The Arts Office in 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 2018.
The theme for 2018 is “Hospitality” to signal the warm welcome offered by the festival.
The Laois Arthouse, Stradbally programme includes ‘Welcome to May’ an exhibition by the Stradbally Active Retirement Group, open throughout the month of May.
On Thursday May 10 at 4pm we have a free writing workshop ‘The story of your life’ with Pauline Clooney where participants will be given encouragement to write their own story. Booking is required T: 057 8664033.
On Wednesday May 16 there is a free Art workshop to celebrate National Drawing Day led by artist Mary Burke to encourage drawing with colour using the medium of Oil Pastels(materials provided). Suitable for adults, booking required. T: 057 8664033
Community events include activities such as decorating the May bush, with a talk on Irish folklore, music, refreshments and face-painting at the Community Centre Rosenallis at 2.30pm on Monday April 30.
Dance for Fun with Maureen Culleton on Monday May 14 in St. Mary’s Sports Hall Portlaoise from 10pm-1pm, a morning of dance, games and chat. T: 057 8671248 to register your interest.
Not to be missed the Portlaoise Active Retirement Group will present a highly entertaining Variety Show on Wednesday May 16 in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise at 3pm entry fee €5 (includes entry into Draw). The show will include choir performances, dancing, solos, recitation and comedy sketches and is open to all.
An afternoon of Bingo, Music, Song and Dance will take place in St Canices Hall, Borris-in Ossory from 2pm-5pm on Saturday May 19 with refreshments being served, organised by the Borris-in-Ossory Social Services Committee.
On Wednesday May 25 at the Links Centre, St.Fintan’s Hospital, Portlaoise at 11am there will be a Bealtaine Concert with the Sing for Joy Choir. All welcome to join in.
Local Care settings will also be catered for with performances of music, songs and stories by musical trio Age Friendly as they visit Abbeyleix District Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick and St Brigid’s Hospital Shaen during the month.
St. Vincent’s Hospital Mountmellick residents and staff will be treated to some “Musical Moments”, as musicians from Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois perform from their repertoire of classical, trad and modern music. Denise Boyle(Fiddle) Siobhan Buckley(Harp) Nuala Kelly (Vocals/Guitar) and Mary Wisely (Piano Accordion).
Laois Libraries have a long list of free events including an Intergenerational Spoken Word event on Wednesday May 2 at Mountmellick Library from 10.30am, with Laois Spoken Word Artist Stephen James Smith who will be joined by local poet Sheelagh Coyle and students from Transition Year at Mountmellick College and music provided by young local talent.
History lovers can attend history lectures at Portlaoise Library, at 7.30pm every Tuesday or join a local history group on Thursday May 17 in Mountrath Library between 6.15pm-7.30pm. Also on offer is Group Colouring at Mountmellick Library from 11am-12.30pm every Thursday and numerous Book Clubs, Ciorcal Comhrá, and Knitting/Crochet groups in various libraries.
Anyone interested in Getting Started with Oil Painting can attend a talk and demonstration by artist Tom Joyce at a number of libraries. Learn for example about the cost involved, how to choose & mix paints, what to buy, what not to buy.
These will take place as follows: Tuesday May 22 at Mountmellick Library from 10.30am – 12.30pm on Wednesday May 23 at Portlaoise Library from 10.30am – 12.30pm and Thursday May 24 in Portarlington Library from 10.30am – 12.30pm.
Art enthusiasts can hear a talk on The Interpretation of ‘Place’ in Modern and Contemporary Irish Art by artist and art historian Paula Lynch on Thursday May 17 Portlaoise Library, 6.30pm.
There are Arts and Craft workshops available including a Silk Fibre Craft workshop with artist Caroline Keane on Tuesday May 8 in Portarlington Library from 3pm – 5pm. Mosaics Workshops with artist Caroline Keane on Friday May 11 at Portlaoise Library from 3pm – 5pm and on Friday May 25 in Rathdowney Library from 3pm – 5pm.
A Papermaking Craft workshop with artist Caroline Keane on Tuesday May 15 in Mountmellick Library, from 3pm-5pm and a Watercolour Cards workshop with artist Caroline Keane on Friday May 18 in Abbeyleix Library from 3pm – 5pm.
Please Note: Library events are free of charge, all are welcome –Booking is essential as places are limited – contact individual library to book.
The Dunamaise Arts Centre events for Beatltaine include cinema screenings and discussion with local film maker Ken Wardropon his new release entitled Making The Grade.
Music with big band Route 66 Big Band and Mick Hanly & Donal Lunny. Theatre lovers have can enjoy shows such as Take off Your Cornflakes with Rose Henderson and Pat Nolan.
A heartbreaking yet joyful comedy. And Laois Fourth Wall Theatre Group will present Da by Hugh Leonard. A comedy laced with pathos and peppered with memorable one-liners.
A colourful brochure listing all the event details is now available from Áras an Chontae, Portlaise, from all local libraries, the Dunamaise Arts Centre or to download from the websitewww.laois.ie or on request from the Arts Office T: 057 8664033.
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