Bealtaine Prog Laois 8 pg A5.indd.pdf - Laois County Council

LAOIS BEALTAINE
PROGRAMME2013

COME AND JOIN IN THE
CELEBRATIONS!
The Arts Office, Laois County Council
invite people of an older age to join in
some of the wonderful events that are
happening in Laois for the Bealtaine
Festival 2013. Bealtaine is the national
arts festival celebrating creativity in
older age. With over 100,000 people
all over the country, taking part in
events involving music, art, dance,
cinema, writing, theatre, heritage and
more. The Theme for the 2013 festival
is “Grow Happy”.

ARTS & CRAFTS
Thurs - 9 Th May
Venue: Áras an Chontae
Time: 7.30pm
The Arts Offi ce will host an exhibition of paintings by The Heath Ladies Art Group entitled
“Never too Late”. The exhibition will include work inspired by springtime and the growth that
the new season brings to the landscape and nature. The exhibition will be open to the public
for three weeks. Contact 057 8664033
Wed - 15 Th May
Venue: The Arthouse Stradbally
Time: Time: 2pm 2 -4pm
“Grow Happy” with an afternoon of Art and Music at The Arthouse and Library, Stradbally.
We invite people of an older age to engage their curiosity and creativity with a visit to the
Arthouse where they can meet our resident artists and take a tour of the gallery and studios, or
try to create their own work of art in an informal and creative atmosphere.
Following light refreshments, there will be a special performance by “Vocalese” who blend
their exquisite vocal harmonies into a selection of favourite songs from their recently recorded
CD for all to enjoy. Contact: 057 8641740.
Sat - 18 Th May
Venue: The Arthouse Stradbally
Time: 11am-1pm
In conjunction with National Drawing Day the Arthouse, Stradbally will host fun and creative
drawing workshops, open to all ages. Contact: 057 8641740.
Sat - 30 Th May
Venue: The Arthouse Stradbally
Time: 6pm
Opening of “Works and Interaction” - An Exhibition of works that document the interactions
of the Cóilín Rush Artist Residency at the Arthouse 2012/2013.
Cóilín Rush is an Artist who works in visual mediums including painting, photography and
video. He graduated with a BA in Fine Art paint from NCAD in 1999. In 2009 he completed an
MA in digital media and broadened his practice to include video work. Cóilín is the recipient of
the 2012/13 Artist in Residence at the Arthouse.
Artists presentation at 5pm in library.

MUSIC, DANCE, DRAMA & LITERATURE
Wednesday 1st May
Venue: Mountmellick Library
Time: 11am
The Arts Offi ce and the Mountmellick Library Service will co-host a reading by prize winning
poet Jean O’Brien entitled “Wearing Purple” (from the poem ‘When I am old I shall wear
purple”) with the Mountmellick Active Retirement Group. Jean will read from her latest
collection Merman and previous ones including Lovely Legs. Jean will share poems about life
as we live it, family matters, matters of the heart and childhood, somewhere we have all come
from. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, or share their own stories in this informal
reading. Free event
Every Wednesday From- 1st May
Venue: Bolton School of Music, Croughan, Killeshin
Time: 8pm - 9.15pm
Music at Bolton School of Music, Croughan, Killeshin - Calling all lapsed Musicians to take up
their instruments and realise their dream. Contact Yvonne at 087 2623613.
Thursday 2nd May
Venue: Sexton’s House, Abbeyleix
Time: 3pm - 4.30pm
The Abbeyleix Heritage Company in conjunction with Abbeyleix Womens Dev Group and the
Active Retired Group will host Afternoon Tea in the Sexton’s House, Abbeyleix - Admission €5
Contact: Sinead 057 8731653
Friday 3rd May
Venue: The Grove Bar
Time: from 9.30pm
Music and Singalong at the Grove Bar, Tolerton. All singers, musicians and supporters welcome.
Contact Mick Rice @ 087 8484326.
Every Saturday from 4th MAY
Venue: O’Kellys Pub
Time: from 9.30pm
Join one of the longest running “Sessions” in the county at O’Kelly’s Pub, Ballickmoyler.
Musicians, Singers and Supporters are welcome to join the regulars from 9.30pm.
Contact Pat Doyle @ 059 9147742.
Wednesday 8th May
Thursday 9th May
Venue: St Brigid’s Hospital Shaen
Venue: Abbeyleix Hospital
Time: 2.30pm
Time: 1.30pm
Organised by the Arts Offi ce, The Laois ICA Choir under the direction of Nuala Kelly, will treat the
residents and out-patients of St Brigids Hospital, Shaen and Abbeyleix District Hospital and Day
Care Centre to a concert of musical memories.
Friday 10th May
Venue: The Mall Pub, Killeshin
Time: 9.30pm
“Session Mall” a unique event catering for all grades of Musicians in The Mall Pub, one of the
oldest Pubs in the Country. Play with musicians of your own standard in a relaxed setting under
the guidance of one of Irelands rising traditional stars Yvonne Bolton. Contact @ 087 2623613.
Sunday 12th May
Venue: Oisin House, Rossmore
Time: 4pm-7pm
Afternoon CD Ceili at Oisin House, Rossmore. Music and sets called by Maureen Culliton.
Followed by Sing Song, Musicians and Singers welcome. Contact, John Hennessy 086 8340387

MUSIC, DANCE, DRAMA & LITERATURE
Saturday 18th May
Venue: Oisin House, Rossmore
Time: 9pm-12
Ceili Mor, at Oisin House, Rossmore. Music by The Annaly Ceili Band Contact, John Hennessy
086 8340387.
Saturday 18th May
Venue: St. Canices Hall
Time: 2pm -5pm
“Bingo, Music and fun” organised by the Borris in Ossory Social Services. Refreshements
will be served. Contact: Tel: Sr Regina Delaney +353 (086) 361 5701. Free event
Wednesday 22nd May
Wednesday 22nd May
Venue: St Vincents Hospital, Mountmellick
Venue: Abbeyleix Hospital
Time: 11am
Time: 1.30pm
Organised by the Arts Offi ce, Carnation Theatre will perform a theatre show entitled “‘Hurl’ for
residents and out patients. Full of intrigue, late blossoming romance, card trickery and killer
bingo technique the audience are invited to take up the proverbial hurls and sing, wave, even
play along! Each show is a two hander interactive play where storytelling, shared memory,
songs, poetry and jokes are woven into a plot. Contact 057 8674342. Entry invitation only.
Thursday 23rd May
Venue: The Sextons House, Abbeyleix
Time: TBC
The Abbeyleix Heritage Company in conjunction with Abbeyleix Womens Development Group
and the Active Retired Group will host a Storytelling Evening in the Sexton’s House Abbeyleix
Contact: Sinead 057 8731653 – Admission €5
Tuesday 28th May
Venue: Portarlington Community Hall
Time: 2pm -4pm
Portarlington Active Retirement Association – Happy Hearts Club will host a Maypole Tea
Dance followed by refreshments. Contact: Ann Knight 057 8643727. Entry invitation only.
Wednesday 29th May
Venue: The Macra Hall, Mountmellick
Time: 2pm -5pm
The Mountmellick Active Retirement Association will host a “Grow Happy Through Dance”
event facilitated by dance tutor Maureen Culliton – Afternoon tea will be served. All Welcome.
Admission €5
Wednesdays in May
Venue: The Parish Centre, Portlaois
In partnership with the Arts Offi ce writer Ann Egan will facilitate a series of creative writing
workshops with the 50 + Active Age Group in Portlaoise Parish Centre. Ann will explore the
central theme – The Place Where I Was Born – to help each participant revisit, in their
imagination the place of their childhood to develop tightly crafted pieces of writing which will
be a delight for their creators and a treasure for family members. Laois writer Ann Egan, is the
recipient of The 2013 Ban Filí Tour of 5 European Cities. She was Laois writer-in-residence in
2010. Her poems have been broadcast on national and local radio. Her four books are: Landing
the Sea; The Wren Women; Brigit of Kildare; and Telling Time.

DUNAMAISE ARTS CENTRE EVENTS
Every Thursday in May
Time: 11am
Dance for older people with Alicia Christofi -Walshe. Come for some dancing and a cuppa!
Alicia Christofi -Walshe, a dance artist with over 15 years teaching experience, will facilitate
these popular sessions. Classes combine elements of contemporary and social dance (tango,
salsa, square dance) and all exercises can be done either seated or standing. Alicia guides
participants through dance sequences set to music that focus on maintaining fl exibility, balance
and co-ordination all in a relaxed and social setting. All abilities welcome. Further information
contact Alicia - 087 666 6632. Admission €5 (incl. Tea & Coffee afterwards)
Thursday 2nd May
Time: 7pm
Exhibition Opening - Vauney Strahan ‘Substratum’ Meet the artist & hear about her work and
inspiration. Free entry
Thursday 2nd May
Time: 7pm
Vocalese – CD launch & concert.
Enjoy the exquisite vocal harmonies of Vocalese in this special concert ‘Listen to the Music’,
which also marks the launch of their recently recorded 4-track EP. With a full backing band,
Vocalese will sing a wide selection of all your favourite songs from Popular to Folk and
Traditional to Classical.
Admission: €15 (Limited Edition CD included in ticket price)
Group Bookings for €10 or more available at a special rate of €12 for Active Age Groups.
Tuesday 7th May
All day Bealtaine Open Day - Free Backstage tours of Dunamaise available on request.
11am - Elevenses Film: Enjoy the fi lm & a cuppa afterwards. Admission €5
1.30pm - Grow Happy Through the Generations
In partnership with the 50+Active Retirement Group in Portlaoise the Arts Offi ce has organised
a series of dance workshops with tutor Maureen Culliton and Maryborough NS Portlaoise. See
both groups perform the Haymakers Jig, a lively folk dance that celebrates the gathering of food
for the winter and the elegant Waltz Cotillion. Free entry
Tuesday 14th – Saturday 18th May
Time: 8pm & Sat 2pm
Druid Murphy - Druid Theatre Company present their multi-award-winning productions of Tom
Murphy’s ‘Whistle in the Dark’ and ‘Conversations on a Homecoming’. Featuring a stellar
repertoire cast led by Marie Mullan, these 2 powerful plays can be experienced individually or
with a special combination ticket to see both. A wonderful opportunity to see world class theatre
on your local stage following international sold out tours. (Saturday matinee 2pm) Admission
€22 or €38 to see both plays!

DUNAMAISE ARTS CENTRE EVENTS
Friday 24th May
Time: 8pm
Get Back - The Story of The Beatles
From the suited and booted boys of rock & roll to the psychedelic advocates of peace and
love, the phenomenal success of The Beatles is told in this devised tribute to the ‘Fab Four’
resurrecting a rare glimpse of the era that became known as Beatlemania. The talented cast all
effortlessly embody the band in four incredibly fl uid and natural performances, with astonishing
musicianship and vocal authenticity - “hard to believe that this was not the real thing!” Enjoy
the nostalgia of The Beatles musical journey and relive the music that changed the face of
popular culture. Admission €22 / €20 Group rate
Thurs 30th – Fri 31st May
Time: 8pm
Portarlington Drama Society present The Aquinas Moth
Portarlington and its environs was the inspirational backdrop for Sandra Hickey’s dramatic new
work about love and the counter forces that seek to destroy it. Set in the exuberant time before
the global crash, this inaugural production tells the story of Leon Moore’s struggle, in the midst
of a major identity crisis, to fi nd purpose. Promises a dramatic experience that will stay with you
long after the curtain falls. Admission 10
Bookings & information for all events at the Dunamaise Arts Centre 057 866 3355 or www.dunamaise.ie
PORTLAOISE LIBRARY EVENTS
Tuesday 14th May
Time: 11am-1pm
Feltmaking workshop - free of charge but booking
essential. Contact: (057 8622333)
Tuesday 21st May
Time: 1-2pm
Lunchtime Poetry Reading with Ann Egan.
Every Wednesday
Time: 11am-1pm
Knitting Group
Every Wednesday
Time: 5.15-6.30pm
Ciorcal Cainte (Irish Conversation)

LIFESTYLE AND WELLBEING EVENTS
Saturday 11th May
Time: 11am
Glenbarrow Walk (Blue Walk), Meeting at Rosenallis Church. Options of Glenbarrow Walk or
shorter walk to Waterfall. Walking Leader Mick Dowling. Contact Number (087) 4106493. All
welcome.
Thursday 16th May
Time: 10am-2pm
Sports Fest for Older Adults in St. Mary’s Sports Hall. All welcome. For further information
contact Laois Sports Partnership (057) 8671248 or email info@laoissports.ie. All welcome.
Saturday 25th May
Time: 10am-2pm
The Slieve Bloom Association will conduct a walk from Capard to the Ridge, back through the
deserted Cone Village. A revival of the ancient Celtic Bealtaine Festival celebrated on the Slieve
Blooms hundreds of years ago. Contact Mick Dowling 087 4106493
Acknowledgements
The Arts Office acknowledge the financial support of the Arts Council and the continued
support of the members, staff and management of Laois County Council in the running of
the Arts Programme.
Thanks to Laois Credit Union, the Manager and Staff of the Dunamaise Arts Centre, the
Director and Staff of Laois County Development Board, The Library Section, Laois Sports
Partnership and all the community groups and individuals throughout the county who are
supporting or taking part in the Laois Bealtaine Festival 2013.
For more information contact:
Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer; Bridie Keenan, Assistant Arts Officer.
Tel: 057 8664033. Email: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie.