The Pooka Party & Other Stories - Shona Shirley McDonald at Flowerfield

What to Expect

The Pooka Party & Other Stories brings together illustrations and drawings by award winning illustrator and author Shona Shirley McDonald, showing at Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart from 2 to 30 August 2026. The exhibition draws on work from several of her published books, including The Pooka Party, which made the 2020 IBBY Honour List, Girls Who Slay Monsters, winner of the Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year Award 2022, The Moon Spun Round and the Irish language title An Feileacan agus an Ri. Alongside published illustrations, the show includes new etchings, tracing McDonald’s development as an artist across different techniques and formats. The exhibition launches on Saturday 2 August at 1pm, with free admission and all welcome. A ticketed illustration workshop for ages 7 to 11 runs alongside the launch, from 11:30am to 12:30pm on the same day, priced at 15 pounds and led by the artist.

Flowerfield Arts Centre is Portstewart’s dedicated creative hub, housed in a Georgian building with a purpose built gallery, pottery studio, media workshop and 150 seat auditorium. Run by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, it programmes exhibitions, live music and creative workshops throughout the year.

Good to Know

• Runs 2 to 30 August 2026 at Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart.
• Launch Saturday 2 August at 1pm, free admission, all welcome.
• Illustration workshop for ages 7 to 11 on 2 August, 11:30am to 12:30pm, 15 pounds, booking required.
• General exhibition viewing is free during opening hours.
• Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm, with an extra evening slot 7pm to 9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Saturday 10am to 1pm. Closed Sundays.
• Call 028 7083 1400 or email info@flowerfield.org to book the workshop or check accessibility.

Getting There

Flowerfield sits on the Coleraine Road on the edge of Portstewart, a short drive or bus ride from the town centre.