Waterford dancer brings her talent to Guinness Storehouse's new street art spectacle

A Waterford artist is set to take centre stage in a major new Guinness Storehouse project launching on Culture Night.

Rachel Ní Bhraonáin, a dance artist and writer from Waterford, will perform live at the launch of These Walls, a new community-focused street art initiative celebrating Dublin 8 through bold murals, soundscapes and performance.

Rachel, whose work blends dance, storytelling and aerial performance, is joining forces with fellow dancer Emily Kilkenny Roddy to bring movement and choreography to the immersive opening night event at the Storehouse.

Phase one of These Walls will see Thomas Street, Crane Street and Market Street transformed with striking public artworks from artists including Deirdre Breen, Owen de Forge, Alice Rekab, Venus Patel, Thaís Muniz and Farouk Alao, in collaboration with IMMA.

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The Culture Night launch (September 19) will combine the unveiling of the artworks with specially commissioned soundscapes by Saoirse Miller and Wastefellow, alongside the live dance performance by Ní Bhraonáin and Kilkenny Roddy.

Speaking about the new project, Guinness Storehouse Managing Director Catherine Toolan said it reflects their commitment to "creativity, inclusivity, and community" in Dublin 8, while IMMA Director Annie Fletcher described it as "a powerful example of what can happen when artists' voices are brought into the everyday public realm."

Rachel Ní Bhraonáin has built a strong reputation as a Waterford-based dance artist, movement director and writer, with credits including Losing Your Body, DancingXCrossroads, and collaborations across Ireland and the UK. Her work is known for combining movement with vivid, emotionally honest storytelling.

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These Walls will open on Culture Night with complimentary evening tickets available via the Guinness Storehouse website. A specially commissioned walking tour of the new artworks will also run on the night.

The project, now in its first phase, will continue in 2026 with further collaborations and community-driven art.