Laois Bealtaine Festival to celebrate 'Lust for Life'

The theme of this year's Bealtaine Festival in Laois will be about having a 'Lust for Life'.

The festival for older people will take place during the month of May. 

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 to celebrate. 

Join Dr. Arthur Broomfield for a three -week poetry writing course in Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, R32DT28. The course runs for three Mondays in May; 13th , 20th , 27th May from 11:00am to 1:00pm and the opportunity to join in Bealtaine Festival poetry evening on Thursday 30th May at 7.30pm as part of the Bealtaine Festival. 

Arthur’s workshops will deal with the basic elements of poetry writing i.e. reading the good poets; inspiration, what is it, how do I react to it; rhyme and rhythm; are they necessary? Imagery and naming; authenticity and originality, don’t be afraid to speak in your own voice, and what is the creative process, do I have it? Arthur wants the workshops to be enjoyable and hopes to see you there in what should be work and fun. 

Fee: €5 per session or €15 for the full three sessions as well as poetry evening. Booking is essential and fees to be paid in advance. 

Contact Laois County Council Cash Office – 057 8674308 for payment.

Art Exhibition with Alan Meredith in Laois Arthouse, Stradbally: Quereu – the oak – brings together a new body of work by Mountmellick born Alan Meredith, on the occasion of his first solo exhibition in his native Laois. 

The exhibition draws together separate, but related, ideas that the artist has been exploring in his practice for several years and reveals, if not the culmination of them, then certainly an advanced continuation and heightened expression of these ideas. Oak is important. 

As if predetermined, the artist grew up at The Oak, the location of his ancestral farmlands in County Laois. Laois Arthouse opening times: Tues & Thurs 1pm-5pm & 5.30pm-8pm, Weds 10am-1pm 1.30-5pm, Fri 1pm-4pm (entry through Laois Arthouse), Sat: 10am-1pm (entry through library). For more
details contact artsoff@laoiscoco.ie Meet the Artist: Saturday 11 th May 2pm meet the artist Alan Meredith for a tour and conversation of the exhibition.

There are many events taking place at the Dunamaise Arts Centre throughout May for Bealtaine. These include Sharon Shannon: Now & Then Tour, Tea Dance with Maureen Culleton & Fourth Wall Laois Theatre Group presents The Country Boy. All events in the Dunamaise Arts Centre can be booked on the Dunamaise Arts Centre website www.dunamaise.ie or ring the box office 057 866 3355.

Arts Officer and Creative Ireland Laois Coordinator Muireann Ní Chonaill said; “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.”

A wide-ranging programme of events also taking place at Laois Libraries including Cookery Demonstration Workshop in Abbeyleix Library, Money Management Talk by M.A.B.S – Money Advice & Budgeting Service in Portlaoise Library & Basketmaking Demonstration in Mountrath Library.

Lifestyle and Wellbeing events run by Laois Sports Partnership include Tea Dance with Maureen Culleton in Parish Centre, Portlaoise & Social Wellness Walk at Abbeyleix Bog Walk, Short Loop 3.6km. 

The full programme is available on www.laois.ie and bealtaine.ie.