Diary of Events

Diary of select upcoming and past public events

4 February 2026
Bushmills History Group
Portballintrae, NI.
Full details to be confirmed, but I'll be presenting a talk to the Bushmills History Group, drawing on my regular local history and folklore videos produced for TikTok.

1-2 November 2025
The Curse of the Phantom Flyer
Downpatrick and County Down Railway Museum, Downpatrick

Avalard Productions is back at DCDR for the third year running with our special family-friendly Halloween shows. As in previous years, I'll be among the cast as well as writing and directing the piece, Tickets are on sale now via: https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/halloween/

28 October 2025
First Drams: The Angels' Share - Tales of Terror in the Crum
McConnell's Distillery, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast
I'm co-hosting and performing at the second FIRST DRAMS, a new storytelling event, run by Avalard Productions in association with McConnell's Distillery. Devised by myself and Ciaran McAlinden, FIRST DRAMS brings together new and seasoned writing talent, with live audiences, in a very special historic venue.
Full details here: https://www.avalardproductions.com/first-drams
Tickets: firstdramshalloween.eventbrite.com

4 October 2025
Bangor Abbey Graveyard Tour, Aspects Festival
Bangor, NI
Uncover the stories of the people buried at Bangor Abbey, from prominent figures to everyday citizens, and gain insight into Bangor’s social, economic, and political past through the ages.
This tour will be led by a knowledgeable guide from Bangor Abbey together with critically acclaimed singer/songwriters David Lennon and Rachel McCarthy (The Darkling Air), as well as award-winning poets Moyra Donaldson, Gifford Savage and actor, Robert JE Simpson.
Performances at 10.30am and 12.30pm
Tickets: https://aspectsfestival.com/whats-on/bangor-abbey-graveyard-tour-0

1 October 2025
Seen and Unseen: A Miscellany of Tales and Places (Roe Valley edition)
Roe Valley Historical Society, Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady
I've been invited to present a talk based around my local history explorations at the Roe Valley Historical Society. So expect some familiar, and some less familiar, and maybe just a hint of the weird.
The RVHS is a members society, but all are welcome, with entrance usually £5 to non-members. Event starts 8pm.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064857421449

Wednesday 27 August 2025
Murder Mystery Evening
Cabaret Supper Club, Belfast.
I'm appearing among the cast of the monthly Murder Mystery dinner show at Cabaret Supper Club

6 August 2025
First Drams: Tales in the Crum
McConnell's Distillery, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast
I'm co-hosting and performing at this brand new storytelling event, run by Avalard Productions in association with McConnell's Distillery. Devised by myself and Ciaran McAlinden, FIRST DRAMS brings together new and seasoned writing talent, with live audiences, in a very special historic venue.
Full details here: https://www.avalardproductions.com/first-drams
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-drams-tales-in-the-crum-tickets-1469497519639

11 June 2025
The Crescent Writer's Read - Belfast Book Festival
Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast.
I'm introducing readings by my most recent students of the Writing Fiction Continuation classes during this event showcasing the students of the Crescent Arts Centre's open learning programme.
https://crescentarts.org/events/the-crescent-writers-read

10 June 2025
The Quatermass Xperiment
Queen's University Belfast
I'm introducing a special screening of the newly 4k remastered version of Hammer Film's classic The Quatermass Xperiment. Screening starts at 20.15.
https://queensfilmtheatre.com/whats-On/the-quatermass-xperiment

30 May 2025
Voicebox Comedy Takeover
Accidental Theatre, Belfast
Making my debut appearance as part of the Voicebox Comedy cast at this special comedy show. I've contributed a few ideas to the script, but for the most part its an acting gig - introducing the Voicebox doctor - Dr Anthony Vincent Phibes.

11 April 2025
Take the Stage
Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast.
I'm introducing readings by my most recent students of the Writing Fiction Continuation classes during the Crescent's performance night. Details here: https://crescentarts.org/events/take-the-stage-end-of-term-celebration

Saturday 26 / Sunday 27 October 2024
Halloween at Downpatrick and Country Down Railway Museum
Downpatrick
Avalard Productions present this year's Halloween show at DCDR, featuring the return of The Phantom Flyer.
Robert will be among the cast on the weekend, and has written a new script for the popular family-friendly event.
Tickets: https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/halloween/

Friday 4 October 2024
Bangor's Ghost Aspects Festival
Bangor Abbey, Bangor, NI

The Bangor’s Ghost show returns for an intimate and atmospheric evening in the beautiful and historic setting of Bangor Abbey.

Candles will be lit, but this is no séance so do not be spooked!

This promises to be a wonderful night of captivating music, poetry and stories, written about the fascinating folk of Bangor’s by-gone times.

Performing in the round will be a collective of Bangor’s own talented and accomplished writers and musicians who have been passionately researching, creating and sharing these stories on the Bangor’s Ghost Stage for almost a decade.

The line- up includes poets and storytellers Moyra Donaldson, Gifford Savage, Robert J.E. Simpson with songwriters and musicians Rachel McCarthy, David Lennon, and Colleen McCleery.

8.30 - 10pm. £20
Tickets: https://aspectsfestival.com/whats-on/bangors-ghost

28 September 2024
Bangor Abbey Graveyard Tour - Aspects Festival
Bangor Abbey, Bangor, NI
Explore the rich history of Bangor Abbey and its surrounds on this fascinating graveyard tour with acoustic performances from local songwriters and poets of 'Bangor's Ghost.'

Uncover the stories of the people buried here, from prominent figures to everyday citizens, and gain insight into Bangor’s social, economic, and political past through the ages.

This tour will be led by a knowledgeable guide from Bangor Abbey together with critically acclaimed singer/songwriters David Lennon and Rachel McCarthy (The Darkling Air), as well as award-winning poets Moyra Donaldson, Gifford Savage and actor, Robert JE Simpson.

11am - 12pm. £15
Tickets: https://aspectsfestival.com/whats-on/bangor-abbey-graveyard-tour

Wednesday 25 September 2024
Murder Mystery Evening
Cabaret Supper Club, Belfast.
Robert will be among the cast of the monthly Murder Mystery dinner show at Cabaret Supper Club

Tuesday 13 August 2024
HORROR EXPRESS at The Readers in the Rue Morgue Book Club
Sunflower Bar, Belfast.
Robert will be introducing a screening of this 70s classic horror film.

Wednesday 31 July 2024
Murder Mystery Evening
Cabaret Supper Club, Belfast.
Robert will be among the cast of the monthly Murder Mystery dinner show at Cabaret Supper Club

Wednesday 26 June 2024
Murder Mystery Evening
Cabaret Supper Club, Belfast.
Robert will be among the cast of the monthly Murder Mystery dinner show at Cabaret Supper Club

Wednesday 28 February 2024
Murder Mystery Evening
Cabaret Supper Club, Belfast.
Robert will be among the cast of the monthly Murder Mystery dinner show at Cabaret Supper Club
Tickets: https://cabaretbelfast.com/event/murder-mystery-evening/

Saturday 24 February 2024
Oh! Mr Porter - Downpatrick & County Down Railway Fundraiser
Strand Arts Theatre, Belfast.
Robert will be introducing this special screening of the Will Hay classic at the Strand Arts Centre in East Belfast, with proceeds going towards the Downpatrick and County Down Railway's Flood Relief Fund.
Tickets: https://www.strandartscentre.com/events/oh-mr-porter/

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