with Bressie at the Farmers Market in Naas.

The day full of activities and events will culminate with the ‘Leave a Light on Show’ an evening of inspiration and entertainment including a heartfelt tribute to the indomitable spirit of the legendary Christy Dignam, through song and spoken word from his daughter Kiera.

The inaugural Christy Dignam Recovery Champion award will be presented in what is described as a’ fireside event at the Old Dara Cinema in Naas, promising ‘ an intimate evening of music, poetry and conversation about recovery featuring All-Ireland Winning Kildare Ladies football team goalkeeper and mental health advocate Mary Hulgraine, singer songwriter and self proclaimed survivor Hally and Kiera Dignam who will also be on hand to present the first Christy Dignam Recovery Champion award.

The evening's host Keith Walsh says “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 the town in Purple in a act of solidarity with all those in recovery from addiction”.

Aubrey Mc Carty Chairperson of the Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force and event organisers said “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”

Recovery Champions, Performers and Talkers on the day include:

 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
 More to follow

For additional information and to get involved, please visit www.swrdatf.ie or check out eventbrite for More Than That, Naas.