Arts & Culture

MAKING banjos is a way of life for Labasheeda-based Graham Jones. “I don’t think there are any other banjo makers in Clare, the nearest one I’d know is Tom Cussen in Clarinbridge,” he says of his craft.As is the case for many other craftspeople, business is not booming. “It’s not so good because of the recession, there’s not much money around and they’re quite expensive things. Yesterday, we were in Kenmare talking to a fellow who just spent €4,000 on a banjo, built by Dave Boyle but he had to save for years to do it and he only buys one every 10 years. It’s a labour of love really.”His two sons, Adrian and Stewart, are also involved in it, Adrian working on it full-time. A keen musician himself, he has been playing the banjo for half a lifetime. “I started when I was about 30 and I’m 72 now,” he says.Graham likes to meet people and talk about their …

ON Monday and Tuesday night Druid will bring John B Keane’s Big Maggie to Glór. Eleven of Ireland’s top actors are involved in the production of one of Ireland’s most loved plays, which is thick with caustic wit and scandalous honesty.The central character is Maggie Polpin, a widowed mother of four. After her husband’s death she is ready to take control of her life, which will have implications for those around her.Limerick woman Joan Sheehy plays the part of Mrs Madden and says she really enjoys the production. “It’s an extraordinary play; in the first place because a woman is at the centre of the play and we see an Irish mother, but not with the type of traits that are usually associated with Irish mothers. “This is a tough woman, a woman who’s had a hard life and now that her husband is dead, she’s going to makes sure her life changes and that everything will go by her …

Sixmilebridge Folk Club will be hosting a double bill traditional concert to launch the programme for their forthcoming 2012 Shannonside Winter Music Weekend.Saturday night’s concert in the courthouse will feature the award-winning band FullSet along with Zoé Conway and John McIntyre and while the gig will provide excellent entertainment value so too with their annual music weekend.With an exciting blend of eclectic fiddle and guitar music, Zoé Conway and John McIntyre bring to the stage sympathetic arrangements of traditional Irish music, compositions and songs, old and new. The duo possess a rare facility to draw pieces into their repertoire from other genres such as classical, jazz and world music. This concert allows audiences to also preview music that is being currently recorded for a new album due for release in early 2012 featuring contemporary Irish music.  Thirteen leading Irish composers have been commissioned to each create a piece specifically for Zoé and John, for fiddle and guitar. Bill Whelan, Mícheál …

ENNIS singer and actress Karoline O’Sullivan will return home next week to follow up on the success of her 2009 concert Celebrating Balfe. Her new concert, celebrating all things French, is entitled Beau Soir which translates as lovely or nice evening.As well as performing in the event, which will be staged in The Dánlann on December 10 at 8pm, Karoline has also produced the concert. The accompanist is Karoline’s former music teacher Michael Hennessy and she will be joined by Galway-based singer Maeve Cairney, who Karoline met while a singer at Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara. The first half of the concert will focus mainly on classical music, featuring well known pieces such as The Flower Duet and Oh Holy Night written by the French composer Adolphe Adam and which is believed to be the second piece of music ever broadcast on radio. The majority of the songs in the first half will be in French, while the second half will …

CANCER Care West will host an evening of literature and music the Saturday with award-winning author and playwright Colm Tóibín and 3/Triur sa Draighean (Martin Hayes, Peadar O’Riada and Caoimhín O’Raghallaigh) at 8pm at the Radisson Live Lounge in Galway.This unique event continues the charity’s association with the arts following last year’s hugely successful evening with Seamus Heaney and Contempo String Quarter. All proceeds from the evening will go towards residential and cancer support services provided by the charity. Cancer Care West CEO, Richard Flaherty commented, “We are delighted to be the beneficiary charity of this very special event and I am most grateful to Colm Tóibím and 3/Triur sa Draighean for the contribution they are giving to Cancer Care West.”The evening will begin with a reading from Colm Tóibín from his book Mothers and Sons. A public interview will take place with Colm Tóibín and Martin Hayes followed by a Q&A session with the audience. The evening will close …

A NEW exhibition of paintings by Ennis artist Tomás O’Maoldomhnaigh and Margaret Ray opened at The Masons Hall, Castle Street, Kings Island, Limerick last Monday.Tomás  has been exhibiting with Margaret for many years, having met as part of the Limerick Art Society, one of the oldest art societies in Ireland. Margaret was the secretary of the Limerick Art Society for many years, while Tomas has been a member since 1977. They are also part of other art groups such as the Market Artists, the Quartet Art Group and the Inis Artists.In their latest exhibition, Galloping On, one can see their dual interest in all things outdoors from equine art to sporting themes and seascapes. Ennis man Tomás creates classically inspired custom oil portrait and landscape paintings but specialises in portraits and equine art. He has had over 17 solo exhibitions all around the country. Margaret is known for her seascape and equine art, but she also loves to draw inspiration …

A NEW exhibition of paintings by Ennis artist Tomás O’Maoldomhnaigh and Margaret Ray opened at The Masons Hall, Castle Street, Kings Island, Limerick last Monday.Tomás  has been exhibiting with Margaret for many years, having met as part of the Limerick Art Society, one of the oldest art societies in Ireland. Margaret was the secretary of the Limerick Art Society for many years, while Tomas has been a member since 1977. They are also part of other art groups such as the Market Artists, the Quartet Art Group and the Inis Artists.In their latest exhibition, Galloping On, one can see their dual interest in all things outdoors from equine art to sporting themes and seascapes. Ennis man Tomás creates classically inspired custom oil portrait and landscape paintings but specialises in portraits and equine art. He has had over 17 solo exhibitions all around the country. Margaret is known for her seascape and equine art, but she also loves to draw inspiration …

ENNIS’ first ever Punky Reggae Party will be held upstairs in Brogan’s on Saturday, December 3. Featuring the Pressure Drop DJs and the debut performance of Manic Mike with a special guest slot from local group the Buzz Monkeys.The event will have everyone jumping around and chilling out in equal measure.The Pressure Drop DJs are regulars at festivals like Electric Picnic and Body Soul. They also had the honour of supporting The Wailers when they played in Ireland. This will be their first performance in Ennis in three years. Their repertoire includes everything from late ’50s type ska, right up to dancehall and dubstep, with plenty of funky reggae and dub in between.Manic Mike has exploded onto the scene. A snarling whippersnapper with a crateload of original ’70s punk rock vinyl, Brogans will be the first Clare venue he will perform at.The Buzz Monkey add a frenetic and fun live dimension to the proceedings. This beat combo play both covers …