The Enchanting Story of the Lock Keeper’s Memories

In 2024, the heart of Bagenalstown came alive with The Lock Keeper’s Memories, an enchanting promenade performance that brought the community together through storytelling, music, and magic. Directed and written by artist Hugh W. Brown, this unique theatrical experience was a celebration of local voices, history, and the shared memories that bind a town together.

Audiences gathered at the Lock Keeper’s House on the River Barrow, where the irrepressible Cairdín Sweeney—equal parts guide and dreamer—set the stage for a journey through time and place. Winding through the streets and special landmarks of Bagenalstown, the performance wove a tale of one man’s recollections, rich with humour, poignancy, and wonder. At every turn, actors, musicians, and circus performers—drawn from both the local community and beyond—created moments of magic that captivated audiences of all ages.

Commissioned by Creative Places Bagenalstown which is managed by Carlow County Council Arts Service, The Lock Keeper’s Memories was the culmination of months of collaboration between Hugh W. Brown, Children and Young People from Carlow Regional Youth Services Bagenalstown and the wider community. This inclusive event transformed familiar locations into stages and memories into art, ending with a poignant finale at the Parochial House on Station Road. Both a theatrical triumph and a celebration of community spirit, The Lock Keeper’s Memories reminded us that our stories—when told together—become something truly unforgettable.