Bealtaine 2023
Date: 02-05-2023
Bealtaine celebrates the Arts and Creativity as we age. Mayo County Council Arts Service programme this year includes performances, workshops and tours and all events are free of charge. Here are some of this year’s highlights.
Guided Visual Art Tours of Mayo Day Exhibition - As part of Mayo Day 2023, a selection of 50 artworks from the Mayo County Council’s Art Collection is being exhibited in the Civic Offices, Arran Place, Ballina. There will be two guided tours with artist Alice Dixon. On May 2nd at 2pm tours are available for the general public. On May 3rd at 11am tours will be available for those living with dementia and their family/carers. To book a tour call Mayo Arts Service on 094 90 64666 or email mayoarts@mayococo.ie
The Hand Remembers is an exhibition of artwork by artist Mags Duffy, which runs from May 11th until June 4th in the Courtyard Gallery of the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough. The exhibition is the result of a 12-month project about sharing traditional skills and stories and forging new connections. Tour & Workshop: On May 11th from 11am to 2pm there will be a tour of the exhibition, and an art & poetry workshop facilitated by artist Mags Duffy and poet Geraldine Mitchell. To book for this event, call Mayo Arts Service on 094 90 64666 or email mayoarts@mayococo.ie
Arts & Crafts Workshops at North Mayo Heritage Centre, Enniscoe - On May 13th from 1pm to 4pm join local artists and makers in North Mayo Heritage Centre, Enniscoe to try your hand at a selection of arts and crafts workshops. Explore the art studio and characteristic gardens of the North Mayo Heritage Centre. Enjoy ceramic and textile workshops led by locally based artists, Elaine Harrington and Gabrielle Bishop. To book for this event, please call Mayo Arts Service on 094 90 64666 or email mayoarts@mayococo.ie
Artist Shane Finan responds to the Jackie Clarke Collection – As part of the 2022 Decade of Centenaries Programme in Mayo Shane Finan worked with the Jackie Clarke Collection as artist-in-residence. He studied the archive, the museum and the collection to understand why Jackie Clarke chose the objects he chose. At 2pm on May 16th Shane will meet with over 55 groups to discuss his process and response to the collection.
Onsight – This Community Arts Day of Celebration will take place May 27th from 2pm to 5pm in the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough. Visitors can enjoy a temporary art trail around the grounds, a programme of small-scale acoustic performances, art workshops, demonstrations and tours. The artistic interventions will be low impact, using organic and sustainable materials and will explore new contexts for creative work on the site. This year’s event is being supported by Leave No Trace Ireland and visitors are invited to ‘Bring their own Picnic’. www.leavenotraceireland.org
Cultural Companions -Come find out what it is all about, join us for Information, Tea, Music & Poetry on May 30th from 1.30pm to 3pm in Castlebar Social Service Centre. There’s a thriving social and arts scene in Mayo to be enjoyed. Many of us would probably go to a lot more plays, films, shows, concerts, exhibitions, or other events if we had a companion to go with. That’s where Cultural Companions comes in. There will be light healthy refreshments served and music and poetry will be provided by John Hoban and Isabela Basombrio Hoban. Let us know you are coming by contacting Mayo Art Service on 094 906 4367 or email mayoarts@mayococo.ie
The Month of May and the Coming of Summer -Talk by artist and folklorist Michael Fortune in Mayo Community Nursing Units. On the 11th and 12th of May, artist and folklorist Michael Fortune will visit a selection of pre-booked community nursing units in County Mayo. Michael will talk about the traditions and customs surrounding the month of May and the coming of summer in Ireland. Michael will visit St Augustine’s Care Nursing Unit, Ballina, The Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, McBride Care Nursing Unit, Westport and the D’Alton Care Nursing Unit, Claremorris.
EXCHANGE – Theatre Mentoring Project. This May sees dramatist Terry Mc Donagh working with an up and coming playwright, Samuel Belton. Terry and Samuel will meet for a number of sessions over the month of May. They will exchange work, ideas and learn from each other.
Join Mayo County Council Arts Service in celebrating Arts and Creativity as we age throughout the month of May. If you would like further information, to book for an event or to receive a hard copy or a link to Mayo County Council Arts Service’s Bealtaine brochure please get in touch on mayoarts@mayococo.ie or 094 90 64666 and 094 90 64367 or visit Mayo Arts Service via www.mayo.ie/arts .
Bealtaine is an initiative of Age and Opportunity and in Mayo the event is strategically funded by Mayo County Council and the Arts Council. Some of the above initiatives are in receipt of Creative Ireland funding.