VISUAL ARTS MUSIC & DANCE ISSUE & FILM THEATRE FREE THE WRITTEN WORD A REVIEW OF THE ARTS IN LAOIS, LONGFORD, OFFALY AND WESTMEATH SUMMER 2012 17

Laois Comic Bernard O’Shea Emer Barry

moves a step closer Longford student drums up support at Olympics Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010 The Edge is back •Laois Bealtaine 2012 South East Arts Network Concert...... Page 3 A Word Beelicious recipes for kids Midlands Submissions invited at The Gallery at Abbeyleix Library from the Business awards recognise importance of arts projects ..Page 4 andCulture Tullamore Community Arts Centre moves step closer Arthouse Stradbally rehearsal space Editor Arts Magazine Striking a note with Adrian Duncan...... Page 5 It’s hard to believe that the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival makes surprise move to first quarter of 2012 is well Tullamore behind us and it is The Hilltown New Music Festival tunes up for fifth year .Page 6 becoming increasingly Tullynally Castle setting for Midsummer Night’s Dream apparent that, as is 11 THE A few words from wordsmith Jean O’Brien oftentimes cited, time goes quicker the older you get. OTHER SIDE What do you want from the Arts in Laois?...... Page 7 Latin drama in north Longford There has never been a better time than now to check out at least one arts and culture item of OF SLEEP Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival wins Best Festival Photograph interest in your area of the midlands. The choice Movie filmed in Offaly Laois School of Music applies for EU Funding .....Page 8 is enormous and all encompassing for all ages makes history in Longford Celtic Rose singing way into the history books and abilities. Cannes Quilters receive award from President Higgins In this issue, across the counties of Laois, A poem by Ann Maher ...... Page 9 Longford, Offaly and Westmeath the wealth and Busy summer ahead at Aras an Mhuilinn diversity of the arts and culture on offer is mind 15 THERE’S Award-winning author examines reactive nationalism blowing. Laois Summer Arts Programme 2012...... Page 10 There is so much going on, in fact, that this issue SOMETHING ABOUT Movie filmed in Offaly makes history in Cannes has been increased from 32 to 36 pages. MullingART brings splash of colour to town for third year We have drummers at the Olympics; films making MARY Mary Melvin Geoghegan Dunamaise summer line up ...... Page 11 history at all the best festivals; singers hitting the high time; schools embracing artistic projects; Education for all through the stained-glass window mental health projects; a plethora of festivals; art 20/21 ATHLONE Walshestown Art Group celebrates decade of creativity commissions; art exhibitions; world-class Youth Work Ireland Laois ...... Page 12 dancers; authors; photographic competitions; CELEBRATES 60TH RTE Making musical magic in Granard poets; comedians; drama – indoors and out; MidlandsIreland.ie launches photography competition music and everything imaginable and ALL IRELAND DRAMA Portlaoise Camera Club snap happy for more than a year .Page 13 unimaginable in between. Mullingar Town Band marching to success for generations Be sure and check out your local Arts Officer’s FESTIVAL PAGE Our school orchestra reached the National Concert Hall! website also as we just can’t fit in everything and Druid Art Group enjoys camaraderie for all levels ....Page 14 there are a number of festivals and additional activities coming up in the weeks and months There’s something about Longford’s Mary ahead. Take a particular note to check out the 25 HEAR ME, Salty Dog and the Electric Picnic ...... Page 15 arts and culture events happening in and around Collaborate? Pontificate? Man-I-Pulate? all the bank holidays and this is a time where you SEE ME - the mental In Offaly ...... Page 16 need never be stuck for some entertainment. health project that grew Christy Brown takes Sojourn to the public What is truly amazing is that the midlands is out of a chance meeting Adult Education Programme ...... Page 17 forging ahead, bucking the national trend against the odds and bringing some additional Funny man Bernard O’Shea...... Page 18/19 with a rapper! impressive and important facilities to fruition th Athlone celebrates 60 RTE All Ireland Drama Festival such as the state of the art, purpose-built Athlone My Hometown - a photographic journey through the Art gallery which is currently under construction streets of Birr...... Page 20/21 and the Community Arts Centre in Tullamore 27 PROFUSION OF Tyrone Guthrie Residency by Ann Egan Part 2 which is moving a step closer with the signing of On board the Carousel with Leonard Anderson Page 22 contracts. In our last editions we noted that PUBLIC ART Athlone had opened the Abbey Street Artist Exhibition by George Burland ...... Page 23 Studios and Laois the Arthouse at Stradbally. COMMISSIONS IN LE CHÉILE12 Collective remembers residency...... Page 24 And, you can read in this issue how Longford Hear me, See me - the mental health project that grew boasts a profusion of public art commissions – LONGFORD out of a chance meeting with a rapper! a real feat in the face of adversity. Synergy and Light ...... Page 25 The vision and determination of the Arts Officers Interview with Miriam Mulrennan ...... Page 26 in the face of escalating funding cuts inspirational – but make no mistake they need 32/33 FACE TO FACE Profusion of Public Art Commissions in Longford OUR support and the current state of affairs of Laois School of Music ...... Page 27 with Westmeath artist Fiona Kelly working in the face of daily funding cuts is simply What fills the heart…? - Rosalind Fanning ...... Page 28 not sustainable. You just need to think about the Solo Exhibition at the Photo Ireland Festival - July 2012 possibility of the lights going out on the Director of Dunamise Arts Centre praised ...... Page 29 Backstage Theatre in Longford to realise how much we, as a community, stand to lose if we - Art makes a difference to the places we live Page 30 and national bodies – don’t support arts and Major regional venue is threatened by escalating culture in the midlands – and beyond now and funding cuts ...... Page 31 into the future. Interview with Westmeath artist Fiona Kelly ...... Page 32/33 There’s never been a better time to take that step The Collaborative Space by Eileen Casey ...... Page 34 forward to embrace what is on your doorstep. The Meet The Team...... Page 35 time is now. To discover just what a valuable contribution the Offaly Youth Theatre Arts make to our society check out the National Co-ordinator appointed to Music Generation Laois...Page 36 Campaign for the Arts on www.ncfa.ie A look inside

YOUR LOCAL ARTS OFFICERS

County Offaly County Westmeath County Laois County Longford WHO: Sinead O'Reilly, WHO: Catherine Kelly WHO: Muireann Ní Chonaill WHO: Fergus Kennedy WHERE: Offaly County Council, WHERE: Westmeath County Council WHERE: Laois County Council, WHERE: Longford County Council, Charleville Road, Tullamore County Buildings, Mullingar Portlaoise, Co Laois Great Water St. Longford. CONTACT: Telephone 057 9357400 CONTACT: Telephone 044 9332140 CONTACT: Tel: 057 8674342/44 CONTACT: Tel: 043 3346231 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.offaly.ie/arts www.westmeathcoco.ie/arts www.laois.ie/arts www.longfordcoco.ie/arts_office.html 2 Longford student drums Briefs up support at Olympics BEALTAINE 2012 Planning for the Laois Bealtaine By Conor Barrins Festival 2012, celebrating creativity An expected audience of Leinster Leader recently, while home from Each week the Tech Music School sends in older age, is well under way. 2012 London for a few days. an email to its students detailing upcoming is European year of Active Ageing and four billion people might auditions. “One of them was for the Solidarity between Generations – opportunities to bring young and old intimidate some people but There are a number of sentences that opening ceremony at the Olympics, and I strike fear into parents, one of which is just thought, why not? I went for the first participants/organisers together this for one Ballymahon woman undoubtedly, ‘I want a drum-kit,’ but for audition in October, then I got called to the year to help explore the festival theme What kind of old do you want it’s all going to be part of a Gráinne’s mother, Kathleen, getting her second round in November and then on daughter another musical instrument was January 16 I found out I had got it,” to be? are particularly welcome. day’s work this July. a natural thing to do. Gráinne said, adding that it hadn’t really hit Last year well over 2000 people took home just how big an event this is to be part in all kinds of arts activities in the Twenty-four-year-old Gráinne Kavanagh “We always knew the musical ability was involved with. county from a Dawn Chorus on the has been selected to play the drums at the there – she was a self-thought musician Rock of Dunamaise to exhibitions, opening ceremony of this summer’s right from a young age. She was always The Artistic Director of the opening concerts, dance events, writing Olympic games in London’s new 80,000 trying out different instruments but it ceremony is Academy award-winning workshops, theatre performances and seater Olympic Stadium! always came back to getting a drum-kit. So, director Danny Boyle, whose films include film screenings in venues and centres we got one and the rest, as they say, is Slumdogg Millionaire. Rehearsals for the countywide. As the country’s largest The former Mercy Convent, Ballymahon history,” Kathleen laughed. big day have not yet begun, but when they collaborative arts festival, Bealtaine is student, is taking it all in her stride. “If I do, the musicians will be sworn to secrecy locally owned by communities but thought about it too long it’d probably bring Gráinne graduated with a degree in as London prepares for one of its biggest retains an enviable reputation as the about stage fright, and you definitely don’t Business Computing from Athlone Institute showcases of all time. They are set to get world’s first national celebration of want that with all those people watching,” of Technology last year before following her under way towards the end of May with an creativity in older age. Scotland and she laughed. heart and heading to London to study intensive two month practice period in the Australia are laying the foundations for drums. build up to July 27. their own similar festivals and we Gráinne is currently a full time student at expect this year’s Irish festival to even Tech Music School in West London, “I just really can’t wait to get going on the bigger and better! studying Commercial Music Performance project,” Gráinne said excitedly. M Confirmed events arranged for 2012 in Drums. include: ■ Carnation Theatre will perform a The drums are not traditionally an theatre show entitled Circus instrument associated with women. For Comes to Town for residents and example, only four of the 36 people in out patients in St Vincent’s Gráinne’s class are female. Hospital, Mountmellick on Tuesday, May 8 at 3pm and in “It’s certainly a male dominated Abbeyleix Hospital and Day Care instrument but I just had one of those Centre at 1.30pm. moments nine or 10 years ago when I ■ Art workshops in the Arthouse, decided I wanted to give the drums a go, Stradbally on May 15. and I’ve never looked back,” she told the ■ ‘Gay Byrne Live on Stage’ in the Tim C J Chew performing Tony Dunamaise Arts Centre, May 17. Adigun’s Unleashed image by Ivar ■ Exhibition and Sale of Arts and Sviestins. Crafts made by members of Portarlington Active Retirement Association – Happy Hearts Club The EDge is back – Thursday, May 24 from 2pm to (winner of the Sadler’s Wells Global 4pm in the Community Centre, EDge, the postgraduate Link Rd, Portarlington. Dance Contest in 2010) have been ■ Inter-Generational Waltzing with performance company of commissioned to create two new pieces school children and the 50 plus respectively entitled Dances with Purpose London Contemporary Active Retirement Association, and Through Shards.Completing the Dance School, has Portlaoise, May 30. programme, dancer and choreographer announced that Offaly is Delphine Gaborit has restaged The If you would like to organise a Bealtaine event in County Laois, Quartet, a poetic and powerful to feature on its annual please contact the Arts Office to be masterpiece by world famous German 2012 Spring Tour. part of the programme for the county. choreographer Sasha Waltz. The Arts Office, Laois County Council Under the direction of Artistic Director, will publish and launch a Jeanne Yasko, the company’s 12 About Edge comprehensive brochure that will exceptional dancers will visit 21 venues EDge has built a reputation for touring engaging works that range across include all events happening in the nationally and internationally including All are recent graduates from the world’s county in May.For further information different styles of contemporary dance Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on Saturday, finest dance conservatoires and the on all the events above contact The performed by young dance artists at a May 26. period spent with EDge forms the main Arts Office on 057 8674342/43 or key stage of their professional part of their Postgraduate Diploma in email [email protected]. Venue Manager at Birr Theatre & Arts development. Performance at London Contemporary Centre, Emma Nee Haslam said: “This The EDge Spring Tour represents the Dance School and gives them an unique event is filled with high-level SOUTH EAST ARTS culmination of a year-long course of study invaluable insight into creating, energy and technical excellence that NETWORK CONCERT which offers postgraduate performers the rehearsing and touring work as a pushes the performers to their limits and South East Arts Network presented a chance to work together as an ensemble professional company. will leave the audience on the edge of concert at the end of April featuring and collaborate with guest their seat. Double dance delight renowned accordion player and singer choreographers. Also on May 26 in Birr, Legitimate Bodies Seamus Begley and guitarist Tim “What a joy it was last year to see these Edey, BBC Radio Two Folk Musician of This year the dancers of EDge come from Dance Company will host You(th) Share. extraordinary dancers perform here in the Year 2012! around the globe: Jessica Hatfield, Now in its third year, You(th) Share is an Birr and we’re thrilled to be welcoming Michael Kitchin, Thomas Meyers, increasingly important date in the The tour funded by the Arts Council the new post-grads back again this year.” Alexandra Pickering, and Katie Webster calendar for youth dance companies will visit six communities to bring professional touring performance to The varied programme includes works (UK), Tim C J Chew, (Malaysia); Erin from across the country. It is a platform areas like the South East Arts that are intellectually stimulating, playful Johnson, Jacquelyn Price, Nicole West that annually presents the audience with Network.The concert took place in and charming. Leading dancemakers and Gracelynn Whyte (USA); Simone a chance to see the progress of young Coolanowle House, Ballickmoyler, Co Mousset, (Luxembourg) and Elisabeth dance performers who converge on Birr. Matthias Sperling and James Wilton Laois. For more information contact Schilling, (Germany). M 087 6729953 Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012

Self-publishing is not for the faint hearted. You need great stamina to go down that route. I spent hours and hours on my computer looking up ways Beelicious that I could promote my book. In fact, I suppose, you could say it took almost two years before I was ready to publish Recipes for Kids my first book. With a lot of hard work and determination I think I am getting Dolores Keaveney writes about the there. ones which her daughter-in-law Hilary publication of her fifth book for children - and her grandchildren Ellie, Greg, Mal Writing books is a bit addictive because and Will have tried and tested many Beelicious Recipes using Honey. when you have one written, then you times. Ellie and her Mum along with want another and another. Financially Greg and Mal bake daily in their “If you had said to me three years ago the inspiration to write the poems you will not make a great deal out of it, beautiful kitchen which Ellie calls that I would have become an author about the bees. I had lots of paintings but it is very satisfying.” Buttercup Bakery, and Will and Ali cook and illustrator of children’s books, I of flowers completed and I took the buns regularly. would not have believed you. So, this poems and the flowers and put them Launch really confirms my belief that you never together and I had the makings of a Mullingar woman Dolores launched Ellie her granddaughter has hand know what is around the bend. I have book. I self published this book in children’s cookbook Beelicious Recipes written some of the recipes and been an amateur artist for the past 35 2009 and have produced three more using Honey in Red Earth, Mullingar in Dolores said: “I think this adds great years, starting as a beginner at a night since then. April. charm to the book.”here is an added class and I continued to paint for bonus in the book - lots of information pleasure. It was a great way for me to Just when I thought I would be retiring a The colourfully illustrated book draws about the bee! Dolores added: “I hope chill out and to express myself in my whole new career has opened up in together many of the skills Dolores has that the recipes will be enjoyed by paintings. I loved painting flowers and I front of me, which I am hugely excited garnered over the years. Beelicious children and their parents and that they really made this my painting choice. about leaving me full of confidence and Recipes using Honey is a simple will give joy to everyone who uses them expectation about the future. cookbook for small children containing and that the book helps promote one of Then, a few years back I decided to honey recipes gathered from family and my favourite insects the amazing bee!” train as therapist but I found full time I am a grandmother with three friends. work very restricting and missed the wonderful children and five beautiful Beelicious Recipes using Honey is freedom to paint and garden at will and grandchildren and I have to say that my Learn how to bake simple scones, buns available in bookshops and costs so I took a break. My interest in the grandchildren are my inspiration; they and banana bread along with many €9.99. You can also purchase any of healing and spiritual side of life are full of life and they really have other tasty snacks using the magic Dolores’ books at continued and continues unabated and brought out the child in me. ingredient, honey. All of the recipes in www.doloreskeaveney.com M it was during this ‘down’ time that I got this book with the exception of four are

The President of the Midlands Gateway community and the judging panel plays a Business of the Year Chamber, Ray Byrne, said: “This year’s pivotal role in the Awards programme.” competition is bigger and better. We “There is a rigorous judging process have added two new award categories awards recognises involved, the first round of judging and included the chambers of commerce involves short-listing the entries down to from the entire midland region of Offaly, five in each category.” importance of arts projects Westmeath, Laois and Longford.” The first round judges were chosen from The Midlands Gateway Chamber of Commerce has announced the The awards categories are: direct nomination from each of the launch of The MidlandsIreland.ie Best in Business Awards 2012, • Emerging New Business Award chambers in the region. Business people which is now in its second year. • Best Multi National Business Award from outside the region conduct the • Business Person of the Year Award second round of judging; selecting the • Outstanding Business Award three finalists in each category and this • Best Cultural Tourism Business Award decision will be announced in June. The • Green Initiative Award overall winner in each category as • Retail Excellence Award selected by the second round judges • Lifetime Achievement Award, Athlone will then be revealed at the • Midlands Gateway Chamber MidlandsIreland.ie Best in Business Ambassador Award Awards to be held in the Hodson Bay The Best Cultural Tourism award Hotel, Thursday June, 21. recognises the huge importance of the Mary Kennedy will be master of arts projects, festivals, centres, ceremonies and over 450 key business theatres, studios, galleries, hotels, personnel from the region will be exhibition and convention centres, present along with a large media country house properties and the contingent. restaurant sector of the cultural tourism industry which operate from or are Tickets are on sale now and cost €75 based in any of the four Midlands each for this black tie event, meal and Pictured at the presentation of the Outstanding Business Award Plate, to Belvedere House Counties of Offaly, Westmeath, Laois wine included. If you wish to reserve Gardens and Park, Mullingar, County Westmeath are: L-R Daniel McLoughlin, County and Longford. tickets please contact Midlands Gateway Manager, Westmeath County Council, Cllr Micheal Carrigy, Cathaoirleach, Midland Regional Chamber, [email protected] Authority; Bartle D’Arcy, General Manager, Belvedere House, Gardens and Park (Award Ray continued: “These awards aim to or phone Angela Rigney on Winner) Ray Byrne, President, Midlands Gateway Chamber, Martin Daly, Director, Midland recognise and promote excellence and 086 3891675. M Regional Authority. Pic: Ger Rogers/HR Photo innovation in the regional business

The Gallery at Abbeyleix Library is inviting submissions from artists, photographers and sculptors who would like to book an exhibition space in the gallery for 2013. SUBMISSIONS: Please call in to the library to pick up an exhibition application form or download it at Gallery@Abbeyleix Library Application Form. Please also consult the guidelines for exhibiting in the gallery 4 Gallery@Abbeyleix Library Guidelines. Tullamore Community Arts Centre moves step closer Tullamore Community Arts Centre has moved on to the next stage with the signing of the design contracts between the Board of the Arts Centre and A2 Architects, which took place in January. Chairperson Desmond Doyle said: through the appropriate public “Signing the contracts represents a channels. significant shift in pace now and will allow the project to progress to Fundraising drive planning phase within a matter of Meanwhile, the fundraising draw months. celebrated its mammoth success of selling 2,000 tickets, raising €160,000 “People may have wondered why this towards the capital costs - a huge process took a number of months but achievement in this climate. this is a complicated procedure and we wanted to be sure that we are entering Board – (Seated L-R) Cllr Sinead Dooley Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Town Council, Desmond The Board would like to acknowledge into a watertight agreement to protect Doyle (Chairperson), Caomhan Murphy (A2 Architects), Cllr Danny Owens, Cathaoirleach of the mammoth effort gone into this the finance being generated by the Offaly County Council. project, particularly by Paddy Fenning (Back L-R) Declan Kirrane (Director of Services), Cllr Declan Harvey, Sean Murray (Director of community and the public funding we (Offaly person of the Year 2012) Services), Dominic Doheny, Tom Farrell, Cllr Molly Buckley, Peter Carroll (A2 Architects), Fionnuala have been allocated. Nobody would Fionnuala Corrigan, Mary Roche and Corrigan, Martin Heffernan (Punch Consulting Engineers), Sinead O’Reilly (Arts Officer) have thanked us for rushing into this Sheila McDermott and the many others without serious deliberation to all who are sold tickets. Many arts groups aspects of the design team and are also planning fundraising events delivery, fees and health and safety during the year and any suggestions for considerations,” he explained. STRIKING A NOTE events and activities should be emailed The next steps include topographical to [email protected] site surveys and a Part VIII planning so that they can be co-ordinated to WITH ADRIAN DUNCAN process. All going smoothly, it is maximise impact. In the meantime, by Majella Reid expected the tender process for progress on the project can be followed Through the ages construction will be advertised in the on the official website Starting with the Middle Ages and the summer. The construction tender will www.tullamorecommunityartscentre.ie Renaissance Periods, the lectures will be open to all local qualified or on Facebook (follow the link on the look at areas such as Gregorian Chant, contractors and will be advertised website) M Josquin, Du Fay, and English Lute Song. During the Baroque period, the lecture will move to artists and movements such as Monteverdi, Strozzi, Corelli, concerto

Arthouse (Vivaldi) and fugue (Bach). In the classical Adrian Duncan period, the areas covered include Stradbally Symphony/String quartet (Haydn), opera Ballymahon’s Adrian Duncan is a man (Mozart), French Revolution and the rise Band with an avid interest in the arts, music of the middle classes. and literature and this has manifested Rehersal Space itself in many forms from his The Romantic Period is divided across Available to Rent involvement in the Goldsmith two lectures, the first of which looks at International Literary Festival to his Beethoven’s late period, Schubert’s

completion of a Bachelor degree in German Song, and Mendelssohn’s piano If you're looking for great band rehearsal space Music (Hons) in 2009 from NUI works. The second lecture concerning the that's clean, has a great sound system Maynooth. Romantic Period, will allow students to equipped with digital drums, amps etc delve into artists such as Brahms, It is therefore, perhaps, inevitable that Strauss, Foster and, of course, influential this musicologist should undertake a events such as the Franco-Prussian War Look no further that the series of lectures focused on The Story of and the emergence of the United States. Western Music. To this end, Adrian Finally, in the Modern and Post Modern Arthouse at Stradbally, Co Laois Period, the class is taken on a journey Rehearsal Studios Session Rates valid from March 2012 designed a series of six lectures covering 1,000 years of the world’s most famous through key concerns such as Atonality, Monday to Friday and influential periods of music that he Stravinsky, Cage, the Jazz Age, world (10am to 4pm) will deliver over a six-week period. music and recording techniques. €10 per hour The content of the lectures examines the In what promises to be an inviting lecture Tuesday & Thursday development of western art music from series, Mr Duncan said: “It is something (7pm to 10pm) the Middle Ages to the present day. The that I have thought about doing for some €25 per session classes presented in an informal manner time. Perhaps it is eventually something and talks are interspersed with samples that I can prune into a single school Saturday of music from the different genres and module. That’s a possibility.” (10am to 1pm) periods. €25 per session The lectures started on Tuesday, March “This lecture series is open to anyone 20 and conclude on Tuesday, April 24.

Call us to-day to book your rehearsal space with an interest in music. It’s very much These evenings commence at 7.30pm Ballymahon Community Library. about covering the basics,” said Adrian, Arts Office who also teaches piano and provides Admission is €5 per lecture or €25 for the

Laois County Council tuition in Junior Certificate and Leaving complete series. 057 8641740 Certificate Music examinations. It is his Email: [email protected] intention that the content of each lecture For further information contact Adrian will roughly coincide with the various on 086 2580068 or email periods throughout music history. [email protected]. M 5 Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival makes surprise move to Tullamore The Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival is Altan, Rodney Crowell, Iris DeMent, longer be financially sustained within and free music performances. relocating to Tullamore, beginning Thom Moore and the legendary Earl Longford. The move marks the end of with the 2012 festival this autumn. Scruggs - the musician credited for a decade of national/international The annual four-day event celebrates Having spent 10 years in Longford perfecting and popularising a three- music and visitors from all over the cultural exchange, particularly between Town, the move, announced in finger banjo-picking style that is a world to Longford each September. We Ireland and America, through the January, came as a surprise to most defining characteristic of bluegrass hope that the people of Longford have medium of music and education. people in the midlands. music. enjoyed the festival as much as we have enjoyed sharing it with them.” It features the very best of Irish The festival started in Longford back Citing “financial sustainability, growth traditional, American bluegrass and in 2002 following the death of and expansion” the organisers Kathy Tullamore boost folk music, bringing together top legendary banjo player Johnny Casey and Chris Keenan said the However, given that no festival was international musicians and attracting Keenan. A tribute concert to mark event could not be financially held in Tullamore in 2011, the news visitors from around the world. Johnny’s passing in 2000 was held in sustained in Longford and that one of was welcomed locally, particularly for Vicar Street, Dublin and it was then the main reasons behind their its impact on the cultural tourism Chris Keenan stated: “We are very decided to hold a festival in Longford decision to relocate to Tullamore was potential of the town, which has excited and proud to call Tullamore our where Johnny and his wife Chris had the financial support. To date the already played host to large events new home, and look forward to a long, set up home. festival organisers have been such as Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. bright future here. We welcome consulting with businesses in suggestions, ideas and any input from In the 10 years that followed some of Tullamore, for its support. The Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival will the local community, and wish to the biggest names in bluegrass, Irish take place from September 20 to emphasise that this is a community traditional and folk music played in Statement September 23. A committee is being event, which draws a positive type of the Longford Arms Hotel, including In a statement issued regarding the set up to co-ordinate the event at local crowd to the town, benefiting all.” Steve Earle, Gerry O’Connor, Guy move the festival organisers said: “It is level. As well as concerts the festival For more information on the festival Clark, Peter Rowan, Tony Trischka, with regret that the festival can no will include workshops, pub sessions see www.johnnykeenan.com M

THE HILLTOWN tunes up for fifth year NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL The Castlepollard festival, which is in its landmark fifth year, showcases Irish and dinner presented by the Westmeath Slow grounds of the medieval castle keep of th international contemporary music, presenting innovative new work to audiences Food convivium. the Hilltown House, an 18 century listed building. The buildings have grown and providing a sustainable place for contemporary music in the midlands. The weekend will provide an exciting organically over the centuries and create selection of word class contemporary a unique setting for 21st century events. The 2012 festival takes place from July three days. instrumental and electronic music by This year the festival welcomes anyone 20 to 22 and will be based around a emerging and renowned composers with The festival opens with a special gala who an interest in and an appreciation for series of concerts as well as sonic and the programme focusing on the concert on the Friday night with a banquet music and arts, from adults to children. visual art installations presented over relationship between contemporary music There will be guesthouse accommodation and the visual arts. and camping available nearby. The centrepiece of the concert As with previous festivals, there will be an programme is the performances by the open call for new compositions for the resident Hilltown Ensemble throughout Hilltown Ensemble with selected works the three days, augmented by being performed as part of the concert distinguished international guest programme. There will also be a call for performances. Among these guests are audio works inviting artists and English musician, sound artist and author composers to submit a short audio work David Toop, a well-known figure on the to be included as part of a listening room international experimental and improvised during the Hilltown New Music Festival in music scene; pioneer German electronic July 2012. musician and composer Asmus Tietchens and virtuoso violinist Barbara Lüneburg, The Arts Council and Westmeath County who has enchanted Hilltown audiences Council sponsor the festival. For further with new programmes of cutting-edge new information and bookings please visit the music each year since the inception of the festival website www.hilltown.ie or email festival. [email protected] M Hilltown New Music Festival will take place in the beautiful and picturesque

6 Tullynally Castle – a perfect setting for Midsummer Night’s Dream Briefs The Quantum Theatre group will be making a welcome return to Tullynally Castle Gardens (just outside Castlepollard) on August What do you 10 with their musical version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, specially adapted for family audiences. want from The performance starts at 6pm and music for a full length ballet, Il Sogno. the Arts into lasts just under 2 hours with a 20 minute interval and takes place in the The plot is really a series of three plots the future? terraced lawns directly in front the elaborately intertwined and any castle, which have spectacular views attempt to summarise might run to Have your say… of the parkland and woods beyond. several pages; so, it is best to say only Laois County Council is in the that the play’s setting is an enchanted process of preparing a new five The audience is welcome to bring forest outside Athens where the year Arts Plan for 2013-2017 and picnics, rugs and cushions and take fairies, led by Puck and directed by has issued an open invitation for time to explore other parts of the their King, Oberon, bewitch in turn the people to get involved in the gardens before or after the fairy queen Titania, two young of pop music offer a neat commentary planning process by coming performance. Children will enjoy the courting Athenian couples and a on the ongoing action. forward with their ideas, comments, and observations. family of llamas in the walled kitchen company of ‘rude mechanicals’ or Pride of place goes, as it often does, gardens and the ducks and swans on yokels brought in to perform a play at The Arts in Laois has flourished to the hapless ‘mechanicals’ - Peter the two ornamental lakes. a local wedding. and grown in confidence during the There will also be drinks and Quince, Bottom and Snug - ineptly term of the last plan 2006 -2011. refreshments available in the castle The Quantum Theatre group has been struggling to perform ‘the play within New arts venues have opened tearoom. specialising in adapting classic stories the play’ about two star-crossed lovers including The Arthouse Studios in and plays for children for more than a Pyramis and Thisbe. Even the wall Stradbally and new Art Galleries First written as an entertainment for a decade and Director Hugh Whitmore between Pyramis and Thisbe gets its within the Libraries in Abbeyleix, grand Elizabethen wedding in 1594, A has made this fast paced production own speaking part! Mountmellick and Stradbally. Midsummer Night’s Dream is probably both easy to follow and hugely Quantum Theatre claims it can keep Other highlights include the the most versatile and enduringly enjoyable. development of the Laois School of going even if it rains so don’t forget to popular of Shakespeare’s plays. Music and Laois’ selection for It has been played in turn as a Six energetic actors undertake all the bring your umbrella. Music Generation Round 2 Funding masque, pantomime, slapstick roles, combining slapstick, conjuring 2012-2014. The challenges that comedy, burlesque opera, film, ballet tricks and music without in the least Tickets, including entry to gardens face all aspects of the arts at this and straight musical. debasing Shakespeare’s play. cost €10 per adult, €5 per child or a time is something that needs to be Probably the most classic rendering There is an hilarious handbagging family ticket (for 4) costs €25. addressed as a collective, with was Peter Hall’s film in 1968 starring scene between the two heroines, Reservations can be made at confidence that we will sustain and build on our achievements. Helen Mirren and Judi Dench famous Hermione and Helena. Cunning [email protected] or by paying at the garden entrance gates for its fairies in green body paint. More staging allows the actors to disappear Everyone is welcome to have their from 2pm on August 10. M recently, Elvis Costello composed the in trunks and craftily chosen snippets views heard in this important process of arts planning for the Spring is everywhere and a visit to the next five years. Submissions will be considered up Spring is everywhere. From the pink blossoms on my to 31 May . A consultation meeting President is blooming cherry tree to the newborn lambs gamboling in the field will be held on Monday 18th June A few words from wordsmith Jean O’Brien at the top of the lane, it is, as is said, bursting out all at 6.30pm in the Arthouse & over. Time to start looking up the many literature festivals Library, Stradbally to discuss the proposed plan and take feedback. The Look approaching, time to contemplate a visit to the beautiful The plan will be published in the and inspiring artist’s retreat of Annamakerrig. You have to catch the looks, Autumn, 2012. Submissions to be the small similarities, hints and winks considered for Laois Arts Plan before they grow too old to remember Myself and poets Noel Monaghan and Nula Ni Chonchuir, 2013-2017 can be emailed the souls they brought with them along with our respective county librarians in the to:[email protected] or posted to from beyond. We have all been hooked midlands, are involved in a new initiative called Midlands the Arts Office, Laois County when our eyes lock with those of Poetry For Pleasure, which is designed to encourage Council, Áras an Chontae, our newborn. secondary school children to get involved in both reading Portlaoise, Co Laois on or before and writing poetry. Friday, May 4. We are in a petrol station, delayed, M our three year old is strapped in the back Poetry is a subject close to the heart of our new with all the days’ paraphernalia; car seat, president Michael D Higgins who has invited the group of drinking cup, the baby rucksack, suddenly children, teacher, librarians and poets involved to the in the tone and timbre of my father’s Aras to meet with him. voice. “Thank God we’re going, I though we’d be here all ruddy day”. Startled we turned My new collection Merman is still in the offing and wondering if imagination was at play, but no, although the publishing date is not yet set in stone, it will the two of us had heard his voice hopefully be around May. I have seen mock-ups of the almost three years to the day he died. cover which incorporates a wonderful drawing by Laois We recognised his impatient tone based Cork artist Ray Murphy and am looking forward to out of the mouth of our baby. seeing it on the bookshelves.

This caused us to think of how many other souls Together with other poets including Mary O’Donnell, I were lying easy in that young breast, recently read in the Centre for Creative Practices in soothed by the rhythm of her growing. conjunction with the Polish Embassy to commemorate Now in her turbulent teens sometimes we their Nobel Prize winning poet Wislawa Syzmborska who glance at each other and one of us will died this year. say it again and smile for lost souls, lived years and maybe for just a moment pause and wonder I will leave the last word on poetry to her: “It’s small, but 7 if we too will hitch a ride into a future unknowable. it flies on mighty wings”. M Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012 LATIN DRAMA IN NORTH LONGFORD By Majella Reid In 1946 a drama group called The Carnation Players was born in the north Longford village of Dromard. For the following 20 years to 1966 these amateur actors delivered a wide array of comedy and drama to the north The play, which took to the stage at the Longford community and beyond. Among these was community man, the late Pearse Daly. end of March, revolved around Katie, a manipulative and cunning mother of Seán and Mary. Katie pretends to be “Pearse was involved in the original since 1984, this drama group aims to formula. “We’re sticking with comedy. In sick to keep Mary at home. group and he would have directed and be all encompassing, reaching out to times like this people need a little light “Mary is dominated by her mother, and acted in many of their productions. It interested individuals in communities entertainment!” Seán, while molly-coddled by Katie, is was perhaps inevitable that another further afield that Dromard. rough, greedy and selfish. Martin has group would one day be formed in their “We are on the border of Cavan and This year the drama group chose been courting Mary for 10 years but is place,” said Chris Donohoe, Dromard. Leitrim also, so we get a lot of support another Michael J Ginnelly comedy, afraid to leave his own mother. from those areas too,” said Chris. Pretend Sick, directed by Arva, County Everything changes when Matt, the In January 2010, the Latin School Cavan man, Jim Williamson. English tourist, arrives on the scene,” Players was born following a meeting in In their first year (May 2010), the group “Jim has been involved for the past 30 said Chris. the Latin School Community Centre, delivered two one act plays. years with drama and groups including Moyne. “Our maiden voyage was Murder Play the Cornmill, Beez Neez and ourselves. The 11 cast members were Chris and None the Wiser,” she said. “In He has studied both with Michael Donohoe (Katie); Margaret Dunne “People have said that it’s great for the 2011 we put on the Wake in the West, a Chekov and Stanislavski methods of (Mary); James Grimes (Seán); Seán parish to have a drama group,” said widely acclaimed comedy by Michael J performing and directing under Jorg Conefrey (Matt); Ray Murphy (Martin); Chris, Chairperson of the Latin School Ginnelly and that proved so popular we Andress (Berlin) and David Scott Lorna Hourican (Tracey); John Duffy Players. had to put on an extra show.” (Sydney and Dublin). He also writes (Jack); Francis Gray (Joe); Eddie Ward reports on the All Ireland Drama Finals (Mick); Annette Hamilton (Marian) and Named after the Latin School, which This year the Latin School Players are in Athlone,” added Chris. Jacinta Brady (Samantha). M has been the local community centre staying with their winning comedy Laois School of Music applies for European Union Funding

Laois School of Music has joined forces with Tallaght Community Tallaght Community Arts, which has communities, schools and youth Arts to make an application for funding under the European Union’s teamed up with Laois School of groups to activate arts programmes Leonardo programme. Music to apply for the funding, is a in line with the needs of the wider pro-active arts development Tallaght community - geographically, The Leonardo programme is part of Music skills include proficiency on organisation working with culturally and socially. M an initiative by the EU to support Life one’s chose instrument, ability to professional artists, local Long Learning. This programme is read music, vocal technique and so specifically targeted at the Vocational on while non-music skills include Educational and Training Sector and personal management, familiarity its relationship with the world of work. with information technology, basic business and marketing skills and The title of the Laois School of Music the like. application is Preparing for Success The group intends to develop a self- in Music and should the group be coaching toolbox which will enable successful in its application it will musicians to determine their degree receive funds to work with up to six of proficiency in a range of other partners around Europe. skills/competencies. Potential partners include the UK, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy and Depending on the outcome of the Turkey. assessment there will be a suggested programme of work or direction The programme encourages towards helpful resources to make organisations from around Europe to good any identified deficiencies as visit each other’s countries over a two well as the development of teaching year period and work together on modules to compliment the toolbox. delivering an agreed programme of Laois School of Music is a successful work which will be of benefit in the music college established by the Arts future to the Vocational Sector. Office, Laois County Council in 2001, The AOIFE Carlton Best of Festivals Marketing Awards were announced recently with Birr in partnership with Laois VEC and Vintage Week & Arts Festival winning Best Festival Photograph, taken by Emma Nee The proposed programme of work The Arts Council. It caters for Haslam. The 44th annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival takes place from August 3-10, includes exploring both the music instruments of all levels and pupils of 2012 with planning for the arts programme currently underway. Festival Programme Co- and the non-music skills which are all ages, with some 10 per cent of the ordinator, Michelle de Forge said she was looking forward to a diverse programme: “The necessary for a successful career in student body being adult pupils. Festival, which provides exposure for artists practicing in the county – actors, filmmakers, music. dancers, musicians, performers, visual artists - has grown an audience for contemporary art as well as more traditional forms, aiming to offer as wide a range as possible for 8 artists and audiences alike.” See www.birrvintageweek.com or follow on Facebook. Singing her way into the history books Briefs By Majella Reid ATTENTION Before Emer Barry could speak she was able to sing. ALL THIEVES Her parents, John (RIP) and Imelda, of Emer added: “I specialised in Opera A POEM BY Anne Maher Longford town, saw their daughter’s because the music is absolutely I am away for the weekend potential and nurtured her vocal beautiful. I wanted to be able to do The house is empty development. anything that I wanted to do with my There’s no need to break-in. voice,” explained Emer who also teaches There’s no telephone, no mobile “I was really shy as a kid and I remember Opera and individual singing lessons at phone, Sr Peggy in Scoil Mhuire making me sing. the Walton School of Music Dublin. No television or d.v.d After that I sang at various school “Opera training is incredible. You learn No radio, no laptop, events,” said Emer, who divides her time how to stretch your instrument (voice) to No hidden cash whatsoever. between Dublin and London. the absolute limit. Now I’m able to sing Opera and other forms of music. The The alarm system is banjaxed Although she showed exceptional talent training makes me quite versatile.” someone like me. His work shows the There’s no expensive camera, in singing, her parents encouraged her potential of the voice, which is so No heirloom jewellery, to pursue a wider degree and not to “put Emer has already performed extensively incredible. He was all about technique.” No Newbridge Cutlery, all my eggs in the one basket”. throughout Ireland and abroad as a No Waterford Cut-Glass, “They persuaded me to do an Arts soloist on both the concert platform and A Celtic Rose Nothing! degree in UCD. I took Italian and music as guest soprano with choral societies In addition to Opera Emer is also a as my subjects and I then went on to do and orchestras and is a regular soloist at member of Celtic Rose, a group that The hypersensitive dusk till dawn a Masters in Music Performance from the National Concert Hall and has plays an eclectic mix of classical, rock, Lighting system is on the blink. the DIT Conservatory of Music and performed as guest soprano with leading pop, traditional Irish and jazz. The other There’s no car in the driveway, Drama.” Irish composer and singer Liam Lawton. members of the trio are Aisling Ennis No bicycle in the shed, (Harp, Dublin) and Mary McCague No ride-on lawnmower in the garage, Then in 2011 she received the Her Operatic roles include Fulvia in (Violin, Dundalk). No tools or building supplies lying opportunity of a lifetime. She was invited Rossini’s La Pietra del Paragone, Nedda about to attend the Opera Works programme in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, Susanna in “Our style is Celtic, classical and Nothing at all! with the English National Opera (ENO). Mozart’s La Nozze di Figaro and First contemporary…We specialise in taking Only 20 participants are invited onto the Lady in The Magic Flute. Her favourite contemporary music and putting a Attention all sticky-fingers, prestigious programme each year and role, however, was Serpina in Pergolesi’s classical twist on it. We try to fuse I am away for the weekend Emer is the only Irish person in the La Serva Padrona. different styles together.” Ignore the yard signs and window 2011/2012 programme. The stickers programme will conclude with a “This Opera is a parody on a maid who Celtic Rose is currently recording its first You can access the key under the showcase in May 2012 - an event where wants to marry her employer. She plays CD which the group hopes will be doormat. Emer will have the opportunity to show tricks to make him fall in-love with her. available by the end of the year and Thank-you very much for your co- her talent to some of the biggest names Serpina really is an energetic character. featuring One Day Like This by English operation, and agents in the world of Opera. There is so much drama and comedy in rock band, Elbow. “We have a music There’s absolutely no need to “I’m travelling a lot at the moment this work,” she said. video on YouTube where we perform this break-in..... between London and Dublin, but it’s song,” she said...... A-G-A-I-N! worth it,” she said. “It’s an amazing In terms of her own influences, Emer’s opportunity.” first love is Luciano Pavarotti (1935- Emer’s website is available at Anne Maher (c) Derymore, Killucan, Co 2007). “He is quite inspiring for www.emerbarry.com M Westmeath. M Portlaoise Quilters receive award from President The Knockmay Women’s Voice Quilting Project was awarded an AONTAS STAR Award in Leinster from President Michael D Higgins at a special ceremony at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.

This project focused on regeneration of a local Funding for the initiative was secured from the 2010 education initiatives throughout the country. “For authority estate in Portlaoise through a local women’s Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion as well many adults around the country who are feeling group. Women living in the estate came together and as The Department of Social Protection. Speaking at disillusioned in these difficult times, adult education is created a quilt, 11 foot by 13 foot in size and the awards, President Higgins said: ‘We know that offering them a second chance,” explained a consisting of 11 ‘patches’ on which each of the women career and indeed other opportunities are often spokesperson. put their own unique stamp. determined by the level of educational attainment we achieve. For some the lifelong learning journey has The Judging Panel for the STAR Awards this year The quilt expresses the experience and hopes of been a natural progression through primary and brought together a number of experts in adult and women living on the estate and was created while a second level and onwards but for others that community education. new resource centre was being built. The award was experience may have been very different and the path made on the basis of the variety of skills and learning Speaking on behalf of the Judges, Claire Byrne from of re-engagement with the world of education may the NQAI said: “The winning projects demonstrated a which the women experienced as they created the seem daunting and uncertain. quilt. The project brought with it other benefits as, high level of collaboration, imagination, throughout the experience, the women developed their “Many of the groups nominated for the awards today entrepreneurial spirit and actively involved learners confidence as well as skills such as time management, have done wonderful work within communities in themselves.” teamwork and planning – all of which have enhanced helping others with previously low levels of education For more information contact Niamh Farren AONTAS their involvement and participation in the community. to resume the journey.” This is the sixth year that Communications’ Officer on 01 406 8220 or One of the women involved said: “This is the first time AONTAS has organised the STAR Awards, which 087 911 0569 or see www.adultlearnersfestival.com in my life that I’ve ever finished anything.” recognise the achievements of outstanding adult M 9 Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012 Áras an Mhuilinn, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Midlands Regional Centre open to all Pictured enjoying traditional music in the bar of Áras an Mhuilinn are Busy summer ahead as public invited to join in the music Ber Seery, Paddy and Moira O Brien and Seamas Seery Chairman of Westmeath CCÉ and the fun at Aras an Mhuilinn.

Áras an Mhuilinn is the Regional Resource Laois and Offaly. The archive material that, in conjunction with Centre for the counties of Westmeath, exists in the form of sound recordings and Feis Lár na hÉireann (a Longford, Offaly, and Laois. The centre, printed material and people are welcome Gaelic League Feis recently established by Comhaltas Ceoltóiri to browse through the collection. which had been held in Éireann and Meitheal Lártíre, is a state-of- Mullingar for many the-art cultural facility in which traditional Áras an Mhuilinn also incorporates a years), a Fleadh Cheoil music, song, dance and Irish language display area for the sale of CDs of would be organised in Andy Flood, Enda Seery, Ciaráin Seery and Leona Kelly play a monthly classes are run on a weekly basis. traditional music, books and other items Mullingar in May over seisiún which takes place on the third Wednesday of the month at Áras representing traditional culture and the Whit weekend. The an Mhuilinn Seisiún take place in the bar on the third everyone is invited to come along and have aim of the Fleadh was Wednesday of every month. Seisiún a cupán tae, read a magazine or listen to to promote traditional Dates for your Diary: summer shows will take place each some traditional music. music and to arrest the decline in its ● Seisiun at Áras an Mhuilinn: the third Wednesday on a weekly basis from July 4 popularity and the cream of traditional Wednesday of every month at 9pm until end of August. A little bit of history: Mullingar - where it Irish musicians attending the Fleadh ● Longford & Offaly Joint County Fleadh: all began! played a major role in furthering its aim. Friday, May 11, Saturday, May 12 and Facilities at Áras an Mhuilinn include three It happened, that in January 1951, Sunday, May 13 in Ballinalee classrooms, meeting room, performance representatives of the Thomas Street Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is founded ● Laois County Fleadh: Saturday, May 19 hall, bar and reception area. (Dublin) Pipers’ Club went to Mullingar for On October 14, 1951, at Árus Ceannt, and Sunday May 20 in Clonaslee a meeting with traditional music Thomas Street, Dublin, the first standing ● Westmeath County Fleadh: Saturday, A variety of events have been hosted in the enthusiasts from County Westmeath (Cáit Committee of Cumann Ceoltóirí na June 2 and Sunday, June 3 in Ballymore performance hall and bar including Uí Mhuimhneacháin, Willie Reynolds and hÉireann was elected. At a meeting in St ● Weekly Summer seisiún, Áras an concerts, ceilí, seminars, table quizzes, Jim Seery, among others) Mary’s Hall, Mullingar on January 6, 1952, Mhuilinn: starts July 4 until end of meetings, set dance and sean nós dance Two ideas already muted amongst the title of the organisation was changed August classes. The Performance Hall seats traditional musicians were discussed at from Cumann Ceoltóirí na hÉireann to ● Leinster Fleadh: Friday, July 13, approximately 90 people. The facilities are this meeting - the first was the founding of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Saturday, July 14, Sunday, July 15, also available to all community groups and an organisation to promote Irish traditional Enniscorthy to the public in general. Music classes are music while the second was the organising From this point on Fleadh Cheoil na hosted by Mullingar CCÉ. of an annual festival of Irish traditional hÉireann grew from strength to strength to For information on traditional Irish music, music, song and dance. become a great annual national festival song, dance and language classes and In the archive section there is a wonderful attended by traditional musicians, singers, special events contact Áras an Mhuilinn, resource centre of Irish traditional music, The very first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and dancers from all parts of Ireland and Jail Hill, Mullingar, County Westmeath by song, dance and folklore relating to A further meeting was held in February overseas. phone on 044 9344673/9330644 or at Meitheal region of Westmeath, Longford, 1951, and at this meeting it was decided email [email protected] M SUMMER ARTS Award-winning Laois author examines PROGRAMME 2012 reactive nationalism Slouching towards Jerusalem is a the enemy - in his quest for insight into unique contribution to comparative the realities behind the novelists’ literature - Irish, Israeli, and portrayals of their situations. His Palestinian - that deals with the under- conclusions are iconoclastic and researched phenomenon of reactive challenging as befits such a unique nationalism - emotional rather than journey into the three contrasting The Arts Office, Laois County Council will run a series of art workshops for ideological nationalism. contemporary literatures. children and young people as part of the 2012 Summer Arts Programme. Projects are selected from proposals designed and submitted by a panel of In fact, it is the only comparative study John, an award-winning writer based in artists. The aim of the programme is to inspire imagination and self-expression of its kind involving the three Laois, has won the Francis McManus with a world of hands-on art activities. Through painting, sculpture, dance, music, literatures reflecting its author’s long Award and the PJ O’Connor Award with drawing, pottery, dramatic play, creative writing, songwriting, performance and term engagement with two arenas of RTE. His novel, much more, our classes encourage confidence and support artistic potential. conflict: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict The Luck Penny, Slouching Towards This quality arts programme will run in the month of July for two hours from and Northern Irish conflict. was shortlisted Jerusalem Monday to Friday. Weekly courses cost €25 with a reduction for family The book surveys these through the for debut novel members. Age ranges from 7 to 15 years and can cater for up to 20, according eyes of contemporary novelists from on BBC Radio 5 to the type of arts activity. both arenas. and he is Slouching towards Jerusalem’s currently Locations in 2012 will include Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Durrow, Stradbally, selection is wide and varied and completing a Emo, and Luggacurren. includes both lesser known and new novel with For more information on the programme or to receive a booking for/ brochure emergent novelists. an Arts please contact: The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Council Portlaoise, Co. Laois Tel: 057 8674342/41 Fax 057 8674382 Author John Maher is a prizewinning Bursary in novelist himself who uses various Literature. Reactive Nationalism in the Irish, Email: [email protected] Israeli and Palestinian Nove prisms - of language, land, religion, M l John Maher 10 love, war, and the changing image of Movie filmed Briefs MAY/JUNE LINE-UP in Offaly AT THE DUNAMAISE ARTS CENTRE makes As ever, there is a very eclectic mix of performances at the Dunamaise Arts Centre throughout May and June with history in theatre and music to the fore. Cannes

A sleepwalker. A body. 2010 and included many local cast and was nominated for Best Director and crew in the making of the film and with Best Actress at the Irish Film and A family. A small Two very well known faces lead the the help and support of FilmOffaly, has Television Awards. community. Arlene is charge: Gay Byrne comes to the received some rave reviews. theatre on Thursday, May 17 for what like a ghost in her life. The film took only six weeks to shoot, is certain to be a unique event and She lives in a small town in the The Other Side of Sleep has gone on to (in Geashill, Clara, Tullamore and Des Keogh returns with the hilarious midlands – surrounded by field after be lauded as the acclaimed debut Portarlington) but results in an field, woodlands and lane ways to show based on JB Keane stories The feature by Irish filmmaker Rebecca Daly exceptionally still and haunting film, Love Hungry Farmer. disappear down and never come back… that features a powerful and compelling choosing locations that offer Offaly in a One morning Arlene wakes in the woods performance from Antonia Campbell- new light and, in particular, the tunnel- In June, there is a new theatre show beside the body of a young woman. Hughes, one of this year’s Berlin like driveway of trees in Geashill. entitled Love All, which tells the Someone watches from the trees. The International Film Festival’s Shooting amazing true story of the only Irish body is soon discovered and suspicion Stars award recipients. Leading a fantastic ensemble cast in person to feature in the Wimbledon spreads through the community. The Other Side of Sleep, as well as tennis final. Increasingly drawn to the girl’s family – This hotly-anticipated suspense drama being named one of Berlin International Other performances include a her grieving sister and accused made history at its World Premiere at Film Festival’s Shooting Stars, Antonia Riverdance style musical/dance boyfriend, Arlene barricades herself in the Cannes Film Festival in 2011 as it Campbell-Hughes’ career is at a high extravaganza Celtic Dream on May at night, afraid to sleep. Haunted by was the first film directed by an Irish point. Other key cast members include 31 and a much-anticipated grief, Arlene’s sleeping and waking woman to be selected for inclusion in two veteran Irish actresses of stage and performance by local tenor Ambrose realities soon blur. And all this time the Festival. screen, Olwen Fouere and Cathy Belton someone is watching her... Dunne on June 23. as well as hot newcomer and Tullamore The Dunamaise film programme is The film, produced by Fastnet Films, native Sam Keeley who has gone on to The Other Side of Sleep, which was always worth a look and this season also screened in competition at the star in RAW and What Richard Did. is no exception. filmed over four weeks in Offaly in April Toronto International Film Festival and MullingART brings splash of colour to Films lined up for screening include the big Oscar winner The Artist; the town for third year acclaimed My Week with Marilyn, Now in its third year, The MullingART Project will again be subtly sole purpose is to bring a touch of pleasure and enjoyment to the town featuring an Oscar nominated adorning the shop windows of Mullingar Town bringing a welcome and its visitors while promoting the incredible amount of talent that performance by Michelle Williams; splash of colour for a few weeks over the summer. exists in Mullingar which perhaps otherwise would never get the the much anticipated Irish made exposure, recognition or adulation it so richly deserves. movie featuring Martin Sheen, Stella “The real joy of MullingART for me,” said Project Co-ordinator, Don Days and This Must Be the Place, a Mortell “is that it isn’t in your face. It’s a gentle celebration of the “With each year that passes, I am consistently impressed at the quality film partly filmed in Dublin featuring incredible wealth of talent in Mullingar that largely goes unrecognised.” and variety of pieces submitted. The pleasure for me is that while a Sean Penn, Frances McDormand and number of MullingART artists are professionally trained and are selling He explained: “The principle of the project is a simple but incredibly Eve Hewson. their work outside of the project, the vast majority of contributors are successful one. We ask local creative talents to provide a piece or two enthusiastic hobby artists and nothing gives me greater pleasure than of their work from whichever discipline they choose. Photography, oils, Also one to look forward to is an hearing that one of our artists is surprised and delighted at selling a watercolour, sculpture, the only limit is that of the artists imagination. adaption of the great Yasmina Reza piece or pieces as a result of the project. play God of Carnage featuring an all- “The pieces, once assembled together, are then distributed to “All pieces are displayed with an individual “exhibit card” which carries star cast of Jodie Foster, Kate business premises throughout the town to be displayed in shop the artists contact details. Any potential sales negotiations or Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C windows, pub and business walls, anywhere that the public, be they commissions are discussed directly with the artist. MullingART merely Reilly and directed by Roman locals or visitors to our town can see and enjoy them for the duration of acts as a conduit to make this possible”. Polanski. God of Carnage is set in a the project. Ultimately it is, in effect a 24/7 people’s art gallery. New York apartment and observes Last year’s MullingART saw nearly 150 pieces submitted and wants to “To my knowledge, our project is unique in Ireland and by definition, the increasingly childish and chaotic see more in 2012, not only from Irish artists but from other ‘uniquely Mullingar’.” behaviour of two couples that meet to communities who live in Mullingar. sort out a playground row between At the end of the project the submitted pieces are collected together “I would love to see more submissions from other Mullingar their sons. Also not to be missed is and displayed in one static exhibition. Last year the gallery was communities and groups. This project is totally inclusive. I want to hear Madonna’s debut as a film director situated in Danny Byrnes’ old nightclub space. from the African, Eastern European, Traveller, Asian and British with the story of Wallis Simpson and “It was through the generosity of Mark and the staff of Danny Byrnes communities or any other groups who would like to display their work. Edward VIII in W/E. pub that we acquired this perfect space for our gallery last year. Other The project is not about work being judged. It is about making than a generous grant from Westmeath County Council Arts something special happen as a town. I would love to see the different Full details on all the performances Department, our greatest asset, as a project, is goodwill. styles and perceptions of art that these groups can bring to our and screenings are available on project,” added Don. www.dunamaise.ie M “MullingART exists only because of the belief placed in us by Catherine Kelly (Arts Officer of Westmeath County Council) and the kindness and MullingART 2012 will take place over July and August. It will be Director of Dunamise Arts positive of the town’s artists and business owners and operators. supported by an extensive local media campaign, a website and Centre praised for contribution Without any of these vital components, Mullingart would not be the Facebook page. SEE PAGE 29 success it is becoming and indeed, may not exist at all.” For more information, please contact Don on 087 611 6883 or email 11 Don went on to say: “MullingART is not about generating money. Its [email protected] M Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012 Education for Youth Work Ireland Laois offers variety of programmes all through the By Aishling Hennessy, Youth Arts Worker Our organisation has worked tirelessly to The aim of the music programme is to help promote and support the arts within the young people develop their skills within stained-glass youth community in Portlaoise and their own view of the music industry and to throughout Laois. get an impression and experience of what it takes to make it in the business. window And, our Arts focus over the last year has increased greatly due to our committed In 2010, Youth Work Ireland Laois’ By Majella Reid Youth Arts Worker, Aishling Hennessy, representatives Bebop and Rocksteady Youth Worker; Sarah Corcoran, Office Co- were honoured with winning the IYMAs Education as a basic human right was the theme adopted by a group of 16 ordinator; Nicola Coss, Project Manager; which gave Laois youth music an amazing teenagers from second year at Lanesboro Community College who came Joe Thompson and all our dedicated platform for all young people to aspire too together to create a 20 by 10 foot stained-glass window under the guidance volunteers and the young people we work and this programme goes from strength to of teacher Michelle Spence. with. strength.

“It started with a talk by Amnesty International who visited us here in 2011 saw Youth Work Ireland Laois focus Then, in March this year, the band MTBA its attention to developing and supporting were crowned the Laois representatives to Lanesboro Community College. The visitor talked to us about human rights,” new Youth Cafe’s/Centres (Abbeyleix, go forward to representthe county in the said Ms Spence, a teacher at the school for the past seven years. Stradbally and Portlaoise) and several National Finals in Liberty Hall in Dublin in “It was also the 50th anniversary of the school’s opening so we decided to Youth Clubs Youth across the county. April. MTBA is a Portlaoise based band focus on education as a human right,” she added. comprised of Gary Maher on vocals, Throughout 2011 arts, in particular, Shaun Costello and John Delaney on The students started the project by sketching symbols such as the scales of became one of the most obvious avenues guitars, Robert Brennan on drums, and justice, a kite to represent freedom, and a tree - the central point of the stained that young people through Laois Stephen Kehoe on bass. glass window representing growth. connected with us. From the Graffiti Wall in Portarlington which saw young people Summer 2012 “We also included the River Shannon; that’s from Portarlington Youth Club work over a Commencing in the summer 2012 Youth where the roots of the tree grow from,” said week long period to create a mural Work Ireland Laois will be launching many Ms Spence, a teacher of art, art history and demonstrating their view of youth culture arts and music programmes and activities photography. “We then had a professional in the area to African Drumming from its exciting new youth cafe in stained-glass artist come in to the school and workshops in Abbeyleix Youth Cafe which Portlaoise. The Portlaoise Youth Cafe will she taught us how to cut glass. We made a saw young people participating in the be an integrated, inclusive and accessible giant template on paper first of how we exploration of drumming and musical safe space for all young people of the wanted it to be and then we cut the glass into instrument making, Youth Arts in the county. The Portlaoise Youth Cafe will be the proper measurements.” County is vibrant and strong. utilised to its full capacity for such purposes as live music performances, art, For most of the students, this was their first Graffiti art dance, drama, yoga, exhibitions, training, time working with stained-glass techniques. The Graffiti wall that was created last year club, information group, volunteer, parent in O’Moore’s Place in Portlaoise proved to and public meetings or for simply for “They were very enthusiastic and they really be a piece of art demonstrating the young ‘chillaxing’. There will be more information were great. I thought, because they were so people of the area’s interests in youth about the grand opening to the new Youth young, that they wouldn’t have the length of culture, focusing on the positive aspects Cafe over the coming months. attention to complete it. But they did great, that the youth being to a community. If you are interested in becoming a all their names are etched into the glass,” This Graffiti programme that was co volunteer with us, curious as to what is we added Ms Spence. funded by Laois Partnership. do or interested in upcoming events, The stained-glass window, which consists of Photography workshops please call 057 8665010 or email [email protected] M 12 large panels of glass was framed by woodwork teacher Brian In October 2011 Youth Work Ireland Laois worked alongside local Photographer John Concannon. “He made all the frames so that it would fit into the window,” said Lalor to facilitate photography workshops Ms Spence. The window now proudly adorns the assembly hall at the school over a series of eitght weeks. covered in layer of perspex for protection. This project was also funded by Laois Each year Amnesty International holds an exhibition, and this year the group at Partnership and was ran in Kiln Lane Community Centre in Mountrath and we Lanesboro Community College were invited to participate in the Dublin event. hope to continue with these popular They brought their sketches with them to display. photography workshops in the future. “They all loved it and they are now all really proud,” said Ms Spence. Music Programme The second-year students are not the only members of Lanesboro Community The beginning of 2012 saw a great energy College to have an interest in the arts. Leaving Certificate students recently towards the Irish Youth Music Awards. This completed the school’s first ever art-only tour to Paris, France. Ms Spence said: Music Programme that began in 2009, run “We visited places such as the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Versailles and through Youth Work Ireland Laois, provides Centre George Pompidou. In celebration of their visit, the class are going to young people with the opportunity to make a large-scale Mona Lisa for the assembly hall.” M explore their musical talents and interests in a very structured programme.

Members of the group told Midlands Art Walshestown Art Group celebrates decade of creativity and Culture Magazine: “We would like On Tuesday, February 19, 2002 the minimum of 50 per cent is paid on with various media such as water to continue as a group in our Walshestown Art group was founded in tutor’s fees, insurance, rental of centre colour, acrylic, pastel, drawing, card community and remember all our Walshestown Community Centre by and some materials. making, jewellery making, origami, slate members both past and present in seven ladies and went on to reach 24 On receipt of funding, accounts and painting, an introduction to interior particular, a founding member, Olivia members. Classes commenced on register are kept up to date. design, monoprinting, flower arranging Geoghegan.” M February 26 and have continued with With the help of the VEC some and stained glass. different media and interests since to members took part in a FETAC Level 5 bring the group to its 10th Anniversary. Painting VTOS course. In 2007 the group then attended the first Cathaoirleach Awards, exhibited in Funding is received from Westmeath In 2003 the group exhibited paintings at Walshestown Community Centre, the County Council Art Acts Grants and the Mullingar Show and since has Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar Show, Westmeath VEC ALCES grants where a promoted art in Westmeath at the show MullingArt, Lakepoint and Heritage week.

12 Making musical magic in Granard By Majella Reid

Last year a young Mullinalaghta lady “The response has been great to date. “This is where the idea of a music during the ordinary weekly classes was inspired to establish a music We’re getting a lot of kids from around instrument bank would be useful. With including the bodhrán, mandolin and school in the County Longford town of the local area and out as far as some funding it is hoped to purchase button accordion. “It was split into two Granard. Jackie Callaghan, 19, an avid Mullahoran and Edgeworthstown,” said instruments for the school and then sections. One where we did games and music lover, identified a strong need Jackie, who plays piano and piano children could rent these instruments music theory and the other where we for the development of music among accordion. as trials until they are decided as to learned to play the instruments,” said younger ages within her native north where their interest lies,” said the 2010 Jackie who hopes to run the music Longford area. Such is the success of the Rath Mhuire All Ireland Champion in Piano school this summer also. She added: “I Music School that the teachers and Accordion. think a music school is good for kids And, so began the Rath Mhuire Music students alike are hoping to broaden because it gives them good discipline. School which now meets weekly at the the range of instruments available to She added: “We have also been They learn to respect one another and Rath Mhuire centre and the community the children. encouraging families where there may to develop and grow in confidence. It hall. “It is hoped to provide a music have been some instruments handed gives a basic music knowledge.” Each week four teachers - Cian Farrelly, instrument bank which will encourage down to bring them to the school with a Laura Callaghan, Sinéad Sheridan and children to take up other instruments view to selling them at a reasonable The classes, from children aged six to Jackie Callaghan - gather in the two and learn to play them,” said Jackie who price.” 16, begin at 7pm and last one hour. Granard venues to teach a variety of is also Youth Officer with the Joe Each class costs €10 per child. There is instruments including whistle, flute, Callaghan branch of Comhaltas. It is hoped that a Rath Mhuire Music a family discount whereby the cost is €8 fiddle, banjo, guitar, keyboard and piano School concert will take place in late per child if there is more than one accordion. Parents may, quite rightly, be concerned spring, the purpose of which is to raise family member taking part. about which instrument to purchase for funds for the music instrument bank. A daughter of Séan and Lucy, Jackie their children who are just starting out For further information about the started playing music when she was with music. There is always the In July 2011, Jackie and her fellow Rath Mhuire Music School contact nine years old. Today she is a second- possibility that the child may not keep teachers organised the week-long Rath Rath Mhuire Resource Centre on year student of Irish Music and Dance, up an interest in that instrument and Mhuire Music Summer School where 50 043 6686309. M a four-year degree programme at the may decide to play a different one students attended and were exposed to University of Limerick. altogether, explained Jackie. a wider variety of instruments than

Portlaoise Camera Club snap Carl Cutland happy for more than a year The Portlaoise Camera Club, formed by a group of enthusiastic photographers in February 2011, is now a very vibrant and Jane Boylan active society.

As well as the workshops the members have organised many field trips and hosted their first exhibition and even have two winners in national individual photography competitions. Portlaoise Camera Club is aimed at people who are passionate about photography, whatever their skill level, and has built up a very active social networking page. The group meets in the Parish Centre every Wednesday evening from 8pm to 10pm. Check out portaoisecameraclub.com or become a Facebook friend at www.facebook.com/PortlaoiseCameraClub M

MidlandsIreland.ie launches MidlandsIreland.ie has partnered with the Sheraton Athlone Hotel for the top photography competition prize of a luxurious weekend for two people. The prize, worth almost MidlandsIreland.ie has launched a and magic of the four counties in the €600 also includes spa photography competition as part of its region, Laois, Longford, Offaly and treatments. drive to promote the midland region as Westmeath will communicate a positive a vibrant location in which to live, visit, message to a global audience of the The closing date is work, study and do business. many attractions and benefits of the September 7 and winners midlands as a vibrant location in which will be announced in The competition runs from April to to live, visit, work, study and do October and the overall September and invites amateur business. winner, category winners photographers to Capture the Pictured at the launch of the MidlandsIreland.ie and placed entries will form Uniqueness and Magic of Our Region Entrants are asked to place their entries Photography Competition: Ms Ruth McNally, Director, a touring exhibition which will be on over the summer months from the many in one of four categories which are Midland Regional Authority; Cllr Micheál Carrigy, display across the midlands. events that are planned in the region. aligned to the four pillars which are Cathaoirleach, Midland Regional Authority; Ms Gemma promoted by the regional brand, Hynes, Sales & Marketing Manager, Sheraton Athlone Contact [email protected] MidlandsIreland.ie hopes that the Tourism, Living, Learning and Enterprise. Hotel and Mr Joe Kavanagh, Group Sales and Marketing for more details. entries which capture the uniqueness M Director, Hodson Bay Group. 13 Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012

The Mission Statement of Mullingar Town Band is: To Educate, Elevate and Entertain Our school orchestra through the reached the National Art of Music. Concert Hall! By Ruth Henry and Serena Dempsey

The Sacred Heart School in Tullamore is the only Mullingar Town Band marching all girls school in Offaly with an enrolment of over 700 students. It has a strong Music tradition and there are many opportunities for to success for generations students to participate in music making through the various ensembles that exist in the school, The Mullingar Town Band is a midlands-based marching and concert band located in the town of from its award winning choirs, an orchestra, a Mullingar in the heart of County Westmeath. While officially founded in the year 1879, as a Holy traditional group and many chamber ensembles. Family Confraternity Band, it can trace its roots as far back as the mid 1800s. The school’s dedicated music staff offer a comprehensive range of tuition in all instruments The local Military Barracks supplied centenary was celebrated with a nationally and internationally - to and each student involved in tuition takes a Royal many of the early members who membership of over 100, thus Europe and the Carolinas in the Irish Academy of Music exam, appropriate to their themselves were serving members realising the goal of one member United States. level, at the end of the school year. of the British Regimental bands for every year of the band’s It has been an exciting musical journey since the stationed in Mullingar. Many of the existence. Including the junior bands, school orchestra was set up in 1990 by its members of these bands settled in marching band and colour guard, Director, Regina McCarthy. Over the years they the town, married locally and joined The Mullingar Town Band prides the concert band and the have gone from strength to strength. the band. The band remained itself in its dual role of a marching committee, the Mullingar Town under the auspices of the band - The Celtic Crusaders - and a Band has more than 200 members The present orchestra has almost 100 members Confraternity until the 1940s when concert band. Both disciplines involved in the organisation - and ranging from first year to sixth year, which offers it was handed over to a committee have won many top awards in growing. With the band frequently additional options for students taking the Junior and Leaving Cert Music practical’s. who continued under the title of Ireland, Northern Ireland and catering for such a wide audience, Mullingar Brass and Reed Band. England. Music education is the repertoire of Mullingar Town Many past pupils of the orchestra have followed And, so it remained until important to the Mullingar Town Band is varied including modern professional music careers while some have been membership had dwindled to three Band and therefore all of its day popular chart music, jazz, members of the National Youth Orchestra of or four members in 1957 when the members undergo at least one year blues, classical, traditional, Ireland. present Director, Hubert Magee of music lessons in a junior band spiritual, country and more. The orchestra has won many awards at festivals was asked to take class before entrance into the throughout the country. In 2009 it was awarded the helm. marching element of the band. As The Mullingar Town Band, as a the Dorothy Mayor Cup in Feis Ceoil. Recently the well as playing musicians, the band leading Irish marching and concert orchestra performed in concert with the Band of Hubert was only studying the supports a dance corp/colour band, is constantly updating its An Garda Siochana and in February this year they clarinet for a year or so when guard which perform as part of the repertoire, membership, style and were selected to perform in the ‘17th Festival of landed with the task of holding the marching element of the band. The education to its members and Youth Orchestras’, organised by the Irish Mband together. In 1979 the Mullingar Town Band has travelled audiences. M Association of Youth Orchestras at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. This was a special achievement for the orchestra and school and was true recognition for all their hard work and Druid Art Group enjoys commitment. In February the Sacred Heart School Orchestra set off on an exciting journey to the National Concert Hall, an experience we would never forget. camaraderie for all levels Excitement mounted as buses were loaded and uniforms packed. On arrival we were guided to the The Druid Art Group in Portlaoise Landscapes, flowers, animals and Asked what they most like about the Carolan Suite by the friendly IAYO staff where has existed in its present form for abstract concepts all feature in this group, members agreed that the preparations for morning rehearsal got underway. six years although several members group’s output which has been friendly atmosphere and the Before we knew it, we were lining up backstage had met in an earlier group. exhibited in the Methodist Hall in readiness of individuals to help waiting for the concert to begin. We were the first each of the last five years. Several each other with advice, of four orchestras to perform and now nerves The group meets on Thursday works by members of the group will encouragement and the loan of were beginning to set in. After being welcomed on evenings in the Methodist Church be on display in the gallery soon to materials all contributed to their stage by a warm applause from the audience we Hall and there are currently 14 be opened above Phyllis Clegg’s enjoyment of Thursday evenings. began our repertoire with The Waltz from Sleeping regular attendees, several of whom craft shop, Rudai, in Portlaoise’s M Beauty by Tchaikovsky. This was followed with a have been attending for five years Lower Main Street. traditional arrangement of ‘an’ Irish tune from or longer. County Derry’ and the Dance of the Tumblers from the Snow Maiden by Rimsky Korsakov. The range of styles, like the level of experience and skill, varies widely. Providing contrast we performed Autumn’ and ‘Winter from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi. As we The group includes a highly skilled reached the final fortissimo chord of our last piece water-colourist who has taught The Dambusters March by Eric Coates the painting professionally as well us audience rose to its feet. self-taught hobbyists. All enjoy the M challenge of applying paint to a We know we are very privileged to have been part surface in order to create of such a wonderful experience which will raise meaningful visual images. the bar and encourage us to play even more challenging repertoire in the future. M 14 I clean out the wardrobe. Anything that’s five years or more not worn goes into the spare room. But, not my father’s shirt or jacket. I search the pockets for anything I’d missed and FESTIVAL REPUBLIC & POD presents in a corner an old plastic crucifix severed from its beads. ELECTRIC PICNIC On Good Friday by Mary Melvin Salty Dog MUSIC & ARTS Geoghegan. This is one of over 60 poems FESTIVAL that will feature in her latest collection of and the poems, Say it like a paragraph. The collection will be published by Bradshaw STRADBALLY HALL, CO. LAOIS Books, Tigh Filí, Cork, in autumn 2012. Electric Friday, August, 31, There’s Saturday, September 1, Picnic Sunday, September 2, 2012 TICKETS ON SALE NOW! something “In the murky shadows of the woods in Stradbally, an old friend peels a few Over the last eight years Electric Picnic has leaves off his forehead and flicks a established itself as a melting pot of fine about Mary caterpillar from behind his ear, and music, art, comedy, spoken word and so much By Majella Reid recalls some distant promise to try more. This year won’t be any different...another harder... its the captain of the Salty infusion of colour, vibrancy, sparkle and Dog, stumbling into the lengthening mischief is on the way as we commence our Summer days with his flies undone and Hearts and minds throughout the poems from across the region for the countdown to Electric Picnic 2012 by revealing wondering how the winter was so midlands have long been inspired by project. Now in its tenth year, Eurochild the first acts who will be bestowing the effortlessly squandered“, reads the the creative words of Longford poet, soundtrack in Stradbally over three days at the is a project which gives children a voice. official announcement for The Salty Mary Melvin Geoghegan. With three Dog Stage 2012… end of the summer. collections to her name and a fourth “It might be the first opportunity that THE CURE; THE KILLERS; ELBOW; SIGUR to be published later this year, Ms they are asked to write something out The Salty Dog Stage has something of a RÓS; ORBITAL; HOT CHIP; THE XX ; Melvin Geoghegan is one of of the ordinary confines of the school reputation at the Electric Picnic— GRIZZLY BEAR; CHRISTY MOORE; THE Longford’s most prolific and highly day,” said Mary. “Poetry helps people permanently dwelling on the naughty ROOTS; GLEN HANSARD; METRONOMY; regarded literary figures. to connect back into themselves.” step of the full scale music festival up THE HORRORS; AZEALIA BANKS; ROOTS the road in Stradbally Hall in September. MANUVA; BAT FOR LASHES; And rightly so, for it is a renegade 40- Award-winning poet Nuala Ní Mary’s work has been widely published TINDERSTICKS; BELL X1; STAFF BENDA tonne French trawler, a shipwreck to you Chonchúir, is one of her many in publications such as Crannóg BILILI; MILAGRES; ED SHEERAN; admirers. She has stated: “Melvin (2011), Revival (2011), The Shop, The and I, which ‘fell off the back of a lorry’ in the woods in 2008 and declared itself ALABAMA SHAKES; CRANES; LITTLE Geoghegan has an original use of Stony Thursday Book (2011) and The ROY; LAND LOVERS; BAXTER DURY; language – she is gifted with imagery – Moth (2012). In looking at her own open for business. It has become a well- liked stage at Electric Picnic, with over 30 JONATHAN WILSON; SOLAR BEARS; and a unique approach to each of her influences, she tells me that she bands performing on her decks over the FATOUMATA DIAWARA; WILLIS EARL subjects...Here is a poet who can admires the work of poets such as three days, and countless revelers BEAL; LANTERNS ON THE LAKE magnify the smallest detail until it Nuala Ní Chonchúr and Vona Groake. finding a second home under her non- THE CURE will play a two hours plus set becomes as important to the reader as judgmental bows. it is to her.” In her fourth collection Say it like a of songs drawn from all 14 of their studio albums - including tracks from their epic Paragraph, Mary looks at a new phase Operated by Stradbally resident Hugo In the early 1990s, Mary joined the in her life, one which began with the Jellett, who also runs Carlow Arts Festival Wish album, celebrating it’s 20th Longford Writers’ Group and it was passing of her father, Alfred Melvin. (Eigse) and Charles Preston, ‘the best anniversary in 2012. This will be THE there that her poetic spark was ignited. “I write whatever inspires me. tent guy in the business’, the Salty Dog is CURE’s first ever appearance at Electric Such was the Dublin-born writer’s I’m inspired by photographs in one of the few stages which devotes Picnic and is definitely not to be missed. poetic evolution that within a few years newspapers, anything that interests itself almost entirely to Irish acts— Electric Picnic goers will revel in the she was delivering poetry workshops at me really.” She was encouraged to although Seasick Steve and Edward powerful anthems of ELBOW this year as Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros have both schools throughout county Longford. publish this collection of poems they head to Stradbally. They have performed recently The Writers in Schools Scheme with following a workshop with American recently been given the honour of writing Poetry Ireland and Free the Butterfly poet, June Herstfield Polar Ice, a dry ice company from the BBC’s Olympic theme. Throw those are just two programmes through Portarlington put on a foggy spectacular curtains wide, Elbow have arrived! which Longford children were poetically She added: “Temperamentally I’m for the three days, and it runs until the BODY nurtured. suited to poetry. I think in lines. I feel Other areas to be explored include sunlight cracks thought the early morning AND SOUL, MINDFIELD, COMEDY TENT, Her success at delivering these so fortunate...Poetry is like the mist each morning and the last few THEATRE OF FOOD, GLOBAL GREEN, workshops meant that in 2003 she expletive of the heart or the moment revelers fall to their knees in exhaustion. SOUL KIDS could compile a collection of poetry captured,” she said. and much more………. from Longford children entitled Ride Jellett and Preston set about rounding up “I’m really looking forward to this year’s Along Dear Grandma. But, despite all her success Mary has a the fringes of society and giving them festival, particularly having The Cure on practical view on life. “You are only as stage to play on. “Sea shanties from pub- the lineup, a band we’ve been trying to In 2008, she was invited to take up a good as the next piece you write. It’s tanned codgers, bluegrass at the whim get on the bill for 7 years.” John residency at Stonepark National never a given that it’s going to be of corn-nibblers down from the hills, Reynolds, POD School (NS). “Every child in the school there,” she said. blues solos from tinny-swilling double Further information about tickets is wrote a poem. It was funded by Poetry bassists with bockety eyes, and the available at www.electricpicnic.ie Ireland and it (the resulting published Mary lives in Abbeycartron, Longford. occasional cracking set from a confused work) was called A Hand in the Future,” Her two children, Peter and Robbie, rock-star kidnapped from the main stage and spirited into the forest” as they put it. said Mary, who is quick to work in the United Kingdom. Peter acknowledge the support of writes as a journalist for a number of Somehow it’s fitting that in all the Stonepark’s Eamon Brennan and publications including The Guardian, hullabaloo off giant Main Stages and Belinda McKeon. Sunday Business Post, Irish Times, international headline acts, the Examiner and the Irish Independent. humblest, wittiest and best loved stage Today Mary’s work with children Robbie is an English teacher in of them all is a permanent Stradbally continues. As Regional Editor of Glasgow. M resident. M Paper Girls at Electric Eurochild, she compiles a variety of Picnic Launch 15 Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012

Collaborate? Pontificate? Man-I-Pulate? UNIQUE TO OFFALY, MAN-I-PULATE IS A PERFORMATIVE INTERFACE, EMERGING IN A CURIOUSLY SPONTANEOUS MANNER FROM THE BOG BEFORE RETURNING TO IT.

The group consists of a highly So how is this collaboration translating? “Audiences don’t know what to think of Joachim Hein, a bassist and composer, is incongruous jazz outfit ‘Miles ‘O Bog Bryson says: “I regularly shout these days us. People act like they know what is a musician who grew up with Miles Davis, Ensemble’ (Joachim Hein), a rather in my performance work ‘I am not scared happening; like they have figured it out Coltrane, Mingus, Monk and the prospect unlikely farmer’s son from Cloghan; to live in Offaly!’” when they haven’t... this is called of working with Man-I-Pulate as the (Ronan Coughlan) and an out of joint pretending. Like so many shows after, I musical “founding father” was and contemporary dancer (Nick Bryson) who Describing what inspired his involvement, think people find it hard to talk or remains beyond his wildest dreams. loathes being described as ‘from a Coughlan would say: “Two fine gentlemen approach us because they think we are He describes his input as “about creating, community’ in Northern Ireland, yet who from different countries to me. One is a some sort of manic assholes who has through free form improvisation, the secretly permits himself to be described Nordie and the other is a Kraut. Now don’t more time than sense and chip on our soundtrack to the spoken word and as an ‘interpretive dancer’. be so easily offended they do not play up shoulder that you could deem dance performance, responding to subtle to their stereotypes, these two men are of ‘considerable’. But sometimes what changes in dynamics or mood, The only question we are concerned International mind. Pablo Picasso said happens in an art space makes no sense sometimes prodding the guys on to reach with is “who is manipulating who?” – that “a great artist has no nationality”. at all. even further, dig deeper, or search more as ever. And it does all come down to intensely. It is such a challenge every time language and vocabulary; powerful “I am a firm believer that a great artist and in so many different ways, that I do people are powerful because they has no borders or boundaries and can “I regularly not think a creative musician could ask occupy the vocabulary of power. see national identity as a farce in itself. for much more. As well the founding fathers, Man-I-pulate Every artist knows that, right? Maybe not. shout these consists of the highly skilled and So we decided to try and put on a touring “With this amount of complete creative motivated musicians Anne Mcghee (flute), show of what it’s like being a male artist days in my freedom comes a bundle of Connor Hein (guitar) and Dave Cashen in Offaly. It was a simple plan and we responsibilities, such as never overpower (drums). began, talking that is. We decided to call performance the performance of the front men, nor let ourselves Man-I-Pulate. We were three them down when they are reaching for This crowd of Sunday Miscellanies has men of different generations trying to work ‘I am not their respective heights or, worst offence, performed equally bizarrely to a crowd of make pulate a verb. Our shtick was that just bore the socks off everybody. Like a dance aficionados at last year’s Absolut of the rural avengers, I wanted to let scared to live in binding circle that is permanently Dublin Fringe in what was a rather people know that we are HERE! LISTEN challenged until it bursts and then you argumentative pub Sweeney’s on Dublin’s UP, we are artists from Offaly and we want Offaly!’” hurry back to create a new, perhaps bigger Dame Street as they launched a tirade people to realise that it’s OK to be an but certainly different form. I try to tame a against the arts establishment artist from the countryside. I have put up “Edmund Burke, the Irish philosopher subtle chaos only to unleash it again until juxtaposed with some arabesque in an with years of stick over being an artist stated that ‘evil prevails when good men the performance eventually comes to its attempt to placate the bewildered from my contemporaries but I don’t give a do nothing‘. Or in this case bulls**t end. As a player in a collective of like audience. This manifesto and bluster, s**t what anyone thinks of me, I would prevails when Great men do nothing. minds, yet individually inclined to bring counter culture and countering counter prefer if they had an opinion, position or Joachim, Nick, Dave, Connor and Anne their very own creative juices to the pot, I culture, posturing and provoking, is a angle, but ultimately begrudgery does not are all brilliant at what they do, we have believe this is as close as you can get to strange thrashing about for an identity. keep me awake at night. had plenty of praise along the way and we heaven this side of the coffin and I would work together to try and challenge not want to miss it for the world. Long may the status quo.” it continue!,” he concluded. M

16 PORTLAOISE NATIVE TAKES SOJOURN TO THE PUBLIC The Arts Office, Laois County Council recently hosted an exhibition of paintings by Portlaoise native Christy Brown, entitled Sojourn. In association with the HSE, the exhibition was officially opened on Thursday, March 29 in Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise by Kevin Kavanagh, Director of Kevin Kavanagh Gallery.

About Christy Browne Health and art Christy was born in 1954 and lived in From the late 70’s Christy encountered Bridge St, Portlaoise where his family ran mental health problems needing a General Merchants shop. The shop hospitalisation in St Fintan’s Hospital and later became a restaurant and take- it was there that Christy really became away, one of the very few in Portlaoise, involved in art, collaborating with other which was a very different place at that artists, but with no formal training. In the time. It is now Kelly’s butcher shop but past five years Christy has attended the the Brown family remains synonymous Link activity centre in St Fintan’s campus. with the business fabric of the town. Under the guidance of Angela Delaney CNS in Art Therapy intervention his art Christy’s first dalliance with the art was began to flourish and he won a national in primary school with the Sisters of competition last year at an exhibition Charity and this interest followed through entitled Art against Stigma in Farmleigh to secondary school in the CBS where he Estate, Pheonix Park. did Irish dancing and played tin whistle. Since 2010 Christy has lived in Erkina Christy lost his dad at an early age and at House, Rathdowney, where his art this point he came into possession of a continues to flourish and where he has guitar, his first love and went on to his own studio, beside fellow artist become very proficient at it, the mouth Seamus Morton. He is also attending organ and blues harp. Abbeyleix Further Education Centre, completing an art course under Mary In the mid 70s he then indulged in Delaney, Arts Teacher. performing arts, busking firstly in London and then eventually in Portlaoise where To say that Christy has been on a long his regular pitch was the archway at sojourn with art is putting it mildly. Marshes Lane. He also busked in Christy’s journey has been greatly Tullamore and indeed was the subject of assisted by the Arts Office at Laois an article in the Leinster Express with the County Council culminating in his very headline Laoisman becomes Tullamore first solo exhibition. ‘s Troubadour. His musical leanings were folk and This wonderful exhibition ran from March ballad with nationalistic tendencies and, 29 until April 20 open to the public in so, It was a natural progression that he Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise from joined Amnesty International. Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Christy suffered a stroke in 2008 which The Arts Office acknowledges the impinged on his guitar playing and led financial support of the Arts Council in him to be more involved in the visual making the Arts Programme possible. arts. He describes his influences from For more details contact: The Arts both performance and visual arts as Neil Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Young and Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan Chontae, Portlaoise. Tel: 057 and Christy Moore and also working with 8674342/44 or email: Seamus Morton. [email protected] M AdultAdult EducatEducationion ProProgramme:gramme: How to applyapply Junior CertificatCertificatee ApplicationApplication formsforms are available from ththehe Centre LeavingLeaving CertCertificateificate or on our websitwebsitete CraftCraft - FETAC Level 3 & 4 (major award)award) 057 8731127 www.abbeyleixfec.iewww.abbeyleixxfec.ie CreativeCreative Craft - FETFETACAC Level 5 (major(major awardaward)) Art,Art Craft & Design - FETAC F Level 5 (major(m award) Abbeyleixy FFurtherurther Art & Business - FETAFETAC AC Level 6 (major(major award)award) EducationEducation NursingNursing Studies - FEFETACTAC Level 5 (major award) CentreCentre MountrathMountountrath Road, CommunityCommunity Care - FFETACETAC Level 5 (major(major awardaward)) Abbeyleix,Abbeyleixyleix, Co. LaoLaois.ois. T. 057 873 1127 BusinessBusiness Studies witwithh ECDL – FETAC Level 5 (major(major award)award) F. 057 873 1864 E. [email protected]@abbeyleixffec.ieec.ie Business ManagemenManagementnt - FETAC LevelLev 6 (majoror award)a W. www.awww.abbeyleixfec.iebbeyleixxfec.ie

17 “It’s hard work being funny,” comedian Bernard O’Shea tells Midland Arts and Culture Magazine Editor, Angela Madden.

competition but no one entered. One day he said ‘would you do it’ and so I did it to get people in and make his event work. That was my first gig.”

Being a full This was to be the gig of his life as Bernard said after that unplanned performance things started happening quickly. “What happened time funny man was I got offered £50 and I got a support slot to Pat McDonnell and Joe Rooney.” Both Pat and Joe were household names as a result of their Father Ted fame. “I did the support is no laughing act before them and that was my second gig!”

Ironically – accidental comedian matter Bernard had never actually been to a comedy gig before his debut support act.

Durrogh, county Laois, funny man continued to do throughout his Then, at the age of 17 or 18 Bernard In the next phase of life at the end of Bernard says he owes his success to formative years. headed into the great unknown – or his college days, the big smoke called his best friend who died extremely at least Dundalk – to study Cultural Bernard who headed to Dublin and young and that he simply fell into the “Success does Studies, which was a brand new ended up living in a bedsit and role of comedian thanks to this much course at the time, he told Midlands playing Irish music on his accordion missed pal Danny. not necessarily Art and Culture Magazine. or singing to make a few pounds “and really going nowhere”. Bernard is the youngest of a family of give you the right “The course covered theatre, film, four and the only male in the mix. archaeology, arts and cultural Bernard then explained that around “Basically I got away with stuff,” said to do this forever theory,” he explained. “And with it 2004/5 a new comic turn was borne Bernard who admitted he had the being the first course of its kind it with the revolutionary Des Bishop happiest childhood one could hope or to make a really was quite experimental.” and his group and his brother Aidan for with Mum Mary and Dad John. Bishop, which started running every livelihood forever. It was during this four-year course Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “I was In was early in this idyllic childhood, that Bernard got to meet a new group friendly with Aidan and then he from about the age of 13, that It is simply a of friends – and his great friend allowed me to gig three or four times Bernard started taking to the stage – Danny (RIP). “In our third year we had with them - and then, gradually, over but not as a comedian but rather as a platform to use to to get a project – a cultural event,” time I spent more time doing comedy musician playing Irish traditional said Bernard “and Danny decided to than music.” tunes with his Dad and this he build upon.” put on a comedy show. He ran a

18 “More than any show I About Bernard – a snapshot have seen this Fringe, I ■ Bernard started out in entertainment at an Television credits desperately want to see it early age playing traditional Irish music, ■ The Liffey Laugh (RTÉ) touring Europe with several groups. ■ Naked Camera (RTÉ) again. It is O’Shea’s first ■ While at college he studied Theatre and ■ Just for Laughs went on to star in several theatrical ■ The World Stands Up (Paramount) productions. show in Edinburgh and is ■ Newcomer Awards (BBC) ■ He worked in the National Theatre of ■ The Cafe (RTÉ) Ireland and the Abbey Theatre. endlessly delightful and ■ Touching People (RTÉ) ■ He won the Harp Newcomer Comedy Award ■ in 2000 and performed in the BBC The Byrne Ultimatium (RTÉ) surprising. glorious Newcomer Awards the same year. ■ Republic of Telly (RTÉ) ■ He was chosen to perform in The Montreal ■ The Panel (RTÉ) vulnerabilities and Just for Laughs comedy festival in 2005 and also The Kilkenny Cats Laughs festival fabulous impromptu in 2005 and 2006. raging that reminds ■ He wrote TJ and TJ sketches on Today FM. ■ His Edinburgh debut Do not adjust your mind reality is a fault received a five star you how extraordinary review from The Scotsman. ■ He has previously co-hosted the Breakfast stand-up can be.” with Bernard and Keith show on the Irish The Scotsman (5 star review) radio station I105-107FM.

A year later in 2005 Bernard have a break and then get back to it normally write it is, I see something in One of Bernard’s dislikes is reality TV auditioned for Montreal Show – the until maybe 7 or 9pm. It is work. life that interests me. I write a lot of because of the impact this cheap to Xfactor comedy equivalent which was the stuff on the concept of hope – broadcast format had on more auditioning in Ireland and involved “It is getting the stage where I am what we hope for and where it can go meaningful productions and creativity standing in front of the panel and always saying that the only thing I like wrong even if everything seems right. in general. “Reality TV is responsible performing a four or five minute skit. about stand up is being on the stage, I see something that is funny. I go on for cutting so many jobs in the arts – Bernard made the cut. waiting to go on stage. Developing, stage and thrash it out…Big things do from scriptwriters right through,” said preparing is work. It is just work.” not amuse as much as the little Bernard “so many different types of Then “one night when I was having a Bernard said that while it may seem things. jobs. Reality TV is just dirt cheap.” good night back in 2005 I was asked glamorous and, while he loves it and to perform at the Montreal Comedy feels extremely luck, it is a job like “One four to five minute skit can take Now a regular on the popular Festival,” added the Laois native. everyone else’s. a year to develop for stage.” Republic of Telly, Bernard admits that TV is a very different proposition to But, Bernard explained that such or He added: “All art is some form of the stage where preparation is less any successes achieved in comedy – “Initially you just entertainment and some people pay important than the ability to be able or in the arts in general – does not to have a laugh,” and so he admits to react quickly. give you a free pass for the future; got up on stage that if you fail to do that your art that you can not expect or assume simply hasn’t delivered. And, while the modest Bernard said it that people will like your work for and had a laugh. But, comedy can also be used to was up to others to determine always or as much. make a point – but only as a whether he will be making a return “Success does not necessarily give Then it became a secondary aim. Bernard said that for the next season of Republic of you the right to do this forever or to while he is endeavoring to make Telly we will certainly be hoping that make a livelihood forever,” said source of people laugh, “after they have the he remains a fixture on our tellies on Bernard “it is simply a platform to use livelihood and laugh then you can make a point but a Sunday night. M to build upon.” never the other way round”. you know how In fact, ironically, Bernard said that Bernard also that the public for him, the more success he important that perception of comedians being Tour Dates achieved the more comedy became a depressed and anti-social off stage job and the more difficult the job livelihood is. You was just an “easy paradox” for people ■ July 2: The Trim became. “Initially you just got up on to make and nothing short of a Satire Festival (Trim, stage and had a laugh,” said Bernard. had to work and “stereotype”. county Meath) “Then it became a source of livelihood and you know how prepare; you just However, he did say that part of this 2.45pm, The Cirque important that livelihood is. You had view might come form the fact that du Satire to work and prepare; you just couldn’t couldn’t get up the public have a view of your ■ July 15- 16: Cork get up and hope for the best any character. But, Bernard points out we Comedy Festival more.” and hope for the all have good days and not so good. “Someone may say hello to you and ■ July 21 and 23: It’s hard work and long days that go best any more.” expect a particular type of reaction The Vodafone into Bernard’s craft. “What I am but it may just be that you received Comedy Carnival, finding right now with TV, travel, radio some bad news that day and so just Iveagh Gardens abroad, gigs in Ireland I have to get But how does Bernard actually come aren’t in the best form or make a up at nine am and start writing and up with the sketches and put his witty retort,” explained Bernard. Dublin usually keep writing until 3pm when I ideas down on paper? “The way I

19 Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012

Festival Director Billy Nott

M

Judge Bryan McMahon and Billy Nott Athlone celebrates 60th RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Silken Thomas Players The 2012 RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival will be a glittering affair this year as the event gets set to celebrate its diamond jubilee. The 60th festival will open at the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone on Thursday, May 3 and performances will continue nightly to Friday, May 11. A gala awards ceremony in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone on Saturday, May 12 will close the festival.

BEGINNINGS the Sportex Hall (part of the Gentex CURRENT PLANS During his long and varied career, he The festival was born out of an complex) free of charge as a venue to Sixty years on and the festival is has been a professional footballer, initiative conceived by members of hold the event. regarded as the premier event of its has worked in radio and television An Tostal to develop a national Together with local teachers, Brendan kind in Ireland and beyond and with and has chaired an international competition in drama. (An Tostal was O’Brien and Alfie Faulkner, a unprecedented attendance rates in panel of jurors at the Prix Italia an organisation set up in the early committee was set up and plans to recent years, demand for seats is Television Festival in Sicily. fifties with the objective of organising host the event were put in motion. immense. cultural and sporting events around FRINGE BENEFITS Ireland in order to generate a feeling With funding from the Arts Council, The top nine groups who qualify for a Apart form the competitive business of national pride while encouraging which also celebrates its 60th place in Athlone have already come of the performances at the Dean local tourism.) anniversary this year, the first All- through a gruelling nationwide circuit Crowe Theatre, the event has a wider Ireland Drama Festival was held in of 35 festivals involving 29 groups in dimension involving the town of In October 1952, Cecil ffrench Athlone in April 1953 with Brendan all. Athlone at large. Salkeld, Cultural Director of the O’Brien as Festival Director - a With works by Irish and international Fringe events, many which are youth- National Council of An Tostal, came position he held for 40 years. authors, audiences are in for a feast focused, will include drama to the midlands in search of a venue It comprised competition in 3-Act, of drama that will entertain and workshops, art exhibitions, street for this national festival of drama. (Open and Rural) 1-Act, (Open and enthral in equal measure. theatre and shop window displays. Rural) and Verse. The town will be decorated to give a On arrival in Athlone he met with The festival was officially opened by The adjudicator for the festival is truly festive welcome to the many Paddy Lenehan, Managing Director of Dr Hanly, Bishop of Elphin and the Brian Marjoribanks, a distinguished visitors from all over Ireland who are Gentex, a local textile industry and adjudicators were Maureen Delaney, speech and drama lecturer and expected to descend on the town. then the largest employer in the Lennox Robinson and Gabriel Fallon. international adjudicator. Main sponsors RTÉ will broadcast region. Paddy offered the facilities of some of its radio schedules from

20 Athlone during festival week, with O’Doherty and Una Parker; such theatre community is evidenced by challenge both performer and daily reports of the goings-on at the memorable winning productions as the generous invitation extended by spectator. Having survived the trials Dean Crowe going out on air around Listowel’s Sive, Moat Club’s Abelard the Abbey Theatre to one of the of the last six decades, whether mid-day. and Heloise and Charlestown’s finalists at Athlone to perform their political unrest or advances in digital Buried Child; the conversations with play at the Peacock for a short run forms of entertainment, the drama Another important feature of the John B Keane; the adjudications of during the Summer. festival will continue, as in the past, festival is the post-performance Alan Nicholl or the written This feature was introduced last year to be the torch bearer for cross entertainment in the theatre bar. commentaries of Des Rushe. and the amateur drama movement is border theatrical endeavour and Here, performers, crew, committee Many will remember the old caravan especially grateful to Abbey director dramatic achievement. M and patrons will gather and exchange in the theatre forecourt which served Fiach MacConghail and Chairman of views on the night’s production and as a box office, the odds offered on a the Abbey Board, Judge Bryan later render a song or two well into black-board outside P J Bannon’s McMahon who were influential in SUPPLEMENTARY the small hours. ‘Festival Bar’ or the glorious bringing this about. INFORMATION splendour of the Esso Trophy. MEMORIES LOOKING AHEAD In 1959 the festival moved from No doubt, in such convivial SIGNIFICANCE In recent years, groups such as Silken the Sportex Hall to its present surroundings, conversations will The importance of amateur drama in Thomas Players, Cornmill Theatre location at the then known Dean wander down memory lane where local communities throughout Ireland Company, Estuary Players and Crowe Memorial Hall. This was also reminiscences of festivals past will be is further exemplified by the Kilmeen Drama Group have the year when Esso became the evoked: the feats of Strand Players continued association with the presented award winning productions and Sundrive Players who jointly hold festival by RTÉ, which has been to an audience primed for indulgence first sponsors whereby they the record for the most wins (4); the involved as main sponsor since in drama at its best, whether it is presented a perpetual cup to the acting prowess of Kitty Norton, Grace 2004. through the familiar territory of well festival which was known as the Brophy and Victor Wheatley; The high esteem with which the known plays or through rarely seen Esso Trophy. producers of the calibre of Terence festival is held among the wider ground breaking exploits which The first winners of the trophy were a group from Listowel, Co Kerry presenting a play by a little known budding playwright by the name of John B. Keane. The play was called Sive.

The competition streamlined itself into the 3-Act Open Finals from 1969 and remained in much the same format as today with the number of finalists reduced in 2004 from twelve to nine. In 1999, the hall underwent major renovation and refurbishment opening its doors in 2000 as the Dean Crowe Theatre and Arts Centre, presenting a modern, fully- equipped venue fit to bring the festival into the 21st century.

Esso ceased its long association with the festival in 1999, making way for Ericsson to become main sponsors from 2000 to 2003. In Kilmeen Drama Group, Champions 2011 2004 RTÉ stepped on board with the festival getting major prominence thanks to the facilities provided by the national broadcaster. M My Hometown - a photographic journey through the streets of Birr

Artist Jackie Lynch recently launched a book about painted one because it has character that only time Only 500 copies were printed and a few are still her hometown of Birr having spent two years can create. available in The Organic Store, Birr, Birr Castle Shop, walking around the town photographing the Birr Theatre and Arts Centre or directly from Jackie at streetscape and each time noticing and capturing This book celebrates the uniqueness and good [email protected] costing €25. M details she hadn’t seen before. Her book is a craftsmanship of Birr but it also celebration of the craftspeople that made this celebrates the proud sense of place the heritage town what it is today. artist has and the affection she has for the town she is so familiar with. This is Jackie had lived for a year in Xian, PR China and a not just Birr through an artist’s eyes; this further six years in Kyoto, Japan and her work is is Birr through treasured eyes capturing heavily influenced by Asian aesthetics, in particular the changing seasons and the spirit of the Japanese aesthetic of ‘wabisabisuki’ which can the town. be loosely translated as ‘the patina of old age’. The book contains an introduction about Jackie has chosen to highlight the charm in a worn Birr’s legacy by Caimin O Brien and a step, a rusty gate, chipped paint and details that are thought-provoking conclusion enriched by the forces of nature and decay. The representing the future by Rosalind shabby door is just as beautiful to her as the brightly Fanning. Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012 My Residency in Part 2 The Tyrone Guthrie Centre by Ann Egan

“…I had a plan of work for my fortnight here. I planned to write a series of poems inspired by the past. I had also brought with me notebooks in which I write on a daily basis. I had them as a fall back. I wanted to make the very best of this marvellous and blessed opportunity gifted to me so my notebooks were with me like familiar friends but a little neglected.

The Tyrone Guthrie Centre is ideal for details of the plan of writing I had laid out Later in the day I will type in and revise the work of each artist being discussed, reflection and also has all the modern on my first evening. I sat awhile by the and edit and bring it to the best shape I their ideas, how the ideas are being communication facilities of Broadband, boathouse and soon in the tranquillity can in the calm and warmth of a developed, how the atmosphere of the Wi-Fi and all technological support we surrounding me, began my new writings. magnificent workroom. house lends itself willingly and generously rely on today. Above all these modern to the development and sharing of art. aids, the house has a deep sense of There is no need to worry about domestic There is a time-honoured tradition here, peace, calmness and belonging. I settled duties and chores for all one could ever all artists in the house meet at 7pm for For myself, over the passage of my two in on my first day, listening to the wind need is left in readiness in the huge dinner. The gong rings out to call weeks residency here, I had many rise all about the sweeping grounds. kitchen here. The house hums along and everyone to the kitchen where the large interesting conversations with artists, offers all a person all essentials and even table is set and can accommodate up to writers and composers. Sharing ideas is The house is set well back from the more. The helpfulness and friendliness 20 people. The fire is glowing in the a great benefit and opens new horizons surrounding forest and while they are and willingness of all the staff create the raised stove and all gather about in the of creativity. The house offers a backdrop several beautiful, ancient trees growing illusion of effortless housekeeping and company of Robert and a magnificent to these ideas and one gains invaluable about the spacious lawns, they all look cooking but in the background careful meal is served. The pace is slow and insights into one’s own journey with deep-rooted and sturdy enough to and meticulous planning makes it all relaxed. People move about the table words. What is so beneficial about being withstand the wind and storm’s rigours. possible. from one evening to the next and within a here is the constancy of calm, peace and few days everyone knows their the sheer comfort of the surroundings, My second day dawned to the peace of It is a blessing to be here, to be in the neighbours. The talk usually begins with the care and concern of all the staff to the storm’s aftermath. Annaghmakerrig silence of this great house, to work the beauty of the meal, most of which is make a residency a blessing of learning Lake was shining in early morning sunrise according to a predetermined plan and grown and produced on the farm, and of achieving each day… as I walked around its shores and noted when a break is needed from the work, everything is home-produced and fallen chestnuts that gathered about the there is the beauty of the forest walk, the homemade and is truly beyond compare. See next issue path, victims of the wind, now abated. My silver tranquillity of the lake and the very walk was long and pleasant. It afforded grateful knowledge that my new The chat grows with the evening’s for the LAST me the time and peace to reflect on the notebook’s pages are being filled. passing and it is very beneficial to hear installement

On board the Carousel with Leonard Anderson By Majella Reid

Leonard Anderson fell into musicals The musical, which first premièred in Julie Jordan. Billy falls fowl of badness Duignan and her dancers to execute by accident. A quiet invitation to join 1945 on Broadway, is set in New and eventually commits suicide. the balletic moves,” said Leonard. a male chorus, followed by a further England in the United States and in its “We have about 23 children ranging in invitation to do some choreography day the production was considered “When he goes to Heaven he is given a age from five years to 12 in this resulted in a full-time career for a something of a taboo-breaker touching chance to go down again (to Earth) and production,” he added. man who is today an award-winning upon topics such as suicide and wife- to do some good for a day. In doing so musical director. beating. he may just earn the right to get into The show which ran over the last Heaven,” said the director. weekend in April at the Backstage Originally from county Down, Leonard “Along the way there is a lot of fun, Theatre was a sell out. M is now well known in county Longford however,” said Leonard. “This comes in The stage will also be graced by St having directed eight musicals the form of Mr Snow (Tony Wadde) and Mel’s Musical Society stalwarts such produced by St Mel’s Musical Society Carrie (Deirdre Leavy).” as Aideen Mulligan (Nettie Fowler), since 2000 – and he is currently in David Flaherty (Jigger), Liz Leavy (Mrs rehearsals for his ninth production with Making his début performance in Mullin), Roy Davis, John Kelly, Justin the award-winning group! musical theatre is Aughnacliffe man Forde, Gráinne Fox, Jim McDonald, Kevin Gormley who plays the lead role Luke Cassidy, Heather Moore and According to Leonard, this year the of Billy Bigelow. Deirdre McCabe of many, many more. group has chosen one of its most Mohill, County Leitrim, plays Billy’s love ambitious projects to date - the much- interest, Julie Jordan. This Rodger and Hammerstein classic loved Rodgers and Hammerstein is widely known for its legendary classic Carousel in a production which Mr Anderson, who has been directing songs which include June is Bustin’ will feature more than 70 cast and musicals full-time since 1993, believes Out All Over, If I Loved You, and, of crew members. the story line is one which will appeal course, the Liverpool football anthem to musical lovers, and indeed theatre You’ll Never Walk Alone. “Carousel is slightly darker as a musical lovers, of all ages. and it has some of the best known music “It (Carousel) really has something for in musical theatre,” he explained. The plot revolves around the character everyone. There are a couple of mime Billy Bigelow and his relationship with bits in it also and I’ve brought in Amy

22 “Homage” Exhibition by George Burland at the Arthouse Gallery, Stradbally

“Trying to put into words what one is Burland has lived and worked abroad doing with paint is an enormously for many years, but these colours are of difficult task and one that is doomed his homeland. to fail, nevertheless, a paragraph or a title can serve as an opening for the “Like many artists, George would say viewer to become first acquainted that the work is what you see, not what with a work in a similar manner as he may have intended you to see. For each of us has firstly a name then a me, the work presents the preserving personality, interests, a profession, a bog, rich earth and ever-changing sky of role. How can we sum all that up? historic Ireland. In one particular Does each of us contain a meaning? painting, it is winter but there is green Does a painting have a meaning?” growth and above is the lighter green of asks George Burland. a new day dawning, the whole a living Although Declan was referring to a north of Spain and moved there from sculpture of nature at a time of particular acrylic painting from a few Madrid, where he has have lived and Declan O’Donovan, current Irish Christmas joy and reflection at the turn years ago, it could be considered as a worked since. Ambassador to Portugal, has several of year. No flowers to catch the eye. precursor to those paintings that paintings and sculptures of George’s, They will come later.” George plans to exhibit in June at About 50 years ago the region was and is of the opinion: “Irishman George Stradbally Arthouse. These recent works agriculturally very active but vast are mostly gouaches on paper and the expanses of land have since fallen idle lighter medium permits a looser and and are being reclaimed by nature more transparent handling of paint and providing for stimulating landscape - in colour. a manner similar to the present focus on Irish bogland as an aesthetically George was reared on a farm in county pleasing nature reserve. Kildare from which one could see the Wicklow Mountains and no matter how His paintings are largely abstract. far he has travelled abroad or where his Painting, as in anything else, allows one mind has wandered to, that initial to leave out certain elements in order to landscape was and is always present in better focus on others. In his paintings the subconscious. he tries to focus on an “all over” approach, a perceived energy, a search So, too, is the canal of Naas where he for balance, no description. spent his earliest childhood years and to where his parents returned on their The exhibition opens 13 June in retirement. the Arthouse Gallery and will be on exhibition for President Higgins visit to A number of years ago George bought the Arthouse and Library on that day. an old house in a small village in the M 23 LE CHÉILE12 Collective remembers residency A testimony from four Westmeath and Roscommon-based visual artists of a week long residency in Spring 2012, Anna Duffy and Ann Wingfield at the renowned creative arts retreat, Tyrone Guthrie Centre, County Monaghan : Siobhan Cox-Carlos, Anna Susay- Duffy, Lorraine Mimnagh and Ann Wingfield rekindle images of their experience.

“The opportunity to find oneself The short 10-minute art brief that we near the aptly named village of each assigned the others in daily Newbliss, on the shores of Lake rotation, sometimes consisting of only Annaghmakerrig, Co Monaghan is one word, was intended to evoke an blessing enough, but for four midland- instant response to our location. based artists to be in situ at the same Moments encapsulated like snapshots time was too valuable an opportunity to on small scale pages which were miss. deliberately chosen to convey a sense of intimacy with both materials and Over a couple of dinner chats and plenty subject. of humorous banter, we found ourselves by candlelight at the dining table about Naturally not everyone’s experience on to embark upon experimental portraiture any one day is the same, and as visual photography, not unduly influenced by artists know, a day’s painting can spooky tales of past hauntings and Old present plenty of highs and lows, thus, Masters paintings! moods and choices were certainly reflected in the end pieces, often Our nightly fervour wasn’t long in raising a laugh to combat a frustrated captivating several more residents of frown! other creative disciplines and a mini-epic photo shoot project ensued, the resulting We were delighted to include this portraits of which soon became the project in our end of residency ‘must have’ Residency memento of exhibition as a week in the life of four many. visual artists, contributing to an evening of performance, of a medley of Having found such synergy, a seed of literary recitation and several thought was sown, to present our wonderful piano recitals. creative thoughts and concepts as a collaborative group, becoming a reality As testimony to the far reaching effects as we stepped out of the shadows and of time ever spent at the Tyrone onto the page. Guthrie Centre, it’s not surprising that this collaboration is taking those Progressing individual personal practice influences with it and enhancing their through evaluation and critique is the energy to keep the groups working norm but collaboration was unchartered wheels turning! territory for some of this group. With this in mind, we chose a format of We artists express our gratitude to collaborative work that would suit each Westmeath County Council Arts Office of our schedules and directive enough to for its support in the progression of our be achievable. Our daily meeting place work at Annaghmakerrig, and for would be neutral ground in the Artists Bursaries awarded, and look Cconservatory at four bells! And of forward to future developments and course, a pot of tea to keep out the artwork from our new collaboration!” cold! Roll out the critique! M

Siobhan Cox Carlos in studio

24 “I couldn’t talk to anyone. That’s when I started writing, that was my saviour, pen and paper’ (Wally O Loughlin from Wally)

Hear me, See me Anne Marie Kelly The mental health project that grew out of a chance meeting with a rapper! Broadcaster By Anne Marie Kelly

A weekend of training arose from the this project can grow beyond the they started shooting the documentary. people with the knowledge that you making of Wally, a film documentary weekend. Sometimes when you think the journey don’t have to have a degree in art to about Wally O Loughlin from is over, it’s only just begun express your opinion on it. Portlaoise who attempted suicide This weekend will take place on the May The art of film, radio and music also in 2009. bank holiday weekend in the A year later and Ann-Marie has just allows them to escape their daily lives Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise and stopped filming. She purchased her own and delve into their own world of Music was his escape and the film is his is funded by Laois Partnership. HD camera and followed Wally for over a wonder, imagination, curiosity, story. It is a story of survival that aims to Some 40 young people from Transition year. playfulness and being somebody else, empower young people today to believe Year in Mountrath Community School and that is an aspect of life we all love. in themselves. have been chosen as the first group to Wally went from the depths of despair to It also gives them a voice. take part. getting his blackbelt, recording his own In order to make an impact on young music and becoming a father. The weekend will be run by people in Laois, Hear Me See Me was Ann-Marie Kelly first met Wally with the professionals from film, music and born out of the realisation that Wally did intention of making a radio The documentary will be premiered on radio industries and the young people’s not have the confidence or the tools to documentary on him. He had got quite a the training weekend and will then go to radio program will be broadcast on express himself, and the weekend name for himself as a rapper and he festivals Midlands 103. intends to address that. had spoken to the newspapers of his suicide attempt in order to help others. This initiative doesn’t just allow young They will also perform and show their As a result, the weekend brings 40 When Ann-Marie met him she knew it people to express themselves through work on the final evening of the young people and youth workers would go beyond a radio documentary, film, music and radio, but also affords weekend after the premier of the film together on common ground to express and so she called in filmmaker Gary the opportunity to comment on what Wally that will be open to the public. themselves through the arts, so that Hoctor from Hello Camera from Birr and they see. It aims to empower young M Synergy and Light - shining a light on the joy of movement One afternoon in a frenzy of creative “Light- for the light it brings into our Crowds gathered in the Athlone Town Niall O’Connell, will be debuting two of excitement Suzanne Hogan had a selves and our lives when we move. Centre Shopping Centre last April, and their mini- musicals Broken Doll and dream - a dream in which dancers of “Whether dancing, walking, running or enjoyed an afternoon of fast-paced Snow White and the One Dwarf. all disciplines and all abilities could jumping. We shine when we move! entertainment along with workshops in come together and move... move with Zumba, Couples Latin Dancing and The Athlone Town Centre Shopping no prejudice, no judgement, just move “Imagine if all of us could discover a Contemporary Dance. To top off this Centre has agreed, for a second year, to for the sheer love of dance, of being, little lightness from our own synergy? amazing afternoon Fidget Feet hold the Synergy and Light Festival on of performance... move so that What a world it would be…,” explains performed their piece ‘Hang On’ in the Sunday, May 27. audiences could see and connect with Suzanne. Civic Square. the feeling of it, so that all could feel This free festival will run from 1pm until inspired, or at least leave with a Synergy and Light Festival began in This year promises to focus yet again on 6pm in the shopping centre followed by slightly bigger smile on their face, and 2011 as a community venture in the community aspect of dance, actively a grand finale, once the centre has a little spring in their step. collaboration with the Westmeath encouraging interaction between the closed, in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone. County Council to bring Westmeath audience and the performers and Organisers say it is a 'big surprise' for And, so, the concept of Synergy and dancers of all disciplines together in offering a series of free workshops open now, but promise it will cap off a great Light as a festival and experience was one magical afternoon of celebration, to all, regardless of abilities. day of free family fun and born! enjoyment and engagement with the entertainment. audience and other dancers. This year even the tiny tots will get a “Synergy- for the feeling of harmony Energy Plus School of Dance from chance to shake and move in their very For more information, or if you or your when there is movement in the body Mullingar, Athlone’s Attitude Dance own Disco Tots Workshop. group would like to participate in this and with others. School both performed along with year’s festival, please contact Suzi on Bachata Ireland and contemporary The Mini-Musical Company, the 086 8677164 or email dancer Orla Shine to name a few. brainchild of artists Suzanne Hogan and [email protected] M 25 Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012

Miriam in front of the Athlone Castle (left of picture)

Meet Miriam THE NEW ART AND HERITAGE MANAGER, ATHLONE

Miriam Mulrennan may well have the most illustrious arts news this year with the opening of Westmeath’s new art gallery and a renovated Castle in the old town of Athlone – but what is for sure is that she has her work cut out writes Angela Madden.

Miriam has returned to her place of origin in She told Midlands Arts and Culture some time out; this was 2004 remember - it not exclusively for the visual arts, with an Tulsk, County Roscommon to take up the Magazine: “I studied advertising and was that crazy time in Ireland where it was emphasis on meeting local audience needs new position of Art and Heritage Manager marketing way back in Rathmines College of actually true that it was a ‘candidate’s in terms of art exhibitions and engagement. for Athlone. Commerce. Even then I was always aware market’. So I took a leap of faith and decided It will also target national/international that I needed some touchstone with creative I could manage to take a year out, and projects. Having lived in London, Dublin and the an endeavour – be that through TV, film, art or return to the job market in 2005.” Rinn Gaeltacht she is excited about being music. How we identify ourselves through “This is a really exciting project, and the back - as she said “closer to home, family, story has always appealed to me, so I guess It worked out well and on her return Miriam perfect compliment to the neighbouring friends and familiar places”. I have found myself somewhere in that took up a position as Learning and castle development on the other side of the space between the business of managing Development Director with Irish Language bridge. We are making great progress with She is already well advanced in the task of creative sectors and the creators TV Production Company, Nemeton Television programming the first series of exhibitions. managing Athlone Castle (under renovation), themselves. It’s a space I feel very which is based in the an Rinn Gaeltacht. Obviously - until the exact date of the build Athlone’s new Art Gallery (under comfortable occupying.” Nemeton produces a large variety of completion is tied down, aspects of construction), Abbey Road Artists’ Studios television programmes. “It’s one of the exhibition logistics, timeframes are tricky to (opened in September 2012) and The John From 2000 to 2004 Miriam was the biggest production companies in the bed down – but it’s a really exciting time, for McCormack Experience (awaiting funding Finance and Operations manager of Screen country,” Miriam explained, clearly Athlone, for artists from the region and for approval). Producers of Ireland, the representative remembering her former role and employers the wider catchment area.” body for film, television and animation fondly, “and employs around 30 people full For those who don’t know, Athlone Art and producers. “This sector had always time with up to another 50 part time and The gallery is due to be open later this year Heritage Ltd is a company of Athlone Town interested me. I love TV and film as a viewer when crewing up for big gigs”. Miriam and Miriam said she is “looking forward to Council responsible for managing the – or a consumer, if I can use that much- remained with the company, setting up and getting into the building, getting to know the aforementioned attractions and facilities. loathed word when talking about film and TV running an education arm as an add-on to spaces and how the planned exhibitions will and it was a great opportunity to learn about the core TV business, for some seven years. ‘sit’ in them in the coming months”. At present, Miriam is the only employee of advocacy and crucially - about providing real the company and so as she says herself she and tangible support for a creative sector Miriam also carved out the time to complete To assist in developing these attractions is an interesting hybrid of “chief bottle and what that really entails.” a Masters in Pedagogy in the last two years. Miriam describes a volunteer project she is washer and chief executive curiously “I was working so intimately with third level developing with Westmeath Volunteer intertwined”. In the late 90’s while in London Miriam curriculum design and I was so interested in Centre, which aims to have local worked for a global marketing company in how teaching and learning had evolved ambassadors involved with the day today The lively launch of Abbey Road Artists’ London gaining some international since I had last studied… I guess it was activities of the various venues. Studios in September in 2012 featured in exposure, managing heavyweight brands inevitable that I took up some course of our last edition of Midlands Arts and Culture such as Ford Motor Company, GE Capital, study.” “These ‘ambassadors’ might “one day be in magazine and the studios have since Aston Martin and NBC. the town centre welcoming people to become a hotbed of creative activities with Cranes on the skyline of Athlone are visually Athlone from the river boats, and the next be resident artists, school groups, community In 2004 Miriam took some time out. “I knew telling the story of the much anticipated in the Artists’ Studios helping to organise a groups and a programme of exhibitions and it was time for change in my work especially castle redevelopment. Athlone art gallery creativity workshop with students or leading educational activities putting it firmly on the when you work in a role where you are is a completely new departure for the an International tour group around Athlone midlands artscape. yourself advocating ‘change’ so moving on building which has had many former Castle,” said Miriam. from Screen Producers Ireland was the right carnations. It will be a purpose built The scale and variety of these projects is thing to do. I knew I wanted to remain close modern facility, incorporating the old The Tulsk native is adamant that Athlone’s undoubtedly an enormous challenge, but to a creative sector, if I can call it that, but building, sympathetically restored, and “cultural renaissance” will place Athlone clearly Miriam has always been up to a my next step was unclear.” combining the new wing and a modern glass very firmly on the map. challenge, having managed to combine section over a cosmopolitan boardwalk area. extensive studies and a varied management Miriam went travelling for a year and For further information see career over the past 20 years. explained: “It was the ideal time to take It is intended that it will cater primarily but www.athloneartandheritage.ie M

Athlone Art Gallery projects. 26 Profusion of Public Art Commissions in Longford Despite the significant reduction in capital funding being experienced by local authorities throughout the country Longford County Council will “buck the national trend” by commissioning at least eight public art commissions over the next 12 months.

As some of these commissions will not arise until early 2013 - and to avoid confusion -we wish to focus on the earlier commissions which include the ➧ recently completed sculptural piece celebrating the opening of the new Fire Station in Edgeworthstown, a site specific piece in Centenary Square (a prominent location in the centre of Longford town) and a large Laois School of Music scale piece celebrating Longford’s long and rich musical Ten Years of Music with an International Flavour heritage to be located on the new N5 Longford town bypass. Laois School of Music officially Maoin Cheoil na Gallimhe, Coole Music, Before moving to Ireland in 2005, she celebrated its 10th birthday with a Gala Gort and Mayo School of Music. taught in several schools in the Chicago The commission for Centenary Concert in The Dunamaise Arts Centre, area and is a Member of the Chicago Flute Square was primarily a site- Portlaoise on Friday, April 27. Andreas Balke Club and the US National Flute specific piece by virtue of the Andreas Balke Association. Kim currently works as a Flute spatial limitations of the site and Amongst the performers will be past and hails from Holland and Kindermusic Instructor and Assistant other complicating technical present pupils of the school along with a where he Orchestra Director in Laois School of factors. However, the number of musicians from the schools graduated from Music. She regularly returns to summer commissioning committee did teaching staff. the School for the music classes in Chicago, bringing back request that a nautical reference Arts, Faculty of innovative and creative methods of be included in the design based Since it’s inception in September 2001, Music, in Arnhem. teaching music to children and young on the traditional association of the school has progressed from a zero He has taught people. As a performer, Kim plays as part the site with a shipping company of a duo called ‘Flute Cocktail’ and is 1st base to 380 pupils, 18 part-time tutors piano in Holland, France and now in ticket office. (The closing date for chair flautist with the Irish Midlands and a full-time Co-ordinator. There is also Ireland. receipt of commission proposals Concert Orchestra. the Orpheus Orchestra, Senior Ensemble was Friday, March 16.) and a Flute Choir. Teaching children and adults of varying levels, he likes to encourage students to Tatyana The N5 Bypass commission is still When talking about the school’s activities, explore their own musical creativity. Vykhodtseva current. The proposed piece is to the focus can be so often on the pupils He has played with and composed for Tatyana Vykhodtseva be situated on a raised platform and their progress so this article will focus various jazz formations, a soul band and is a Russian national on some of the schools tutors who bring several theatre groups. Teaching in the who qualified with a facing south on a cut at the an International flavour to the teaching Laois School of Music, in addition to BA in Music western end of the new bypass. staff. individual piano lessons, Andreas has Performance and The Theme of the piece is a recently embarked on the teaching of Teaching from the College of Music, celebration of the rich musical Robert Solyom small groups with different Kazakhstan and the Ural State heritage of county Longford. Hungarian native, instrumentalists, the art of Improvisation, Conservatoire, Closing date for submissions for Robert Solyom, is using rhythm and simple scales like the Russia. this project is Friday, May, 4. the newest addition blues scale. Andreas is open to exploring to the school and all types of musical combinations – piano, She specialises as a Piano Teacher and Another interesting commission brings over 20 clarinet, guitar, violin and so on so it would Accompanist and was also a member of a which will be offered by Longford years experience in be ideal for people who want to develop Chamber Ensemble in Kazakhstan, taking County Council is a celebration of the field of music their skills in an interactive way with other part in recitals as soloist and accompanist the life and work of General Sean performance and musicians. for violinists and singers. Tatyana loves MacEoin entitled Sean MacEoin education. classical music of any styles, especially Blacksmith, Revolutionary and Kimberly Melia composers from the Romantic period such Politician. The piece will be He teaches clarinet, saxophone, flute, Kimberly Melia is as Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and erected at a prominent location in music theory, music history and chamber originally from Tchaikovsky. Tatyana teaches a wide range the middle of the village of music to students of all levels. Countryside, Illinois, a of pupils from primary grades up to AVCM Ballinalee. This commission will Being a musician endorsing the Kodály southwest suburb of and LVCM Teaching and Performance method of music education, Robert Chicago in the United Diploma. She is also in much demand as not be offered until early in the teaches his students in an interactive way States. She has a an accompanist once again from primary summer. to attain a love and appreciation of music. Bachelors Degree in to music theatre diploma students. LSM He studied in the prestigious Liszt Ferenc Music Education specialising in Flute and also has tutors from Scotland, England, For further information on public Academy of Music in Budapest and has Choral Music Studies from the Eastern Northern Ireland and, of course, Ireland, art commissions in Longford several academic and performing awards Illinois University in Charleston and a bringing a wonderful mix of styles, please see www.longfordcoco.ie to his name. He re-located to Ireland with Masters Degree from Vandercook College traditions and musical genres to musicians M his family in 2009 and also teaches in of Music, Illinois. of the future in County Laois. M 27 What fills the heart…? Rosalind Fanning wonders what it is that can really make art impact on the lives of those around it.

go to see in our art in hallowed halls and studios - that’s the stark reality - Now is the time to be a bit more and therefore they won’t give a toss if renegade. It’s not ‘a gallery’ or ‘a we create even smaller art-islands, of theatre’ into which people fear stepping ‘excellence’. That road doesn’t help in: it could be a kind of Souk; a tumbling create openness to or a familiarity with and touchable, bargainable, riotous the arts: if there is to be a Centre of heap, with gems amongst the Excellence in the midlands, let our unpolished. Art-sharing could be at central counties have that ‘excellence’ another place too - creating temporary all around. studio spaces in unused buildings where there’s no great commitment to a With excellent purposefulness, we could regular presence but there is a make art as ubiquitous as sport. But consistency of up-to-date information within our regional centredness, and in about the local arts scene, in full view. this time of doubt and worry and lack of Artists could be working collaboratively funds, instead of ‘doing nowt, in doubt’, with local authorities and businesses. could we choose to try doing it all ways? The more voluble and viewable the Thus, be as excellent as often as we presence of creativity is, is also of have energy and occasion for, and at proven benefit to commerce and other times be quite content in being tourism. We could move from ‘site average, or darn it – plain sloppy. Our specific art’ to site non-specific art-ing. laboured imperfections might be We would commit to an interaction with snatched up with joy and empathy. In more people and create opportunities these times when high-priced for more people to experience and be excellence doesn’t necessarily sell, and participants in the start, the process clearly, ‘commercial art’ with a bargain and the finish of an artform and its price-tag more often does, it is a ongoing dialogue. subjective arrogance to make that decision as to what should be seen by What has brought on these thoughts? ‘An rud a líonas an tsúil líonann sé an and orderly on our walls. The chaos of the public, or not, and how often. The Well, they throb around my head after croí. What fills the eye fills the heart.’ It the creative studio and the seeking of art of our hands and their hands, needs the all-too-frequent experience of having is some years since I was order in the process of setting up, at to find a constant, not an occasional worked very hard on setting up an commissioned to paint that Irish saying, last leads to relief when the final piece presence. Art needs to be subtly all exhibition, only to have left no time for now covered by a nice coat of white has its position, in harmony with its around, reachable and touchable and my own creative work, and close to paint; indicative of the temporariness of theme siblings. All is calm now; serene. talked about quite casually or intensely, tears at the end when the few sales art. Dented ego aside, it was not great But break those comfortable horizontals or at times insultingly! were little above a tenner each - and art. I am convinced however that the and verticals and the brain gives a start, that to charity. way to accept ‘destruction’ or then the eyes notice. It might also help our own dissipation of something creative is to productiveness, especially when we’re Some of you may notice threads of imagine it in a new configuration, or its So, uncomfortable as the idea might stuck. Letting people witness that art is conversations we have all had, some essence being regenerated; make some of us feel, would all our art not an easy process is also admitting others will have confirmed the worth of reincarnated. become more noticeable if we were to that as artists, we are evolving: there is such ideas and some others will already make more informal displays: not by any means a blank page one clearly see art as ‘the path’ to get the For instance, there is an energy change something that is ever-evolving and moment and a very good artwork a towns revived. These ideas are not really between the beginning and the end of repositioned, to lead the eye a chase. couple of hours later. new, nor fully thought out, nor is this an exhibition. Pieces are collected Oh dear, of course! That’s the art of article perfectly formed or finished - you together, positions selected; the work of retail display, and we wouldn’t want to Artists can change the mindsets of, ‘I can probably tell. But I’m letting go now a sole, or group of artists is displayed be labelled as ‘commercial’ would we? can’t do it’ to, ‘Oh look I’m doing it’. A and wonder which way it will float. M under a title; a theme. The occasion quick inhalation of art is simply fulfilling might be a festival, or the opportunity to The role of art and the artist the natural motivation to feel happy, Rosalind lives in Birr and has been exhibit within the white-walls of a public What I’m struggling to write down is within the process of creativity and running Tin Jug Studio since 2000.She is edifice. For the selected parameters of both a philosophical and practical observation. We read that ten minutes an occasional writer/designer/artist, etc time the subtlest threads of living viewpoint on whether as artists; we of meditation de-stresses, and that ten energy hold the vibration of the have a moral obligation to make a lot minutes of aerobic walking reverses ill- exhibition together. And then, it can more of our art reach out. In other health; so let’s offer ten minutes of art, seem to lose lustre. The energy shifts. words, if by being separate, exclusive, in whatever changing way, on the main minimal, precious, and elevated more streets of our towns and villages. I’ve wondered if it is due to familiarity; a by words said and written about our ceasing to notice any more, when there talent amongst our peers than our next For art to work its magic, it has to be is a formality of display. The pattern of door neighbours, are we in reality losing seen and experienced every day: the position of the images and artworks an opportunity to fill more eyes and something catching the eye on a trot has been sub-consciously memorised touch more hearts within a wider past a window. You have passed it and it is that which makes them pall in public? ‘They’ (within our communities twenty-three times but suddenly your the eyes of the beholders. As artists and for whom art is something more to scoff attention is captured and on you go, gallery doyennes we prefer things neat at or to be timid of engaging with) won’t thinking/smiling/puzzled and perhaps at peace. 28 Fiona Booth, model and dancer from county Laois. Photo taken in the Tea Rooms of Emo Court, county Laois. Photograher John Lalor. Director of Dunamise Arts Centre praised for contribution The Director of the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Louise Donlon, has left her position after being appointed as Manager of the new Lime Tree Theatre in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.

She moved to Laois in 1999 on her appointment to the Dunamaise and has been responsible for the programming of the theatre and gallery in the arts centre since that time. Among the highlights during her tenure have been performances by The Chieftains, Druid Theatre Company, The Gate with its Waiting for Godot tour, John O’Conor, the Abbey - and many more too numerous to mention. Mr Louis Brennan, Chairman of the Dunamaise Arts Company, expressed his sincere regret at the loss of such an accomplished Director/Manager of the centre. He said that his fellow directors and all employees were equally saddened by the news. “Louise has been a power of knowledge, experience Laois Photographer: and skills in relation to all forms of the arts,” he explained. He said that her Solo Exhibition at the Photo Ireland Festival - July 2012 work in developing the Dunamaise as a model of excellence has been John Lalor is a Photography graduate culture. The expedition established a decay,” explains John. “There is beauty recognised throughout the country. from Griffith College Dublin where new way of seeing which has since put in decay, and excitement in desertion.” “We were very fortunate to have the he also received an academic a frame around the world, and the benefit of her managerial expertise achievement of excellence in camera has become a passport to enter Further details since the Dunamaise was opened in the field of photography. places, corners, and situations in a new His solo exchibition takes place in 1999.” frame of mind or a new intensity of light. The Darc Space, 26 North Great He wished Louise and her family every Currently working from his studio The Georges St for the month of July. See good wish and trusted that her Sky-Lite in county Laois, John’s first solo Redesigned Landscapes www.denisbyrnearchitects.ie/contact relationship with the Dunamaise Arts exhibition Third World Eyes was This project sets out to find a similar for information. Centre and the people of Laois would exhibited in 2010 which has fuelled a beauty to that of a desert landscape in continue as she and her husband, Jim love of personal projects and motivated the decaying urban landscape. The Irish PhotoIreland is a Dublin based O’Brien, had made an important john to think long term about his work countryside is a place of wonder and organization dedicated to stimulate contribution to society in Laois since and think of each project as on-going, beauty that people travel the world over dialogue around Photography in Ireland. their arrival here in 1999. allowing it time to develop and change to be a part of. “Travelling about the PhotoIreland is committed to the Louise has worked in the sector for over along its path. Irish countryside, its hard not to notice cultivation of a deeper understanding 20 years. A native of county Longford, abandonment, from century old and a critical interest around she holds a BA in Music and History, a His love of photography took him around buildings and castles to modern photographic knowledge. Diploma in Arts Administration and a the world for 18 months in 2007 isolated ghost states, schools, Masters in Public Administration. exploring the world and involving hospitals, industrial work houses, mines John’s website can be found at himself in all aspects of life and world that have all been left to waste and www.johnlalorphotography.ie She began her career in the arts at the M City Arts Centre and at the Arts Council’s offices in Dublin. In the early 1990s she worked in Limerick as administrator of Island Theatre Darkroom Lost in Daylght Company before moving onto the internationally acclaimed Druid Theatre Company in Galway where she worked as General Manager. She was with the company during a time of major international success when Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane (as part of The Leenane Trilogy) toured to London, Sydney and New York where it won four Tony awards on Broadway.

Louise’s move back to Limerick is a sort of homecoming for her and her family as her husband, Jim O’Brien, is a native of Kildimo, county Limerick. The couple have three girls aged from 13 to 8. M 29 Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012 Art makes a difference to the places we live Using the Arts to promote a town’s regeneration “The arts have a serious contribution to brought to fruition a Community Centre, from the Peoples Park to the Spa Bridge Mr Portopoly and the glamorous addressing contemporary social the People’s Park, recreational walks and with architect Edel Roycroft. Cabrini assistants who will have the audience challenges as they cause social an After Schools’ Project among other Cahill, Theatre Director, added her artistic rolling the dice and bartering carrots to benefits integral to participation” initiatives. The (Port’s) Vision 2020 plan direction to the 2012 St Patrick’s Day buy a variety of potential businesses, (Matarasso 1997) presents the vision for the town’s future; Parade to develop the parade as an which could add value to the town’s a foundation of the town’s regeneration artistic expression for the town. This was economy. The festival was full of ideas, Portarlington is one of the most and growth up to the year 2020. an opportunity for an artist to interpret props, costumes made to express the interesting towns in the midlands with its Portarlington’s 2020 Vision through town’s ambitions for itself. rich Huguenot history, distinctive The group has been using the arts and different art mediums in order to architecture and the River Barrow which artists to animate their vision for the communicate its message out to the This process has communicated and meanders through neatly divides the town. Its recent inclusion the RTE’s Dirty town. brought alive what otherwise would have town between Offaly and Laois. Old Towns series saw the development of Cabrini took the themes of the ‘vision’ been a desktop exercise. Celia Deverell of a new piece of sculpture at the Barrow and creating a parade through Portarlington Community Development At an important rail junction, the town Bridge. Spelling out the word ‘life’ (it had community workshops, exploring their Association said: “We would consider this flourished as a commuter town of Dublin initially been ‘live’ but its orientation ideas to encourage people to think and process could be used as a template for but in recent years this has brought new meant that people could easily read it get involved. social and community regeneration in challenges. backwards, so the ‘v’ became an ‘f’) this other similar Irish towns, and encourage has a Diarmuid Gavin stamp all over it The visual arts were used as an effective people to talk to the artists in their The Portarlington Community but, nonetheless, it animates and draws promoter to showcase the five action community for ideas and inspiration to turn Development Association (PCDA) was attention to one of the most striking groups within Ports’ Vision 2020; for towns around. established in 1997 to be the voice of the features of the town. example, the Business Section Cabrini’s community, to develop the Peopleopoly Board: (13 foot square), was In Portarlington, there have been over entrepreneurial, social and cultural Other projects include ‘welcome driven through the streets with a 1500 volunteer hours given on this project content of the town and plan for its future paintings’ wall by the Railway Station led borrowed title of PORTOPOLY for the day. and 10 local artists who have contributed development. To date, the PCDA has Copiesby artist ofSarah the Delaneybook are and available the walkway locally inAided Chocolate by colourful Brown's, characters, William including Street & Balconysince 2010.” Books, Bridge Centre both in Tullamore or on www.originalwriting.ie

M

I AM HERE, I LIVE, I LOVE As part of Offaly County Council’s evidence of resistance to this re- 2012 sees the start of a new purpose for So what does this all mean for a Engage with Architecture Programme orientation. Daingean, beginning with the painting of midlands town, or any town? architect Orla Murphy gave a talk in the Main Street in association with Dulux; Towns which are proud of their heritage, Daingean Library about the evolution of As the former County Town of Offaly, to help regain the town’s proud heritage. who find ways to gather, create, celebrate the Irish Town and its morphology Daingean is one of these towns that has and educate transform more than how it pointing out that Irish Towns are central had to redefine itself. It is steeped in The town’s huge courthouse is being looks - they transform its residents, giving to our cultural identity, much more than history from a time when it was one of the renovated (an oversized building in them confidence and a proud sense of we realise and appreciate. most important towns in Ireland from its relation to the rest of the town, which only identity. Towns that have this magical well-known association with the Grand makes sense only in the context of ingredient survive culturally, socially and The social relations which emerge as Canal and St Conleth’s Reformatory. Daingean’s history). economically. With this renewed focus on individuals and institutions interact to Daingean was the termination point for Daingean, it will be interesting to watch a commodify place identity. Where there is the Grand Canal until 1797 at which point Also, RTE’s Dirty Old Towns is being new cultural legacy in the making. evidence of a gradual redefinition of local the canal was completed to Tullamore and filmed there and a heritage trail is being M identities through, for example, the the Shannon and the trade went with it. launched in June, closely followed by the changing of cultural practices, heritage The town went into decline and has 25th anniversary Daingean Home Coming and landscape resources, there is also struggled to recover since. Festival in August. 30 Major regional venue is threatened by escalating funding cuts

Historic and groundbreaking and Sydney Opera House, took up short theatre project to produce and stage in In 2012 Backstage Theatre in Longford term residency in the venue in Community-focused house productions at the theatre. faces into its eighteenth year in December 2010 to produce a new A strong programme of touring theatre In the two short years since the project operation. Almost 20 years old the piece of work entitled Helen and Hell. dance and music is complimented by a was introduced three productions have theatre can look back on many The programme of dance has also steadfast community focussed been devised and developed out of the memorable and often challenging times included companies such as CoísCéim programme. The theatre provides a Canal Studio at Backstage before in an ever changing arts landscape. Dance Theatre and Diversions Dance platform for local community groups, transferring to the 212 seater When the theatre opened its doors in Company in Wales. schools and festivals to develop perform auditorium for three to five night runs. T 1995 it was the only theatre in the and present work encouraging midlands region. In recent years, the programme of participation in the arts. he productions are cast through an music at Backstage diversified to open audition and have attracted many Many would have thought the notion of include more contemporary and Organisations such as Aisling Children’s experienced and talented amateur a theatre in Longford a far too lofty and mainstream artists such as Rodrigo y Arts Festival, an annual week long actors living and working in the area. ambitious one when the concept was Gabriella, Mick Flannery, Duke Special, festival which has been in existence The production process involves a first announced but the determination Lisa Hannigan, Gemma Hayes and Paul since 1998. Then there is St series of rehearsals and workshops with and hard work of a relatively small Brady. Christopher’s Services, a service for well-known figures from the world of number of people, with the support of people with intellectual disabilities. theatre giving these local actors the the local community behind them, Touring Backstage Youth Theatre has gone from chance to work with professional made this vision a reality. directors, choreographers, lighting designers and theatre staff. Since then Backstage has been a leading force in the promotion and The first production Philadelphia Here I development of the arts, not just in the Come was directed by Noel Strange midlands, but in the country as a whole. from Longford in October 2010, as was the third production of The Hostage Impressive track record of theatre which toured to Ramor Theatre in A programme of theatre that has Virginia after its run in Backstage in featured such notables as Druid Theatre October 2011. Company, The Abbey, Rough Magic In August 2011 a production of The Theatre Co and Livin Dred has proven to Carnival at Glenaduff, written and be a great draw for audiences regionally directed by Padraic Mc Intyre of Livin and have cemented Backstage as Dred Theatre Company ran for five fundamental to any national tour by the In 2006 Backstage joined forces with a strength to strength since it’s inception. nights. top theatre companies in the country. number of other venues to become part And, of course, Backstage Theatre All three in house productions played to of two touring networks; Nomad a Group, the founding members of full houses. Excellent dance venue regional network based in the north Backstage Theatre utilise every aspect Backstage has earned itself a glowing midlands and Nasc a network of seven of the theatre from advice and support Funding cuts reputation as a dance venue nationally venues with a wider geographical and access to professional touring Backstage has suffered significant cuts and has a strong relationship with the spread nationally. These were the first theatre to performance and workshop to its Arts Council funding in recent Shawbrook dance organisation in networks of their kind and Backstage facilities in the Auditorium, The Atrium years, which almost certainly threatens Legan. Their partnership with this was the only venue on both networks. Gallery and Canal Studio. the future of what has become a organisation has done much to In 2008 Backstage was the lead venue landmark venue in the national arts strengthen the audience for dance, both of the Nomad network and a production The addition of the Canal Studio space scene. contemporary and ballet, in the region. in association with Livin Dred of The at the theatre in 2010 allowed Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre Dead School by Pat Mc Cabe opened in Backstage to further enhance its Those invloved told the Midlands Arts became the venue’s resident company the venue before touring to all venues in community focus and ability to meet the and Culture Magazine: “We can only in 2011 and regularly rehearse and the network and subsequently to the needs of a growing number of arts hope that the experience and expertise tech their work before national and Dublin Theatre Festival and the Tricycle participants. gained over almost two decades of international tours. in London. The Dead School was a huge consistent and commendable arts Two-time Olivier Award nominated success with audiences and critics New theatre provision will provide this venue with the Fabulous Beast Dance Company, who alike, garnering three Irish Times To coincide with the launch of this means and the resolve to survive and have toured to the Barbican in London theatre Awards nominations. studio, Backstage introduced a new even continue to flourish.” M

31 “I hope to create narratives which invite people to re-assess the familiar and ordinary.” Face-to Face- Face-to-Face with Westmeath artist, FIONA KELLY

How do you describe what you do to popular with me! I am intrigued with others? the vacant Landscapes in the north, I assemble visual fables. so wonderfully beautiful and cruel. The people I have met there have a Please give us some more details as tremendous sense of humour and I to the materials you use, why and will always avail of any opportunities to how you construct your art. go back. I work through a myriad of techniques and materials in reaction to my found What was it like having your work environment, but primarily I find my displayed in Shanghai and New York? narrations come in the medium of The New York Print Death Swap Show Relief Printmaking. A medium which was really fun; a friend in the States historically is identified as a conduit told me about the opportunity and we which provides functional illustrations, applied and got involved as we were presenting moral narratives in a simple big fans of the organisers- Cannonball informative way. Press. A punk band played at the opening and I realised how distinctive I utilise the resonance of the relief it was to be a printmaker, creating print to address my contemporary work in editions; sharing and social concerns for the individual and swapping. It was a revelation and a environment. I use common place working ethos that I have kept with objects and fairly comical slogans to me. illustrate fables, facilitating the viewer to question this banal absurdity of Shanghai was epic, my two everyday situations; what was thought collaborators - Amanda Rice and Edel to be familiar has to be re-accessed. O’Reilly, which I’m part of the Artist collective Cork Contemporary Projects What are you trying to achieve with, worked extremely hard to get to through your work? that point. China was an amazing I hope to create narratives which invite experience and the most challenging people to re-assess the familiar and professionally thus far. I have been ordinary. really fortunate to have such ambitious, accomplished and loyal When did you first become attracted friends as contemporaries. It is so to art and when did you decide to important to have a network you can follow this as a career path? rely on, especially in such a high Art has always been a constant in my profile show. Amanda, Edel and I met life. My parents always had a stock of while studying together at The crayons for us. I have never felt like I Crawford College of Art. decided that art was a career path, it is just where I walked to. When you set out on this path what was your ultimate goal? You seem to work and be popular in I didn’t have an ultimate goal, but now the Nordic countries. Is there a it’s to have a little cottage with a big particular reason for this? shed (studio) and a sheep dog! I don’t know if I am popular in Nordic countries, but Nordic countries are

32 AN EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY you become repetitive and your ideas stagnate and that could happen no matter where you are based.

What are some of the best/worst things about arts in the midlands? The best thing about the midlands is the emergence of new and vital artist collectives, groups and paces. There is a bright enthusiasm about and this will keep building with the creation of new artistic outlets. The worst thing is that there is no established art gallery in Westmeath but this is been rectified at the moment in a beautiful renovation project in Athlone. I’m delighted at this new enterprise as Westmeath needs a non-static art gallery to promote its emerging and professional artists and provide them with the facilities to further their career not only in their own local, but to be of national recognition.

What do you think can be done to encourage more people to engage YOU ARE HERE with the arts at a local level? I think people have certain insecurities when it comes to viewing some really nice spaces and hope to generations of collecting! and making art that they should let The place which make some decisions soon. There go of. Everybody should pick up a are always a few projects on the go at A person, aside from my family, would pencil or crayon and allow some influenced me the any one time! be Heather Seery, a wonderful lady paper be a receptacle for their and an extremely talented artist who thoughts, if only for this moment. most is probably Outside of the studio, I’m facilitating taught me how to draw, which is the a TY group from Kilbeggan create and most important tool as an artist, but What would you say to a young the house where install an exhibition based on logos, she also taught me how to relax into person who has expressed an I grew up. It is a branding and sign theory through the my ideas, which is everything. interest in art as a career? medium of relief printmaking. This You have to start being really wunderkammer has been made possible by the Can you be based in the midlands comfortable with rejection! I want to Westmeath Artist in the Community and have a global reach? give confidence to other emerging of objects and Scheme. I’m studying and designing Yes, I think you can - as long as you artists to continue on an artistic route the class and it’s a really exciting find the time, space, facilities, and but the thing you never think of is fragments. venture for me. The exhibition will be have the all important banter with how sturdy artists need to be. a fringe event to The Kibeggan your peers, you can work from Perseverance and mettle are needed Tell us a little about your current Knighthood Festival which makes its anywhere. The thing that will keep just as much as talent and concept. and upcoming exhibitions/works? debut on June 1. you from advancing artistically is if M The unexpected architecture of folly caused by the indefinite interim Was there a person/thing which experienced by materials on influenced you most? construction sites are currently of The place which influenced me the keen interest to my current research most is probably the house where I and practice, which is following on grew up. It is a wunderkammer of from my bricks series. objects and fragments. My Father’s family have lived here for generations I am currently investigating the and had various modes of absurdity of this aspect of employment alongside the farm. We contemporary reality in construction had adjacent sheds to the house by giving these inanimate stacks which were my Grandfather/Great- humane traits; introducing them to grandfather’s workshops and they everyday objects with the were just full of bric-a-brack and combination of poetic slogans and remnants; drawers upon drawers of void spaces to show the materials nails, cogs, oil cans, string. In the passive agreement to the imposed house I would delight in opening a socio-economic situations effecting random cupboard to be greeted with their locations. a hotchpotch of objects - buttons, boxes of old pins, badges, hundreds I’m having a lot of fun with this train of small keys each different from the of thought right now and I’m working next, old latch hooks and string-such towards a three person exhibition in an amount of string! I found wonder Galleria Harmonia in Finland. I’m also in these objects and was they were seeking out a space for a solo show always a catalyst into my play and in Westmeath. I had been visiting stories. So I thank my family and their THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF TAPS DRIPPING

33 Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012 In its broad sense, collaboration means to enter into a process, agreed or otherwise, with another out of which a product or purpose The Collaborative develops or emerges. This ‘other’ can be interpreted in many ways, including one’s own creative self. It also encompasses the relationship between the author of the work and the consumer of it; whether the collaboration is a friendly one, or a traitorous one and what’s generated when the collaborative space is Spaceby Eileen Casey reinterpreted with a critical eye. How then does a poet collaborate with make their presence available in “unpredictable” and saying it “can be ill- as being in some ways symbiotic, self in order to produce a poem? whatever shape the poet, having signed tempered, so it might snuggle down while both artist and poet retained Michael Longley once said: “if I knew the contract on the dotted line, is fully under the hotel duvet or snap back even core individualism. Wells describes where poems come from, I’d go there.” committed to. as it is quoted. Perhaps it doesn’t mind the collaborative space in From Bone Longley puts forward the belief that being co-opted into the regional piety”. to Blossom as ‘shared’, that word poems come from a certain pre-ordained American Poet Susan Goldsmith and image work off one another, place designated ‘there’. Wooldridge describes the collaborative Collaboration with Emma Barone Barone’s striking images of Coastal However poems arrive, it’s safe to say space between this trusting in self and Between 2008 and 2011 I’ve enjoyed Trees complementing engaging poems. they do not arrive in delivery vans. There universe as “finding the coyote in the two collaborative productions with visual Jean Cocteau said that ‘an artist cannot is no idea factory out there belching poet; seeking out the nearest place with artist, Emma Barone. Our first meeting talk about his art any more than a plant fumes of blood sweat and tears. Nor is wildness in it, driving there if necessary, was rather a collision rather than an can discuss horticulture.’ It’s as if the there an introduction agency on a sleazy even for one hour”. arrival or departure. I was running poet and the visual artist have been backstreet waiting to match the perfect through an art exhibition called Shoe given a third eye which is not distorted, poem with the poet. If Longley focuses Negotiation between the poet and the Show by Emma when I bumped into her, a glass that magnifies and zooms in on on arrival, the departure point shouldn’t reader of the poems is not always, nor almost knocking her sideways but I knew places which might well be overlooked be forgotten. Poems arrive mainly should it be, a symbiotic relationship. I wanted to write poems based on her otherwise. In this sense, it’s safe to because the poet has been able to exit The meaning of text relies on social, work. The visual aspect of the work was say that the introduction of a third the departure lounge and keep faith and cultural and historical factors. The already there and I was collaborating perspective into the collaborative some degree of nerve until the craft is prowess of the artist lies in an ability to with completed work. Many of the poems space results in a lens through which safely landed. provide the necessary gaps and chinks in this collection are Haiku, Shoe Haiku. the individual artist finds another way so that the reader is able to find enough Birds Take off/At the end of sling-back of seeing. Isaac Bashevis Singer once said: “Every airholes to be able to respond to the days/Wings slapping skywards creator painfully experiences the chasm work without recourse to an oxygen Fly Agaric Summer was suggested by the Conclusion between his inner vision and its ultimate mask. title of one of Emma’s shoe images but it In conclusion, the collaborative space expression.” was her innovative use of mushroom is an available space, interesting, Encaustic art design that sparked the central image: challenging, conversational and This ‘space’ can be a minimalist’s delight In 2007 I began working with encaustic indeed, necessary. Emerson once said: or cluttered up with feelings, images, art, or candle wax, using the images ‘Ball gowns balloon a soon of “Everything in creation has its appointed word play or what poet Anne Waldman produced to generate themes and scent/ Plumed headdresses glisten painter or poet and remains in bondage calls “goofy profundity.” moods for the poems to come. The with pomade like the princess in the fairy tale ‘till its space between what can burn so brightly Rouge brightens leaded faces – appropriate liberator comes to set it The collaborative engagement with the and painfully one moment and then everywhere / Fluer-de-lys. In the free’.” M creative self requires courage, trust and freeze so solidly the instant it leaves the drowsy gardens an uneering instinct for following the flame is, for me, a potential source of Fun.gal, cap and stalk, stripped directions on those quirky departure intrigue for me. The resulting pileus / Lamellae, gilled, frilled About Eileen signs. collaboration between ‘reading’ what I wings – / Spread beyond the Eileen Casey is a poet, writer and saw and felt in the resulting Palace walls, / Where, clamorous creative writing facilitator from Birr, Picasso maintained: ‘The artist is a metamorphic qualities of the wax and as small-pox / The mushrooming County Offaly and lives in Tallaght, receptacle for the emotions that come ‘writing’ the draft poems and the mob. / Sounds of hurrying feet County Dublin. Her poetry and from all over the place: from the sky, finished work went on show under the Sculpt a rise and fall / – what prose is published widely and has from the earth, from a scrap of paper, title Reading Fire, Writing Flame at Arás surely must come / - and follow – in received many awards including a from a passing shape, from a spider’s an Chontae, Tullamore, in 2007. The the long hall/At Versailles.’ Katherine Kavanagh Fellowship web.” Trusting in both self and the process of the work, the raw images, the and a Hennessy Literary Award for universe inspires the confidence that drafts of the poems were on display also, Our next collaboration occurred in 2011, Emerging Fiction. A chapbook Spit comes from hoping whoever is pulling together with seven of the completed the fruits of which appear in our joint and Clay won The Green Book the strings will, on a particular day, give works sign painted on 6ft x 4ft Perspex. publication From Bone to Blossom. For Festival Poetry Category in 2010. enough loosening of doubt, enough me, as poet, the collaborative space to Her collections include Drinking starlight to write, paint, sculpt, artistically It was interesting to watch people using be negotiated required, for some reason, The Colour Blue, (New Island) and create by, enough energy and generosity the council offices for all sorts of other the purchase of a yellow notebook, and From Bone to Blossom (AltEnts to get the work done. engagements; stop and read the work. the commitment to include poems about Publishing, Rua Red, Tallaght). She A seat was even provided for their environmental themes. Emma completed an M.Phil (Creative Bridging the collaborative space between convenience. Builders in hard hats, interpreted her vision through non- Writing) at The Oscar Wilde Centre, trust and finished work, means being a working in the offices at the time, who traditional representations which Trinity College Dublin. Snow Shoes, hoarder to some extent, gathering may also be committed library goers, sat explored a collaborative relationship a collection of short stories is due ‘ordinary magic’ from ordinary places, and munched their sandwiches and read between the earth bound object of out from Arlen House. smells, tastes, sounds; noticing how a lily the poems. Does poetry taste nicer when natural art that a tree undoubtedly is and pad and a broken umbrella can be flavoured with the collaborative miracle its ability to transform and transcend. tenants on the same fully paid up terror of mayonnaise or pickled onions? When we completed the work, we invited of the blank page. In seeking their own Reading Fire, Writing Flame featured in Dedalus Poet Grace Wells to write an collaboration, these disparate Poetry Ireland, Issue No 92, edited by introduction for us. This was of particular neighbours might make mischief then Eiléan Ní Chúilleanáin. In Ní interest because it brought another decide to make up, or not, as the case Chuilleanáin’s essay Where is Poetry, dimension into the collaborative space, a may be. While they share the same she explores the role of the poem in critical focus that we couldn’t articulate. space, they are essentially seeking to public places, describing it as being Grace Wells saw the overall collaboration

34 MidlandsArts andCultureMagazine

Tempus Media and Brosna Press, using their combined expertise in journalism, marketing, design, print and production have created a new-look Midlands Arts and Culture Magazine.

TEMPUS MEDIA BROSNA PRESS There’s never a wrong time to do the right thing Creative Design and Print Located in the heart of the midlands, Brosna Press Tempus Media was established at the height of the has been providing a nationwide client-base with recession in September 2009 as the founders saw creative, high quality design and print for over 50 an opening for a top quality, good value media years. Its Irish Print Award acknowledges the company in a challenging marketplace for business company’s commitment to the pursuit of excellence and Government. Midlands-based Tempus Media in print and creativity in design. Clients in the arts specialises in five key areas - Publishing/ sector include: RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Copywriting, Public Relations, Media Training, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Music Network, Music for Lobbying, and Business Crisis Management. Galway, New Ross Piano Festival, County Council Arts Offices, Dunamaise Theatre, Birr Theatre & Editor: ANGELA MADDEN Arts Centre, Tuar Ard Arts Centre. Brosna Press Angela has more than 15 years’ experience in the operate their design studio & print works from publishing industry as a Journalist, Foreign a state-of-the-art 12,000 sq ft facility in Correspondent, Editor, Group Editor and General Ferbane, Co. Offaly. Manager for trade, local and national press in Creative Director: DIARMUID GUINAN Ireland and the UK. Angela has excellent local Senior Designer: ANDREW MOORE knowledge as she was previously Editor of the Production Manager: CIARAN GUINAN Athlone Voice and has an enviable list of contacts Creative Director Diarmuid Guinan holds throughout the country, built up during her time as a BDes, and has more than 18 years professional Group Editor for 13 River Media newspaper titles. experience in graphic design and printing. He She also has a wealth of experience launching new manages a highly creative and experienced design publications responsible for content, layout and team including Andrew Moore, BDes, Senior templates having brought a number of new River Designer, Ann Quinlan, BDes, Senior Designer Media titles to market in ’07. and the highly experienced Mary Egan. Managing Director Ciaran Guinan holds a Diploma in Print Deputy Editor: BRIEGE MADDEN Management and has more than 25 years professional experience in the print industry. Briege is a trained journalist who has worked for The production staff at Brosna Press are local newspapers for close to four years. After all highly skilled press operators and print attaining her BA Creative Writing & Media Studies finishing specialists. degree she started her career at The Athlone Voice before taking up a more senior role at the Cavan [email protected] • Tel: 090 6454327 Post. She joined Tempus Media in April this year as [email protected] • Tel: 090 6454327 Business Development Manager and is the lead consultant on a number of important Public Relations contracts. Briege is also an avid poet, short story writer and artist. For further information contact: [email protected] • 086 7732023 [email protected] • 086 0737227 Meet the team

ARTS OFFICE CONTACTS VISUAL ARTS MUSIC & DANCE ISSUE & FILM THEATRE FREE THE WRITTEN WORD Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer A REVIEW OF THE ARTS IN LAOIS, LONGFORD, OFFALY AND WESTMEATH SUMMER 2012 Have 17 Laois County Council, Portlaoise Tel: 057 8674342/44 • [email protected] your story www.laois.ie/arts Sinead O’Reilly, Arts Officer covered… Offaly County Council, Charleville Road, Tullamore Tel: 057 9357400 • [email protected] If you have a story or news www.offaly.ie/arts relating to the arts in the Catherine Kelly, Arts Officer Midlands that you would like Westmeath County Council County Buildings, Mullingar Tel: 044 9332140 • [email protected] to see covered in Midlands www.westmeathcoco.ie/arts Laois Comic Bernard O’Shea Emer Barry Arts and Culture Magazine, Fergus Kennedy, Arts Officer contact your local Arts Officer Longford County Council County, Great Water St., Longford

moves a step closer (details opposite). Tel: 043 3346231 • [email protected] www.longfordcoco.ie/arts_office.html 35 OFFALY YOUTH THEATRE Sunday, April 15 saw another exciting step forward for youth arts in Offaly with the official launch of Offaly Youth Theatre at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre.

Speaking at the launch Cllr Molly Buckley, Chairperson of Offaly Youth Theatre, said: “Offaly County Council is delighted to be in a position to support Offaly Youth Theatre. In our new Arts Plan for 2012- 2016 we have prioritised youth arts as we believe that facilitating projects in which young people can freely and safely be expressive, is investment into their capacity to be confident, independent and innovative thinkers. “This is not necessarily about creating Oscar winning actors, although wouldn’t that be great, but about being able to imagine that anything possible.”

This project is supported by Offaly County Council, the Arts Council of Ireland and Birr Theatre & Arts Centre with thanks is also due to the individuals, venues and schools that facilitated workshops. Offaly Youth Theatre is also affiliated with the National Association of Youth Drama.

New members are always welcome and should contact Janine on 087 2071258 or [email protected] Co-ordinator appointed to Music Generation Laois Laois Music Education Partnership has announced the appointment of Rosa Flannery as Co-ordinator of Music Generation Laois.

Based at Laois County Council, Rosa’s role will involve developing access to music education for children and young people in county Laois.

Laois is among six counties currently selected for participation in Music Generation - the U2 and Ireland Funds’ supported National Music Education Programme.

The appointment of Rosa Flannery to Music Generation Laois comes as Laois School of Music celebrates 10 years of music education in the locality.

Donegal native Rosa has a wealth of teaching experience and most recently was involved with North Wind Blows - a large scale cross-border intergenerational music project. She joins Music Generation Laois from Donegal Music Education Partnership where she worked as a project Co-ordinator.

Speaking about her appointment, Rosa said “Music Generation will bring great opportunities for children and young people to get involved in music in different ways and I am really looking forward to being part of the programme. I have worked across many different areas of music and the arts and I firmly believe in the Music Generation model of creating local access to music education will bring tangible benefits to the community.” Laois School of Music was established in 2001, as the result of a partnership approach by Laois County Council, The Arts Council and Laois VEC. Laois School of Music responded to a MidlandsArts significant deficit in music provision in the county at that time, and now has over 380 pupils. andCultureMagazine For more information on Music Generation Laois, log on to www.laois.ie A REVIEW OF THE ARTS IN LAOIS, LONGFORD OFFALY AND WESTMEATH

PUBLISHED FOR THE ARTS OFFICES OF LAOIS, LONGFORD, OFFALY & WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCILS BY TEMPUS MEDIA • DESIGNED & PRINTED BY BROSNA PRESS