Go along to Culture Night tonight, September 19, in Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre for an edifying treat between 8pm and 9.30pm, for a reading from WH Maxwell’s Wild Sports of the West, James Gilvarry’s talk on local history and folklore, and music and dancing by The Ballycroy Strawboys along with Irish dancers.
Two contemporary art exhibitions are also on display upstairs in the Ginger and Wild café. On Wings is an enchanting exhibition of textiles which comes to Ballycroy directly from Turlough Park, Museum of Country Life. Created in the Rural Training Centre, Castlebar, it is a delightful collection of beautiful cloth birds, felted images, and poignant words. Pat Youell, the co-ordinator, explains: “This exhibition grew organically out of the garden and environment at the Rural Training Centre. Each member of this diverse group of artists designing and making their own response to those things they have subtly digested over the season”.
The exhibition Pretty Far West, the Wild Atlantic Way has been curated by the café’s proprietor Nicola Stronach and the show is the result of a call for open submissions. The artists taking part include: Benita Stoney, Gabrielle Bishop, Liz Doyle, Malcom Bannett, Jemima Maxwell, Deirdre Mc Crory, and Alina Maksimenko.
Culture Night is brought to you by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with Mayo County Council. Follow the Wild Atlantic Way to the Ballycroy National Park and experience a wonderful environment of unspoilt wilderness in Ballycroy Village. For more information log on to www.ballycroynationalpark.ie, or call 098 49888 or email, [email protected]. The exhibitions will run until Monday October 27.
