PICTURES: Laois art collection celebrating creative aging on display in Stradbally

A collection of artwork, that has been built up in Laois over the last 30 years and celebrates creative aging, is now on display in Stradbally. The Laois Arthouse Bealtaine Exhibition titled Láithreach Leanúnach: Present Continuous is an exhibition of artwork from the Laois County Council Art Collection selected by the Stradbally Art Group and accompanied by their own creative work. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

The exhibition opened by artist and educator Orla McDonagh includes art works by: Frances Black, Marie Behan, Caroline Conway, Pauline Carbury, Margaret Conlon, Maggie Devoy, Niall Fitzpatrick, Sheila Heffernan, Jim Keogh, Carmel Killoran, P McEvoy, Mary Murphy, Veronie Naughton, Jock Nichol, Eilis O’Mahony, Robert Ryan, Brendan Scully, Fiona Shiel, Marie Walsh ad Marion Whyte.

The exhibition is all about celebrating creative aging, and bringing this selection from the Laois County Art Collection to the public for Bealtaine Festival 2025.

Muireann Ní Chonaill Arts Officer, has been instrumental in collecting these artworks on behalf of the Council, for almost 30 years now, some works by Laois based artists and others from artists who have worked with the Laois Arts during this period. The title Láithreach Leanúnach | Present Continuous, points to the ongoing work of building a collection,which is not only a gift and a resource for the people of Laois to enjoy, but also over time accumulates into a record of artists interests and changing concerns and in this case some beautiful Laois landscapes.

This exhibition also marks Laois Arts intention to create more opportunities to share this fantastic art resource with the people of Laois.  The exhibition runs until Saturday, May 30 from Tuesday – Friday from 1 – 4pm on each of these days and Saturday 10 am - 1pm.

During Bealtaine the Arthouse in collaboration with Stradbally Library also hosted a May Day Tea Party and Folklore event. The event shared folk traditions around May and tales of the Whitehorn tree, planting celebrations and preparation for the harvest ahead. Michelle Quirke, Stradbally Librarian and UCC Folklorist, and storyteller invited participants to bring poems, or a song.