Home » Arts & Culture (page 55)

Arts & Culture

Ruairí swaps road tales in Áras with Michael D

Lahinch author honoured by president for his book on hitch-hiking adventures around Ireland LAHINCH author, charity founder and campaigner, Ruairí McKiernan has been lauded by the President for his new book, Hitching for Hope – A Journey into the Heart and Soul of Ireland. President Michael D Higgins said the work “offers hope” during turbulent times. He described the best-selling book as being “in the fine tradition of a search for what is most valuable in the different spaces of Ireland and how they might help us craft a new way forward together.” He added that it is “empathic in approach, well written, and crucially, it offers hope.” President recently invited Ruairí to present the book at Áras an Uachtaráin. The event had been due to take place last year but was postponed due to pandemic restrictions. Although Ruairí had been to the Áras on numerous occasions previously, while serving on the Council of State during 2012-2019, he said this …

Read More »

Clare woman in young mothers documentary

Culture changing but stigma still exists, says director A SHORT documentary entitled Deliver, looking at the perception and reality of being a young mother in Ireland today will be screened online by glór as part of the Lasta Festival. It was made by Leah Moore, and focuses on two young women who became mothers in their teenage years, while taking a stylised exploration of women’s experiences throughout previous decades. The two women are Rachel O’Connor from Doora and Lauren Byrne from Dublin. “Basically it’s a documentary about the perception of young mothers in Ireland today and how our past has kind of shaped that perception, and trying to break down stigma around being a young mother. “That’s kind of the premise and the goal of the documentary,” said Leah. Both Rachel and Lauren are in their twenties now, having become mothers while still teenagers. In previous generations becoming a mother at such an early stage of life would have been …

Read More »

Council looks to support Clare arts with new scheme

ARTISTS and performers in county Clare are being urged to avail of a support scheme to get them back to work this summer. Clare Arts Office has issued calls to support those looking to perform outdoors in the coming months, for artists looking for studio spaces and for those involved in amateur drama seeking to attend the Drama League of Ireland Summer School. The Arts Office is interested in hearing from performing artists (ensembles/bands or individuals), promoters, producers, venues, etc. to see how it can work with them to facilitate programming of outdoor live performances this summer, animating local communities, should public health considerations permit. All types of performance (music, spectacle, circus, street arts, etc.) are encouraged to apply to this scheme including small scale solo performances, unplugged presentations through to amplified concerts. The arts offices says it especially welcomes joint applications from producers and performing artists for a series of events. Family or all-ages performance events are particularly welcome. …

Read More »

Stage is set for Clare’s Cruinniú na nÓg events

CHILDREN and young people across Clare are gearing up for a celebration of youthful creativity on Saturday, June 12. Cruinniú na nÓg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth plan. Among its local support organisations are Creative Ireland Clare and Clare County Council. Cruinniú is a component of the already well-established annual programme of activities organised by the Library and Arts Service for children and young adults. Recognising the cultural vibrancy in Clare, the Council has mobilised a strong Creative Ireland Culture Team to deliver the programme in the county. Helen Walsh, Clare County Library is the Creative Ireland Coordinator and Sheila Quinn is the Curator of the programme. Across the county, artists and creative practitioners have been busy working with young people to produce 24 events, which will be hosted online on June 12. Highlights of the local programme of events include a film by Fanore NS, entitled The Magic of the Sea. It incorporates …

Read More »

Aisling goes viral after pandemic

Aisling Drennan found a new audience for, and engagement with, her work online after the pandemic struck THIS time last year Clare artist Aisling Drennan was facing into an uncertain future with all of her scheduled exhibitions were cancelled due to Covid-19. However, the Lisdoonvarna born, London-based abstract painter has managed to turn this setback into an opportunity and is now showcasing her works all over the world and expanding into new markets. Recalling when her shows were cancelled last year she says, “I just felt that everything had fallen apart and I didn’t know how to pick the pieces up and mend them back together. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt like that – a pure sense of loss of control. Of course, countless people also felt the same in the face of uncertainty.” However, it wasn’t long before she decided to take positive action. “There are times when you have to stand back from a situation and assess …

Read More »

Seaside scenes and stories collected in new kids anthology

OCEAN stories, written by children across Clare and Limerick have been compiled into a colourful new anthology to mark an international celebration of the seas. Produced with the support of The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme, An Ocean of Stories – An Anthology of Children’s Ocean Stories captures tales of adventure and imagination and highlight humanity’s reliance on the seas for survival. The book, published by Explorers Education Officer Carmel Madigan, includes over 50 stories, artwork and poems that were inspired by children’s ocean experiences. Its launch coincides with World Oceans Day on June 8. Patricia Orme, Joint Acting CEO of the Marine Institute, congratulated Carmel Madigan and the Explorers team on the launch of the book. “Carmel always puts the children first and this book has helped children find a positive place in a time that has been challenging for many in primary schools over the past year,” she said. “While we celebrate World Oceans Day – The Ocean: Life …

Read More »

Dramatists explore impact of pandemic in new radio play

A RADIO play which prompts people to look at their lives before the Covid-19 pandemic will be broadcast this Saturday, June 5, with the support of Mountshannon Arts. To Myself; Before, will air on Scariff Bay Community Radio, and is a production of WayWord Theatre, founded by Clare-based artists Eavan Brennan, Siobhán Donnellan and Ruth Smith. As inspiration for the production, WayWord put out a call to members of the public inviting submissions in the form of letters asking what they would have told themselves had they known a global pandemic was on the horizon. According to the trio, the responses were as varied as they were surprising and encompassed a huge emotional spectrum. The radio play comprises pieces of text from the submissions and will air on Scariff Bay Community Radio on Saturday at 8pm. The special broadcast will include a live pre- and post-show discussion with the WayWord three. The work of WayWord Theatre is inspired by the …

Read More »

Clare writer’s birthday present publication a gift for Pieta

A BIRTHDAY gift has been put to good use by a Sixmilebridge woman who has just donated €1,000 to Pieta House. Angie Togher, a native of Limerick, but living in the ‘Bridge for the last 38 years, fulfilled a lifetime ambition of writing a novel, after she retired from the health services. The book was set aside for some time and Angie thought no more about it until her family organised its publication as a birthday surprise. “They asked Dominic Taylor form the Limerick Writers’ Centre to look after the printing, but kept it all a complete secret until my birthday when they told me that publication was underway,” Angie said. “I was just delighted and got to pick the typeface and the cover before the book was printed.” ‘Old, Unhappy, Far Off Things’ tells the story of Hugh who is struggling to cope with childhood trauma and the death of his wife. He travels to Scotland, his wife’s native …

Read More »