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 Issue 31 Midland Arts Final.indd 1 29/07/2019 09:16 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’ Shane Lowry’s Open Championship Athlone poetry launch ...................................................Page 4 triumph in Portrush and the selection of Offaly short film Brute ...................................................Page 5 Adare as the Ryder Cup venue for 2026. Annie Fletcher • Texaco Art Competition .....................Page 6 The contribution of sporting events to the Sensory friendly theatre goes down a treat economy has always been valued. Mullingar Fleadh Cheoil ..................................................Page7 However, what is less appreciated is the Dunamaise Arts Centre celebrates 20th anniversary contribution to economic growth and job Two new sculptures for Portlaoise town ........................Page 8 Summer creation of the cultural and creative sectors. As Art centres for the future well as providing a sense of identity and social Wicker sculptures unveiled in Longford .......................Page 9 Science in cohesion, there is also real economic impact. The Books Special: Niamh Boyce • Catherine Wilkie arts sector is a direct employer and also creates Adrian Duncan • Courtwood Books • John Dunne indirect employment in hotels and restaurants by Birr Writers’ Residency .......................................Pages 10-11 Mullingar attracting visitors to areas. Midlands’ arts activity Soprano Yvonne O’Toole • Artist Barbara Askin ..... Page 12 has also attracted tourists to the region. ‘Mask of The Shannon’ selected library Yet securing funding for the building and ‘Kicking the bucket’ explores the meaning of legacy Page 13 Westmeath library was full to the running of facilities continues to be a struggle. Midlands musicians in celebratory concerts While it is great that Tullamore Arts Centre has Singfest Songsters take centrestage ........................ Page 14 brim recently with eager young finally got the go-ahead, 20 years in the making Portlaoise concerts will spark joy • Arrivals Departures scientists who were joined by is a long time. ‘Only Us’ marks end-of-year for theatre groups ....... Page 15 renowned experimental physicist Magical music at the Malthouse As Ann Lawlor argues in her opinion piece Full house for Spink Comhaltas concert fundraiser . Page 16 Declan Holmes of Science Ireland. on page nine, arts centres can create jobs and Longford rocks on ....................................................... Page 17 Declan hosted three workshops produce tax revenue, stimulate business activity, Westmeath artists find their tribe in Mullingar library on July 17. His attract tourism revenue and contribute to a Reaching out to the home workers .....................Pages 18-19 unique county centric innovative and robust In the picture on illustration • The Shambles .......... Page 20 unique show explored everything creative and entertainment centre. Edenderry day care film project from the science of rockets to As Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise Willie Redmond Exhibition .......................................... Page 21 vuvuzelas to Darth Vader’s voice. celebrates its 20th anniversary, centre director, A look inside ‘Free Market’ in Mountmellick • Peter Regan The workshops thrilled the children Michelle de Forge, admits that rising costs in all Twin Trees Festival for Ballinakill .............................. Page 22 areas mean they must rely on the support of local and their parents. Participants got to Teaching Longford children the language of theatre community fundraising as well as funding from Youth Theatre Ireland announces bursary perform experiments of their own, the Arts Council and Laois County Council. in memory of Siobhán Coffey ..................................... Page 23 from launching air rockets to musical There is now a huge amount of new arts Artist David Fox .......................................................... Page 24 instruments. Westmeath libraries initiatives getting off the ground in Westmeath Much Ado About Backstage expressed the hope that this will help and Longford as well as Laois and Offaly. Mullingar actor has sights set on Hollywood ............. Page 25 foster a love of learning, paricularly about Athlone, with the Luan Gallery and artists’ ‘Dialogues, painting the portrait from life’ science and the world around us. studios, is experiencing a tourism uplift. Longford Landscapes competition ........................... Page 26 Longford recently opened its Engage permanent Lizzy Brown on Junk Kouture Westmeath libraries works with artists’ studio space. The rural Laois village of Laois libraries’ Lego studio builds on successs ........ Page 27 Midlands Science promoting science, Ballinakill is aiming to inject new life into the Energy Plus School of Dance celebrates 30 years technology, engineering, and maths area with the inaugural Twin Trees Festival. Westmeath short order literacy across the county. Cinematic culture comes to south Longford ............ Page 28 Meanwhile, the longrunning Birr Vintage ‘Creating work in the midlands for midlands audiences’ This is one of a number of creative Week and Lough Boora Sculpture Park draw ‘Vintage Luminaries’ returns to Birr ........................... Page 29 STEAM events Westmeath libraries are huge crowds. Chain Reaction • St Joseph’s embroidery group .... Page 30 hosting as part of the ‘Summer Stars’ While much arts activity is organised on a Africa Day in Portlaoise programme and ‘Discover STEAM at voluntary basis, the need for artists to be paid for Westmeath project records field names .................. Page 31 your library’ programme. Upcoming their work and for greater funding of regional 36 Views of Croghan Hill • Poet Eileen Casey .......... Page 32 arts is clear. It’s time to bring our ‘A’ game to events include: Lego workshops; author Laois Arthouse Collective develops valuable network the arts. 14th year for Shakefest visits; a visit from Dogs Trust, as well as Portarlington’s Cardel produce new music video ..... Page 33 story times. Follow them on Facebook or Caroline Allen Guest Editor Out and About .....................................................Pages 34-35 Twitter or see: www.westmeathcoco.ie/ Cover image by Andy Mason, supplied by Laois arts office. Longford steps it out with samba .............................. Page 36 library Longford photography by Shelley Corcoran. 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 Issue 31 Midland Arts Final.indd 2 29/07/2019 09:16 (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,