The Rookery Stories
The collective noun for Rooks is a Storytelling, so it follows that the collective noun for Storytellers must be a Rookery. Storytellers at every level, from fledglings to old crows are invited to join our Rookery every month at A4 sounds to swap stories, develop their craft and find community in an inclusive and accessible environment that centres the queer and the disabled. This tradition and this art was once the province of the marginalised, who now find ourselves excluded all too often, join us in reclaiming it.
Tuesday 27th January 2026
6:30pm – 8:30pm (ish)
A4 Gallery & Garden (BYOB&S)
€0.00 – €10.00
This event is masked and takes place in our gallery which is wheelchair accessible and is seated. There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Our full access information is below.
6:30pm: Arrive and get comfy in our gallery or have some pre chats in the garden.
Anyone who would like to tell a story can sign up at our front desk
7:00pm: Storytelling begins. The evening will be introduced by Hog & Dice
7:10pm: Six 10-minute stories by participants
8:10pm: Closing by Hog & Dice
8:20pm: For those who wish to hang out and continue their conversations we will hang out in our garden.
Format
This is an experimental space and we will play with the format until the right fit emerges. We’ll do our best to make the room feel cosy and informal, no stage and comfy seats.
At the beginning of the event those interested in telling a story can add their name to the list at the front desk. There will be approximately six slots each session. Each slot will be 10 minutes-ish.
After some pre-chats in our garden, story time will start! You’ll be invited to get comfortable in our gallery and our host Hog and Dice will facilitate the evening.
After an introduction from our host, each of the six storytellers will share their stories with the group. When everyone has shared their stories, Hog and Dice will close the evening and then we can return to our outdoor garden for drinks and refreshments!
There are no set themes for each session.
Who?
Anyone who wants to listen to and/or learn and practice how to tell stories.
The event is open to all but prioritizes the comfort and needs of disabled and queer folks. Attendees do not necessarily need to tell a story and are welcome to simply watch and listen if they wish.
Want to tell a story?
Come along!
At the beginning of the event you can sign up to one of six available slots. A sign up sheet will be available at our front desk!
Hog & Dice
Once described as being like “a lovely loaf of fresh baked bread served at a satanic orgy” Fáin is an oral storyteller with a multidisciplinary background who loves to discuss the bizarre, the subversive and the deviant while creating an atmosphere of comfort, safety and comradery. Fáin studied Irish Folklore at UCD, laboured in the story mines of The National Leprechaun Museum, and has produced various multi-media projects including podcasts, audio-dramas, Alternative Reality Games and video essays. Often involving weird little puppets.
Their influences include Growler, Tom Waits, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and the local crows.
The Common Thread
The Common Thread forms part of our WOWTE Programme. It is a series of experiments and happenings that serve as an ongoing public discussion, drawing out shared themes and engaging audiences in an ongoing conversation about the goals and strategies of social change: what kind of society do we want and how should we get there?
Access Information
Our building is situated off Upper Dorset Street approx 14 mins from The Spire.
DETAILED DIRECTIONS
Walking & Wheeling
O’Connell Street: 14 mins from The Spire (directions)
Phibsborough: 11 mins (directions)
Bus
Luas
Parnell Stop (Green Line): 10 mins (directions)
Dominick Stop (Green Line): 12 mins (directions)
Broadstone Stop (Green Line): 12 mins (directions)
Abbey Street (Red Line): 17 mins (directions)
Dart
Drumcondra Station: 13 mins (directions)
Tara Station: 24 mins (directions)
Connolly Station: 28 mins (directions)
Car
There is onsite paid parking nearby our building, with a larger carpark located at The Mater Hospital.
Mater Hospital Carpark: 4 mins (directons)
Accessible Parking
There are 30 accessible parking spaces nearby our studios between 2 and 8 mins away.
Parking 2-3 mins away:
- Nelson Street: 1 space, 210m
- Hardwick Place: 1 space, 220m
- Eccles Place: 2 spaces, 220m
- Eccles Street: 3 spaces, 230m
- Hardwicke Place: 1 space, 220m
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
What We Will Do:
Provide FFP2 masks at the door for all visitors.
Air purifiers with HEPA filters will be running in the gallery.
A CO2 monitor will be at the gallery door.
Doors will be opened regularly to ventilate the room.
All staff will take an antigen test on the day of the event.
What You Can Do:
If you feel newly unwell, or have been in contact with someone who has been sick in the days before the event, please stay at home.
If you can afford to, please take an antigen test before coming to the event.
If you test positive for Covid-19, the flu or a cold, please stay at home.
If travelling by public transport or taxi please wear a mask for your journey.
Ensure to wear a mask indoors at all times.
OUR BUILDING
Arriving Here!
When you arrive at the gallery there is a kerb outside as part of the pavement which you may need to navigate depending on the direction you arrive.
There is a small slope at the entrance at the desk where the material of the floor changes from cement to a tiled surface.
The door will be open and there will be a staff member to greet you at the front desk.
The front desk will be immediately in front of you approx 1m from the front door.
The Gallery
Our gallery is located on the ground floor and is accessible.
It is located about 5m from the front door.
There is a small ramp into the gallery space.
The floor is currently suspended wood.
Our garden can be accessed via the gallery.
The Garden
The door to the outdoor area is straight across from the gallery door, and a distance of approx 5m.
The outdoor area has heating which can be turned on and off to suit your needs.
The outdoor area has a garden with a covered seating area with wooden benches, wooden and plastic stools.
There are additional wooden benches is covered with an awning. This area may offer less protection from the wind or rain.
There are a number of wind breakers installed around the garden to offer some protection from the cold in winter.
To the back of the garden there is a mezzanine which is accessed by approx 15 steps with wooden benches
BATHROOMS
Ground Floor Toilet
All bathrooms & toilets are gender-neutral.
There is one accessible toilet in our outdoor garden area. It is a portaloo.
First Floor Bathrooms
All bathrooms & toilets are gender-neutral.
There are three indoor bathrooms which are not accessible.
The indoor bathrooms are located on the first floor via a flight of stairs (approx 22 steps) so may provide difficulties for folk with movement impairments.
EVENT INFO
Seating & Comfort
Seating
There will be a selection of seating including 6 soft chairs, and plastic canteen chairs with chair pads.
If you require a comfortable chair please let us know when booking your ticket.
We will reserve comfortable seating for anyone that lets us know at the time of booking.
You can also email us via hello@a4sounds.org or let us know on the night. Please note we can not guarantee a comfortable seat on the night due to the limited number available, but we will do our best to accommodate you.
Beds / Laying Down
There is a large structure which has 4 large beds that you can lie down on to listen if preferred.
There are two capsules at the bottom on the structure with beds, and two additional on top with beds which can be accessed via approx 6 steps.
The top level may be difficult to access for persons with restricted mobility.
Blankets & Cushions
There will be additional blankets and cushions throughout the gallery.
Lights & Video
Lights
The room will be low lit with LED spotlights .
There will be no flashing lights.
Sound
Sound
The host will not be using a microphone to speak.
A mic will be available for other speakers if needed but it is expected that it will not be in use.
If used the mic will be powered by a PA system, the volume will not be excessively loud.
HOW TO BOOK A TICKET
Booking Link
You can book your visit via the link below:
Page 1
First, select your preferred date and time to visit from the drop down menus. You can find them on the right handside of the page underneath the description of the event.
Next, if you have accessibility needs, click the box inside the pink area underneath accessibility needs section. Skip this section if it is not applicable.
Next, if you would like to make a donation, please enter the donation amount inside the box in the section marked pink
Next, click the add to cart button which is located below the total amount.
The screen will refresh. Now you will see a ‘view cart‘ button on the top right of the screen. You can also click the shopping cart icon on the top banner area.
Page 2
There is no shipping required for this booking, so please click the ‘continue to check out’ button
Page 3
Fill out your billing information in the pink box.
Next, the subscribe to our newsletter button is automatically checked. If you do not wish to do this uncheck this box. It is just below the pink box
Important
Next, if is the if shipping details are different to billing details. Please click the heading of this section so it closes and no longer requires details to be inputted. This is important to be able to check out without errors.
Next, scroll down and check the I have read the terms and conditions box
Next, check the I am not a robot box
Finally, click the place order button.
Confirmation Page
You will now come to a confirmation page. You do not need to do anything further. We will have your name ready at the door to check in.