Announcing our Northern Borders Artists in Residence 2026

We’re thrilled to announce our Northern Borders Artists in Residence for 2026 in partnership with An Grianán Theatre.

Maighréad Ní Ghrásta, Artist in Residence for Accidental, Belfast

Maighréad Ní Ghrásta is a West Donegal native developing a new interdisciplinary practice across voice, sound, theatre and performance. At an early stage in this work, she is exploring how Donegal Irish, traditional vocal practices, mythology and inherited forms can become material for contemporary composition and performance.

Her practice investigates identity, belonging, grief, resilience and the body, with particular interest in the relationships between voice, language, dialect, memory and place. Working in Irish and English, Maighréad is currently undertaking an MA in Creative Practice at ATU Sligo and developing this new direction through opportunities including her residency at Accidental Theatre, Belfast.

Michael Lavery, Artist in Residence for An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny

Michael is a Belfast based Theatre maker and performer, who explores the lesser seen and complex side of queer life through theatre and cabaret. 

He is a graduate of Drama from Queen's University and his first full length play, developed with Patchwork Productions, received a rehearsed reading at the Garter Lane Theatre as part of Waterford Pride. He was a member of the NSDF Lab 2021, Abbey Theatre Dublin 'Windows 21," project and The National Theatre of London’s Young Writers Programme 2022. He has also worked as a director on Hawthorne's No Entry and was Assistant Director on Spoiled for Dublin Fringe 2026, as well as a production assistant of Skelpielimmer's Shame Show.

Northern Borders: Artist Residency

The Northern Borders residency gives artists time, space and support to develop their creative practice or new work, hosted by Accidental in Belfast and An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny.

This inaugural residency is kindly supported by the Shared Island Civic Fund, DFA.