Author: laois art

Work has started on this initiative and should be completed this week. As part of the Creative Ireland Laois programme, this project was developed in partnership with the Arts Office, Heritage Office and students at Coláiste Dhún Masc to design and install a mural at the Old St Peter’s Graveyard, Railway Street, Portlaoise. The impetus for the project came from the late Councillor Jerry Lodge and the Portlaoise Tidy Town Committee, following on from conservation works to the graveyard started in 2017 and aiming to open it to the public as a “pocket park”.

This project endeavours to inspire interest in the heritage and archaeology of the town and county for the next generation. It is part of the greater Fort Protector project and rejuvenation of the central of the town. Old St Peter’s is included in the recently announced Urban Regeneration funding for the historic core of Portlaoise.

The mural depicts Rory Óg O Moore and his wife Margaret O’Byrne (of the famed O’Byrne Clan of Wicklow.  The iconic Laois site the Rock of Dunamase, is in the background. Wolves and wolfhounds also featured in the mural.

Heritage Officer with Laois County Council Catherine Casey said “There has been a lot of focus on Fort Protector in recent years, and we are delighted with that. But the fabric of the Fort, built by the English planters, is just one part of the origin story of Portlaoise. We wanted to use this mural as an opportunity to commemorate the people the Fort was built to keep out – the Gaelic tribes led by the O’Moores. The location of Old St Peter’s – just outside the walls of the Fort – makes it a perfect place to remember the people outside the walls. We’re grateful to Creative Ireland for their support for the project, and also to the Heritage Council, whose ongoing support for Old St Peter’s has been crucial over the past number of years”.

Coordinator of the Creative Ireland programme, Muireann Ní Chonaill said, “It is hoped  that further projects to enhance streets in towns and villages throughout  the county will  take place with help from the Creative Ireland programme.”

Further details from Muireann Ni Chonaill, Coordinator of Creative Ireland Laois at  T 057 8664109/4033 E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

After a nine-month tour,the Laois Arthouse will present the finale of the ‘Townscape’ exhibition, by Mary Burke, from January 15 to February 22. The event will be opened on Saturday, January 26^th at 3pm, by Justice and Equality Minister Charles Flanagan. A short film about the exhibition will be screened, documenting local school children engaging with the exhibition under the direction of Curator, Jenny  Papassotiriou and a keynote address by Professor Mary Corcoran.  Refreshments will be served.  For more information click here http://www.arthouse.ie

Laois County Council seeks tenders for the Provision of Services for the Co-ordination of two Per Cent for Art Projects. The requirement is for delivery of all stages of the projects, including development of briefs, commissioning and installation.

Download docs here.[br][br]

• Request for Quotation Services (RFQ)- Public Art Co-ordinator 
• Tender Response Document(TRD) Public Art Project Co-ord

Laois County Council Arts Service invites applications for the following awards  and opportunities to individuals/groups and organisations.  Forms for Arts Act Grants, the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Bursary award, Artists in Schools Scheme and Culture Night Expression of interest forms are available to download from link here  https://laois.ie/departments/arts/grants-schemes/

Arts Act Grants 2019 – Provision has been made by Laois County Council for the payment of grants to Laois arts organisations and individuals who meet the artistic and financial criteria set down by Laois County Council and who provide adequate information on their proposed activities.  Maximum amount payable will not exceed €1000.

The Tyrone Guthrie Residency Bursary Awards 2019 – A bursary is available to enable two Laois artists to spend one week working at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in County Monaghan.  The bursary is open to artists in all fields and is selected on previous achievements and projects in hand.

Artists in Schools Scheme 2019  Grants are available for artists’ residencies in schools, to include all art forms.   This scheme gives primary and post primary schools the opportunity to select and work with professional artists and explore new arts media.

Culture Night 2019 – Expressions of interest are invited from arts and culture groups and individuals interested in organising events to be included in the funding application process for culture night in September 2019.

Details and application forms available from:  The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.  T: 057 8664033  E:  artsoff@laoiscoco.ie  Closing date for receipt of completed applications is Thursday 14^th  February 2019.

Leaves Literary Festival 2018  The annual Leaves Festival of Writing and Music is just around the corner celebrating the diversity and richness in today’s writing, spoken word, music, theatre and film scene. Highlights include performances in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, on Friday night 9th^th November, at 8.00pm, by spoken word artist Stephen James Smith and musician, Enda Reilly.  London based writer, Helen Cullen a native of Portlaoise will share her wisdom and experience at a special workshop for adult writers in the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Saturday morning 10^th November. A  double book launch on Saturday afternoon in the Dunamaise Arts Centre with the launch of Growing Pains and Growing Up, is an anthology of essays and articles by John Whelan and  the launch of Helen Cullen’s debut novel The Lost Letter of William Woolf.   Saturday evening’s programme will be in the beautiful surroundings of St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, Portlaoise at 8pm with a wonderful combination of conversation, music and readings by Helen Cullen, Brian Keenan, Dermot Bolger, music by Seán Ryan and Kathleen Loughnane.  Booking box office 057 8663355 (Dunamaise Arts Centre) Download the full brochure for more details

Join us for a the new term of The Laois Youth Theatre at our new venue the  Laois Music Centre, (Old Scoil Mhuire), Church Street, Portlaoise for what is anticipated to be a fun filled and hectic year.  New members are always welcome so If you are interested in drama, making plays, learning creative skills and meeting new people, this is the opportunity for you. As well as welcoming back current members the workshop on Friday  12^th October  will be a taster session to allow new members to join. Members range from 1^st year to sixth year students.

The workshops will take place as follows

Workshop 1:                      12-14years                          5pm -6.30pm

 Workshop 2:                     15-18 years                         7pm – 8.30pm

Laois Youth Theatre, supports opportunities for new experiences and encourages creativity and skills development Affiliated to Youth Drama Ireland, our members are offered the prospect of travelling to theatre shows,  networking nationally with other Youth Theatres, participate in local festivals, collaborate with other youth theatre groups locally and nationally and prepare for an end of year performance. Established for over twenty five years, many of our past members have gone on to study and pursue careers in theatre nationally and internationally.

We welcome our new Youth Theatre coordinator Louise White who is a theatre practitioner, facilitator and educator originally from Co Laois. She trained at the Oxford School of Drama and Trinity College Dublin and NCAD. She is a registered teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland. She has many years’ experience and facilitating in formal and non-formal contexts.

The Fee for the year is €100 to be paid in two installments of €50 E:  artsoff@laoiscoco.ie for more information or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/laoisyouththeatre or www.laois.ie

As part of the Laois Connects programme the Laois Arthouse will hold a free workshop with ceramic artist Cathy Whelan on Friday 12^th October from 4pm-6pm. Working with clay is a natural way to connect with the present moment and alleviate stress. This workshop will explore the therapeutic nature of clay through simple techniques and mindful movements. Participants will get a chance to create a unique piece of work in a creative and relaxed environment. This workshop is suitable for all levels, no previous experience is necessary. Participants are advised to bring an apron.

 Cathy Whelan is a Ceramic Artist and Educator. A graduate of the National College of Art and Design, Cathy’s practice explores behaviour and emotion. Her inspiration stems from areas areas of mental health and the natural world. Cathy’s work has been exhibited as part of a group show in Gallery Zozimus, Dublin and as part of a collaborative exhibition in NCAD.

Free/Booking essential – Limited numbers – T: 057 8664033/13 or E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

Venue:  Laois Arthouse, Stradbally , Co Laois

Date:  Friday 12^th October

Time:  4pm-6pm

Open invitation to the launch of“The Stradbally Six” , on Wednesday 19^th September 2018 at 7.00 p.m. Official opening by Mary Dillon, Botanical Artist. The exhibition consists of work by six artists who have recently worked or are resident artists at Laois Arthouse. The artists:   Maria O’Brien from Tipperary, Caroline Keane from Laois, David Tully from Dublin, Jen Donnery from Laois, Eriko Yano from Japan and Cathy Whelan from Kildare.  The exhibition includes paintings, ceramics and film.  Light refreshments will be served  The exhibition will run until Wednesday 17^th October with extended opening hrs for Laois Culture Night on Friday 21^st September from 5pm-8pm. Opening times: Tues and Thurs 1pm-5.00pm & 5.30pm-8pm, Sat: 10am-1pm (Except on Bank Holidays) entry through library to front of the  building, Wed and Fri 1pm-4pm (entry through the Laois Arthouse) For more details contact T: 057 8664033/13.

Presented by Music Network Ireland and promoted by the Arts Office, Laois County Council.

Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Máirtín O’Connor and Séamie O’Dowd in Concert

on Sunday 23^rd Sept

ember 2018  at St Peters Church, Portlaoise at 7pm.

Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Máirtín O’Connor and Séamie O’Dowd- Two of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians – button accordionist Máirtín O’Connor and guitarist Séamie O’Dowd – accompany the living songbook and national treasure that is vocalist Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill

Tickets: €15/€12 Booking Box Office: 057 8663355 or online www.dunamaise.ie

For this very special tour, the swashbuckling musical spirit that has seen Máirtín O’Connor and Séamie O’Dowd dazzle audiences in the past provides an anchor to the shimmering vocals of Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill — with the promise of free-flowing instrumental duos to boot.

Maighread Ní Dhomnaill, winner of TG4’s “Traditional Singer of the Year” award, formed the band Skara Brae before touring the world with Donal Lunny’s Coolfin. She sings and tours most often with her sister Tríona and their recent concert performances with Martin Hayes, Denis Cahill and David Power have met with widespread critical acclaim.

Máirtín O’Connor’s dexterity and versatility on the accordion have seen him perform with a veritable who’s who of trad legends including Midnight Well, The Boys of the Lough, De Dannan, Skylark and the Riverdance orchestra.

One of Ireland’s foremost trad musicians, Séamie O’Dowd is a renowned multi-instrumentalist most associated with his performances as a member of trad powerhouse Dervish. He has also collaborated with such musicians as Christy Moore, Cathal Hayden, Jimmy Higgins, Tommy Emmanuel, and Liam O’Flynn.

Counting down to Culture Night on Friday 21st September with the opening of a new exhibition at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally called “The Stradbally Six” which launches at 7pm on Wednesday 19th September  just in time for the big event on Friday – All welcome to attend on Wednesday and to take part in the myriad of events happening in Laois on Friday click on   www.culturenight.ie

Culture Night in Laois, Friday 21^st  of September – FREE EVENTS across the County.

Celebrate Culture Night in Laois at some of the wide variety of free arts and culture events for people of all ages. Individual artists and arts organisations open their doors, hosting exhibition, tours, talks & performances for all to enjoy. download the full programme here http://laois.ie/wp-content/uploads/Laois-Culture-Night-2018-6pp-A5.pdf