The organisers of the Bealtaine festival have announced the line-up for this year’s festival, which will see hundreds of theatrical, cinematic, craft, photographic, choral, dance, and other events taking place across Mayo and throughout Ireland, giving people a chance to celebrate creativity as they age, inviting them to: Grow Happy! – The theme of this year’s festival.
Award-winning actor and writer Mikel Murfi is bringing his show The Man in the Woman’s Shoes to Mayo during the festival, to the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday, May 30. Last year Mikel met older people across Sligo to gather stories for this show. He saw a pattern emerge of characters that inhabit Sligo villages - and probably every village in Ireland. The show follows Pat Farnon as he walks from his cottage to town and back again, and the marvels that he meets along the way. Ballina Active Age Group will organise a visit to the newly opened Jackie Clarke Collection followed by tea and scones, on May 15. This is a free event, and open to the public. For details contact Nan Healy on 086 3547971. Áras Inis Gluaire will present a variety of creative events, including an art exhibition and storytelling by Amanda Jane Graham, which will be a tribute to the Irish community. The centre will also host film and music events, which are free and open to the public. For more information contact Lorraine Wilson on 097 81079.
On the last weekend of May, the Association of Irish Choirs and Active Retirement Ireland are encouraging choirs throughout the country to sing in every county at dawn on Sunday May 26 in a dawn chorus event. In Mayo, The Ballina-Moy Singers are organising the Moy Singers’ dawn chorus, taking place in Newbridge, overlooking the River Moy. For details contact Miriam Lavelle on 086 3306543. In addition Mayo International Choral Festival is organising Castlebar dawn chorus in Lough Lannagh car park. For further information on this event contact Declan Durcan on Tel: 086 2658038.
