A REVIEW OF THE ARTS IN LAOIS, OFFALY AND WESTMEATH WINTER 2010/2011

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Internationally renowned artist makes history in Lough Boora Parklands

Set to open in March 2011

Award-winning photographer Tim Durham

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Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010

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A Wordfrom theEditorWELCOME to your new lookMidlands Arts and CultureMagazine which has beendesigned and crafted to dojustice to the wealth andvariety of artistic talents onoffer in the Midlands.

This edition has it all - news,features, short stories, poetry,and commentary and that’sjust for starters.

People unfamiliar with thedepth of Arts and Culture in theMidlands are likely to besurprised at the amount ofinternational awards andaccolades snapped up of lateby poets, authors and film-makers in the region.

Arts and Culture envelope usall the time but sometimes wefail to recognise what is allaround us or embrace what ison offer.

In the Midlands Arts and CultureMagazine we offer a snapshotof what is being created andavailable in the region – andbelieve that there really issomething for everyone toparticipate in or simply enjoy.

It is also worth noting that theArts Officers in Laois, Offalyand Westmeath have initiatedand participate in a number ofprojects and schemes alldevised to bring out the artistin you and offer practicaladvice, guidance and financialassistance.

So, while former journalist JohnWhelan brings out his innerhippy in his book The Buddhaof Ballyhuppahaun (page 15)perhaps The Midlands Arts andCulture Magazine will go someway to bring out the inner artistin you.

Angela MaddenEditor

MidlandsArtsandCultureMagazine

5 AWARDWINNER:Tyrellspass author NeilRichardson beats RyanTubridy, Fintan O'Toole,Senator Shane Ross,

Michael Murphy and Matt Cooper tothe Argosy non Fiction book award.

9 CHICK LITSUCCESS:Mullingar-basedGráinne Toher getsready for London booksignings of her first

novel Comings and Goings.

10 ARTIST STUDIOS:Stradbally Courthouse is to open asa library and artists studio in March2011

15 JOHN WHELAN:Former journalist John Whelan goesnative as Johnny Renko in newbook brought to life in County Laois.

16 FACE TOFACE: MidlandsArts and CultureMagazine goes behindthe camera to speakwith County Offaly film-

maker Paddy Slattery about his newfilm The Moment and the momentthat changed his life forever.

COVER STORY20 SCULPTURE IN THE PARKLANDS:Internationally Renowned ArtistMakes History in Lough BooraParklands. A

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Neil Richardson Scoops Top Book Award,Ailish Bracken Catches the Prize for The End of The Reel...........................................................Page 3

Fidget Feet Flying High. Artist Liz Johnson atGainstown National School .............................Page 4

Site Donated for Tullamore Arts Centre. Artistscommissioned for Emo National School .......Page 5

From Bone to Blossom Launches in Birr.Film Commission for Westmeath..................Page 6

First Film Festival goes OFFline .....................Page 7

Laois Patronage Award Opens Up New Horizons.Sandra Carr Wonders About an Arts and CreativeCentre for Portarlington .................................Page 8

Westmeath Author Celebrates Chick Lit Success ..

................................................................................Page 9

Arthouse Stradbally.......................................Page 10

MEM Players Celebrate Long History.Halloween Gets Spooky with TADS .............Page 12

The Art of it All ................................................Page 13

Multi-award winning Laois poet Ann Egan looksback at her year as Writer- in-Residence with LaoisCounty Council .................................................Page 14

The Buddha of Ballyhuppahaun Gives Readersthe Hippy Hippy Shakes .................................Page 15

Midlands Arts and Culture Magazine Speaks toOffaly Filmmaker Paddy Slattery about TheMoment .............................................................Page 15

EveryonE Brings Artists and Travelling CommunityTogether in Book with a Difference .............Page 19

Sculpture in the Parklands .........................Page 20

From Laois to Ljubljana with artist PatriciaBennett .............................................................Page 22

Making Memories at Belmont Mill.............Page 23

Talks, Walks and Forks by Rosalind Fanning – anEmotional Journey to The Tyrone Guthrie Centre,Annaghmakerrig ..............................................Page 24

Midlands Arts and Culture Magazine Talks toPhotographer Tim Durham about his latest project.............................................................................Page 25

Dublin Culture Guru Urges Midlands to EmulateWestmeath Success as first Ireland Culture Night2011 Nears ......................................................Page 28

Looking at the building blocks of Offaly. Youngpeople are getting the chance to act up ...Page 30

Meet the Midlands Arts and Culture MagazineTeam ...................................................................Page 31

County OffalyWHO: Sinead O'Reilly, WHERE: Offaly County Council,Charleville Road, TullamoreCONTACT: Telephone 057 9357400soreilly@offalycoco.iewww.offaly.ie/arts

County WestmeathWHO: Catherine KellyWHERE: Westmeath County CouncilCounty Buildings, MullingarCONTACT: Telephone 044 9332140ckelly@westmeathcoco.iewww.westmeathcoco.ie/arts

County LaoisWHO: Muireann Ní ChonaillWHERE: Laois County Council,Portlaoise, Co LaoisCONTACT: Tel: 057 8674342/44mnichonaill@laoiscoco.iewww.laois.ie/arts

YOUR LOCAL ARTS OFFICERS

BriefsLAOIS NATIVEWINS MAJORFILM AWARDSHIS AND Hers - a film directedby Portarlington native KenWardrop and last year’s winnerof the Laois County CouncilPatronage Award - has receivedrave reviews and has becomethe darling of the internationalfilm festival circuit where it haspicked up numerous awards. Some of the accolades its hassnapped up include TheCinematography Award at theSundance Film Festival and theAudience Award at the DublinFilm Festival. His & Hers is acinematic mosaic that tells thetale of a 90 year-old love storythrough the collective voice of70 ladies at different stages intheir lives. This film waslaunched in Portarlington in thesummer in the Cinemobile inThe Peoples Carpark,Portarlington. Checkout www.hisandhers.ie

ARTISTOPPORTUNITIESFOR RECENT news on ArtistBursaries, Residencies andPerCent for Art Schemes inCounty Offaly please seewww.offaly.ie/arts

FILM LOCATIONSSOUGHT IN OFFALYOFFALY County Council islooking for all sorts of filminglocations in the county to addto its database. So, if you owna house, land, forest, business,factory or school that youwould not mind being used in a future film please contactsoreilly@offalycoco.ie

PUBLIC ART PANELSUBMISSIONSOFFALY Local Authorities (OffalyCounty Council, Tullamore, Birrand Edenderry Town Councils)invites artists such as visualartists, musicians, writers,filmmakers, dance artists anddrama practitioners to beselected onto a panel for pot-ential public arts commissions.For further information seewww.offaly.ie/arts

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TYRELLSPASS author NeilRichardson has beaten offstiff competition from thelikes of Ryan Tubridy, FintanO'Toole, Senator Shane Ross,Michael Murphy and MattCooper to scoop the covetedArgosy non Fiction bookawards in December.

His book on the first World War, ACoward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall had been highly acclaimed in localpapers in the Midlands, in nationalnewspapers and in specialistpublications alike before this latestaccolade.

Speaking to the Midlands Arts andCulture Magazine Neil said: “It wasamazing to be nominated let alonewin. I am delighted because to havebeen nominated up against who I wasin the media industry was amazingand to win is phenomenal so stillrecovering from the shock.

“The other five are very wellknown. I am not known in thosecircles so I didn't think I would win.”Neil said of his book that the best wayto understand the Irishmen who foughtin the First World War was toremember them, to finally acknow-ledge what they went through andallow their stories to be told.

He also said that a vast amount of

the stories told in the book eminatedfrom the Midlands.

The Irish Post explained that hisbook examines stories about bravery,family sacrafice, lucky escapes andtragic ends.

In many ways A Coward if I Return,A Hero if I Fall “documents the lifecycle of the war through the eyes ofthe Irish men who fought it,”according to the Longford Leader.

Neil who made Tyrellspass hishome many years ago studied

Philosophy in University College Dublinand now works as a creative writingteacher and editor.

He is also a playwright and two ofhis plays, Through the Dark CloudsShining and From the Shannon to theSomme are inspired by stories fromhis book on the First World War.

Neil is also a member of theReserve Defence Forces and hisfamily have a long military traditionstretching back over 150 years. Hisgreat-grandfather’s experiences in thetrenches inspired this collection ofIrish veterans’ stories.

Tyrellspass Author Scoops Top Award

FILMOFFALY has announcedthat the 2010 FilmOffaly/Filmbase sponsored prize fornew and emerging filmmakershas been won by AilishBracken of Blinder Films forher script The End of the Reel.

This year's competition attracted morethan 100 entries, with the winnerselected after a rigorous short-listingand interview process. The End of theReel is a touching comedy/drama withreal warmth, depicting the emotionallengths a lonely old man will go to inorder to reconnect with his dead wife.Ailish explained: “The story germin-ated from an old rumour I heard thatwas started many years ago in ruralIreland that if a patron died in acinema the management would pay fortheir funeral.

“I am interested in the combinationof this storytelling tradition and of ourpreoccupation with the macabre.”Last year's FilmOffaly award winner,

Noreen, went on to scoop Best ShortFilm at the Galway Film Fleadh so thisyear's production will be eagerlyanticipated.

The film will be made on location inBirr and Kilcormac over the comingwinter months. Chairperson ofFilmOffaly, Councillor Molly Buckley,said: “We are delighted with theresponse and the outcome of thesecond year of the FilmOffaly award.We know that we have to be proactivein encouraging projects of this type tothe county and it is a source of greatsatisfaction for us to see Offaly as thesetting for the creativity of suchtalented artists.

“We look forward to working withthe production team over the winter,and to ensuring that everyoneassociated with this exciting projecthas a positive experience of working inOffaly.”

Writer and Director of The End ofthe Reel, Ailish, has had a busy year.To date she has worked on Come onEileen and Sensation - two new Irishfeatures which premiered earlier thisyear in Galway - is working on the

Savage Eye: Series Two for RTE and iscurrently on location with a newfeature, Citadel.

FilmOffaly operates under the aegisof Offaly County Council and works inpartnership with Filmbase, a supportorganisation for the independent filmand video sector in Ireland.

The award scheme is designed toencourage and support the work ofemerging, talented filmmakers. The winner receives €8,000 towardsthe cost of bringing the winning scriptto the screen which must be made inCounty Offaly.

Production costs are also assistedthrough the provision of free locationinsurance, a significant reduction onediting and equipment and a premiereat Tullamore Omniplex.

For further information visitwww.filmoffaly.ie

The End of the ReelCatches Top Film Prize

Whatsome of thepaperssaid…

”exceptional new publication”Westmeath Independent

“a stunning piece of research'” Munster Express

”this very rich text will be read withinterest by all those seeking tounderstand the impact of the war onIreland and the Irish’’www.warbooksreview.com

”a moving collection of stories aboutIrishmen who fought in that war,backed up by photos, diaries anddocuments that bring us closer tothese men than any book I have readbefore” Sunday Independent

”a remarkable collection of stories” The Kingdom

Neil Richardson

Ailish Bracken

Photographer Tim Durhaminterviewed SEE PAGE 25

“A UNIQUE and lastinglegacy” was how WestmeathArts Officer Catherine Kellydescribed two mosaic artworks created by artist LizJohnson at the official launchof the St Colmcille School,Gainstown, PerCent for Artproject.

In June 2009 the St Colmcille SchoolBoard of Management commissionedLiz Johnson, Visual Artist, to design,make and install two large-scalemosaics for the entrance foyer of thenewly extended school building. Thetheme for the mosaics was based onthe life story of St Colmcille.

The school selected two walls inthe main entrance foyer as sites forthe artwork, the first site being a wallopposite the main entrance and thesecond site an adjacent featurecurved wall. Liz developed designs toreflect the dimensions of the wallsand, in particular, to complement thearchitectural features of the space.

As part of the project Liz alsoundertook an Artist’s Residency at theschool which involved working with all214 pupils aged from five to 12 yearsold which included design workshopsand practical mosaic-making workshops.

Westmeath Arts Officer, Catherine

Kelly, added: “Gainstown has got thebest value for money from aprogramme like this. Some schoolsuse the money to buy a ready-madepiece of art. The importance ofbringing in an artist is that childrenare given the opportunity tounderstand how art is made.”

Mrs Antoinette Shaw, the SchoolPrincipal said: “Liz is a talentedvisionary artist who, while workingwith the children, has provided themwith a treasured memory of theirschool days. The children also learnedabout team work and their individualpieces have been built up into amasterpiece creating a lastingcontribution to the school.”

Teachers at the school noted: “Thechildren really enjoyed the wholeprocess and they will remember it.They loved that something of theirswill always be here. The artist hadprepared well before commencing theproject and therefore had thought ofall that was needed for the children tosatisfactorily take part.”

In the evaluation review The StColmcille School Arts Committee saidthat they were very proud of thisproject. “The children of our schoolenjoy, appreciate and feel greatownership of the mosaic artwork intheir school. We are very pleased withthe artist we chose who brought ourvision to reality with such talent andattention to detail of all other aspectsof the project.”

Pupils work with Artist Liz Johnsonto bring St Colmcille to life atGainstown National School

The Company creates spectacularindoor and outdoor work and hasbecome renowned internationally as acreative organisation that stretchesthe boundaries between several artsforms combining aerial skills withcontemporary circus, creating theatrefused with aerial dance, music and videoart while also creating spellbindingcontemporary circus suspended fromcranes, trees, buildings and boats!

Its most recent work is a stunningnew show entitled Hang On commiss-ioned by Westmeath County Councilwith support from Longford-basedShawbrook and The BackstageTheatre as well as Dance Ireland inDublin. The show is unique to Irelandas it uses aerial dance trapeze along-side contemporary circus and dancetogether with live music which is perf-ormed on stage throughout the show.

This aerial dance piece set in modernday is centered on two people trappedin the very often chaotic world ofbusiness with constant meetings,emails, mobile phones and deadlines.Dressed in corporate suits the twoperformers represent people whoinitially are passionate about reachingthe top of the profession but somethingchanges along the way and they realisethere is more to life and throughoutthe piece they find a way to worktogether in harmony. This is a veryraw, physical piece of work that isboth beautiful and moving.

The company has just recentlyreturned from Australia where theyperformed Hang On at the FreemantleArts Festival just outside Perth. Priorto that the group presented the pieceat the FiraTàrrega Festival in Spainand in the Project Theatre, Dublin aspart of the 2010 ABSOLUT Fringe

Festival. All these appearances haveled to the Westmeath dance troupesecuring bookings around the worldfrom South Africa to Spain and Iceland- to name but a few.

Fidget Feet are once again workingin association with Westmeath CountyCouncil to bring art to life for all thefamily.

A spokesperson for Fidget Feetsaid: “We are delighted to continueour relationship with the WestmeathCounty Council as they havecommissioned the company toperform A Fairies Tale in thespectacular setting of Tullynally Castleand Gardens.

“This beautiful and magical familyshow will be performed in the gardensof the castle so join us for this veryspecial show and find out who or whatis hiding out in some of the bestknown children's stories of all time.”

This show has already beenperformed in parks throughout NorthUK to more than 5000 parents andchildren and was performed in Irelandas part of The Eargail Festival whentickets sold out in advance of theshow. This is one of Fidget Feet’s fun,feel good and colourful show suitablefor schools, families and anyone witha heart.

For more information check outwww.fidgetfeet.com

Westmeath-based FIDGET FEET DANCE CO.Live the High LifeFIDGET FEET, founded in 2000 by choreographer Chantal McCormick and musician Jym Daly, is now Ireland’s foremost Aerial Dance TheatreCompany. Originally from Donegal Fidget Feet is now based near Rathowenin County Westmeath and is taking to the high life in its latest spectacular.

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Liz and her lasting legacyto St Colmcille School.

Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

BriefsOFFALYDESIGNERDATABASETHE ARTS Office of Offaly CountyCouncil is currently compiling adatabase of designers in Offaly forthe purposes of informing designersin regard to current and futureopportunities, seminars andexhibitions that may further thedevelopment of their design. Formore see www.offaly.ie/arts

WESTMEATHCOUNTY COUNCILARTS GRANTS 2011THE 2011 funding deadline forWestmeath County Council ArtsGrants is February 25, 2011. Westmeath County Council operatesthree arts grants schemes.

1: Individual ArtistsBursariesThis fund provides funding toindividual professional artists basedin Westmeath who earn a proportionof their annual income throughtheir artistic endeavours. WestmeathCounty Council will offer bursaries,each year, in respect of the profess-ional development of individualprofessional artists practicing in anyof the artistic disciplines outlined inthe County Arts plan.

2: Arts in Context Residency SchemeThe Arts in Context Residencyscheme provides specific projectfunding to artists to enable them towork with any school or communitygroup for arts projects acrossdisciplines. Funding issued byWestmeath County Council will godirectly to pay the artist’s fees andthe school or group must supplyand materials required for theproject. This scheme is to encouragemeaningful collaboration between aselected group of individuals and anartist working on a particular projectover a particular duration of time andto allow the group an opportunity toengage with an artist directly on aspecific project. This scheme givesemployment to an artist working witha group over a given period and itallows the group to gain specific skillsand expertise in the area of the arts.

3: Arts Act GrantsWestmeath County Council offersgrant aid to community, voluntary oramateur arts groups or organis-ations, which will stimulate publicinterest in the arts, promote theknowledge, appreciation and practiceof the arts or assist in improving thestandards of the arts. In this Act thearts are defined as painting,sculpture, architecture, music, film,drama, dance, literature, design inindustry and the fine arts and appliedarts generally.

For further information seewww.westmeathcoco/arts.ie

Site donatedfor TullamoreCommunityArts CentreIT HAS been revealed thatTullamore Town Councilhas donated a site toTullamore Community ArtsCentre Limited to developthe much-anticipated ArtsCentre for the town.

The commission fund has been split withCaroline receiving €16,000 for thecreation and installation of her artwork - acarved low relief woodcut, painted, inkedand sealed that will work over two levelsinternally. Greg is to receive €6,000 forthe creation of a musical composition andschool anthem. Both Caroline and Gregwill be working directly with the childrenand teachers over the coming months.

“It is very exciting for Emo NS to beassociated with Caroline and Greg and tobe involved in the conception of the finalpieces,” stated the Board ofManagement.

It is intended that the artworks will becompleted for April/May 2011.

“We very much look forward to seeingwhat both Caroline and Greg will createfor us here at Emo NS, the extendedschool and local community,” it added.

Why Caroline was a WinnerAFTER an open competition, two stageselection process, Caroline was awardedthe commission for her project proposalPlaces we love to be, things we love todo, which looks very much at the localnatural environment of Emo, the specialcharacter of the village married with theschools vibrant atmosphere and theimportance of music, sport and art

amongst other activities to the schoolcommunity.

She will be working with the schoolchildren on developing themes andcollected ideas for the final piece througha series of workshops.

Caroline has recently developed herpractice as a relief printmaker havinginitially studied architecture beforereturning to Art College in the 1980’s.Since her graduation she has worked as aprofessional artist primarily with large-scale woodcuts and low relief carvedwoodblock pieces. Caroline also comesto this project with a vast experience ofworking with children and youth groups onother public art commissions and fromher involvement in the Artists in Schoolsprogramme.

Caroline has already begun herresearch and has created a webpage toallow the children, their families, teachersand anyone who is interested to followthe project on www.emonsart.weekly.com

Why Greg was in Tune with EmoFOLLOWING a limited competitionassisted by the Contemporary MusicCentre Ireland and their Composers inSchools programme, Greg was selectedfor his very ambitious and detailedproposal to write a series of short pieces.

These pieces will be closely relatedbut each with its own character, perhapsfive or six or more.

Being pedagogic in nature, eachdesigned to broaden the musicalexperience of the young people towardsan appreciation of a contemporary musicsound world, while at the same timebeing technically realistic. Greg notedfrom his visits to the school the rich localhistory and would also like to develop thisconcept within the work. Greg’s proposalfurther includes a performance and arecording of the final pieces.

Greg was born in Belfast and studiedmusic at Queen’s University, Belfast. In2002, he completed his PhD incomposition under Piers Hellawell andJames Clarke. He has received awardsand his compositions have beenperformed throughout Europe and the US.He performs and has receivedcommissions from many performers andensembles as well as from RTE and BBCRadio 3. Greg lectures in Music andMusic Technology at the South EasternRegional College.

For further information and to listen tosamples of Greg’s work go towww.gregcaffrey.com

Arts commissioned for Emo National SchoolTHE PRINCIPAL, staff and Board of Management of Emo National School, County Laois, have announced that visual artist,Caroline Conway and composer Dr Greg Caffrey have been awarded the PerCent for Art Commission for the creation of newartworks for the new school building. The PerCent for Art Commission is part of the Department of Education & Science,PerCent for Art scheme.

The site in Tullamore is wellplaced at Kilbride Plaza,adjacent to the HeritageCentre and alongside theGrand Canal. SineadO’Reilly, Offaly Arts Officer,said: “This announcement islong awaited by the peopleof Tullamore who havecampaigned tirelessly for anarts centre for the past 10years.

“We are conscious that we are progressing thisdevelopment in financiallyand politically challenging

times, but the team behindthe project is committed anddriven to make it a reality.”

She went on to say thatthe word “community” wasat the heart of this project:“It is being developed byand for the people ofTullamore and surroundingareas, and its success willrely heavily on communityuse and support, now andinto the future."

The company driving theproject is a partnershipbetween the local

authorities and the arts andbusiness community ofTullamore. The company hascurrently €2m through theACCESS II scheme, whichwas obtained by OffalyCounty Council in 2007, andan enthusiastic fundingraising drive is nowunderway in Tullamore tomeet the capital short fallrequired to complete thelong awaited project.

The proposed centre will house an auditoriumcomprising around 250seats a dedicated gallery

and a cafe as well as anumber of multipurposebreakout rooms, which canbe used for workshops,rehearsals, and meetings. Currently a brief is beingprepared for an architecturaldesign competition tocelebrate the county’s newArts Centre.

To keep abreast of thedevelopment and to getinvolved in some of thefundraising initiatives seefacebook.com/tullamorecommunityartscentre

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An artist’s impression of how the new arts centre may look at its canal-side location.

WESTMEATHCOUNTYCOUNCILDEVELOPS

FILM COMMISSION

WESTMEATH County Councilis hoping it will be a case oflights, camera, and action inthe county as it strives todevelop a film commission.

The County Council is quick to pointout that there are a variety of locat-ions throughout Westmeath whichare just waiting for a productioncrew to start shooting and is urgingfilm-makers to give Westmeath theonce over when seeking a filmlocation which has it all.

“Whether it’s the rolling hills ofnorth Westmeath, the beautiful lakelands, the flowing River Shannon orthe architectural heritage of someof Westmeath's protectedstructures there is no doubt thatthe county offers an immensevariety of choices,” explained ArtsOfficer, Catherine Kelly.

Situated in the heart of Ireland,Westmeath can boast a uniquelandscape, a good road and railinfrastructure and plenty ofenthusiasm for hosting filmproductions. The county is easilyaccessible from all parts of Irelandwith the eastern part of the countywithin the commuter belt of Dublinand the western parts bordering theRiver Shannon.

The county is fast gaining recog-nition within the film industry and inAugust 2010 The Lotus Eaters byAlexandra McGuinness was shot inWestmeath on location inTurbotstown House, Coole and otherlocations in the north of the county.

The Lotus Eaters - set amongstthe limitless privilege of the brightyoung things of contemporaryLondon - follows Alice, an ex modeland struggling actress who findsherself unable to afford the lifestylethat her friends furiously pursue. Spending her time dodging bailiffsshe struggles to make sense of alife that she has become numb to. To find out more visitwww.lotuseatersmovie.com.

If you are you are consideringWestmeath as a location for yournext film production the CountyCouncil invites you to contactWestmeath Arts Office or check outits new websitewww.westmeathcoco.ie/filmcommission for informationand assistance.

POEMS by Eileen Casey, Pen andInk Drawings by Emma Barone,with an Introduction by GraceWells come together in newpublication From Bone toBlossom, which was recentlylaunched at Birr Library.(December 18, 2010)

Eileen Casey and Emma Barone whowere the recipients of County Offaly’sSupport for Artist’s Scheme, 2010,have seen their collaboration grow intoa series of images (pen and inkdrawings) and poems which containmany connecting themes based aroundbone and blossom – and hence FromBone to Blossom was born.

Although the images are monochrome,writer Grace Wells notes in herintroduction: “It is interesting to seehow both artists use colour within theirwork. Often colour enters the pen andink drawings with the same discretionthat Casey sews it into her poems.Both artists know the value in holdingback. Sometimes Casey offers us shyglimpses - a prick of blood on a finger;a charcoal smudge; lemon ice-cream.Then, like Barone’s trees, she gives uspages of black and white; we are absorb-ed in mood and interior contemplation.”

The nature of home and environment ina fragmented, contemporary landscapeis explored, together with the nature ofmemory itself. Barone has ‘long beenfascinated by the shape trees adopt,particularly on the west coast ofIreland. For Casey ‘it is an engagementwith the personal of emotional andhistorical experience archived in theworld of trees; experience whichultimately becomes universal’.The publication is designed by ArtsOrganisation Altents, South Dublin and

is also supported by South DublinCounty Council. The cover imagesOcean Sweep 1 and Ocean Sweep 11are also by Barone.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

BOTH artists have previously shownwork in Arás an Chontae, Tullamoreand are quickly establishing themselvesin their individual practices.

Barone’s work hasbeen featured inseveral magazinessuch as The IrishArts Review, SeniorTimes, House andHome, MidlandArts, MidlandTribune and TheSunday Independent,among others. She

has enjoyed seven successful solo

exhibitions to date, the most recent inThe Watergate Gallery, Kilkenny.

Casey, twice short-listed for a SundayTribune HennessyAward (fiction andpoetry), is currentlyreading for theMaster ofPhilosophy (CreativeWriting), TrinityCollege, Dublin. Herdebut poetry

collection Drinking the Colour Blue(New Island) was published in 2008.Spit and Clay won the 2010 GreenBook Festival Award, Los Angeles(poetry category). Assisted by CultureIreland, She is among the visitingwriters scheduled for the EasternKentucky University’s (MFA CreativeWriting) Winter Residency Programme,Lexington, Kentucky.

From Bone to BlossomLaunches in Birr

White fences make good neighbours

I’m painting the fences white, shed too,white as a gumdrop or a wedding shoe.

When that’s done I’ll float in a summer palacecanopied by pale-leaved whitebeam trees, lie on a blanket with my ice coloured cateat cake, be cooled by spigots of light.

I’ll read about Antarctica while butterfliesripen like berries, ignore warning telegramspipped by a blackbirdthree tiers up at least.

I’ll be whitening out lawnmowers, chainsaws,barking feuds, a neighbourhood’s graffiti of sound.

By Eileen Casey from Bone to Blossom

Anyone interested inchecking out the bookcan call into BirrLibrary, County Offaly.

Seahorse Sky, pen and inkdrawing by Emma Barone.

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BriefsLAOIS HITS THERIGHT NOTE APPLICATIONS for MusicNetwork/U2/Ireland Funds formusic education are to beinvited at the start of year.

In the meantime anyone interestedin applying is free to contact LaoisCounty Council Arts Office to findout more and receive guidance.Led by The Arts Office in LaoisCounty Council, a partnership hasbeen formed with Laois VEC andLaois Partnership Ltd, which will actas a Local Music Education Partner(LMEP) for Laois. The call forapplications for funding will be inJanuary 2011 and there arestringent guidelines in place as tohow an LMEP can access funds.

Some rules: Funding will only begranted for long-term sustainablemusic education programmes - one-off projects will not be considered.Individuals/ schools/music groupscannot apply independently – allapplications must go through theLMEP. Fifty per cent matching fundingis required – some of which may be‘in kind’. The funding is primarily tobe used for music tuition but capitalspending for instruments will beconsidered. Funding will not begiven for existing provision.

If you have any ideas for developinga long-term music programme foryour group/school or have anyqueries please contact Music Co-ordinator Nuala Kelly, Laois CountyCouncil on 057 867 4345 or emailartsoff@laoiscoco.ie

MASTERCLASSMIDLAND Masterclasses, aninitiative run by the Arts Services inLaois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeathis now in its third year. The schemewas developed in response to theprofessional needs of visual artists,musical enthusiasts, dancers,writers and performers right acrossthe Midlands. Running from Augustto October, the programme includesmasterclasses in Sculpture,Portraiture, Dance, Music,Performance, Photography and Webdesign. Contact the Arts Office on057 8674342/44.

WESTMEATHPLAN FOR ARTSWESTMEATH County Councillaunched its second artsplan earlier this year – WestmeathArts Plan 2010-2016. The plan setsout Westmeath’s policy forpromoting and developing the artsin the county over the next sixyears. The development processhighlighted the significant processmade to date and provides aframework within which WestmeathCounty Council will continue todevelop an integrated, effective andresponsive arts programme. The local authority recognises thepositive contribution of the arts tothe ongoing economic, social andcultural development of the County.To download a copy of the plan visitwww.westmeathcoco.ie/arts

OFFline Film Festivalproves a BLOCKBUSTER

PRESTIGIOUSHONOUR FORPORTARLINGTONPOETPORTARLINGTON poet JeanO’Brien has won of the mostrespected international literaryawards for poetry. Theprestigious Arvon InternationalPoetry Competition in Londonattracted thousands of entriesfrom more than 43 countriesincluding the Philippines, NewZealand, Zimbabwe and theUnited States of America.But, the judging panel chaired

by Poet Laureate, Carol AnnDuffy, and included leadingpoets Elaine Feinstein andSudeep Sen decided that itwas the Midland’s Jean whoshould scoop the accoladewith her poem Merman.

Jean was thrilled with herwin. “I am proud and delightedto be bringing such an awardback to Ireland. It is an honourto have your poem stand outfrom so many thousands ofyour peers and to receive histype of recognition.”

Budding writers will bepleased to hear that Jean is totake creative writing classes in

Portarlington in January 2011which are being hosted byPortarlington CommunityDevelopment Association -Arts and Heritage Group.

ABOUT JEAN O’BRIENJEAN O'Brien is a Dubliner nowliving in Portarlington. Her workis widely published in magazinesand journals. She has publishedthree collections of poetry, TheShadow Keeper (Salmon, 1997)Dangerous Dresses (BradshawBooks, 2005) and Lovely Legs(Salmon, 2009). She read for aM.Phil in Creative Writing fromTrinity College and facilitates

creative writing classes forvenues as diverse as the IrishWriters' Centre, Dublin CityCouncil, various County Councilsand in Mountjoy, Limerick andthe Midlands Prisons. She wasWriter-in-Residence for CountyLaois in 2005. She was lastyear's recipient of the FishInternational Poetry Award. Alsoin 2008 she was commissionedto write a poem for the OxfamCalendar. Fiona Sampson writingin the Irish Times described herpoetry as: "…effortless writing,graceful and exact as anypirouette in its insight".

IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA:

Carla Mooney (left) and her team,

winners of the first Offaly Film Festival

award for The Sandeman Man

with members of OFFline.

PORTARLINGTON, County Offaly,woman Carla Mooney and herteam with their film TheSandeman Man have beenannounced as the winners of theinaugural Offaly Film Festival,OFFline.

The first OFFline, which took place fromNovember 18 to 21 in Birr, offered thefilm lover a special and variedexperience in the form of three excitingstrands – Screenings, Workshops anda Filmmaking Competition.

The Short Film Making Competition,which is the first of its kind for theMidlands, attracted more than a dozenapplications for the coveted prize of€1,000 and a guaranteed slot at the2011 Galway Film Fleadh.

Four applications came from Offaly-based teams while other teamstravelled from as far afield as Sligo,Clonmel, Dublin and Galway. Local residents looked on with greatinterest as the various teams madetheir way around the heritage town andsurrounding countryside in search ofthat perfect shot.

Some residents – not content withmerely watching from the sidelines –mucked in and filled various cast andcrew roles for some of the visitingteams. Local businesses also ensuredthe festival's success by allowing theirpremises to be used as film sets forsome of the productions.

A wide array of International andIrish films was also screened over theweekend. One of the highlights of theweekend was the visit of directorMarian Quinn to the festival. Marian –

whose brother is actor Aidan Quinn -still has relations living in Birr and wasthrilled when asked to attend aQuestion and Answer session followingthe screening of her coming-of-agedrama 32A. The screening was verywell attended by locals and studentsfrom visiting schools alike – thanks tothe presence of the film on this year'sLeaving Certificate English syllabus.

Four different workshops were alsoheld during the festival. Industryprofessionals facilitated the sessionswith editing, scriptwriting, directing andDSLR movie making being the subjectsup for discussion. Given the success of this year'sfestival, OFFline is here to stay.

For more information visitwww.offlinefilmfestival.com or join thefestival on facebook.com/offlinefilm

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Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

“It was wonderful to receive the LaoisPatronage Award this year. It still is adelightful surprise and moreimportantly to have my peer’s affirmpositively my work has given me awonderful boost of confidence andencouragement.

“The Laois Patronage Award isallowing me to develop my workfurther into areas that withoutthe financial help it would nothave gone, and in all honestyopened up new horizons, evenbeing able to travel to seedifferent parts of the Landscapeis great,”enthused Patrick.

On a practical note Patrick added thatthe award had given him time toconsider his work and where it isgoing. “I have purchased a Nikoncamera, a video camera and soundrecording equipment which have allopened up a new artistic field, as itwere, to explore the Landscape infilmatic terms and experience, whichis really exciting,” he explained.He went on to say that theencouragement from the LaoisPatronage Award armed him with theextra confidence to apply to haveexhibitions. As a result, Patrick is tohave a joint show with Evelyn Glynn at

the Dunamaise Arts Centre. Called Memory Matters the showconcerns the role of memory,remembrance and forgetting andfeatures drawings, photography andsound installation.

Growing in stature, Patrick was alsoone of eight artists shortlisted for TheGallery of Photography Artists AwardShowcase Exhibition, which took placeon December 2. On top of that Patrickalso held a solo exhibition at theRiverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge inNovember.

“I also have joined the LimerickPrintmakers Studio, which offers acontinuation of my print and artisticwork when I leave college,”

His artistic work over the last fouryears and which he is continuing in hisMasters concerns Landscape andMemory: exploring our place in Nature

and Natures place in us. Patrick said that nature is the realm

of the infinite, that it can be a way ofcommunication with an immemorialhistory. “It is a breathing landscape towhere Nature reveals our ephemeralaspects of being.”

His work is varied and includesdrawing, prints, photography and videowhere each in its own way exploresand opens up, develops, answers andoffers up new questions to be askedabout his experience in Nature.

Most of all, Patrick is grateful forthe opportunities such an award hasafforded him. “I am looking forwardto being able to continue my workfrom the support of The LaoisPatronage Arts Award and to use thisopportunity offered towards a futurethat otherwise would have taken a lotlonger and so thank you.”

Laois PatronageAward Opens UpNew Horizons PATRICK Fitzpatrick who is currently in his second year of a Masters inFine Art Research in Print at Limerick School of Art and Design has saidthat receiving the Laois Patronage Award has “opened up new horizons”.

FOR MANY years, local artists andresidents have expressed a desire todevelop more amenities for artists inPortarlington. Earlier last yearPortarlington Community Developmentassociation (PCDA) established anarts and heritage sub-committee toprogress this concept.

The vision for the arts centre is tocreate a space where artists areenabled to be creative and to realisetheir creative potential. The centrewould hold classes for students andthe community and would be self-sustaining.

We have completed an initialfeasibility study which will look at thepotential benefits and viability of anarts and creative centre in the area.From this analysis the steeringcommittee selected the redevelop-ment of the existing site of the Port-arlington community centre to incorporatean arts and creative centre.

The feasibility study began in June2010 with a facilitated meeting with

the AHG. This meeting set out thevision for the PACC and looked at howeffective consultation could beachieved. A number of communityconsultations were held to gather theviews and comments of a range ofindividuals ranging from communitygroups to artists working and living inPortarlington.

In addition to the communityconsultations a brief questionnairewas designed and circulated to thoseorganisations and individuals incontact with the PCDA who may havean interest in supporting the develop-ment of an arts and creative centre.

The feasibility study showed asolid desire on the part of the comm-unity and regional arts developmentagencies to explore in greater detailthe possibilities for the developmentof the PACC. There is good evidencethat there would be good communitysupport for such a development. It was clear from the consultationsand the research process to date that

there is a potential market for a viablearts and creative centre inPortarlington. The consultationshowed that the public perceive manybenefits, not just for artists but alsofor the community in general. The public community facilities inPortarlington have lagged behindthose of other towns and there was asense in the consultations that anarts and community centre would bewarmly received by both the artisticcommunity and the target audiencesin the community.

Local artists, in particular, wouldwelcome such a development basedon their first hand knowledge of thelack of facilities which enable artistscreate work and interact with thecommunity.

We would welcome comments orideas that you may have on theproject, or if you require additionalinformation please do not hesitate tocontact sandracarrpcda@gmail.com inthe Portarlington Community Centre.

Arts and Creative Centre for Portarlington?Sandra Carr from the Portarlington Community Centre writes that there is supportfrom the public as well as artists for an Arts and Creative Centre in Portarlington.

The Lady and the Lark, Portumna Forest Park, Co. Galwayby Patrick Fitzpatrick

Patrick Fitzpatrick

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Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

OLDC FUNDINGTHE ARTSBUDDING filmmakers, storywritersand poets who need funding fortheir projects are urged to contactOffaly Local Development Company(OLDC) who may be able to helpwith some of the costs associatedwith seeing your script on the bigscreen.

Birr Film Festival, receivedfunding by OLDC towards some of the marketing costs associatedwith the festival and for thepurchase of some specialisedcamera equipment for the event.

Offaly Local DevelopmentCompany (OLDC) is a state-fundedorganisation that delivers a rangeof programmes and supports topeople, communities and busi-nesses in County Offaly. Theseprogrammes aim to make Offaly abetter place to live by enhancingcommunity life, combating dis-advantage and social exclusion and supporting the development of enterprise in the county.

To see if you qualify for fundingcontact 057 9352467 or emailinfo@oldc.ie

BriefsKINDERMUSIKPROGRAMMEKINDERMUSIK Programme is apartnership initiative betweenWestmeath and Offaly CountyCouncil and both VECs for youngchildren to experience music withtheir parents. It is an innovative,introductory music outreachprogramme specifically designed forpre-school children. The project isaimed at a variety of parent/childgroups and the end performancesare shared with the entirecommunity. The project runs inAthlone, Mullingar, Kinnegad,Daingean, Kilcormac and Clara andis currently facilitated by NoelO’Farrell. For further informationsee www.westmeathcoco.ie/artsor www.offaly.ie/arts

MIDLAND YOUTHORCHESTRATHE MIDLANDS Youth Orchestra,based in Kinnegad, provides anopportunity for young people fromvarious ensembles across theMidlands to perform together underconductor and director VincentHunt. The initiative has proved ahuge success with the orchestraplaying numerous concerts invarious locations throughout themidlands as well as the NationalConcert Hall in Dublin. The Lir Youth Orchestra is the WestmeathOrchestra of the Midlands YouthOrchestra. Both projects aresupported by Westmeath, Laois and Offaly County Councils and theVECs. For further information seewww.westmeathcoco.ie/artswww.laois.ie/artswww.offaly.ie/arts

TAKING TO THE STAGELAOIS Youth Theatre are currentlyre-enroling members for the nextterm. New members are alsowelcome to join the different groupsin the county and these include:Portlaoise, Portarlington,Mountrath, Stradbally andRathdowney. For more informationcontact 057 8674342/41.

CHICK LIT CHARMSTHE PUBLIC

GRÁINNE Toher, who has lived inMullingar for two years only unveiledher first chick lit novel Comings andGoings in the summer but has alreadycaptured the imagination at home andabroad as she packs her bags to headfor London and book signings inWaterstones in the New Year.

And, not one to put the pen downGrainne has already beencommissioned for book two and isalready working on a sequel.

Gráinne told Midlands Arts and CultureMagazine: "The launch with theMullingar Scribblers as part of theWestmeath Culture Night in theAnnebrook Hotel was fantastic! Wehad a great crowd and a great night.”

Comings and Goings has beendescribed as a 'great little read' by herfriends and colleagues. But acclaimhas also been independent andwidespread with Keith Finneganfrom Galway Bay FM describing it as “a lovely little story, with something foreveryone” and The Meath Chronicleclaiming, “Gráinne Toher belongs to anew breed of confident women writerswho write about modern life as theysee it”.

In recent months Gráinne has beenbusy with book signings andreadings in places and for groups asdiverse as Blanchardstown Library,

Ilac Library, Tuam Library, MullingarLibrary, Boyne Writers Group,Scribblers Writers Group, MullingarBook Club Meet Up and the Centre forCreative Arts in Dublin - to name only afew. She is now also a regular on airhaving been interviewed on Phoenix FMand Galway Bay FM. She said: "Thereaction has been fantastic. Mostpeople see it as a cheerful brightbook with a pink cover in these gloomytimes. It’s a good news story in badnews times. People are respondingvery well and the publisher hasreported the sales as consistent andvery good."

Speaking about her new book Gráinnerevealed: "My new book is, again,inspired by popular culture and eventsgoing on around me. I'd say we arelooking at another year or year anda half before it hits the shelves. I havea new set of characters and they arestarting to take shape and take on alife of their own, I'm having loads offun with it.

“I showed some of the chapters to myhusband Michael (Ahearne) and mymum Mary (Toher) and they got a fewlaughs. It touches on serious thingsagain like the other book but withloads of humour and lets face it wecan all use a laugh these days."

When asked if she felt more pressurewriting this second book Gráinneresponded by saying: "Not yet! Thefirst book was such an adventure, plusthe reaction and subsequent successwas such a surprise that I am justtrying to approach the second one thesame way – do a bit of it every day if Ican, enjoy the creative process and letgo of the outcome!

“Throughout the whole thing, I'vediscovered anything is possible -literally! Like me, they [my friends andfamily] think it’s all a bit mad reallybut they enjoyed the book and keepasking me how the second one isgoing."

Briege Madden talks to writer and overnight success Gráinne Toher who unveiledher first book at the launch of Culture Night in Dublin Castle over the summer andwho is already scribbling down words for a sequel due out in 2011/2012.

9

Westmeath Culture Night 2010SEE PAGE 28

A grand unveiling of plans for the ArthouseStudios, Stradbaly took place in mid November inStradbally Hall where guests on the day includedrepresentatives from Laois County Council, TheArts Council, the National College of Art andDesign and the Crafts Council of Ireland.

Guest speaker, Ms Pat Moylan, Chairperson of the Arts Council described the plans as“ambitious and exciting”. She said: “Thepossibilities are endless. The arts are for us. It’s who we are. It’s our culture. Arthouse isanother jewel in Laois’s crown that will twinkle 52 weeks of the year.”

Professor Declan McGonagle, Director NCAD,stressed the importance of the Arthouse. “This is a serious, well conceived, strategic project…a very imaginative partnership. The economy isbroken in Ireland at the moment, not the culture.It’s the culture which will sustain us.”

This development includes the refurbishment andextension of Stradbally Courthouse to provide astate of the art community library, artists’ studiosand living accommodation, an exhibition gallery, arehearsal space, a kiln, and a garden space with

a commissioned PerCent for Art wall mountedartwork.

Spaces in the complex will be available for use bylocal community groups and the library, decoratedin attractive and appealing colours, has specialareas for children to read and familiarisethemselves with its treasures.

Despite the refurbishment and modernisation, the Arthouse retains all its original features. The detached late-Georgian building, its double-pitched, hipped roof, limestone coping, plinths,

sills, surrounds, pedimented door cases andsash windows are restored to their former crafted elegance.

Arts Officer Muireann Ní Chonaill explained: “The Arthouse studios represent an importantresource to add to the strong Arts Programmeand strategies already present in the county,under the direction of Laois County Council. Theinitiative will be of real value to the ongoing ArtsProgramme, the community and the visual artsand design sector in Ireland.

“It will also represent an important pathway forartists from outside Ireland to make a valuablecontribution to widening and deepening publicexperiences and direct involvement in the arts.”

SET TO OPEN DOORS IN MARCH THE ARTHOUSE Stradbally is due to draw back the curtains in March following

funding from Laois County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture and

Sport. The refurbishment and development of the Arthouse Studio and Library

has cost €1.5 million. Grant aid of €440,000 was awarded through the Access

Programme from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The balance of

€1.06 million has been invested by Laois County Council.

“The creation of this newresidency programme is alsoimportant to ensure that artistsare able to remain in the regionas well as attracting outsideartists to come and participatein the vibrant cultural life of thesurrounding area.”

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Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

Pictured are staff of Laois County Council, Arts Council,NCAD and CCOI at the unveiling of the plans

Pictured is Chairwoman of the Arts Council, Pat Moylan

County Manager, Mr Peter Carey stated: “Laois isa county very proud of its history and Stradballyhas history in abundance. Stradbally (AntSráidbhaile: Town with One Street) is set in aspectacular location of natural beauty and is justover an hour from Dublin - a hub of activity as farback as 600AD when it was called Mon-au-Bealing, Colman Uí Laoise, Columcille’s disciple,established his monastery here.”

He added that the luminaries of Peter BurrowsKelly, Canon John O’Hanlon, Cecil Day Lewis andKevin O’Higgins were all from Stradbally or itsenvirons.”

Information on the Studio Award and Schemesand for the PerCent for Art Commission attachedto the development can be downloaded from thewebsite www.laois.ie

“Arthouse is another jewel in Laois’ crown that will twinkle 52 weeks of the year.”

Working in partnership toensure successLAOIS County Council has forged a number ofkey partnerships to ensure the success of thisnew enterprise and that every support andassistance will be given to artists and crafts-people through mentoring, programming andexhibition opportunities. These partnershipsinclude working with the National College of Artand Design where a bursary is available to agraduate from the NCAD to the value of€10,000. The Craftsperson Studio Scheme isbeing set up in association with the CraftsCouncil of Ireland where mentoring andbusiness support will be given to the successfulcandidate to grow his or her enterprise. Theremaining studios are available to professionalartists, local, national and international. A number of development agencies will alsoform an integral part of this project including,the County Enterprise Board and FÁS.

Project welcomed in Laois and BeyondNEWS of the ambitious development has alsoproved a welcome resource for those outsidethe county. Noel Kelly of Visual Artists Ireland(VAI) enthused: “VAI welcomes the news of thenew studio programme as it is critical that asmany new residency programmes as possibleare established in areas such as Stradbally,and in the Midlands in particular, because ofthe central role that residents play as guidesand role models for the arts in local areas. “The creation of this new residency programmeis also important to ensure that artists areable to remain in the region as well asattracting outside artists to come andparticipate in the vibrant cultural life of thesurrounding area.”

A proud tradition in StradballySTRADBALLY COURTHOUSE is home to theCosby family for more than 400 years and ishost to the annual Stradbally Steam Rallyand the Electric Picnic, which is widelyaccepted as the most innovative and popularmusic festival in the national cultural calendar.It is also home to McKeon Stone, thelimestone yard known to sculptors nationallyand internationally.

11

The new gallery

The outside of Stradbally Courthousewhere the new arthouse is set to open

A look at the gardens outside the new arthouse.

SINCE MEM Players was setup in 1997 by a group ofamateur drama enthusiastsfrom the Milltown, Emperand Moyvore areas of CoWestmeath the group hasbecome a regular feature ofthe performance calendar inthe county.

But, the history of the group predatesits official launch as it was born out ofthe Milltown Drama Group which wasa very successful amateur dramagroup in the 1970s. It took part inmany drama festivals at the time andwon numerous awards, most notably,in 1976, the Coole Drama Festivalwith the Three Act Comedy TroubledBatchelors by A J Stanley. Following abreak in the 1980s and 1990s, thegroup was re-invented as the MEMPlayers by some of original membersof the Miltown Drama Group and somenewcomers.

The group plays a crucial role inencouraging interest from the youth ofthe area in the art form. Drama isintroduced to the children in the localNational School with weekly visitsfrom Mullingar based drama teacherOlive Whelan. They are furtherencouraged as teenagers through thelocal Foroige Group. Also, one of thegroup’s members produces a noveltyact and recitation for the Scor na nÓgcompetition each year. Some membersare secondary school students whoare being encouraged to get involvedinitially backstage with a view to intro-ducing them to the cast in the future.

Each year, MEM Players stage aproduction over three nights and, inearlier years, productions were stagedin the old parish hall. Now the grouphas a larger and more modern venuein the new Milltown Community Centre,just a 15 minute drive from Mullingarand a mile from the village ofRathconrath on the Ballymahon Roadbeside the local GAA football pitch.

Recent productions from the MEMPlayers include My Wife’s Family byHal Stephens & Harry B Linton, aswell as a number of plays by

Rathowen playwright, Jimmy Keary -Where There is a Will, Up the GardenPath, Mother Knows Best, HereComes the Bride and Fortunes &Misfortunes. Last year was the firstyear the players benefited from PaulCurley’s experience and knowledge ofamateur drama when he produced theSam Cree Three Act Comedy CupidWore Skirts.

In 2010, the group had anothersuccessful production by Paul withanother Three Act Comedy by SamCree, Widow’s Paradise. Widows’Paradise is set on a Friday evening inSeptember in the 1960s in a caravan.The story centres around a group offive women who go to a caravan parkfor a weekend break where theirintention to have a quiet weekendalone is upset by the arrival of threemen who are on a fishing trip. Apassing traveller calls in when his carbreaks down and the local farmer alsopays a visit. There are no shortage ofdisagreements and misunderstandings,all providing hilarious consequences.

“This has been a new direction for ourset design team, who have put all of theirexpertise together to produce a fantasticset,” explained the MEM Players.

But, MEM Players really is a teameffort because as well as castmembers each production has aprofessional back room teamcomprising of hairdresser, makeupartist, costume designers, lighting andsound technicians, stage designersand stage hands.

Members have participated in variousdrama workshops, some of which wereheld exclusively for MEM Players andothers which involve members fromother amateur drama groups.

Last year two members of the groupreceived a bursary from WestmeathCounty Council to take part in aDrama League of Ireland SummerSchool week in Limerick where theygained valuable insights which theythen shared with the rest of the group.

Preparations are now underway for thenext production secheduled for Spring2011. New members and anyone withan interest in amateur drama andwould like to get involved either onstage or behind the scenes are invitedto contact any member of the group.

TREADING THE BOARDS:MEM Players takecentre stage inCo. Westmeath

TADS HalloweenParty with adifferenceCHARLEVILLE Forest Castle, astark edifice standing silently in its wooded estate, populated byghosts, much visited by touristsand now…frequented by…actors!

When it comes to any old building,rumours of haunting abound, butCharleville has recently been hauntedby a different breed of spectre –Tullamore Amateur Drama Society(TADS) which held a spookfest therelast Halloween.

“It was mainly to raise awarenessof TADS in the town,” said DeniseKeoghan, Chairperson. “We had hada successful run with An Evening ofFunny Conversations in Hugh Lynch’slast May and we have a core group ofnew, enthusiastic members. Halloweenwas close when we decided to dosomething new and it was a naturaldecision to base our next productionin the Castle.”

Guests at the party weremet by the screams of acoven of Shakespeareanwitches at the door.

A stream of sheikhs, vampires,ghosts, pirates, witches, Cleopatra,Cruella deVille, Snow White, MinnieMouse and one distinguished manwearing a ducal coronet all ascendedthe broad staircase to the ballroomon the first floor mezzanine wheremost of the action was taking place.

Tickets for paranormal tours of thecastle, which is allegedly haunted,were distributed throughout the night. The music, drinks, food and dancingtook place in the majestic ballroomwhere the spectacular ceiling, largefireplaces and tall gilt-framed mirrorslent an air of antique elegance andbaroque decay to the affair.

There were sketches, scenes frompopular movies, poetry and dance. Seanchaí John Gaffey thrilled theguests to spooky tales by the fire.Two original playlets, Weak Tea andTOADS, written and directed by

TADS’ members Marguerite Cahilland Paul Farrell were also performedin other rooms.

Two guides in period costumewere on hand to help with the toursof the castle and, in a demonstrationof their diverse talents, one of theseguides treated those in attendanceto an exhibition of Middle Easterndance later in the evening.Not only was the event a showcasefor the diverse talent of TADSmembers and the beauty andelegance of the castle, it was also areunion for those TADS membersfrom the 80s, 90s and even the so-called naughties who had lost touchwith the group.

A slideshow of past dramaticendeavours, old programmes andphotos from rehearsals wasdisplayed throughout the night. A presentation was made to formerChairpersons Mary Dunne andFionnuala Corrigan in recognition oftheir past achievements in thepioneer years of the group. Fionnualawas recognised for her sterling workin the lead up to the allocation of thenew Tullamore Arts Centre site.“This event was a credit to TADS,”one guest enthused. “It was very wellput together and everyone enjoyedthemselves. The costumes were verygood and the plays and poetry wereexcellent.”

It is hoped that this event haspaved the way for many similarevents in the future and that with thenew Arts Centre in the offing morepeople will become members andpatrons of TADS and help speed thegroup to its next ‘scene-change’.

TADS would like to express itsthanks to the Findlater Wine andSpirit Group, the Tullamore DewHeritage Centre, Eugene Kelly’s andHugh Lynch’s for their generous helpand sponsorship.

Adults wishing to join TADS orneeding information on any of itsactivities should contact SusanMcDonnell on 089 4365266.

Cast of Widows Paradise

SPOOKY: Members from TADS dressed to impress.12

ARTPAGE 14 Multi-Award winning Laois poet Ann Egan looks back at her year as Writer-in -Residence withLaois County Council PAGE 16 Midlands Arts and Culture Magazine speaks to Offaly Filmmaker PaddySlattery about The Moment PAGE 20 Sculpture in the Parklands PAGE 25 Midlands Arts and CultureMagazine Talks to Photographer Tim Durham PAGE 28 Dublin Culture Guru Urges Midlands to EmulateWestmeath Success as first Ireland Culture Night 2011 Nears

13

CULTURE VULTURES: Athlone trio The GoldenSisters were on song at the very first WestmeathCulture Night. See pages 28 and 29 to find outhow Westmeath is leading the way for IrelandCulture Night 2011.

I HAVE just spent a magical year asLaois Writer-in-Residence. I wasdelighted when Laois Arts Officer,Muireann Ní Chonaill offered me theresidency as it was a great joy for meto travel my home-county’s ways and work alongside its people of six generations.

The residency began with a twomonths’ stint in November andDecember 2009. I submitted mythemed plan of, Laois A Sense ofPlace and a Time of Christmas,which received full approval andwonderful support.

I travelled to schools, primary andsecondary, to RehabCare Portlaoise,to adult groups and young people’sgroups in libraries and in Áras anChontae giving readings andfacilitating creative writing.

In return I received original andhonest stories and poems that werea powerful commemoration ofhomeplace and an evocative celebrationof Christmas memories – whether thewriter was six or 86!

I also edited and prepared forpublication the poems ofPortarlington poet, John Kirwan.

I believe achievements must beacknowledged and so also does

Laois Arts Office. In December,Muireann Ní Chonaill and BridieKeenan, Assistant Arts Officer hadan evening of commemoration andcelebration organised in Áras anChontae with special guest, PatMoylan, Chairperson of the ArtsCouncil, sharing the stage with thewriters.

Members of Laois School of Music,under the tutelage of its Co-ordinator,Nuala Kelly, per formed seasonalsongs. It was a spellbinding night.

Owing to the success of the

residency and to demand, the ArtsOffice invited me to develop the ideaof the writer in the communityfurther. Laois’s midland setting hasconferred on it a rich heritage offolklore and a multiplicity of traditions.

My plan for the second part of myresidency, entitled Filíochta Laoise,was based on an idea of amultidisciplinary project of poetry,stories, songs and meditations of sixgenerations.

I chose the story of FionnMacCumhaill – he had spent hisinfancy and early boyhood in Laois - tocarry and unite the strands of my idea.

Between February and May, Itravelled to 23 schools, primary andsecondary for three one-hour visits,five libraries, adult groups and younggroups in Árus an Chontae. I toldstories of Fionn MacCumhaill, chosethemes, related them tocontemporary life, facilitatedworkshops. Soon I had collected 900unique writing pieces – poems,stories, monologues, benedictionsand meditations.

Every writer dreams of having theirwritings in a book. The Arts Officebrought that dream to fruition with itscommitment to publish the 2010

Laois Anthology. A special andstunning cover painting wascommissioned from Laois artist,Niall Fitzpatrick.

Over the summer, I selected,edited, collated and blended in 130interactive writings of hundreds ofwriters of all ages.

I wrote The Book of Elba – acreative writing handbook – to meldthe creativity into a coherent story.

The final stage of my residencywas working alongside the ArtsOffice to showcase our writers in themuch acclaimed, Leaves 2010Literary Festival. John Kirwan’sbeautiful poetry collection, A LaoisMeditation was launched, as was the2010 Laois Anthology, Laois Echoeswith Fionn MacCumhaill.

Jennifer Johnston, Anthony Cronin,Michael Harding, Michael Coady,Peter Cunningham and myself readduring the festival accompanied byNuala Kelly, Triona Marshall andVivienne Graham and hosted bySeamus Hosey, Muireann Ní Chonailland Bridie Keenan.

In Mountmellick Library a veryspecial reading by young writers beforea packed audience was the highpoint of this residency for me.

Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

14

Multi-award winning Laois poet Ann Egan looks back at her year asWriter-in-Residence with Laois County Council.

Ann who has an MA in History and aBA in Languages has a plethora ofawards under her belt. Her awardsinclude: The American Ireland Fund,The Annaghmakerrig Prize, Writers’Week Listowel Poetry Prizes andRTÉ Radio 75 Years.

Her books are Landing the Sea(Bradshaw Books), The WrenWomen (The Black Mountain Press)and Brigit of Kildare (Kildare Libraryand Arts Services).

She has held several writingresidencies, edited 14 books,edited The Midlands Arts andCulture Magazine and co-editedThe Great Book of Maynooth.

The Wren Women was dramatisedby Writers’ Week Listowel.

Her work has been broadcast onRTÉ Radio 1 and on local radiostations. She is widely published athome and abroad.

Laois Echoes

“Every writerdreams of havingtheir writings in a book. The ArtsOffice broughtthat dream tofruition with itscommitment topublish the 2010 Laois Anthology.”

About Ann Egan...

with Fionn MacCumhaill

M

QUITE A STORY:The cover from the 2010 Laois Anthology with coverpainting commissionedfrom Laois artist, NiallFitzpatrick.

HAVING cut my teeth as a teenagejournalist in the Leinster Express anda practising member of the fourthestate for over 30 years ever since,old habits die hard. While I haveearnestly set about learning newtricks such as surfing and yoga thisold dog still barks or at the very leastharks back for relevance.

And while not everyone can live thelife of a hippy full on, I do believe weall have an inner hippy – singing at thetop of your voice in the shower, skinnydipping, picking hazel nuts and blackberries from the hedgerows all qualifyyou – and from that hippy voice insideyour head, heart, belly or soul we allhave loads to learn if we only listened...

Inspired by the arrival of theRainbow Travellers to the SlieveBloom Mountains in the summer of1993, The Buddha of Ballyhuppahaunis strongly influenced by the satiricalclassics Gulliver’s Travels and AnimalFarm and also draws on the parablesand philosophy of Zen Flesh, ZenBones. Most recently at the Dublinlaunch of the book by the artist MickO’Dea in the Kevin Kavanagh Gallery,a colleague likened it to The Crock ofGold by James Stephens.

For his part Mick O’Dea was struckby the book’s capacity to turn theparochial into the universal (afterPatrick Kavanagh).

I have always wanted to write thisbook and tell this story. It's beenkicking around inside my head for 17years. When I lost my job inmainstream journalism I finally gotthe time and space to knuckle down,stop talking about it and finally do it.

I came up with the title back at thatEuropean Rainbow Gathering nearRosenallis and the following year Iwent to Slovenia to attend thegathering in 1994 and again live withthe Rainbow Travellers.

When you are living in a tepee withperfect strangers on the side of amountain in the Slieve Blooms or

Slovenia at the height of the BalkanWar you have an unusual opportunityin this surreal setting to ponder themeaning of life.

The things that struck me mostabout the Rainbow Travellers are theirgentleness, generosity, resourcefulness,their sense of responsibility andcommunity. As I was leaving thegathering in Slovenia, I said to onefriend called Martin that I washeading back to the real world and hereplied: “I don't know where you aregoing, but this is the real world.”

Another interesting aspect of thebook is that it’s independently publishedto the highest production values andbest practice in environmental standardshere in Ireland. At a time when somany books by Irish authors are being

produced and printed abroad thisbook is designed by Gillian Reidy'sPenhouse Design in Ratheniska,printed by Martin Connolly's PrintCentral in Portlaoise, edited by DarrenO’Loughlin, with drawings by GemmaGuihan. There is also an audio bookversion narrated by Nick Anton, allbased in County Laois.

The Buddha of Ballyhuppahaun – ANew Age Fable by Johnny Renko isavailable in all good bookshops,priced €15.

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HIPPY, HIPPY, SHAKE:The cover of Buddha of Ballyhuppahaun

where John Whelan explores his inner hippy.

WHAT do you get when you mix 200enthusiastic voices and bodies with anArtist in Residence? You get a classshowcase like no other says SusanneHogan, Artist in Residence – MountTemple National School, Co. Westmeath.

When asked to work with an entireschool for one day per week for six weeksthe first thing to consider is how best tooptimise fun and learning, with a overallperformance objective. As an artist Ialways endeavour to create somethingthat is visually wonderful. As a dramatistand a teacher there are performance andlearning objectives that must be met.Finally, as a child at heart, the element offun is, of course, the most crucial part ofthe process.

For our work every week, my classesand I have drawn on the tradition of bardsand storytellers. The junior and seniorinfants are working on the oral traditionof storytelling with iconic children’s tales.The junior class is examining theAmerican classic Goodnight Moon byMargaret Wise Brown and the senior classis presenting The Gruffalo by JuliaDonaldson – unequivocally a childhoodfavourite. In working with storytelling theyounger classes gain an introduction intothe basics of per formance and

expression thus developing their buddingself-confidence.

For the older classes, first through tosixth, we are focusing on a mix ofimprovisational scene work to develop anunderstanding of stagecraft andcharacter. Each scene a group exploresencourages them to think on their feetand learn, in a very organic, hands-onway, the art of the Theatre.

As each group gets to put their ownindividual spin on the scene they aregiven, the children have the opportunity toexplore their creativity, their self-expression, their own understanding of atopic and so therefore claim ownership ofwhat they subsequently present to thegroup. This has led to scenes where awashing machine refuses to wash or acat disrupts the family meal with amusingresults and, most importantly, garnerscomplete engagement and support bothfrom the performers and the audience.

As well as acting, the classes havebeen working on a song piece each, muchin the vein of Glee. The Glee approach tomusic and movement came about as away to broaden the concepts ofperformance and demystify dance assomething that is only for girls!

Each group chose collectively their own

song which they wish to perform and thejoy and the verve with which therespective classes, including the boys,have thrown themselves into singing anddancing their pieces has been fantasticto watch.

We have incorporated all styles ofdance from Jazz, Irish, Hip Hop,Breakdancing and Ballet as well asContemporary and even some acrobaticand ribbon work with the studentsdrawing on their own repertoire of movesalong with the pieces we havechoreographed.

I have been working in theatre andperformance for 20 years now both onand off the stage, always broadening myhorizons and keeping everything freshthrough the exploration of new ideas andby crossing disciplines to create a newapproach to the work that I do as both anartist and a teacher. This freshness ofideas imbibes all the work with youth witha sense of fun. It allows for thespontaneous flow of creatvity and insistsupon turning it into performance. For thechildren at Mt Temple this has meant thateach class is new, fun, unexpected andmost definitely never ever boring!

DON’T WORRYBE HIPPYFormer journalist John Whelan goes native as JohnnyRenko in new book brought to life in County Laois.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE AND PUPILS FROM MOUNT TEMPLENATIONAL SCHOOL MIX THINGS UP WITH GLEE

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“And while noteveryone can live thelife of a hippy full on,I do believe we allhave an inner hippy”

John Whelan (middle) with friends.

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Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

Face-to-Face with award-winning County Offaly Filmmaker, PADDY SLATTERY

Face-to Face-

“I’m certain I would not have the good fortune to live out my dreams as a filmmaker, or even as a singer-songwriter, if not for that car accident.”

Mark McCauley, Director of Photography for The Moment,Actress, Maureen O'Donovan (wife holding dying mans hand)and Eamon Rohan (dying man in bed). Eamon was in notableshows like Fr Ted, Ballykissangel and The Clinic.

Paddy Slattery may have wonnumerous awards and accoladesfrom Clones to South Africa for hisnew film The Moment but the firstthing he tells Midlands Arts andCulture Magazine’s Briege Maddenis that he not good at interviews. “Ialways feel like I’ve just got caughtsleeping at the back of class by theteacher, then asked to write theanswer of the question on theblackboard!”

When did you become interested infilms?

I guess, as far back into mychildhood as I can remember; I lovedthe temporary licence to escape intomy imagination and film, more thananything else, gave me thatopportunity. It was films like ET, WillyWonka & the Chocolate Factory, TheSnowman, Ben Hur and so manyother classics that just blew my mindand when I’d go to bed that night I’dfind myself back in that land of makebelieve. I’ve always had a vividimagine too which helped.

Is that always what you wanted to do? To be honest, filmmaking was not

something I would have everconsidered as a career option. Forstarters, I left school very early andfigured my future would involveworking on a building site so that’swhat I pursued. I did love the physicalwork and ability to express myselfcreatively through carpentry andpainting etc but I found myselfbecoming bored very quickly. Inevit-ably, my only motivation was the pay-cheque on Friday which is not entirelybad, but never affords you the timeto discover your true calling in life.

Read about your accident on yourwebsite – how has this changed your outlook on life?

I’m not so sure the accidentchanged my perspective on life, but itcertainly changed the direction. Infact, if not for the ‘accident’ (whichby the way, I don’t believe in) I’m afirm believer that becomingphysically disabled was destined tobe. Of course it was, otherwise Iwouldn’t be writing this… Anyways,sorry, I’m straying off point. I tend tostray. Sometimes I need to keep mymind on a leash.

But to answer your question… I’mcertain I would not have the goodfortune to live out my dreams as afilmmaker, or even as a singer-songwriter, if not for that car accident.

One thing I did learn from beingparalysed is that my physicalrestriction plays a very slight role inmy life and through the ability toregister every possible human emotionthrough the power of my imagination,I’m left with a newfound appreciationfor the finer things in life – things I

once took for granted. Essentially, Idiscovered the most valuableblessing a person could ever hope tofind, which is myself.

A man with many talents – tell meabout your singing career

Well, the singing came naturally Isuppose, as I come from a big familyof singers. I think the first time itbecame a necessity in my life waswhen my diaphragm collapsed frommy spinal chord injury. Myphysiotherapist asked me if I couldsing, and if so, I should sing for mylife, otherwise I will end up on aventilating machine for the rest of mylife. I replied to her with the first verseof We are the Champions by Queen!

The song writing came from layingin a hospital bed for over a year,listening to manufactured pop on theradio against my will, coupled withthe growing desire to vent my ownfrustration. Hence my goal to writebetter lyrics than the garbage wehear ninety-nine per cent of the timeon our radios. I don’t mean anydisrespect but the anatomy of a songis not that complicated and I figuredif these flash-in-the-pan boy bandscould have so much social influence,then why can’t I? Of course, that wasbefore I understood the politics of themusic industry… In all seriousness, Inever considered a music career butI love singing so much that it felt like

the natural road to follow.

Tell me about your latest film TheMoment. How did it come about and where did you get yourinspiration from for it?

This film is about the final 10minutes in an old man’s life andbefore he passes we witness how hisundying love for his wife becomes hisfinal motivation. I’m always inspiredby stories of someone who may beon their deathbed but defy all physicallimitations to see a particular personone more time.

I also believe that death, in thephysical sense, in not the end but aprocess of renewal. And there is toomuch evidence in my life and theworld around me to suggestotherwise. Therefore, The Moment,albeit a sad one, is a moment thatshould be celebrated.

Where did the filming take place?During the summer of last year,

we scouted for ideal hospital wardsto shoot in and many gave uspermission to do so. Ironically, wesettled for the village hall inClonbullogue, where I live. The oldwindow design and lightingconditions were perfect. Thankfully, Tullamore General Hospitalallowed us to use their furniture andunused equipment as props.

Tell me a little about the team.We cast Eamon Rohan (Father

Ted, The Clinic) as our dying man in arole that required great patience andsensitivity as well as an ability to testone’s physical boundaries, whichEamon achieved in the highestperforming degree. Not only is hisportrayal convincing but remarkablyevocative also.

Our supporting cast were ClaireHilary who played a young affectionatenurse who allows her emotions toinvade her professional duties,Mairin O' Donovan as a loving wifeand Daniel J Dunne as Paddy, theman with the yarn and the worsttiming in the world.

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“The songwriting came from laying in a hospital bed forover a year, listeningto manufactured pop on the radio againstmy will, coupled withthe growing desire to vent my ownfrustration”

“I think it’s difficult to gauge success in this industry though because, just like the musicindustry, there’s a lotof politics involved andthe best films are not always the onesthat come away with the awards.”

WHAT PADDYSAYS ABOUTPADDY... PADDY fell in love with theart of Filmmaking and Musicduring an uncertain time inhis life when he was restrictedto a bed for almost a yearfollowing a serious accident.

He suffered a severe spinalcord injury and subsequentlyremains Quadriplegic.

Now finding vast amounts offree time on his hands, hededicated his imaginationtowards the most obviousform of escapism... film andmusic, and, as they say... ‘therest is history’ or, in thiscase, a History in the making.

Being inspired by greats ofthe film world, such as DavidLean, Stanley Kubrick, SergioLeone, PT Anderson and manyothers, Paddy now feels it'shis time to take a courageousstep towards emulating hisheroes and aspires to makinghis own film print on theworld of entertainment.

“I want to make films thatwill evoke and inspire. Filmsthat will not only entertainyou, but leave a lastingimpression.”

Production-wise, we were fortunateto have a great cinematographer,Mark McCauley, who captured themost beautiful and ethereal imagerywith the latest RED One CameraTechnology, Dave McCune, whocomposed an original score for thefilm and the many others whovolunteered to work on it. Of course,my family, by default, made up half ofthe production crew. Thank God theirbelief in me is as strong as my beliefin the script. Without that, therewould be no film.

Critical acclaim has been huge. I understand The Moment has beenscreening all around the world.

We only sent out this film into theworld recently but I’m shocked athow well it’s being received when youconsider the subject matter.

It’s barely out the door yet it hasalready screened at Film Festivals inOffaly, Dublin, Monaghan, Derry, NewYork and South Africa where we wonthe Best International Short Film awardand took Second Place in Clones.These are festivals I could have onlyimagined having our film shown, soit’s been a dream come true.

Were you surprised at the successof film?

I was and continue to be, but thefeedback from audiences andjudging panels have been great.

I think it’s difficult to gaugesuccess in this industry thoughbecause, just like the music industry,there’s a lot of politics involved andthe best films are not always theones that come away with the awards.

I think what we achieved frompractically a zero budget and a skeletoncrew, compared to films being fundedup to €100,000, can be regarded asa success so in that respect, I’m overthe moon with what we have achieved.

I think at this stage, I could bedangerous with a budget that big.Actually, come to think of it, ourgovernment could be dangerous witha budget that big!

Does your work have recurringthemes etc?

Yes. Everything I do comes fromthe heart. That’s what all my workhas in common. I’m still relativelynew to the filmmaking business, butI love what I do and would neverconsider it work. As long as I feel thatway, I will continue to do it. I also feelthat anyone who works or expressesthemselves through different forms ofmedia have a certain moral responsibilityso I like to instill a positive messagehere and there in the hope that I mayin some way, have a positiveinfluence on other peoples lives.

You seem very positive – how do youstay so positive?

Well without sounding too cheesy,I’m blessed with a loving family. Duringan uncertain period of my life, I alsodiscovered a deeper level of love formyself and now feel that I shouldnever hold myself in any less regard.As a result of that, I can live my lifewithout fear of a future that does notyet exist. Or as Groucho Marx mightsay: “Each morning when I open myeyes I say to myself: ‘I, not events,have the power to make me happy orunhappy today. I can choose which itshall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrowhasn't arrived yet. I have just one day,today, and I'm going to be happy in it’.”

For further information about Paddy or his company SAD MantraProductions seewww.paddyslattery.com

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Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

“Each morningwhen I open myeyes I say tomyself: ‘I, notevents, have thepower to makeme happy orunhappy today.”

Occupation:Filmmaking: Writer/Director/Producer

Music:Producer/Singer/Songwriter(www.myspace.com/paddyslatterymusic)

Other: Lecturer/Life-coach (Mental Health &Well-being, Road Safety, Disability Awareness,Film, Music)

Work to date: Writer/Co-Producer/Performer: Album of original music Stand &Deliver (2006)

Writer/Director: Music video for Head Over Heels (2007)

Writer/Director/Producer: Two act stage play Good Heavens (2008)

Debut short film Out of Tune (2009)

Short film The Moment (2010)

Writer/Producer:Short film The Boy, Who Flew! (2009 Shortlisted Clones Film Festival)

Director/Producer:Short documentary My Life, with Mein it! (2010 post-production)

Writer:Feature length screenplay The BrokenLaw of Attraction (In development)

Feature length screenplay In Vision(In development)

Director/Producer:TV series The Art Factor (2010 Pre-production)

Awards:The MomentWinner of Best International ShortFilm 2010 in South AfricaSecond Place and HonorableMention at Clones Film Festival2010Official Selection at nineInternational film festivals so far

The Boy Who Flew:Shortlisted for Scanbitz Award,Francie Award, Audience Award2009

Out of Tune:Selected from 250 Irish Short Filmsto screen for Launch of UCTV 2009

Other Hobbies & Interests:Cinema, astrology, astronomy,meditation, art, poker, conversation,travel, nature, poetry, food, living...

PADDY’S CV IN BRIEF

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THE EXQUISITE COLAB – FOUR WESTMEATHARTISTS OPERATING AS A COLLECTIVE FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLABORATION – HAVEUNDERTAKEN THE EveryonE PROJECT, ANINTERACTION BETWEEN THE COLAB, THEGRANGE WOMEN’S TRAVELLERS GROUP AND INDIVIDUALS FROM THE MULLINGARTRAVELLING COMMUNITY.

A LOOK AT COLABEveryonE brings artists and Travelling Community together in book with a difference

ABOVE Paul Roy (Tyrellspass), Ann Wingfield(Moate) and Celine Sheridan (Mullingar)

presenting their exhibition in the Market House,Mullingar during Westmeath Culture Night.

Missing from pic is Lesley Wingfield.

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THE EVERYONE Project embraces memory,reflection and inclusion examining theindividual experience of each contributor butin a manner that makes the collectiveexperience and recollection a singular whole– in other words a collaborativedocumentation of how experience createsidentity within a society. In essence, itsuggests that while everyone – fromwhatever social background – has theirown individual experiences that ultimatelywe all share similar experiences.

As a result, the project it is not adocument about the relative differencesbetween the individuals on a social basisbut rather about inclusiveness and the ideathat ultimately everything that everyoneexperiences, the individual nuances of dailylife and the memories that reflect theformation of the personality, are allcommon across the spectrum of society.

In other words, while superficially theymay appear to have an obvious socialrelevance in terms of identifying the status

of the individual, the reality is that in relationto the overall formation of the person themajority of experiences are relatively similar.

To this end EveryonE is intended as

pure collaboration, where all contributionsbecome part of the overall project identity;where all recollection and reflection areequally valid. The artists react to their ownexperience, to the experience of the

collaborators, to moments of interactionand thus observation is framed, (like theportraiture photographs within as snippetsof existence in a modern society).

EveryonE, in its literal sense, is aboutEveryone – while the backgrounds, thelives of all the collaborators diverge,experiences overlap, the attitudes toprogress the aspirations intertwine, anddesire for the identity of the single ego is asimportant as the collective identity of thewhole.

All of these experiences, reactions,memories and observations have beengathered by the four CoLab artists into abook, a book not just of words and opinioncorralled into paragraphs, but of the wispsof memory and threads of life, the hand-wrought words of a poet or the honest voiceof the matriarch, the measured drawing, thecasual sketch, prints, photographs, tinyartifacts of each life which have beenmolded into a single, significant book.

The CoLab gathered these individual

pieces together over several months fromthe artists of the CoLab in meetings,conversations and workshops with thewomen from the Grange and members ofthe wider traveling community, as well asindividual and collective works.

It is a snapshot of people withoutjudgment and an artwork in book form,hardbound, elegant and honest.

For further information seewww.facebook.com/exquistitecolab

ANAM Beo is a Charitable Company run byartists, providing participant led creativeworkshops in the health sector thatempower people and encourage them tobecome involved in creativity. The artisticaspirations and achievements of Anam Beoparticipants through the organisation’s Artin Health project are a valued and visiblepart of Offaly.

Anam Beo endeavours to raise theprofile of its participants and to increaseopportunities for audiences to experiencetheir artwork.

It is through a ‘hands on’ approach thatAnam Beo creates access to the Arts withinthe community and presently Anam Beoworks with four day care centres where it isobvious that this continuous art interventionhas resulted in participants demonstratingnotable increases in confidence, mobilityand wellbeing.

Anam Beo is keen to develop further,network and engage with more participants,reaching out to develop new partnershipsand sponsorship for care settings.

The Fall of the LeafAT THE beginning of 2010 Anam Beo

received The Arts Council CommissionsAward to place artist Michael Fortune, a

process led film artist, within the Anam Beofacilitator’s community.

Within each centre Michael provided theAnam Beo facilitators and the centres’participants with creative short film/animationworkshops and much to the delight of theparticipants the centres have also createdshort films of their own.

Alongside demonstrating his previouswork he guided Anam Beo with the launch ofthe website www.anambeo.com.

During his time in Offaly Michael createdhis own piece of film work The Fall of theLeaf that is part of a collection.

Both this film and the Anam Beo websitewas launched last May in Birr Theatre andArts Centre and was then shown duringBealtaine in Offaly Libraries County wide.

Michael’s film work focuses on recordingcustoms, superstitions and beliefs throughoutCounty Offaly with video footage recordedbeing produced into a collection of folklore.Recorded in HSE care centres in Clara,Tullamore, Birr, Edenderry and the IWA inBallinagar between January and April thisyear, the 25 minute film features recordingsof various people speaking about beliefsand superstitions which range from walkingin the May dew to not throwing out asheson a Monday.

Although the film draws attention tomany beliefs, which are slowly disappearing,the work does not attempt to servicenostalgia; instead, Fortune sees the workas much a celebration of the people relatingthe accounts, as it is the stories beingrelayed. The use of the film helps furtherbring the stories to life as the accent andmanners of the people recorded play asmuch an important role as the story theyare telling.

About the film-makerFORTUNE grew up in a family immersed

in story, superstition and belief on the coastof Wexford and this subject has proved to

be a rich feeding ground for his work formany years.

He has produced many folklorecollections on film throughout Ireland in thepast 10 years and these collections arehoused in various public and privatecollections nationally and internationally. Inrecent years he has presented these tovarious Folklore Departments including TheFolklore Departments of MemorialUniversity, Newfoundland and UniversityCollege Cork.

A HEALTHY INTEREST IN ART

ON CAMERA: Kate Daly and PeggyNagle from the IWA being interviewedfor the Fall of the Leaf.

ON CAMERA: Kate Daly and PeggyNagle from the IWA being interviewedfor the Fall of the Leaf.

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John K Grande, Writer in Residence, has a chat with Alfio Bonanno, Artist in Residence, at Sculpture in the Parklands 2010.

JG: Alfio, it’s great to meet up withyou and to see this new initiativewhere sculpture works with nature asa total integration. Art in nature canopen up new dialogues. What we callpublic art is too narrow a definitionfor an art that engages a public. Publicart can become so generic and sterile.An art that engages community in naturehas an exciting and engaging dynamic.

AB: Taking art out to the communityis the point; take it out there, to avillage, a remote community, wheresomething is going to happen with it.Way out you get a response,collaboration and there is a sharedmeaning. When you are gone, thesepeople participate, look after it, andthey make it live.

JG: So this is a different kind of art,both in terms of realisation andconception that you are directing your

energies towards… Initiatives likeFrom Earth to Sky for Sculpture inthe Parklands at Lough Boora, CountyOffaly establish links with history andthe local community. How did youarrive at the concept for the piece?

AB: I was really excited when I took atrip into the boglands and looked atthis black landscape. I saw piles andpiles of bogwood just sticking up.This was my language. I felt veryhumble and excited at the sametime. Humans were living in this areaup to 10,000 years ago and so thereis an energy in working with thisancient peat wood material. Thosepieces of wood carry a memory ofthe ancient forest if you can plug intothat. Just think what it will tell you.The peat lands and bogwood, theMesolithic site nearby all represent atime frame where I feel my connection

to the beginning as a human being. Itis a universal thing. I am working withthe forest and with a respect for whathas been here. Of course, the firststep was this bogwood as the rawmaterial. I liked the idea and there isa lot of it here. I found the materialbut how do you work with it? Lookingfor a site, something has to catchyour feeling. Normally it is my bodythat has to react to it; I feel it as aphysical sensation. Walking alongthe path in the Parklands we reacheda small lake that had been dammed.And the running water went into ahole and made a beautiful sound. Icaught onto that. Why look foranother site, when this first feelingwas just right for me? This was enough,so I stopped there and went with it.

JG: Sculpture in the Parklands createsthis link between human culture and

nature. Can you tell me how youarrived at the original concept?

AB: Working with site specific worksin different cultures in differentlandscapes I found it was veryimportant to do structures thatinvolve people – to create a spacethat invites you, out of curiosity, toenter into is the way I work. I havebeen making structures, works thatinvite you to participate. I am notinterested in sculptures that are justvisual. This is physical. It is bigbecause the landscape requires acertain size – we have to get peoplein here. So the scale also involvescertain issues of safety. The workshopsat Bord na Móna have been fantasticbuilding this huge steel structure andthey are creative, good at the workthey do. This was a group effort that

Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

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SculptureInternationally renowned artist makes history in Lough Boora Parklands

in

is part of it, I can't do this alone andthe participation of all these peoplehelping me gives it energy.

JG: And part of the energy is thisactive water coming in from thelandscape in the form of a stream –water as an active element in acontemporary work of sculpture.

AB: The water is moving and thesound is there; it is creating life andis life. I am so happy I orchestrated

the tree roots to frame the water asit enters, visually it is exciting and willstimulate a lot of associations. JG: There is also this sense of thephysics and weight of matter and theway time wears on matter. Thephysics of matter is more radicalthan any ideology that could havecome up in the last century or two,avant gardism and so on.

AB: The respect for the materials isessential. I dialogue with thematerials. If you respect the materialsthat you work with, they will work withyou. If you look at the surface of thiswood there is so much texture – it isjust there. It is this wood from thisbog. It is not to cut up and burn. Thiswood needs respect. That is the wayI feel about it.

JG: With the open space up top, itmay have a James Turrell-like feel forthe way the light works within andwithout your sculpture. The sky is likea lamp that ignites the whole

landscape at sunrise, sunset andthrough the day it changes.

AB: When the sun hits the outerwalls of bogwood, and sendsshadows into the stone within,it creates beautiful shadowsas well. When you have thesun, you have shadow andthis will change all thetime, unexpected thingswill happen.Orchestrating how thewood is installed isvery important.C o n n e c t i n gthe outsidewith stonesthat will leadyou into the areais also important.Site is important. Irespect thematerials I use andbelieve collaborationwith materials is

important. They tell you where you gowith a project. The landscape, thearea, the materials will tell you whatyou can do.

JG: What you have done is reallyquite brilliant. For 21st centurysculpture this is really quite a radicalstep you have taken, finding thiscommon thread that brings us,through an artwork, into contact withancient living history. PostModernismwas all about breaking links, havingno connection to any past. Here youhave a work that reconnects ecologyto human culture.

AB: The size connects to humanscale. Sculpture is also like aphysical space connection betweenthe human body and theenvironment. For me, it is the feelingand the intuition that this is right.Because I am a human I amconnecting to other humans, to mypast, to my ancestors, to the land. Itis part of my life. I have a threadthere connecting me to that – that,for me, is the most important thingand whatever happens afterwardswith the art world and post-modernism I am not interested! See www.sculptureintheparklands.com

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“Humans were living in this area up to 10,000years ago and so there is an energy in workingwith this ancient peat wood material.”

the

“I respect thematerials I use andbelieve collaborationwith materials isimportant. They tellyou where you gowith a project.”

Parklands

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The Festival, in its fifty-eighth year,is one of the premier arts events inEurope and The International FineArts Colony in its twelfth year is afirm fixture in the international Artscalendar. This year, eight visualartists were invited – four fromSlovenia and four internationalsfrom Italy, Malta, Bulgaria and Ireland.

The Colony is an ongoing project,which represents a chronicle of 12summers in Ljubljana. Each year theparticipating artists donate a pieceof their work to the permanentexhibition which now totals morethan 120 works – half fromSlovenian artists, half from theinternational contingent.

The Colony is organised toencourage cooperation between theartists themselves and integrationwithin the festival as a whole. Thefestival is set in an urbanenvironment – in and around thegrounds of Ljubljana Castle – in thecentre of Ljubljana. The Colonytakes place at a time when the citybreathes artistic creation, not justvisual, but also musical and literary,in a bid to foster a cross-pollinationof ideas.

The artists were asked toproduce work, which reflected thisintegration of the visual and otherart. So, in addition, to being given allthe facilities required to producetheir pieces they were invited toattend performances of ballet(Maurice Béjart), opera (Tchaikovsky)and the Munich PhilharmonicOrchestra. They also went on boattrips on the Ljubljanica River andwere invited to socialise with otherfestival participants.

“We were invited and encouragedto experience everything that washappening around us,” said Patricia.“While we worked we were exposed

to the sounds of musiciansrehearsing. I drew inspiration fromthis, but also from the fact that weworked outdoors, so the naturalsurroundings – trees, river, light –were also a source.

“As a result, I believe we wereable to realise the aims of thefestival organisers – to express ourlove for painting as a sincereexpression of our inner and creativesearch – and to express ourselvesin the ‘language’ of music andliterature, as well as our own – thevisual arts”

The week concluded with theopening of the Festival exhibition byTomo Vran, the selector andattended by classical musician andFestival Director, Darko Brlek, localdignitaries, including the Mayor ofLjubljana and representatives fromThe Irish Embassy.

The artists set up a group calledColony 10 which is planning tocollaborate in the coming monthsand host a joint exhibition in 2011or early 2012.

“I would like to take thisopportunity to thank Darko Brlek,

Festival Organiser, Tomo Vran,Selector, the Irish Embassy andMichael Burke for his initialinvitation and support.

“Now that I am back at GrenanMill I have time to truly reflect on theexperience and to utilise what Ilearned there to enrich my ownwork,” said Patrica.

Patricia is currently engaged in atwo-year study at the Grenan MillCraft School in Thomastown,Kilkenny, where she is upskilling inall aspects of the visual arts.

LAOIS-based artist Patricia Bennett was one of only eight artists from around the world invited to participatein this year’s International Fine Arts Colony at the Ljubljana Summer Festival, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

From Laois toLjubljana

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“We were invited and encouraged to experienceeverything that was happeningaround us.”

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Pictured at the Ljubljana Summer Festival is artist

Patricia Bennett

BECAUSE our son Malachy liveson a boat on the Shannon, we havebecome increasingly familiar andenamoured with the Midlands. On a boat journey from Banagherto Tullamore, Brian wasimpressed by Belmont Lock andthe surrounding landcape so thenext time we visited the area bycar we stopped to explore andvisited Belmont Mill where wemet Tom Dolan for the first time.

We had been working on a book

of 50 years’ of Brian's work and were

about to forge ahead into a summer

of major exhibitions to launch it. We

knew that we would need a change

of working environment when all this

was over, so we booked a studio for

the entire month of October. Tom was

extremely helpful and recommended

that we stay in the lovely gate lodge

of Lisderg House, which is just

across the road from the mill.

Well, we could not have made a

better decision. From the moment we

arrived the sun shone, and we were

able to paint outside for most of that

beautiful October.

Brian chose to work from the

fourth floor of the old mill, looking

down on the mature trees that grow

in its grounds. As the work progressed

he found himself returning to the

subject of the legendary manbird

Sweeney about whom we had both

conducted a series of work in the

eighties. In the last week of our stay he

gave a lecture on the subject,

illustrated by his previous Sweeney

series, and surrounded by the new

work which seemed about to be

visited by Sweeney.

My subject matter was the hydro-

electric turbine, which used to be run

by the Perry family and now by Pine,

who kindly allowed me to place

myself in precarious viewing sites of

the turbine if I promised not to fall in

and drown!

I am as interested in the rusting

old machinery as I am in the new, as

my overall theme is always about

how nature reclaims our creations

when we cease to maintain them.

My interest was sparked by another

trip on Malachy’s boat, from Limerick

back to Banagher, where we had the

dramatic experience of passing through

Ardnacrusha, and I am also doing a

large series on this subject.

Since our return to the studio in

Galway, we have been working from

the material we produced in the mill.

Brian is already well on the way to

completing a magnificent triptych of

three large oils on canvas. Instead of

Sweeney, what we see in the sky are

these amazing model aeroplanes

which were also a feature of our visit.

I am combining the two subjects

for a solo exhibition in Norman Villa

Gallery in Galway next year.

It was a pleasure to meet and

work alongside the artists in the

other studios, but best of all was to

get to know the Dolan family who were

so gracious and helpful throughout.

The work they have done on the mill

is a huge achievement and of

enormous value to the area.

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Belmont MillArtists’ StudiosCelebrateSuccess

Sandy Lloyd owner of Belmont Mill looksback at 2010:

THIS year has passed so quickly and we have had somewonderful artists on the bursaryprogramme. Their length of staywas reduced to eight weekswhich enabled us to offer twomore artists the chance tocome to Belmont.

I was delighted to see a pieceby Laura Fitzgerald hanging inthe Douglas Hyde as part of thepermanent collection bought byTrinity College – a resident herein 2008.

Emily Archer, who was aresident here in 2009, had asolo exhibition The Post RoomProject as Artist in Residence atthe Waterford Healing Art Trust.

Antonio Castro, with us in Juneand July 2010, is having a soloshow in London in Decemberand he will be starting ourprogramme of Art on Show at Belmont in July 2011.

To extend our calendar ofevents we hosted a series ofthree talks given by art historiansfrom the National Gallery inDublin. They were such a greatsuccess that we hope to presenta further series of three nextyear covering different artistsrepresented in the gallery.

A highlight of the year wasthe presence of Brian Bourkeand Jay Murphy who rented astudio for the month of Octoberand were to be seen everyday,perched somewhere on the sitepainting in the glorious sunnydays. Brian very generouslygave a talk about his Sweeneyseries of work to an audienceof artists and art lovers.”

For more information visit www.belmontmill.com

Belmont Mill

“Well, we could not have made abetter decision.From the momentwe arrived the sunshone, and we were able to paintoutside for most of that beautifulOctober.”

Jay Murphy Writes of her memories of painting at Belmont Mill with Brian Bourke

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Brian Bourke working at Belmont Mill

Right: Sluice Gate by Jay Murphy

Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

TWO IS my lucky number. At 2.22pmon the Sunday, my 21-year-old Hondacame to rest in the car park at theTyrone Guthrie Centre. A gentlefriend, who had been here to do herpaintings, had told me, ‘It willchange your life’.

My journey had begun in brilliantsunshine but as if in symbolicshrouding of the prediction, adeepening mist had settled downupon the roads and countryside. Itheightened my excitement.

With no wrong turns, my progresswent surprisingly well, until Newbliss– here I knew I'd need local directions.At a garage shop it was with NewblissOblige that the local TD, with ashaving cut to his right ear, gave methe number of left turns and sharpbends to take, in a pleasant chat overhis shopping basket. As I thanked himhe added cheerily, ‘I hope the gateswon't be locked when you get there.’

Once off the main road, following asign for Annaghmakerrig Lake, I droveback and forth on forest roads, pastfarms and scatterings of dwellingswith no humans, nor lake in sight.Outside the houses and cottages allthe dogs made eye contact in afriendly manner and a nod of ‘Youlook like the new lost artist’. Suchwas their apparent thought that inhalf a blink I nearly stopped to askthem for directions.

According to the brochure thatgood soul had lent me, Heaney,Enright and Tóibín as well as McCabe,Banotti and Byrne were among those

who had found their distinguishedways to this artists’ retreat: ‘Theymust have had copies of the treasuremap’, thought my dipping spirits, ‘foram I not a mere poseur from Offaly?’But it was thanks to a wee black dog,a ginger cat, and the man who openedhis door, that close to an hour later Idid at last pull up at the low, metalgates. Ah! those low, white and blackmetal gates, with the very small,discrete sign, that I’d obviouslybypassed several times: those un-openable gates, and the sinkingfeeling that a TD could have slippedthe truth out.

I rang the bell. It remained so quietbut for the dripping trees. Then, inbarely five minutes, a white carappeared and pulled over as if towelcome me. ‘I know the magiccode’, she said. But that was mereluck, for the departing artist and Iwould not meet again. A drive edgedby old woods and a fork, with stoneoutbuildings to the right. Creak and

pop of stone under tyres, and thenthe Victorian house appeared allGothicky up on its rise; points andtextured sienna emerging from thewhite cloud.

But all other humans had retreatedfrom the artists’ retreat. Stillness.This old bell didn’t call anyone acrossthe oriental rugs in the grand hallway.Should I curl up under the rugs in mycar and wait? But then it seemedlogical to walk around the building toglimpse through windows. At the firstcorner sweet aromas of food cookingrevived hope. Through the steamykitchen glass I waved to a chef andhe waved back but dived behind hispots. Suddenly, a bearded youngman came to my rescue. Sliding backthe glass doors the full aroma ofdivine cooking and merry chatterburst out. I had found the life within!

With the nicest ease, he introducedhimself, leaving his lunch to checkthe room list in the kitchen. He tookme upstairs and along creakingcorridors filled with artworks andantiques, to my lovely room – mine forthe next two weeks – overlooking the

side lawns and Autumn-tinted shrubsand trees. Back down we went, viathe grand main stairs, to where aroundthe long pine dining table in front ofa flaming stove, smiling faces ofdifferent ages and accents introducedthemselves. Two sweet, courteous,older gentlemen fussed around makingsure I had a plateful of the goodSunday lunch, and that it was hot.Apart from being made to feelinstantly welcomed, and at ease, myfirst positive memories will alwaysinclude the sight of the meringuemountain-topped trifles.

After lunch, the chart was checkedagain and with his gentle ceremony,Phelim, 'husband of the director'showed me to Studio Three in thecourtyard. After a brisk, stretchingwalk in the dusk, I decanted my littlecar of all its assorted bags. After allthe unpacking between room andstudio, by 7pm I was ravenous. Itwas everyone's time for fridge-raiding, and the enjoyment of listeningand getting to know the writers,dancers, poets, painters, performers...

With all my good intentions wiredfor getting straight into story-writingand illustrating, on Monday morningafter breakfast, I dressed for a goodwalk instead. But, just to check I hadnot imagined it, I went first to thestudio. Up two steps, opened theunlocked door and tears welled up inmy eyes. The emotion of being hereat last was overcoming me. I turnedon the battered radio, retuned to lyricfm and Holst’s Bringer of Jollity filledthe space. I forgot ‘work’ and dancedand twirled around the huge, brightroom with tears bouncing off mysecond-hand wax jacket.

Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

24

First impressions and lasting intentions for a two-week bursary at The TyroneGuthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig

Talks,walks and forks

by Rosalind Fanning

“But it was thanks toa wee black dog, aginger cat, and theman who opened hisdoor, that close to anhour later I did atlast pull up at thelow, metal gates.”

“Sliding back theglass doors the fullaroma of divinecooking and merrychatter burst out. Ihad found the lifewithin!”

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Briege Madden catchesup with award-winningKillucan photographerTim Durham and got asnapshot into his newproject on WestmeathSocial Housing – aswell as some tea andcarrot cake.

WITH the budget like a dreary

black cloud hovering over us all,

it’s almost impossible not to

have a discussion about the

economy with virtual strangers

trudging down the street, or at

the local shop and my first

meeting with Tim Durham didn’t

break with this new tradition.

As we warmed up for the biginterview sipping coffee, eatingcarrot cake and putting the stateof the country in order, Timrecollected when he was firstexposed to the idea that theMidlands was a donut!

Tim, who was born in England,came over to Ireland on StPatrick’s Day 1990 andeventually settled in Killucan,

County Westmeath in February1995 – but there were those whoraised eyebrows about his choiceof address. He told me how hehad met someone in Mullingarwho said: “Do you not know thatIreland is like a donut… culturallyeveryone gravitates towards theedges and you have just moved tothe hole in the middle.”

However, this warning didn’t

scare photographer Tim awayand, on the contrary, he admitsthat he draws quite a lot ofinspiration from the Midlands andits “undiscovered gems”. In fact,he believes that the Midlandsspawns original creativity –perhaps because of itsgeographical position rather thanin spite of it – and gives him roomto breath artistically.

FRAMED

The 47-year-old explained: “I dolike living in the Midlands… Iwouldn’t particularly want to live inthe west. I don’t particularly want asea view and I think the reason forthat is I don’t want people alwayssaying ‘isn’t it absolutely fantastichere, isn’t it an amazing view,aren’t the mountains lovely’. Youhave that fantastic seascape andthat ever changing sky but whilethose are always very nice things Ithink it can be hard to find yourselfoften in those places or often it’shard to find the things to look atwithout being directed by others.

“It is easier for me to find myown pace here in the Midlands andfind what it is that interestsme here.”

And with his new project, to be

completed in March 2011, it wouldseem that he will be drawing evenmore inspiration from the Midlands– past and present.

Currently Tim, as part of thePerCent for Arts Scheme, hasbeen commissioned by WestmeathCounty Council to produce a pieceof work on the history of WestmeathCounty Council housing.

For the project he intends tophotograph the exterior of councilhouses within Westmeath (excludingAthlone) and then do a series ofinterviews with people connectedto county council social housing.

“I have started the project,” saidTim. “I have done maybe 10interviews with people and atpresent am sort of taking a breakfrom it.”

The respected travel photo-grapher explained that he wants tophotograph the houses towardsthe end of the winter with as fewleaves on the trees as possible tobe consistent in his photographyapproach.

“I don’t particularly want peopleto notice the difference in theweather or season. I want them tonotice the difference in thehouses.”

Although still in the conceptualstage Tim did say that physicallythe end product could either bea book or a portfolio of pictures.

“I don’t have a complete sort ofpicture of how it will be in the endbut that it will be revealing ofcouncil housing and the peoplewho lived there and how people

see council housing – boththe residents and outsiders.”

This is Tim’s second PerCent forArt Scheme. In 2008, he wascommissioned by Meath CountyCouncil following the refurbishmentof Kells Town Hall and asked toexplore the connection betweenthe Book of Kells and the island ofIona in Scotland.

In fact, Tim has had an interest in photographing workingenvironments for some time and in2006 he gained access to theoffices of The Irish Times in thelast month they producedthe paper from D’Olier Street.

Following this, in 2008–2009 hewent on to photograph the activeworking environment of Tara Mines

Chefchaouen, Morocco. Tim Durham ©

Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

26

Mines in Navan and morerecently, in 2009, Tim photograph-ed at Shackleton Mills, a formerflourmill in Lucan. In each case hewas very particularly interested inthe work environment.

Tim somehow finds the time toteach photography to TransitionYear Students, in OutreachCentres and to artists to enablethem to record their own work withthe equipment they have forwebsites and catalogues as wellas photographing the work ofartists whether its paintings,drawings or sculptures.

But, looking ahead Tim is eagerto remain thought provoking and isnot one who will be taking thingseasy any time soon. He admitsthat getting older can sometimesmean people play it safe but he is

determined to take chances. “I'm47 now and I’m very aware thatwith age, generally, people takefewer risks and become moreconservative in their thinking. I’dlike to keep taking a good few risksevery year.

“I would like to work faster, morefreely and on smaller projects thatdon’t necessarily end in an exhibitionbut rather a limited editionportfolio box or hand made book.”

“In recent years I’ve beenfortunate to photograph in peoples

homes and workplaces. I plan ondoing much more of this.”

For further information and tocheck out Tim’s work seewww.timdurham.ie

Shackleton Mill Tim Durham ©

Born: 1963 London

Travel Photography:1989 – 1999 Freelance travel photography inAfrica, Europe and North America

Solo Exhibitions:650-1575: Images Of A MineSolstice Arts Centre, Navan, Co. MeathPerfect-ImperfectSolstice Arts Centre, Navan, Co. MeathSoap Opera Institute of Physics, PortlandPlace, London

BubblesW5, BelfastThe Multi Coloured World Of Soap FilmsBA Festival, Trinity College, DublinSoap OperaDraíocht Arts Centre,Blanchardstown, Dublin

Group Exhibitions:BubbleScience Gallery, Dublin 2HeartlandRiverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge,Co. Kildare Platform 1Mullingar Arts Centre, Co. Westmeath

Public Commissions:Per Cent for Art, Westmeath CountyCouncil, Mullingar, Co. WestmeathPer Cent for Art, Kells TownCouncil, Co. MeathWestmeath County Council,Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

Public Collections: Fingal County Council, Civic Offices,Blanchardstown, Dublin 15Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin 2

Corporate Collections:Fuji Ireland Head Office, Glasnevin, Dublin

Wyeth Biopharmaceutical Campus,Grange Castle, Dublin

Awards:Westmeath County CouncilEquipment Grant Achill Heinrich Böll Association Westmeath County Council Bursaryto the Tyrone Guthrie CentreArts Council Travel Award

A SNAPSHOT OF TIM’S CV

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Above right: On October 24th 2006 the last edition of the Irish Times was issued from their D’Olier Street offices. Tim’s photographic project records the old building in the last six weeks up to the move.

Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

28

Westmeath Managing Director of theTemple Bar Cultural Trust –the organisation behindCulture Night – is lookingforward to Ireland CultureNight 2011 and hopes thesuccess of WestmeathCulture Night will becomethe “hallmark” for theMidlands.

Dermot McLaughlin told the Midlands Arts and Culture Magazine:“Westmeath Culture Night reallycaptured the spirit of the CultureNight and it blazed a new culturaltrail in people’s imaginations. Fromlooking at the media coverage andimpact, it is clear that Culture Night andWestmeath make a perfect match!

“The range of events and thebroad sense of inclusion and sharedinvolvement leading up to WestmeathCulture Night reminded us of the rolethat culture plays in defining us and in

creating communities.”He added: “I hope that the kind ofleadership and confidence thatWestmeath showed this year willbecome the hallmark for Culture Nightnot just in Westmeath, but also in theMidlands generally.

“2011 is a really important year inthe development of Culture Nightand our goal is to work with all ourpartners to create Ireland CultureNight so that the island of Ireland isbuzzing with culture and welcoming toeveryone.”

“I expect to see Westmeath atthe forefront of this!" enthused MrMcLaughlin.

Westmeath’s first ever Culture Night,which was held on September 24,surpassed all expectations. CatherineKelly, Westmeath County Council ArtsOfficer, said: “The very first CultureNight to be held in Westmeath inSeptember went brilliantly. We hadmore events than most other countiesdespite this being our first year, whichreally highlighted the vast wealth oftalent Westmeath has to offer.”

The hallmark for Culture Night in the Midlands

Face-to-Face: Bartle D’arcy,General Manager, BelvedereHouse ensured the historicbuilding played a part inWestmeath Culture Night andoffered a free tour of thefamous estate. Pic: Briege Madden

Energetic Participation: Jessica Clarke of Energy PlusSchool of Dance, Mullingar, performed at the MarketSquare in Mullingar during Wesmeath Culture Night.

She added: “I would like to thankeveryone involved in making WestmeathCulture Night such a success, allthose who organised an event andeverybody that helped in anyway.

“It just proves that when a county,town or village unites togetheranything can be achieved.”

In the end there were close to 100events taking place throughout thecounty including dancing, family fun,music, poetry, lectures, art, drama -and all for free.

Grainne Togher, a member of theMullingar Scribblers read excerptsfrom her new novel Comings andGoings, All Ireland Talent stars TheGolden Sister were on song in Athloneand artists throughout the countyshowcased their works.

In fact it would seem that onlyDublin surpassed Westmeath’simpressive lineup – despite thisbeing the county’s inaugural event.

Events began at 10am onSeptember 24 and finished inthe early hours in locations across thecounty including Mullingar, Kinnegad,Castlepollard, Killare, Delvin,Fore, Athlone, Moate and Ballynacargy.

While this was the first time CultureNight was held in Westmeath theevent has been running since 2006 inother counties around Irelandincluding Dublin which saw more than150,000 people attend some 120venues last year.

The event is an initiative of theTemple Bar Cultural Trust and is partsponsored by the Department ofTourism, Culture and Sport andWestmeath County Council.

Seewww.westmeathcoco.ie/culturenight

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Pictured at the launch inDublin Castle are BriegeMadden, Gráinne Toher, Paul Roy, Anna Duffy, Guy Wingfield-Horan, AnnWingfield, Angela Maddenand Catherine Kelly.

Hitting the Headlines:Catherine Kelly, WestmeathArts Officer meets GAAlegend Mícheál ÓMuircheartaigh at thenational launch of CultureNight in Dublin Castle.

A Moment in Time: StudentKevin Glennon from St Finian's College Mullingarwith his Back to the FutureTime Capsules.Pic Briege Madden.

Sneek-A-Peek: The Golden Sisters l-rShauna, Aishling and Clíodhna. Pic Briege Madden.

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LOCAL SCHOOLSMAKE HISTORY ONE WESTMEATH student interredmore than 25 time capsules duringCulture Night after urging all schoolsthroughout the county to take part inmaking history! Kevin Glennon fromSt Finian’s College Mullingar capturedthe essence of life in Westmeathschools in 2010 by giving schools theopportunity to gather various artifacts,which were then buried with the plan they

would be dug up again in 100 years.The contents of the time capsulesfrom some 25 schools includedeverything from photos, prayers, anda book of autographs to Tesco ClubCards and student stories. The timecapsules were buried at BelvedereHouse after a short ceremony.Thegirls are the daughters of Barry andSharon Golden from Hillquarter.

CULTURE NIGHT SHOWCASED ALL-IRELANDTALENT!Athlone trio The Golden Sisters, whoappeared on the All-Ireland Talentshow last year, hit all the right noteson September 24 when theyperformed in Athlone's Dean CroweTheatre during Westmeath CultureNight 2010. The Coosan sistersShauna 17, Clíodhna 15 and Aishling 12 represented the east on the talentshow and were one of Bláthnaid NíChofaigh acts. The girls are thedaughters of Barry and Sharon Golden from Hillquarter.

Mayor Mick Dollard launches Westmeath Culture Night 2010.

PLANS are underway todevelop a temporaryarchitecture centre in Offalythat is expected to open inMay 2011 following thecouncil securing fundingfrom the Arts Council andthe Department ofEnvirnoment, Heritage andLocal Government.

Offaly County Council explained thatthe temporary architecture centrewill likely be housed in an emptyshop unit in Tullamore. Here threeexhibitions will be held focusing onOffaly built heritage and protectedstructures, contemporary designpractice with a talk by YvonneFarrell, a Tullamore native andfounder member of GraftonArchitectures and a public responseto the observing of places andspaces around us.

Rachel McKenna, Senior ExecutiveArchitect with Offaly County Councilsaid: “This is an exciting projectand a collaboration betweenarchitectural, arts, heritage and

planning offices of Offaly CountyCouncil.

“Our aim is to create an awarenessand debate about our builtenvironment, to take the time toobserve, reflect and appreciatewhat is around us. The speed ofhow our built environment increasedin the last decade was phenonmenal.

Now with the down turn in theeconomy and in construction, wehave an opportunity to reflect onthis and how we want ourenvironment to grow with us in thefuture.”

For further information on theproject keep an eye on local pressand www.offaly.ie closer to the timeor contact 057 9357400.

Looking at the buildingblocks of Offaly - ArchitectureCentre set to open May 2011

Youngpeople are gettingthe chanceto act up!

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Model of the Bocconi Project, Milan by Grafton Architects (winner of World BuildingAward 2009) of which Tullamore native Yvonne Farrell is a key partner. TWO YOUTH theatre

projects will getunderway in the NewYear in County Offalyin the towns ofTullamore and Birr.

The project will give young peopleaged 14–21 the opportunity to learnabout acting, improvisation, devel-oping characters, devising scriptsand learning about stage craft.

Despite lots of opportunity foryoung people to get involved inmusical productions around thecounty, to date there has been very little opportunity to learnabout stage or screen acting.

The youth theatre projects will befacilitated by a group of committedtheatre professionals in Offaly,including Anne Moloney, MacdaraDeery, Angela Ryan, Fiona Breenand Eddie Alford, who haveprofessional training and exper-ience in all aspects of theatredevelopment, from acting todirecting to developing productions.

One has already begun in Banagherunder the stewardship of AnneMoloney.

It is anticipated that the three‘satellite’ youth theatre teams willcome together for an annualproduction under the auspices ofOffaly Youth Theatre, which will beaffiliated with the NationalAssociation of Youth Theatre.

Athlone Art & Heritage Ltd. invites applications for the position of

Arts & Heritage Managerinitially for a period of 3 years.

The Company was established by Athlone Town Council and therole of the Manager will be to manage, operate and promoteart, heritage and tourism facilities such as the Athlone ArtGallery and the Castle Visitor Centre.

Further particulars and application forms are available from theundersigned and on www.athloneudc.ie/arts and the closingdate for the receipt of applications is January 11th 2011.

Athlone Art & Heritage Ltd.Civic Centre Church StreetAthlone

Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | WINTER 2010/2011

MidlandsArtsandCultureMagazine

Mee

t the

team

TEMPUS MEDIAThere's never a wrong time to do the right thing

Tempus Media was established at the height ofthe recession in September 2009 as thefounders saw an opening for a top quality, goodvalue media company in a challengingmarketplace for business and Government.Midlands-based Tempus Media specialises infive key areas - Publishing/Copywriting, PublicRelations, Media Training, Lobbying, andBusiness Crisis Management.

Editor: ANGELA MADDEN

Angela has more than 15 years' experience inthe publishing industry as a Journalist, ForeignCorrespondent, Editor, Group Editor and GeneralManager for trade, local and national press inIreland and the UK. Angela has excellent localknowledge as she was previously Editor of theAthlone Voice and has an enviable list ofcontacts throughout the country, built up duringher time as Group Editor for 13 River Medianewspaper titles. She also has a wealth ofexperience launching new publicationsresponsible for content, layout and templateshaving brought a number of new River Mediatitles to market in 2007.

Deputy Editor: BRIEGE MADDEN

Briege is a trained journalist who has worked forlocal newspapers for close to four years. Afterattaining her BA Creative Writing & MediaStudies degree she started her career at TheAthlone Voice before taking up a more seniorrole at the Cavan Post. She joined TempusMedia in April this year as BusinessDevelopment Manager and is the leadconsultant on a number of important PublicRelations contracts. Briege is also an avid poet,short story writer and artist.

For further information contact:angela@tempusmedia.ie • 086 7732023 briege@tempusmedia.ie • 086 0737227

BROSNA PRESSLocated in the heart of the midlands, BrosnaPress has been providing a nationwide client-base with creative, high quality design and printfor over 50 years. Its Irish Print Award acknow-ledges the company’s commitment to thepursuit of excellence in print and creativity indesign. Key clients in the arts sector include:RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ ConcertOrchestra, Music Network, Music for Galway,New Ross Piano Festival, County Council ArtsOffices, Dunamaise Theatre, Birr Theatre & ArtsCentre, Tuar Ard Arts Centre. Brosna Pressrecently operate their design studio and printfacility from a state-of-the-art 12,000 sq ftfacility in Ferbane Co. Offaly.

Creative Director: DIARMUID GUINANSenior Designer: ANN QUINLANProduction Manager: CIARAN GUINAN

Diarmuid holds a Bachelor of Design, VisualCommunications and has more than 18 years’professional experience in graphic design andprinting. He manages a highly creative andexperienced design team including Ann Quinlan,BDes, Senior Designer, Andrew Moore, BDes,Senior Designer and Mary Egan. ManagingDirector Ciaran Guinan holds a Diploma in PrintManagement and has more than 25 years’professional experience in printing with a highlevel of experience in the arts sector. Theproduction staff at Brosna Press are all highlyskilled press operators and print finishingspecialists.

diarmuid@brosnapress.ie • Tel: 090 6454327ciaran@brosnapress.ie • Tel: 090 6454327

Tempus Media and Brosna Press, using their combined expertise injournalism, marketing, design, print and production have created anew look Midlands Arts and Culture Magazine.

31

If you have story or news relatingto the arts in the Midlands thatyou would like to see covered inMidlands Arts and CultureMagazine, contact your local Arts Officer (details opposite).

Have your storycovered…

ARTS OFFICE CONTACTS

Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts OfficerLaois County Council, PortlaoiseTel: 057 8674342/44mnichonaill@laoiscoco.iewww.laois.ie/arts

Sinead O’Reilly, Arts OfficerOffaly County Council, Charleville Road, TullamoreTel: 057 9357400soreilly@offalycoco.iewww.offaly.ie/arts

Catherine Kelly, Arts OfficerWestmeath County Council CountyBuildings, MullingarTel: 044 9332140ckelly@westmeathcoco.iewww.westmeathcoco.ie/arts

MidlandsArtsandCultureMagazineA REVIEW OF THE ARTS IN LAOIS, OFFALY AND WESTMEATH

PUBLISHED FOR THE ARTS OFFICES OF LAOIS, OFFALY & WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCILS BY TEMPUS MEDIA • DESIGNED & PRINTED BY BROSNA PRESS

MidlandsArtsandCultureMagazine…take a fresh look