Author: laois art

 

Consultants KPMG Future Analytics were commissioned by Laois County Council in June 2022 to undertake a Town Centre First Masterplan for Rathdowney in collaboration with the Rathdowney Town Team. After considerable fieldwork and consultation, the draft masterplan is now ready for public review. The plan charts out how Rathdowney town centre can be transformed into a dynamic meeting place with a strong economic role. This draft Town Centre First Masterplan is available to view on Laois County Council’s website from Tuesday 23^rd  May 2023 until Tuesday 6^th June 2023. A copy is also available to view in the Rathdowney library and the offices of Laois County Council, Portlaoise from Wednesday 24th May 2023.

The plan will guide the regeneration of the town and provide the basis for future funding applications by the Local Authority.  For the plan to best fit the needs of the town and those who live and work in it, it will be important to hear from the people it is designed to help.

Accordingly, the Town Regeneration Officer and the Town Team have arranged for KPMG Future Analytics to host two in-person consultation clinics as part of the ongoing consultation for the ‘Rathdowney Town Centre First Plan’.  These clinics will allow the people of Rathdowney to give their opinions and also their input into the draft Town Centre First Masterplan.

 

Location and Dates:

Public Consultation Clinics will be held in the Rathdowney library as follows:

Workshop no 1, Tuesday 30th May: 10:00am – 1:00pm

Workshop no 2, Tuesday 30^th May: 2:00pm – 5:00pm

For people who cannot attend either workshop, you can view the draft Town Centre First Masterplan here and submit an online observation, or  by emailing your submission to drainey@laoiscoco.ie by Tuesday  6th^nd June 2023  at 5pm.

 

Rathdowney is one of 26 towns across the country that has received funding to develop a Town Centre First Masterplan which aims to map out future development, focus on tackling dereliction and vacant properties, and make the town centre a more attractive place to live, work, socialise and run a business. This initiative aims to help re-imagine and revitalise rural communities as part of the National Town Centre First Policy.

 

If anyone has any queries in relation to the draft Town Centre First Masterplan, they should contact Denise Rainey, Town Regeneration Officer 0868478631.

Poetry Day Ireland was celebrated in style in Mountmellick Library with a stellar line up of local poets.

Following refreshments, Amanda Hyland, Assistant Librarian and manager opened the event by welcoming everyone and explaining how the library service promoted the love of reading for pleasure across all age groups.

Dr. Arthur Broomfield read two poems including “The Spirit of Mountmellick Speaks”-which honours the heritage, history, people and spirit of Mountmellick. The poem was written in 2021 when Arthur was appointed Poet Laureate of Mountmellick for the Poetry Town initiative.

Next was Ann Egan, another Laois Native and former writer in residence. Ann spoke very fondly of her Mountmellick connections through her mother. Ann spoke of the origin of St. Brigid’s cross before reciting her poem St. Brigid’s visit along with other work.

Declan Furlong is a well-known Mountmellick Native who has recently launched his collection of poems “The Exquisiteness of Ladders”. Declan read the title poem of his book and the entertaining “Lemmingism”.

Laura Murphy, another Laois poet and activist recited her tribute to Laois “In Laois I Fly Free”, which has received many plaudits along with other work. Laura explained that her work is centred around the ancient Irish poetic practice of ‘Imbas Forosnai’, which means ‘inspiration that illuminates’ and was used by the ancient poets of Ireland to bring healing to society and truth to power.

Olivia Murray, Library Assistant and host then invited any contributions from the audience. Declan Molloy, Ann Marie Foley, Sheelagh Coyle and Frances Harney all shared some of their work which was well received.

Diane Seale representing the Laois Arts Office then made a presentation- both to Dr. Arthur Broomfield and Amanda Hyland, manager of Mountmellick Library -of framed copies of Arthur’s poem, “The Spirit of Mountmellick Speaks”. Mountmellick Library intend putting this framed poem on permanent display in the library.

The event showcases the breadth and depth of talent we have in our county and the power and relevance of poetry to our daily lives. This event was made possible by funding from both Laois Arts Office and Poetry Ireland.

 

 

 

Creative Ireland Laois is seeking artists to create and deliver a programme of activities/ events to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg on Saturday 10th June, 2023.

Cruinniú na nÓg is a national day of creativity for children and young people (0-18) which celebrates and encourages participation in culture and creativity with FREE, local and activity-based events. It’s a day for ‘doing’, ‘making’ and ‘creating’!

We are inviting applications from creative practitioners, artists, and art organisations /groups  (including a team of creative practitioners) who have the capacity to devise, facilitate and deliver creative content and activities for children and young people in any medium or artform (examples include theatre, music, circus, street art, performance, fashion, photography, digital arts, installation art, literature, storytelling, architecture, coding, biodiversity, folklife, heritage, archaeology, landscape).

Our ambition is to support via grant aid a number of specific creative programmes with a range of creative activities in towns and villages in Laois (outside of Portlaoise).

*The only exception to this will be disadvantaged housing estates in Portlaoise and special needs groups.

-If you are a community organisation/group, you should work with a creative practitioner(s)/artist(s) to put together the proposal and for the practitioner(s)/artist(s) to lead on the creative content.

 

Child and Young Person Focused

1. Events should be focused on children and young people with children and young people themselves consulted and included in creating the
2. In particular, we welcome and will prioritise applications that gives access to groups of children and young people who haven’t had such opportunities before.
3. We also welcome applications for activities that are delivered through the Irish language and Irish Sign Language.
4. We want creative practitioners, and children and youth focused organisations/groups to engage with each other, and generate opportunities to develop and participate in something really special, with
5.  Children & young people on disadvantaged housing estates in Laois, children & young people w
6. With specific needs (e.g. autism, Down Syndrome) and or blended groups, youth groups, clubs, schools, crèches, Laois Home Education, Laois Comhairle na Óg, Laois Fóroige, Laois Home Education, children and youth speciality groups, etc.
7. Have a chat with children & young people and see what they’re interested in and develop a plan together …maybe they’ve always wanted to learn how to juggle, do some incredible science experiments, or explore their own community in a creative way.
8. There are many examples of creative, imaginative and fun activities for children and young people – why not take a look at previous activities and events at https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/creative-youth/cruinniu-na-nog/

 

Timeline

Applications open: Monday 25^th March

Deadline for submissions: Monday 8^th May  

Notification of grant award: Monday 15^th May

Project Delivery: Saturday 10^th June

 

Selection Criteria

1. The extent to which the proposed programme maximises children, youth and community engagement and participation in the arts, particularly groups of children and young people who haven’t had such opportunities before. (100 marks)
2. The extent to which the proposed programme is ambitious, innovative and fosters creativity in young people aged 0-18. (100 marks)

 

How to Apply

The application form and all supporting material must be completed and submitted by email to creativelaois@laoiscoco.ie

 

For all enquiries, please contact Creative Ireland Laois

Email: creativelaois@laoiscoco.ie

 

Application Form:

Click here to download the Application Form

 

Deadline for submissions:

Monday 8^th May 2023

 

 

 

Celebrate Poetry Day Ireland with poetry readings at Mountmellick library on Thursday April 27th at 11:00am.

 

Guest readers will include:

• Dr Arthur Broomfield, Poet Laureate for Poetry Town, Mountmellick in 2021 will share his poem penned for that occasion “The Spirit of Mountmellick Speaks”.

 

• Ann Egan is also from Laois and former writer-in-residence. She has written three books of poetry, one novel on St Brigid and held many writing residencies and been awarded poetry prizes including Writers’ Week Listowel Poetry prizes.

 

• Declan Furlong is a native of Mountmellick, Co. Laois. Following time spent in the ‘80s and ’90s living in London, Malaga, and Bordeaux, he returned home with a body of work which has since evolved beyond the autobiographical. He recently launched his collection of poems “The Exquisiteness of Ladders”.

 

• Laura Murphy, An award-winning poet and activist. Her Laura’s work is centred around the ancient Irish poetic practice of ‘Imbas Forosnai’. Imbas Forosnai means ‘inspiration that illuminates’ and was used by the ancient poets of Ireland to bring healing to society and truth to power. Her video poem “In Laois I Fly Free” received many plaudits.

 

Refreshments will be provided before the event,

 

If you are a poet and interested in sharing some of your work at this event or if you intend to come to the event please email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie or  call 057 8644572

 

This event is made possible by the support of Laois County Council Arts Office, Laois Libraries and Poetry Ireland.

 

 

 

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

 

Join Eileen Casey for a Memoir Writing Workshop on Monday 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd and 29th May from 11:00am – 1:00pm 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 which 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, 11:00am to 4:00pm. 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 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 as well as lifestyle and wellbeing events run by Laois Sports Partnership.

 

For more information contact:  Muireann Ni Chonaill, Arts Officer & Diane Seale, Acting Assistant Arts Officer. T:  057 868 9386 E:  artsoff@laoiscoco.ie.

 

Full programme available here 

 

 

 

 

Laois County Council Arts & Libraries are planning a diverse range of programming during the coming year.

 

We wish to invite submissions from arts and cultural facilitators and producers seeking to join a panel for programming during 2023/24.

 

Programming could take place during Bealtaine, Cruinniú na nÓg, Culture Night, Leaves Festival of Writing & Music or as part of other programming.

 

Facilitators for the panel may be chosen to deliver workshops, specialist talks, storytelling, and other tailored events to children, adults, and specialist groups. We welcome events held through Irish, English and other languages.

 

We are seeking facilitators in the following areas:

• STEAM activities such as Coding, Robotics, Fun Science, Virtual Reality, Electronics, and Creative Technologies.
• Literacy-focused activities including storytelling, poetry readings, drama, author talks, and creative writing. Activities aimed at specialist groups, e.g. dyslexia friendly, sensory stories etc
• Activities can also focus on Technology, development of skills in use of new technologies including: 3D Design, Audio Recording & Editing, Image Editing, Video Recording & Editing, Virtual Reality and Smartphone photography.
• Film / Visual Art / Music – performances and workshops
• Climate Change: Events raising awareness of climate change, as well as talks and workshops with an emphasis on the practical side, such as gardening and up-cycling workshops.
• Creativity: Wide range of activities that encourages and develops creativity in all ages.
• Age Friendly: Activities and events that ensure the voices of older people are represented and promote the wellbeing and quality of life of all citizens and communities.
• Youth Theatre: facilitators interested in delivering weekly workshops
• Wellbeing: Workshops and events with a focus on health and wellbeing, including but not limited to mindfulness, yoga, and play therapy.
• Live performance: music, drama, puppetry and spectacle shows for children young people and adults.

 

Specify which languages you can present your programme eg English, Irish, Ukrainian etc.

 

Where working with children, compliance is essential with appropriate legislation with regards to Health and Safety and Children First.

 

To be considered for the panel, please fill out the application form below and email the completed application form to   artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

 

Application Form:

Call out for Facilitators 2023 Application Form

 

Deadline for expressions of interest:

Friday 21st April 2023