New exhibition opening in Custom House Studios

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

The Custom House Studios in Westport are pleased to present The Vanishing Present, a new exhibition by Sarah Stevens which was opened recently and will run until Sunday, February 9. The Vanishing Present is an art project that documents abandoned spaces and their possessions. Artist Sarah Stevens uses photography, sculpture, and drawing to record homes, schools, hotels, train stations, factories, and other empty spaces. These beautiful, decaying museums lie forgotten in every community in Ireland. Some are a consequence of the financial collapse, but many more have been around for longer.

Abandoned spaces contain personal objects. Clocks, photo albums, toothbrushes, religious statues, postcards, and cutlery. These objects tell a story of a person, a way of life and the time in which they were used. They are once-cared for things that remain without purpose long after the owner has left. These abandoned and bereaved objects signify the transitory nature of life. The title for the exhibition, The Vanishing Present, is taken from an article of the same name written by Jane Humphries for Circa magazine.

The Six Marys comes to Castlebar

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

Jean Farrell presents The Six Marys, a comical yet poignant look at life from childhood in the 1950s to the present day, at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday, January 30 at 8pm.

Westport Civic trust presents Neither Fish nor Fowl

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

Neither Fish nor Fowl: This Westport Civic Trust sponsored film will be shown at The Atlantic Coast Hotel on Tuesday January 14 at 8pm. It tells of a family of ebullient 70 and 80-year-olds returning to their ancestral home in Co Mayo and recalling their lives there in the 1930s in an intimate and revealing way with a relish for the absurd. The film-maker Fiona Murphy will be present to discuss the film and its making. All are welcome: More details are available from Pip Murphy on 087 2663423.

Scottish Burns supper in Knock Shrine

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

Following on from last year’s resounding success, Knock Counselling Centre will once again host a Scottish Burns Supper in Café le Chéile, at Knock Shrine Museum on Friday, January 24. This unique event will celebrate the life and work of Robert Burns, the Scottish bard who wrote poems and songs such as “Auld Lang Syne”, “My Love is Like a Red Red Rose” and “Ae Fond Kiss”.

New exhibition opening in Custom House Studios

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

The Custom House Studios in Westport are pleased to present The Vanishing Present, a new exhibition by Sarah Stevens which will be officially opened next Thursday, January 16 and will run until Sunday, January 9. The Vanishing Present is an art project that documents abandoned spaces and their possessions. Artist Sarah Stevens uses photography, sculpture, and drawing to record homes, schools, hotels, train stations, factories, and other empty spaces. These beautiful, decaying museums lie forgotten in every community in Ireland. Some are a consequence of the financial collapse, but many more have been around for longer.

Women in Art history lecture series in Castlebar

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

Women in Art History, a fascinating lecture series by Dr John Mulloy, takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre over five Monday nights commencing January 27, from 8pm to 9.30pm.

Castlebar Pantomime presents Sleeping Beauty

Fri, Jan 03, 2014

With 21 pantomime years behind them since their last production of Sleeping Beauty, this year’s production by the Castlebar Pantomime from Thursday, January 9 to Sunday January 12 promises to be one to remember. The usual high standard of production that Castlebar Pantomime has become known for will be on full display as it re-stages this classic fairy tale, last presented on the Castlebar Town Hall stage in 1992. The 2014 version is directed by Donna Ruane, with Jason Guthrie as choreographer and John Flatley being promoted from the 1992 band member to musical director. Having been involved in the 1992 version of Sleeping Beauty, 21 years ago Lar Davis, Deirdre Guthrie, Jimmy Murphy, Tom McGrath, and Garry Wynne again find themselves involved in the 2014 production. This year’s Castlebar Pantomime’s production of Sleeping Beauty has moved down the town to the Theatre Royal stage where anything is possible as this traditional tale is magically brought to life through wit, drama, dance, musical moments, a wealth of singing talents, and glamour. Mairead McDonnell from Manulla and Castlebar's Garry Wynne in their roles of Queen Merry and King Jolly are very evidently in love and delighted with the arrival of their baby girl Aurora, played (as an adult of course) by Aoife Magee. But not so overjoyed is the evil fairy Deadly Nightshade, played by Natasha Crouch from Castlebar, when she finds out she is not invited to the christening. She gatecrashes the event and announces to all that one day Aurora will cut her finger on a spinning wheel and die. But when she leaves the kind Fairy Snowdrop played by Gemma Todd weakens the spell saying Aurora will not die but she and the castle will fall into a sleep for 100 years and only could be awoken by Aurora receiving a prince's kiss. Naturally King Jolly removes anything even resembling a spinning wheel from the Kingdom of Happy Land. Fast forward to Aurora’s approaching 17th birthday when she meets the handsome Prince Nicholas of the nearby Pleasant Land, also known as Niall Fahey from Castlebar. He and his travelling companion William, played by Shane Dunne from Westport, promise to return to celebrate her birthday with her. Obviously still holding quite a grudge at not being invited to the christening, along with her foul smelling accomplice Compost played by Ester Henry also from Westport, Deadly Nightshade hatches a plan to complete her curse. Deadly Nightshade tricks Princess Aurora into an unused part of the castle, where yes you guessed it, she succeeds in getting Aurora to cut her finger. Will the princess be found in such a desolate part of the castle, can any prince be found to awaken her, or will Deadly Nightshade’s curse succeed and Aurora dies? Ah but Deadly Nightshade does not take into account the royal staff. The maid Velcro, played by Sandra Morely from Kiltimagh, is in awe of the well known Castlebar musician James Garvey who plays a very well spoken Mr Prim the butler. However her would-be boyfriend Zipper played by Antoinette Starken is not too happy about this obsession. So cue Velcro, Zipper, Mr Prim, along with Dame Nanny Fanny, played by Ger McLoughlin from Claremorris, heading off in search of Prince Nicholas to bring him back to the castle. But will they succeed? Will Aurora and the rest of the castle fade from people’s memories gathering dust and cobwebs, will the staff ever find any prince, anywhere, will they even bother to risk getting cut with brambles and just save themselves? Plenty more locals will take to the stage to join in the fun and frolics over the four nights of what promises to be side-splitting laughter. For more information or tickets log on to www.theroyal.ie or call 094 9023111.

Oakwin at the Linenhall

Fri, Jan 03, 2014

If you are looking for a great night of music to get you in the New Year spirit, look no further than local duo Oakwin, performing at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday January 9 at 8pm.

Liam Quinn is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Castlebar who learned his craft through the traditional sessions of his native Mayo and beyond. Liam has performed at numerous folk festivals both in Ireland and abroad, sharing the bill with notable performers such as Andy Irvine and Solas. Liam performs on acoustic guitar, tenor banjo, harmonica, and vocals. Darragh Quinn is a Castlebar-born singer, songwriter, and fiddle player. He has been making music since his early teens and has a diverse range of influences from Bob Dylan to Radiohead to local musician John Hoban. Darragh performs on vocals, nylon-stringed guitar, and fiddle.

Recipients of Music Recording Assistance Award 2013 announced

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

Mayo County Council’s Music Recording Assistance Award has shown once again the breadth and the quality of music making in the county. This year the office received 19 applications for the award. The field included a fantastic cross section of genres, and the high standard made the selection very difficult work for the assessment panel. Mayo County Council Arts Office has awarded two Music Recording Assistance Awards, and this year’s recipients are Vickers Vimy, a five-piece Mayo-based folk collective, and Ballyhaunis based rock and electronic band Race the Flux. The €800 award will be used to assist recipients to record their music. The award was established to support the recording of original music by musicians living in the county and recipients receive up to €800 towards the costs of an original music recording. The award is open to all forms of music, and applications are assessed by an independent and impartial panel of music industry professionals. For more information, contact Mayo County Council Arts Office, telephone: 094 9024444 exts. 7558 and 7471 or email: [email protected].

Oakwin at the Linenhall

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

If you are looking for a great night of music to get you in the New Year spirit, look no further than local duo Oakwin, performing at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday January 9 at 8pm.

Brendan Grace forty two years bringing the laughs

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

Amazing Grace is a phrase often applied to Brendan Grace, and indeed very true in many respects. The genial and much loved family comedian is celebrating 42 years in the comedy business and is now more popular than at any time in his career.

Sean Keane joins The Gráinne Mhaol Show in Westport for one night only’

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

Legendary Galway singer Sean Keane returns to Mayo for one night only this Christmas to perform with the highly acclaimed traditional music and dance show The Legend of Gráinne Mhaol on Sunday, December 29, at Hotel Westport. Labelled “the greatest Irish musical find of the 90s” Sean Keane has toured the world extensively over the past 20 years performing to sell-out audiences across Europe and America.

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