Bits and bobs coming up at Ballina Arts Centre

Fri, Aug 02, 2013

Maureen O’Connor’s paintings and built configurations are about making an impression of the sensation of how we register, associate, and combine our observations and thoughts. A new exhibition of her works is on display in Ballina Arts Centre until August 24.

On Tuesday August 6 at 7pm, Ballina Arts Centre continues to offer locally-based writers an opportunity to be part of a new writers’ group for Ballina and north Mayo. Led by Helen Falconer, this group is open to all types of writers (poets, playwrights, prose writers etc) and no experience is necessary. A contribution of €10 will be required from each participant.

John McNicholl comes to Foxford

Fri, Aug 02, 2013

John McNicholl was born and raised in a small village called Foreglen in Derry. He is one of 15 children born to Colm and Mary McNicholl. John’s first taste of stage performance began when he was a young boy in his local school. Amateur musicals and plays gave John an opportunity to showcase his early talents for singing and acting. John took a very different path a few years ago deciding he would become a chef. He achieved a promising status in this new career but his hunger to get on the road and perform some of his most loved songs was too great to shy away from, and six albums later John has become one of the biggest household names on the Irish music scene. John McNicholl plays the Foxford Leisure Centre tomorrow August 3 at 9pm. Tickets are available from Foxford Leisure Centre on 094 9257684.

In Humbert’s Footsteps at the Linenhall

Fri, Aug 02, 2013

As part of the In Humbert’s Footsteps Gathering Event, the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar is delighted to present ’98 Recalled, a unique and fascinating exhibition of distinctive and previously unseen artefacts (many from private collections) and associated information pertaining to the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland, and French General Humbert’s expedition in particular. The collection of artefacts includes a selection of 1798 pikeheads, a French bayonet discovered at site of Battle of Ballinamuck, and the hat and sword belonging to French Captain Truc (who was appointed Town Commander of Ballina by General Humbert). The exhibition is presented in association with the In Humbert’s Footsteps Gathering Event Castlebar Committee. The exhibition officially opens on Saturday, August 10 at 4.30pm. The exhibition, which takes place in the Linenhall’s Theatre space, runs until Saturday, August 24.

Mayo ladies football team stage novel fundraiser

Fri, Aug 02, 2013

Mayo ladies football team are promoting a new play with a Gaelic games theme in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 6 and 7, and tickets are now being sold by the team.

The past half a decade is only the foundations for Finbar Hoban Presents

Fri, Jul 26, 2013

Five years ago, frustrated with the lack of live music and the lack of opportunity for original acts to get gigs, Finbar Hoban decided rather than just grumble and complain about the situation in Castlebar, to take on the issue and go and do something about it. Starting off with just a germ of an idea and then putting on his first small show, five-years and a one week ago, he’s seen his Finbar Hoban Presents venture grow and bloom, to where he is now, an independent promoter brings some of the best names on the Irish music scene to Castlebar throughout the year. “It’s been an interesting five years, from when we did our first show with local acts, it all started very small with local bands. At the time, I just wanted to really do a night to see how it went and try and give musicians in the town somewhere to play. Because at the time, there was literally nowhere really for them to go and play.”

New exhibition opening in the Linenhall

Fri, Jul 26, 2013

Opening on Friday August 2 at the Linenhall Arts Centre is To Market, To Market, an unusual, engaging, and evocative exhibition of shoe sculptures by New Zealand-born artist Ruth Pettus.

The exhibition is inspired by the Linenhall’s former existence as the original marketing area for the sale of flax grown in Mayo during the 18th and 19th centuries. As Ruth explains, “The shoes can be seen to represent the individuals and groups of people jostling, conversing, and travelling within the market area. The different textures and directions of the shoes reflects a commercial hubbub of sorting, selling, and buying, that would have most likely been enjoyed as a break from the daily routine. Most of these shoes were made at my brother’s house in County Galway from 2009-2012.” She continued, “I have been working in this medium for 20 years. The shoes are reminiscent of unearthed objects, damaged leftovers, fossils, narratives, the buried. They become an amalgamation of past and present.” Ruth Pettus lives in Baltimore, Maryland and she has exhibited widely in the US, and also in Spain and Russia. The exhibition runs until Saturday August 24.

Luke Kelly tribute band will bring his hits to Islandeady

Fri, Jul 26, 2013

The Legend of Luke Kelly Tribute band will perform in Jacks Cottage, Derrycoorane, Islandeady, Castlebar, on Sunday evening August 4 from 7pm till late as part of The Gathering at Jack’s Old Cottage. This fund raising evening in aid of the heritage restoration project at Jacks Irish traditional cottage in Islandeady will feature Irish music artists including Angela Deane and her Irish dancers, Matt Dillon, and the Legend of Luke Kelly tribute band. Tickets are limited and booking or early ticket purchasing is advisable from Joe Moylette on 087 9443626.

Foster and Allen are back with the Ultimate Collection tour

Fri, Jul 26, 2013

2013 is destined to be an amazing year for Foster and Allen as in August they will be releasing their first autobiography Foster and Allen – After All These Years – Our Story through Virgin Books/Random House Books. They have also had their own TV series The Foster and Allen Show on TG4 over the course of the summer. But, for their fans who want to see them live, they are coming back to Mayo and will be playing in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport on Monday August 5.

Could you be the next Mr or Miss Claremorris?

Fri, Jul 26, 2013

The Claremorris Welcome Home Committee once again is hosting the Mr and Miss Claremorris Competition with a super cash prize of €400 for the winners. Miss Claremorris takes place in the Dalton Inn on Friday, August 16 with doors opening at 8.30pm. The compere for the evening will be Henry McGlade and there will be an independent panel of judges on the night who will make the decision. Music will be provided by DJ Michael Burke. The following Friday night August 23 also in the Dalton Hotel it’s the Mr Claremorris competition, with Michael Burke taking over the compering duties and DJ Nicola Kean providing the music. Entry for both competitions costs €10 and are available from the IRD office and in pubs and restaurants throughout the town. All proceeds will go to the Claremorris St Patrick’s Day parade.

Sound + Vision festival back in Ballina

Fri, Jul 19, 2013

Sound+Vision, Ballina’s annual film festival, returns this year celebrate music in film once again. Through a week-long programme of film screenings and other events, Sound+Vision this year celebrates the music of Generation X – the 1990s youth culture phenomenon. When American author Douglas Coupland published his debut novel Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture in 1991, he was inadvertently labelling the coming decade’s generation of alienated, disaffected young adults. His book sought to capture an ennui which became something of a zeitgeist for the period. This culture of the Generation X ‘slacker’ found a musical voice in the guise of grunge – a musical hybrid inspired by punk rock, heavy metal and indie rock, and characterised by contrasting song dynamics and apathetic or angst-filled lyrics.

Declan O’Rourke brings his songs of the sea to Killary Fjord

Fri, Jul 19, 2013

With a song catalogue featuring titles such as “Marrying the Sea”, “All Along the Western Seaboard”, and “We didn’t Mean to Go to Sea”, singer/songwriter Declan O’Rourke’s long-time love affair with all things maritime will be very much in evidence in his first ever floating concert.

Jack Wise and Joe Rooney to play Claremorris AFC fundraiser

Fri, Jul 19, 2013

Claremorris AFC have organised a special night of comedy, magic and music to raise funds for their club. Winner of the coveted Street Performance World Championships, Festival Performer Jack Wise has delighted audiences from as far as Canada to Kathmandu with his hilarious shows! Many Magicians master sleight of hand magic tricks but few develop any real comedic talent. Jack Wise has accomplished both! For over a decade he has entertained sophisticated audiences with his sharp humour and eye popping magic.

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