The Coole Park series of cultural events is now well under way. There is a feast of culture ahead over the next few months of the upcoming Spring Arts and Heritage Programme 2010.
The programme varies slightly from previous years in that all the arts events take place on Mondays and Thursdays from mid January to mid February and all the heritage course lectures take place on Mondays and Thursdays from mid February to mid March.
The arts series began on Monday last with a phenomenal evening of Irish music with Elvie Miller and fiddle player Denis Liddy.
The next event at Coole takes place today (Thursday ) from 8pm to 9pm. Writer in residence with Galway city and county councils Michael O’Loughlin will give a talk entitled ‘Inside and outside the gates’. This lecture is on Yeats, Kavanagh, the big house, and the cottage in rural Ireland, and focuses on the relationship of these poets with the landscape in rural Ireland. This topic will be of great interest to all that who an interest in literature, poetry, and writings.
On Saturday from 2pm to 5pm All Ireland champion sean-nós dancer Emma O’Sullivan will conduct a sean-nós dancing workshop. Ms O’Sullivan is currently in the semi final of The All Ireland Talent Show on RTÉ 1. Why not take the opportunity to learn a few steps? Advanced booking is required as places are limited.
Monday February 1 will see the launch of Féile Raifteirí followed by readings and drama excerpts on Pádraic Ó Conaire by Diarmuid de Faoite. The event will take place from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Diarmuid de Faoite is well known to both television and theatre audiences, particularly through his Irish language work. One of his most recent works includes Pádraic Ó Conaire - An Fear, an award winning drama documentary. He has also edited and published a collection of short stories by Pádraic Ó Conaire. He will combine some of his readings and excerpts from his play. This event will be preceded by music with Úna Ní Fhlannagáin and friends and the launch of Féile Raifteirí. The event is being hosted in association with Gaeilge Locha Riach.
Admission to all events at Coole is free. Programmes are now widely available in Gort, surrounding towns, and in Galway city. Contact Coole Park Visitor Centre, phone (091 ) 631804, for a copy of the programme or for details on any of the events.
