Folklife is an outdoor multi-disciplinary and residency programme funded by the Arts Council and locally by Mayo County Council Arts Service, The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, The Linenhall Arts Centre and Mayo Artsquad. It is curated by Culture Works and commences on Sunday, January 30.
The programme will consist of artist residencies alongside a multi-disciplinary programme of high-quality, inclusive and engaging arts events/interventions to be experienced and enjoyed by the people of Castlebar and Turlough and the surrounding areas.
The residencies and curated programme are inspired by the Museum Collection, the natural beauty of Turlough Park and the Great Western Greenway (Castlebar to Turlough ). The project is jointly funded by Mayo partners and the Arts Council of Ireland through the In the Open/Faoin Spéir 2021 - 2022.
The National Folklife Collection at Turlough Park House is a context for telling future stories through artists’ explorations of the extensive, thematic collections of objects and artefacts. The Folklife concept will provide a platform for work that explores contemporary society, changing values and the impact of Covid-19.
Imbolc
Imbolc, the first of these events, takes place at the NMI - Country Life, Turlough Park on Sunday, January 30, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm in the lead-up to the eve of Brigid.
A limited audience will be led on a performative walk to celebrate the spirit of Brigid, the hopeful coming of spring, and with it, the opportunity to start afresh.
St Brigid promised fine weather from her feast day onwards. Spring, the season of hope and new life, brought better weather, longer days. With it came new life on the farm and new growth on the land.
On St Bridget’s Eve, tradition had it that families gathered to eat the last of the potatoes, make the crosses, play music and enjoy each other’s company.
Informed by these traditions and the collections of the NMI - Country Life at Turlough, the audience is invited to join a contemporary response to the Brigid’s Eve celebrations featuring music, contemporary dance and song, ending with refreshments on the grounds of the Museum.
Commencing at 3.30pm, the performative walk on the grounds of the NMI - Country Life at Turlough Park House, Castlebar will feature women members of Mayo’s Pipe Bands; artist and performer, Breda Mayock, with choir; Mags Duffy, visual artist; Catherine Donnelly, dance artist and musicians Freda Hatton, Julie Langan with singer Mags Gallen. To book your ticket visit https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/251322060047.
