VISUAL ARTS MUSIC, DANCE THEATRE, FILM MidlandsArts THE WRITTEN WORD andCulture ISSUE Magazine 31 A REVIEW OF THE ARTS IN LAOIS, LONGFORD, OFFALY AND WESTMEATH SUMMER 2019 FREE Midlands Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2019 A Word MidlandsArts from the andCultureMagazine Editor A Word from the Editor • Summer Science ..................Page 2 As we go to press, there is huge Portarlington ‘Into The West’ • Tullamore Arts Centre . Page 3 excitement about the midlands’ own Longford artists’ studios ‘valuable asset’ Athlone poetry launch ...................................................Page 4 Shane Lowry’s Open Championship Offaly short film Brute ...................................................Page 5 triumph in Portrush and the selection of Annie Fletcher • Texaco Art Competition .....................Page 6 Adare as the Ryder Cup venue for 2026. Sensory friendly theatre goes down a treat The contribution of sporting events to the Mullingar Fleadh Cheoil ..................................................Page7 economy has always been valued. Dunamaise Arts Centre celebrates 20th anniversary However, what is less appreciated is the Two new sculptures for Portlaoise town ........................Page 8 Summer contribution to economic growth and job Art centres for the future creation of the cultural and creative sectors. As Wicker sculptures unveiled in Longford .......................Page 9 well as providing a sense of identity and social Books Special: Niamh Boyce • Catherine Wilkie Science in cohesion, there is also real economic impact. The Adrian Duncan • Courtwood Books John Dunne arts sector is a direct employer and also creates Birr Writers’ Residency .......................................Pages 10-11 Mullingar indirect employment in hotels and restaurants by Soprano Yvonne O’Toole • Artist Barbara Askin ..... Page 12 attracting visitors to areas. Midlands’ arts activity ‘Mask of The Shannon’ selected library has also attracted tourists to the region. ‘Kicking the bucket’ explores the meaning of legacy Page 13 Westmeath library was full to the Yet securing funding for the building and Midlands musicians in celebratory concerts brim recently with eager young running of facilities continues to be a struggle. Singfest Songsters take centrestage ........................ Page 14 While it is great that Tullamore Arts Centre has Portlaoise concerts will spark joy • Arrivals Departures scientists who were joined by finally got the go-ahead, 20 years in the making ‘Only Us’ marks end-of-year for theatre groups ....... Page 15 renowned experimental physicist is a long time. Magical music at the Malthouse Full house for Spink Comhaltas concert fundraiser . Page 16 Declan Holmes of Science Ireland. As Ann Lawlor argues in her opinion piece Longford rocks on ....................................................... Page 17 Declan hosted three workshops on page nine, arts centres can create jobs and Westmeath artists find their tribe in Mullingar library on July 17. His produce tax revenue, stimulate business activity, Reaching out to the home workers .....................Pages 18-19 attract tourism revenue and contribute to a In the picture on illustration • The Shambles .......... Page 20 unique show explored everything unique county centric innovative and robust Edenderry day care film project from the science of rockets to creative and entertainment centre. Willie Redmond Exhibition .......................................... Page 21 vuvuzelas to Darth Vader’s voice. As Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise A look inside ‘Free Market’ in Mountmellick • Peter Regan The workshops thrilled the children celebrates its 20th anniversary, centre director, Twin Trees Festival for Ballinakill .............................. Page 22 Michelle de Forge, admits that rising costs in all and their parents. Participants got to Teaching Longford children the language of theatre areas mean they must rely on the support of local Youth Theatre Ireland announces bursary perform experiments of their own, community fundraising as well as funding from in memory of Siobhán Coffey ..................................... Page 23 from launching air rockets to musical the Arts Council and Laois County Council. Artist David Fox .......................................................... Page 24 instruments. Westmeath libraries There is now a huge amount of new arts Much Ado About Backstage expressed the hope that this will help initiatives getting off the ground in Westmeath Mullingar actor has sights set on Hollywood ............. Page 25 foster a love of learning, paricularly about and Longford as well as Laois and Offaly. ‘Dialogues, painting the portrait from life’ science and the world around us. Longford Landscapes competition ........................... Page 26 Athlone, with the Luan Gallery and artists’ studios, is experiencing a tourism uplift. Lizzy Brown on Junk Kouture Westmeath libraries works with Laois libraries’ Lego studio builds on successs ........ Page 27 Midlands Science promoting science, Longford recently opened its Engage permanent Energy Plus School of Dance celebrates 30 years artists’ studio space. The rural Laois village of technology, engineering, and maths Ballinakill is aiming to inject new life into the Westmeath short order’ literacy across the county. Cinematic culture comes to south Longford ............ Page 28 area with the inaugural Twin Trees Festival. ‘Creating work in the midlands for midlands audiences’ This is one of a number of creative Meanwhile, the longrunning Birr Vintage ‘Vintage Luminaries’ returns to Birr ........................... Page 29 STEAM events Westmeath libraries are Week and Lough Boora Sculpture Park draw Chain Reaction • St Joseph’s embroidery group .... Page 30 hosting as part of the ‘Summer Stars’ huge crowds. Africa Day in Portlaoise programme and ‘Discover STEAM at While much arts activity is organised on a Westmeath project records field names .................. Page 31 your library’ programme. Upcoming voluntary basis, the need for artists to be paid for 36 Views of Croghan Hill • Poet Eileen Casey .......... Page 32 events include: Lego workshops; author their work and for greater funding of regional Laois Arthouse Collective develops valuable network arts is clear. It’s time to bring our ‘A’ game to visits; a visit from Dogs Trust, as well as 14th year for Shakefest the arts. Portarlington’s Cardel produce new music video ..... Page 33 story times. Follow them on Facebook or Out and About .....................................................Pages 34-35 Twitter or see: www.westmeathcoco.ie/ Caroline Allen Guest Editor Longford steps it out with samba .............................. Page 36 library Cover image by Andy Mason, supplied by Laois arts office. YOUR LOCAL ARTS OFFICERS County Offaly County Westmeath County Laois County Longford WHO: Sally O’Leary WHO: Miriam Mulrennan 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 93 32016 CONTACT: Tel: 057 8664109 CONTACT: Tel: 086 8517595 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.offaly.ie/arts www.westmeathcoco.ie www.laois.ie/arts www.longfordcoco.ie/arts_office.html 2 (Image: Andy Mason) PORTARLINGTON GOES ‘INTO THE WEST’ Portarlington’s old cinema in The Square, the location for the much loved family movie ‘Into The West,’ was decorated with a mural depicting the film as part of Cruinniú na nÓg festivities which took place in Laois on June 15. The mural was created by Adam and Darren Ward. Two screenings of ‘Into The West’ took place county, as part of the Creative Ireland-funded entering the tents in the ‘Viking Village’ where in the adjoining Church of Ireland hall, with initiative. Heritage House Abbeyleix hosted they sang Viking themed songs and listened to hundreds enjoying the spectacle. The local youth activities including papercraft; quilting with artist Viking stories. They revelled in a picnic outdoors club ran a sweet shop and helped with the set up. Pat Byrne and chocolate lollipop making with and a circus skills workshop. Many volunteers assisted with all aspects, making Catherine O’Callaghan from Mountmellick’s it a very successful day. Cocoa Couture. Added to the mix was shield At Dunamaise Arts Centre a ‘try an Instrument’ painting with Abbeyleix’s resident Viking, workshop was hosted by Music Generation Laois Representing Laois County Council was Cllr. Richard Reid as well as Angelina’s Art Ventures and Laois School of Music. A large crowd of Tom Mulhall and the event was presided over mobile screen printing station and local musician young people got to chat to the music teachers by Muireann Ní Chonaill, arts officer and Laois Ray O’Sullivan’s instrument clinic and mini and try out instruments in the theatre space Creative Ireland coordinator. Guest of honour concerts added to the atmosphere. while upstairs, children enjoyed puppetry with was Ruaidhrí Conroy who played Tito – Tayto - Julie Rose McCormick. She also gave a puppet the older brother in the film. Vicarstown came alive with ‘Vikings in the workshop in Laois libraries. Village’ at the old school, organised jointly by the Sadie Ainsworth who played the cleaner in the integration service in Laois Partnership Company Mountrath Development