Bealtaine fest has a lots of events to enjoy in Laois

Laois County Council Arts have partnered with the Dunamaise Arts Centre and Laois Library Service to present a selection of creative projects during the month of May celebrating the Laois Bealtaine Festival for older people.

They invite people of an older age to join in some of the wonderful events that are happening in Laois for the Bealtaine Festival 2023 the theme of which is. In(ter)dependence.

Join Eileen Casey for a Memoir Writing Workshop on Monday 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th May from 11 am – 1 pm at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally.

‘Digging’ memoir workshops are geared towards unearthing personal or family history treasures. Mining past lives helps to illuminate and revitalise our own precious life story.

Each session will be facilitated in a relaxing, enjoyable and thought-provoking way.

The various types of memoir will be explored together with important memoir elements such as identifying timeline, bringing scenes and characters to life and how to avoid that familiar tyranny – too much information.

Triggers and prompts throughout the duration of the course ensures that stories that might otherwise be lost in the mists of time, will breathe again. Fee: €5 per session or €15 for four sessions.

Booking is essential and fees to be paid in advance. Contact Laois County Council Cash Office – 05786 74308 for payment.
Book your free place for a workshop on Socially Engaged Arts with Older People taking place on Wednesday 17th May, 11 am to 4 pm. The training session, led by Sarah Thornton, will focus on understanding and delivering best practice when working creatively with older people. It will share ideas drawn from the latest research and practice in the fields of ageing creatively, arts and health, and socially engaged arts.

There are many events taking place at the Dunamiase Arts Centre throughout May for Bealtaine. All events in the Dunamiase Arts Centre can be booked on the Dunamiase Arts Centre website www.dunamaise.ie or ring the box office 057 866 3355
Arts Officer and Creative Ireland Laois co-ordinator Muireann Ní Chonaill.

“We are delighted together with our colleagues in the county to bring a varied programme celebrating creativity in older age. This year’s Bealtaine Festival promises great variety to choose from and we hope people enjoy it,” she said.

A wide-ranging programme of events also taking place at Laois Libraries as well as lifestyle and wellbeing events run by Laois Sports Partnership full programme on www.laois.ie

In pictures: Class of '23 receive their Coder Dojo presentations in Portarlington

The Laois Bealtaine Festival Programme 2023 was launched at County Hall Portlaoise by Angela McEvoy Director of Services, Laois County Council, Bernie Foran Laois County Librarian, Cllr PJ Kelly Leas Cathaoirleach, Muireann Ni Chonaill Laois Arts Officer, David O’Hara Senior Planner, Laois Co Co Diane Seale Laois Assistant Arts Officer.