Arts & Culture

CULTURE night in Ennistymon will see a unique exhibition and artist’s talk at the Courthouse Gallery and Studios. ‘Tar Isteach’ is a participatory project with artists Maeve Collins, Monica De Bath and Julie Griffiths and will run from September 23 to October 23. The project started out as a Bealtaine, Age and Opportunity Commission back in 2020, in partnership with Clare County Council, Galway City Council and Roscommon County Council. The show is informed by a series of meetings, workshops and interactions with new Irish residents and citizens in Galway City, Lisdoonvarna and Ballaghaderreen in County Roscommon. Tar Isteach draws on the experience and knowledge that each artist brings, folding these over with the artisanal skills and the cultural perspectives of a diverse range of participant groups both native and New Irish. Embracing the Bealtaine theme of ‘Hospitality’, Tar Isteach interrogates the principle that it is only in our encounter with others that we can truly see and recognise ourselves. …

A LANTERN Parade is among the events that will take place in Mountshannon as East Clare celebrates Culture Night on Friday. Following a large-scale lantern workshop last Saturday, facilitated by Nathalie El Baba, the community is invited to gather at Market House at 8pm for a colourful parade through the town. Lanterns were also collaboratively made from willow and issue paper, in Lakyle and Iniscealtra national schools, and will be on display in a festive atmosphere. Anyone planning to attend is invited to bring their own lanterns, in a family-friendly event that will be followed by circus acts and fun at Aistear Park. The event follows a very successful and popular Lantern Parade in 2021 and there are plans to make it a yearly celebration. Another highlight of Culture Night in Mountshannon will be a tour through the town of a viking longboat created by local artist and blacksmith, Mark Wilson. The procession will involve stilt walkers and lots of …

A VISUAL and aural delight awaits at Mná ag Gaire’s Women’s Shed in Ennis this Culture Night when the acclaimed Hands in Harmony deaf community choir will take to the stage. As well as showcasing their performance skills on Friday with a mix of songs which have been translated into Irish Sign Language the choir is also launching a brand new film. The Hands in Harmony choir is made up with a mixture of deaf and hearing members with a mission to raise awareness of deafness and the Irish Sign Language in a positive way, highlighting the beautiful language and culture of the deaf community. Their performances have been described as being both emotional and visually stimulating, opening minds to something new and exciting. A film made with Grey Heron Media which has been created highlighting the experiences of members of the choir will be officially launched on the night. The film has been made in collaboration with Clare Local …

OVER 40 free events have been arranged across county Clare for the nation’s annual Culture Night, taking place this Friday, September 23. It represents the first Culture Night since 2019 of unfettered live access to events across the county, following restrictions imposed by the pandemic in the past two years. This year’s Culture Night with the theme ‘One Night For All’ offers a diverse programme of events and activities for all ages showcasing the wealth of artistic talent throughout the county. Organised by Clare Arts Office and funded by Clare County Council and The Arts Council, all genres of the arts sector will be programmed including music, song and dance, literature, film, art, and workshops starting at 4pm until late. A spokesperson for Clare arts office said, “Events are live this year as we enjoy a return to in-person events and a night for us all to come together and enjoy the best of Ireland’s culture. “In 2019 it was …

ENNIS actress Denise Gough has taken off to a galaxy far, far away having joined the Star Wars universe in her latest role. The multi-award winning actress is starring in Andor the latest TV show in the Star Wars franchise which debuted this week on Disney Plus. Denise plays Dedra Meero, a high-ranking Imperial officer in the show which is a spin-off prequel series to the hit film ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’. The show sees the return of Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, the much-loved character from 2016’s Rogue One, with the trailer depicting Denise’s villainous character hell bent on his capture. This isn’t the first time that Denise has featured in a show on Disney plus, with the three part ITV drama Too Close with Emily Watson also streaming on the channel. She is also an acclaimed stage actress winning two Olivier Awards for her roles in People, Places & Things and Angels In America on Broadway.

A DOOLIN musician has blended music, poetry, storytelling and the breathtaking visual beauty of the Burren landscape to create what has been described as a “love letter to Clare”. Towards the end of the new 30-minute movie “Always a Journey Never a Destination” A Clare Footprint” Oliver O’Connell delivers a key message – “In Clare, music is not what we do: music is what we are.” Instead of opting to showcase well-known tourist areas such as Bunratty Castle, the 73-year-old father-of-three filmed lesser known but beautiful parts of the Burren, which are skilfully interwoven in his own life journey story with music, poetry and his own distinctive prose. The North Clare accordion player is thrilled with the reaction to his “legacy to Clare”. “I wanted to do something that wasn’t done before and I know I got in this movie from the reaction of people who matter,” he said. Accomplished Limerick singer, fiddler and composer, Niamh Dunne, who is a …

DAMIAN O’Rourke has organised a number of live performances at the Swive Stage in Shannon Town Centre. “We had the first one on September 7, the next one will be on the 21st and it’s every second Wednesday until October 19,” said Damian.  He said it is following on from the Wings festival, which was held in the summer. “We had a good reaction to that and this ties in with Phase 4 of the Live Local Performance Scheme  from the County Council. Instead of doing one big event I thought it’d be nice to have a continual thing, where people can come mid-week and look forward to the next one.” There will be a diversity of performers, he added. “The first night we had two acts, the next three events we will have three performers per night. There will be a nice mix of poetry, music, storytelling, tunes, songs and stuff. There will be an array of performers that …

A ‘World of Welcome’ has been extended to local primary schools as part of a new inclusive arts and education programme launched by Clare Libraries. The programme consists of a five-week course that encourages children to celebrate diversity through the arts. Pupils will visit their nearest library branch each Monday to attend interactive workshops with arts practitioners, where they will explore the topics of diversity and inclusion through puppetry, drama, music, creative writing, and podcasting. Arts practitioners include children’s author Debbie Thomas, musician Niamh O’Brien, podcaster Oisín O Cualáin, puppeteer Sarah Fuller, and actor and theatre maker Zara Starr. The participating schools are Flagmount National School in Caher, Doonaha National School in Kilkee, Ennis Educate Together National School, St Conaire’s National School in Shannon, and Ballyvaughan National School. All participating students will come together for a special celebration in glór, Ennis on Wednesday, October 19, where storyteller Niall de Búrca promises to deliver a “hooley of tales” guaranteed to captivate his …