2 Royal
Avenue
MayWe is delighted to manage 2 Royal Avenue, a new cultural venue that Belfast City Council have transformed playing host to artistic experiences, events and workshops.
2024 Opening Hours
2 Royal Avenue is open 10am-6pm Monday to Sunday.
Pop in to find some new additions to the space featuring...
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A New Installation 'Landscape with Columns and Figures' curated and commissioned by Belfast City Council with MMAS Architects and OGU Architects
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Our New Kids Cosy area
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The Library Corner, featuring a selection of books for all ages by Northern Irish and Irish writers and a diversity themed collection, curated by Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens, Michaela Mc Dermott, and Orla McKeating, and supplied by No Alibis bookshop.
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A Homework Station
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Our Sensory Dome
Yallaa Café will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 12pm-5pm Sundays, serving delightful hot & cold beverages and delicious food, featuring a new lunch menu!
Check out whats on below!
If you are interested in using 2 Royal Avenue for an event or workshop, please contact 2royalave@maywe.co.uk
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WHAT'S ON
EXHIBITIONS
Thursday 2nd may - saturday 25TH may
Bua an Chultúir! The Victory of Culture!
Farhad O'Neill - Ealaiontoir/Artist
An exhibition of sculpture based on Irish Mythology.
Launching Thursday 2nd May in 2 Royal Avenue.
For more information visit www.farhadsculpture.com
LinkedIn: Farhad O'Neill
Twitter: @farhad_oneill
Instagram: farhadoneillartist
saturday 11th may - friday 17TH may
The super power of the ards peninsula Sonya yates
Placid and serene are the feelings that come over me when I approach the Portaferry Road and Ards Peninsula.
I am a self taught artist, I started with pencils and Portraits, then acrylic colour and sceneries.
I was born on the Shankill Road in 1965.
I relocated to Lisburn when I was 26, for 12 years. For the past 19 years I have been living in Portavogie Fishing Village, where I feel my most inner peace.
I was critically ill in June 2017 and in and around 2018. I took up art as a means of focus.
Critical illness changed my perspective and I could feel the joy of life!
saturday 11th may - friday 17TH may
still
a solo exhibition by sharon murphy
Sharon Murphy is an Artist from Belfast.
This exhibition, called STILL, is a body of work which is inspired by the importance of mindfulness in her creative process and her love of Butterflies. Using her creativity as a form of therapy, Sharon regards the stillness required in making her artwork to be an essential part of her mindfulness practice. From the patience needed in photographing her butterflies, to the intricate process of creating her drawings and paintings.
Sharon’s creations of butterflies and moths are symbolic of the human condition, and are an exploration of the theme of emotional well-being. Beyond their obvious beauty, there is often a broken body or a torn wing. These elements serve as metaphors within in her work.
Sharon is captivated by the vast levels of symbolism that these tiny creatures embody, from fragility, strength and healing to re-birth.
She is fascinated by the notion that a butterfly cannot appreciate her beauty as she cannot fully see her own wings.
Strong colour and light are often used in creating her ethereal creatures in an illustrative style with Celtic undertones.
“I am delighted to be exhibiting my work as part of the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival. This years theme, calling us to “PAUSE” is truly aligned with the narrative woven throughout my own work and is a concept that I believe to be essential to our mental health. I also strongly believe that the power of the Arts in all its forms is essential to our mental and physical well being.” - Sharon Murphy.
saturday 11th may - friday 17TH may
spring art flowers exhibition
anaka women's collective & the mental health foundation
Spring Flowers was developed with Anaka Women's Collective and the Mental Health Foundation and aimed to improve mental health literacy among Anaka Women’s Collective using the arts.
The collective skills of the Anaka Women meant that they facilitated the majority of the arts sessions. This exhibition showcases the art created within those group sessions alongside the works created by the artist from the collective.
“The art sessions helped to express how you felt about what you had learnt and what it meant to you. We could connect it to ourselves and what matters”
WHAT'S ON
EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
week commencing 13th may
tuesDay 14 may
GRAPEVINE 11am-2pm
Age Friendly Belfast
The Grapevine, the Older People’s Hub, is now open in 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast. It’s a new drop-in hub for older people. Come along, get a coffee & catch up with the latest goings on for older people in the city. Open 11am-2pm every Tuesday.
Free Event, no booking required.
TECH HELP DROP IN SESSIONS 1pm-2pm
Mr Vivian Ferguson
Join Vivian for a quick drop-in session aimed at enhancing digital well-being and device health for the community. Participants will receive personalized attention, with up to 10-minute slots available for a device health check, parental safety device guidance, or a general tech discussion which would be particularly useful for those who struggle to use their device or those who face an error message or technical problem they can't get past.
The format is flexible to cater to individual needs for the person dropping in. The aim is to educate, resolve technical issues or to provide guidance on the best next step towards a resolution.
Free Event, no booking required.
OVER 65s FREE FINANCIAL WORKSHOP 1.30pm-3.30pm
CLARE CIC
Join the CLARE CIC team at their FREE Financial Wellbeing Workshop!
Timothy Rankin, a director at Cleaver Fulton Rankin solicitors, will give a short presentation on how we can better manage our finances! There will also be a short question and answer session so please invite anyone along who could benefit from learning more about future planning.
Free Event, no booking required.
wednesDay 15 may
YALLAA WOMEN'S CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP 10.30am-12.30pm
Yallaa
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crafter, there's something for everyone. Join Yallaa Women Co-operative Crafts Workshop and let's empower each other through creativity and community.
Free event. Booking required. Email coordinator.yallaa@gmail.com and book your slot. Limited spaces available.
BELFAST WRITERS GROUP 4.30pm-6pm
Belfast Writers Group is an informal writing meet up in Belfast City Centre for writers of all genres, levels of experience and commitments.
Every week we gather in 2 Royal Avenue to build community and take the time and space to write, read, chat and edit with no expectations or deadlines.
Whether you're someone who wants to get started in writing, loves writing but struggles to find the time with work, or you're working on an ongoing project, all are welcome no matter your levels of experience.
Free Event. For more information please contact writersgroupbelfast@gmail.com.
thursDay 16 may
EVERY STORY MATTERS 10am-2pm
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is the independent Inquiry set up to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to learn lessons for the future.
The Inquiry will be visiting 2 Royal Avenue the morning of 16th May providing information about Every Story Matters - your opportunity to
share your experience of the pandemic. The pandemic affected every single person in the UK and, in many cases, continues to have a lasting impact on lives.
Every one of your experiences is unique and this is your opportunity to share the impact it had on you, and your life, with the Inquiry.
For more information click here
Free Event. No Booking required.
SLOW STITCHING 10.30am-12pm
Heritage Quilts NI
Unleash your creativity with English paper piecing, a cherished quilting technique that transcends time. Using simple shapes and precise stitches, this method allows you to craft intricate designs with ease. From hexagons to diamonds, English paper piecing offers endless possibilities for quilt blocks, bags, and more.
Join the tradition of generations past and discover the joy of hand-sewing with English paper piecing today! Discover the timeless art of hand stitching, where each stitch tells a story. Hand stitching offers a personal touch and unparalleled craftsmanship. Join us as we embark on a journey through the gentle rhythm of needle and thread, where creativity knows no bounds.
Whether you're a seasoned needleworker or a curious beginner, the world of hand stitching awaits, inviting you to explore its beauty and endless possibilities.
Tickets £10. Booking required, to book a place email Jacki: jackimbradley@gmail.com
friDay 17 may
HATHA YOGA AND CREATIVE BODY FLOW 10am & 11.30am
Sarah Reid - Part of NI Mental Health Arts Festival
This class will begin with mindful breathing, grounding ourselves in the present moment. Surrendering and letting go what is beyond our control.
Sarah will then guide you through a series of postures and movement to relax and restore the balance of the body and mind.
Then to finish with a meditation for the ultimate feeling of rest and recharge.
Instructions
Please bring the following;
💦 WATER - hydration is key.
🧘🏽♀️ YOGA MAT.
❤️ bring a cushion, blanket for extra comfort if you need.
Tickets £7.50-£10. Booking required, book 10am class here and book 11.30am class here
saturDay 18 may
KIDS ABSTRACT ART WORKSHOP 11am-12pm
Abstract Art Academy
Design and create your own finished pieces in our exciting new workshop, which is a chance to learn about the making of abstract art through demonstrations and guidance from our artists.
Tickets £10. Booking required, book here. Limited spaces available.
ADULTS ABSTRACT ART WORKSHOP 1pm-2pm
Abstract Art Academy
An interactive workshop which allows anyone to learn and create with the techniques and materials shown by our artists.
All tickets include one to one guidance from the artists and a space in the workshop, which is a chance to learn about the making of abstract art through demonstrations and trying for yourself.
Tickets £10. Booking required, book here. Limited spaces available.
sunDay 19 may
ARABIC FOR BEGINNERS 12pm-2pm
Yallaa
Want to learn some key words and phrases in Arabic? Join Yallaa's Arabic Classes for beginners in 2 Royal Avenue on Sundays.
Tickets £5 (redeemable in Yallaa Cafe). Booking required, email coordinator.yallaa@gmail.com or book at Yallaa Cafe on the day.
ESOL FOR BEGINNERS 12pm-2pm
Yallaa
Want to improve your English and become more confident to get out there and make friends? Join Yallaa Free ESOL Classes in 2 Royal Avenue on Sundays. Don't miss out it is a great chance to enhance your conversational skills!
Free event. Booking required. Email coordinator.yallaa@gmail.com and book your slot. Limited spaces available.
TRAD SEISIUN 2pm-4pm
Glengormley School of Traditional Music
Enjoy the music of young traditional musicians from the Greater Belfast Area, led by experiences adult traditional musicians/tutors from the Glengormley School of Traditional Music.
Participation is open to all young traditional musicians from the Greater Belfast area.
Free event. Drop in.
SUNDAY CHESS 2pm-5pm
Roaming Knights
Belfast City Chess meet up. This is a free weekly social meet up for chess players. It is not a chess club, or tournament. Under 16s must be accompanied by responsible adult.
Free event. Contact roamingknightsni@gmail.com for more info.
week commencing 20th may
tuesDay 21 may
GRAPEVINE 11am-2pm
Age Friendly Belfast
The Grapevine, the Older People’s Hub, is now open in 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast. It’s a new drop-in hub for older people. Come along, get a coffee & catch up with the latest goings on for older people in the city. Open 11am-2pm every Tuesday.
Free Event, no booking required.
wednesDay 22 may
YALLAA WOMEN'S CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP 10.30am-12.30pm
Yallaa
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crafter, there's something for everyone. Join Yallaa Women Co-operative Crafts Workshop and let's empower each other through creativity and community.
Free event. Booking required. Email coordinator.yallaa@gmail.com and book your slot. Limited spaces available.
BRAIN INJURY MATTERS CHOIR PERFORMANCE 1pm-4pm
Brain Injury Matters
Enthusiasts Choir and Guitar Orchestra will perform in 2 Royal Avenue as part of this year’s NIMHAF, inspired by this year’s theme PAUSE.
Free event. No booking required.
BELFAST WRITERS GROUP 4.30pm-6pm
Belfast Writers Group is an informal writing meet up in Belfast City Centre for writers of all genres, levels of experience and commitments.
Every week we gather in 2 Royal Avenue to build community and take the time and space to write, read, chat and edit with no expectations or deadlines.
Whether you're someone who wants to get started in writing, loves writing but struggles to find the time with work, or you're working on an ongoing project, all are welcome no matter your levels of experience.
Free Event. For more information please contact writersgroupbelfast@gmail.com.
thursDay 23 may
SLOW STITCHING 10.30am-12pm
Heritage Quilts NI
Unleash your creativity with English paper piecing, a cherished quilting technique that transcends time. Using simple shapes and precise stitches, this method allows you to craft intricate designs with ease. From hexagons to diamonds, English paper piecing offers endless possibilities for quilt blocks, bags, and more.
Join the tradition of generations past and discover the joy of hand-sewing with English paper piecing today! Discover the timeless art of hand stitching, where each stitch tells a story. Hand stitching offers a personal touch and unparalleled craftsmanship. Join us as we embark on a journey through the gentle rhythm of needle and thread, where creativity knows no bounds.
Whether you're a seasoned needleworker or a curious beginner, the world of hand stitching awaits, inviting you to explore its beauty and endless possibilities.
Tickets £10. Booking required, to book a place email Jacki: jackimbradley@gmail.com
HND GRAPHIC DESIGN GRADUATE SHOWCASE 6pm-8pm
Belfast Metropolitan College
Come and celebrate our local talent, and recent Graduates of Belfast Metropolitan College.
Join us for the Launch Event 6-8pm on Thursday 23rd May. The exhibition will be on display in 2 Royal Avenue until 27th May.
Free Event. No Booking required.
saturDay 25 may
COLLAGE ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP 11am-2pm
Belfast Metropolitan College
Join our Collage Illustration Workshop on Saturday 25th May 11 am-2 pm. All Materials Provided
Hosted by recent graduates Courtney Jordan and Megan Lochhead.
Free Event. No Booking required.
KIDS ABSTRACT ART WORKSHOP 11am-12pm
Abstract Art Academy
Design and create your own finished pieces in our exciting new workshop, which is a chance to learn about the making of abstract art through demonstrations and guidance from our artists.
Tickets £10. Booking required, book here. Limited spaces available.
ADULTS ABSTRACT ART WORKSHOP 1pm-2pm
Abstract Art Academy
An interactive workshop which allows anyone to learn and create with the techniques and materials shown by our artists.
All tickets include one to one guidance from the artists and a space in the workshop, which is a chance to learn about the making of abstract art through demonstrations and trying for yourself.
Tickets £10. Booking required, book here. Limited spaces available.
sunDay 26 may
ESOL FOR BEGINNERS 12pm-2pm
Yallaa
Want to improve your English and become more confident to get out there and make friends? Join Yallaa Free ESOL Classes in 2 Royal Avenue on Sundays. Don't miss out it is a great chance to enhance your conversational skills!
Free event. Booking required. Email coordinator.yallaa@gmail.com and book your slot. Limited spaces available.
CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP 12pm-2pm
Yallaa
Join Yallaa for an introductory workshop on Calligraphy for all levels in 2 Royal Avenue on Sundays.
Tickets £5 (redeemable in Yallaa Cafe). Booking required, email coordinator.yallaa@gmail.com or book at Yallaa Cafe on the day.
SUNDAY CHESS 2pm-5pm
Roaming Knights
Belfast City Chess meet up. This is a free weekly social meet up for chess players. It is not a chess club, or tournament. Under 16s must be accompanied by responsible adult.
Free event. Contact roamingknightsni@gmail.com for more info.
