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06 Sept 2025

IN PICTURES: Laois kids enjoy creative activities at unique Abbeyleix Bog festival

Reporter:

Reporter

09 Jul 2024 6:54 PM

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A new creative festival in Laois celebrating art and nature is underway at Abbeyleix Bog. 

The unique Of.Hands festival - which continues on July 13 and July 14 - promises to inspire creativity through immersive events with a variety of hands-on workshops set against the stunning backdrop of the bog. 
Last Saturday's events saw painters take to Abbeyleix Bog to create wonderful works of art, while children gathered at the Of.Hands HQ tent for a Plant Printing Workshop with Annie Holland. Children learned how to roll out their printing ink onto leaves, ferns and grasses to create beautiful pieces of art to take home. 
Next weekend will feature many creative workshops led by artists and craftspeople in, on and around the bog.
Some of the events include: Wire Sculpting with Glenn Gibson, Pen Drawing with Alison McEvoy, Botanical Drawing with Jacinta Hughes, Textile Art with Jo Howard, Spoon Carving with Richard Reid, Collage with Dee Stoppa and Yoga on the Boardwalk with Eilish of Blackhill Woods. 
Each workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn new skills and techniques from expert instructors, all while enjoying the serene and inspiring setting of Abbeyleix Bog. 
Many of these events are outdoors and some begin with a walk before heading inside to Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, so be prepared for any weather! 
Festival curator, Alison McEvoy, said, "I am excited to bring together artists and nature enthusiasts for this one-of-a-kind hands on festival.
"Abbeyleix Bog provides a perfect canvas for creativity, and we look forward to seeing the amazing works that will be produced during these events. Abbeyleix Bog features regularly in my own work as it does many artists locally so we hope to share this gem with as many people as possible." 
Tickets for Of.Hands Festival are available now on Eventbrite. Don't miss this chance to be part of an extraordinary celebration of art and nature! 
Photographs: Alf Harvey.

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