Are you getting out and about more for the month of May as the Bealtaine festival is on? I have to admit the weather today is only nice for ducks and sitting by a fire is a much nicer idea than a walk but hopefully it will improve again next week.
With the hope of summer in mind, here’s our recommendations for things to do during Bealtaine.
Airfield Farm – Dublin
Airfield was home to the Overend sisters. Based in Dundrum, it offers a farm experience in the city. You can visit the cafe for coffee or lunch, see cows being milked, view the vintage cars and machinery, walk amongst the various gardens and enjoy the atmosphere.
Airfield is offering free admission each Wednesday with tours for those over 65 at 11:30 and 2:30. A lovely venue if the weather is kind.
Mindfulness Talks – Kilkenny
All of the Kilkenny libraries are hosting talks on Mindfulness over the next couple of weeks – come along and meet other people, listen to the talk and feel inspired, use the library’s facilities while you are there and choose some new reading or audio books.
The Beethoven Experience – Galway
The Galway Music Residency will present a series of three concerts featuring the music of Beethoven performed by ConTempo Quartet, Galway Ensemble in Residence. Each performance will include one of Beethoven’s first three works for string quartet alongside one of his last quartets, written shortly before his death. Listeners will have a chance to follow the progress of one of the greatest composers ever as they experience his early writing together with the timeless masterpieces of his mature period. 25th April,2nd & 9th May at 8pm. Contact Delia Breathnach on 091 586 706 for more information.
Venue: St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Market Square, Galway
Age & Opportunity Writer on Irish Emigration – Cavan
Timothy O’Grady, author of I Could Read the Sky, is the Age & Opportunity Writer in Residence in May, and will embark on a road trip through Cavan, Leitrim and Mayo taking in Dublin on the way. We are encouraging you to read or revisit this reflection on the experience of Irish emigration, perhaps never more lyrically set out than in this novel, beautiful both for its words and for its images.
Timothy O’Grady, author of I COULD READ THE SKY will be visiting Bailieboro Library on 26th May. It is the story of one man’s journey from the West of Ireland to the fields and boxing-booths and building sites of England. Now, at the century’s end, he finds himself alone, looking back, struggling to make sense of a life of dislocation and loss and one of unforgotten loveliness.
Venue: Bailieboro Library
Cavan County Council Arts Office +353 (049) 4331799
Sean Nos Dancing & Set Dancing – Wexford
‘An Tobar’ Westgate Tower Westgate Wexford will host an Evening of Sean nos Dance & Two Afternoons of Irish Dance.
19th
‘An Evening of Sean Nos Dance’ An introduction to the ‘Old Style’ of Irish dancing and focus on traditional Connemara steps. Plus Demonstration of this style by Niamh Page Come join in the fun! 7 o’clock (7 euro)
Venue: ‘An Tobar’ Wexford
11th – 25th
Two Afternoons of Irish Dance: Set Dancing plus Sean Nos Dance. This afternoon will involve group dance work and an opportunity to see and learn a few steps of Traditional Sean Nos Dance .Both will involve the self exploration of traditional music and a bit of craic and of course a cup of tea… See you there with your dancing feet
11 oc’clock 11th May & 25th May 5 euro per couple or 3 per person
Venue: Kilrane/Rosslare Harbour Community Centre
Niamh Page +353 (087) 9233506
What are you most looking forward to seeing during Bealtaine?
