Westport’s superb summer show The Legend of Gráinne Mhaol sets sail

Fri, Jun 15, 2012

The extremely popular Mayo traditional music summer show The Legend of Gráinne Mhaol is heading for the west coast again this summer with its sail at full mast for its fourth successive season at Hotel Westport. Described on RTÉ as ‘one of the best summer shows in Ireland’ and featuring some of Ireland’s best known and most gifted musicians and dancers like Cora Smyth, Brian Cunningham, James Kilbane, Darragh Healy and Jenny Mulvey, this show is a must see for visitors to the west of Ireland this summer.

Can Percussion Trio prepare to dazzle Castlebar

Fri, Jun 15, 2012

Open your ears and eyes to the amazing world of percussion and its possibilities when Can Percussion Trio prepare to dazzle and delight at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Tuesday, June 19, at 8pm as part of a Music Network tour.

Knock Shrine’s Summer Festival

Fri, Jun 15, 2012

Summer is here! Along with the summer come the many festivals that will take place around the country. One in particular that people might view as something unusual is the Knock Summer Festival.

Summer art workshops at the Linenhall

Fri, Jun 15, 2012

The Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar has announced its extremely popular programme of summer arts workshops for young people. As usual, booking has been red hot, but there are still places available. Here’s a taster of what’s on offer:

Bofeenaun summer class

Fri, Jun 15, 2012

The annual summer classical music festival in Bofeenaun church is back for its eighth successive year. On Saturday July 14 and Monday July 16, a group of outstanding classical musicians will again be filling this beautiful church, set against the dramatic backdrop of Nephin Mountain, with a blend of familiar and less familiar pieces, introduced, as always, with their trademark humour and insight. Once again, there is huge demand for tickets, so order yours early!

The performers this year will be led by Iain King (violin), originally from Scotland and now living near Ballina. Iain has played with the Philharmonic Orchestra (first violin) and the English Chamber Orchestra (assistant leader) and has worked on over 600 recordings. Caroline Clemmow (piano), an outstanding soloist and chamber musician with a wide-ranging repertoire, has toured the former Soviet Union and has been particularly involved in resurrecting unjustly forgotten works. Su-a Lee (cello), originally from Korea, trained at the Juilliard and founded the Mr McFall’s Chamber group. Her musical interests range far and wide and she might be persuaded to play the saw!

Harlequin Hotel Houses Summer Exhibition

Fri, Jun 15, 2012

The Harlequin Hotel will house the current collection of work "Fortress" by local artist Vivianne Maloney over the summer months. Vivianne, from Islandeady, Castlebar, graduated in Fashion Design from Limerick School of Art and Design and has since worked in the fashion industry in Ireland.

Horselips are back in Castlebar

Fri, Jun 08, 2012

The Royal Theatre is proud to announce a brand new show with legendary Irish Celtic rock band, Horslips, this coming Sunday August 5. In 1972 Horslips released Happy To Meet...Sorry To Part their first album, which was an enormous seller on the home market and further afield. When Horslips released the follow-up album, The Tain, in 1974, Melody Maker described it as "a monumental album". It became The Times (London) album of the year and was awarded five star status by Downbeat magazine in America. By then Horslips were headlining tours of Britain and Germany, where the single “Dearg Doom” was a chart hit.

Top line-up of gigs this month at Brennan’s Lane

Fri, Jun 08, 2012

Ballina will be rocking again tonight Friday June 8, thanks to The Wilful at Brennan’s Lane, Garden Street, Ballina. Galway-based covers band The Wilful are sure to get everyone in high spirits for the weekend ahead. The Wilful are a hard working covers band who have been touring the country to the delight of audiences everywhere they go, with their blend of rock and rocked up pop covers. They will be rocking things up Live in Basement. Next Friday night, June 15 it’s the turn of four piece rock band, Gorilla Radio. Members are Noel Kenny, Paul Newell (Ballina), Seanie Walsh (Ballina), and Joey Kennedy. They have been together for over two years now and have already built up a huge following all over the country and are regarded as one of the best cover bands in the country.

Bealtaine 2012 draws to close

Fri, Jun 08, 2012

As May came close so to did the end of a very successful Bealtaine 2012 programme for Mayo County Council Arts Office. This was the 17th year of Ireland’s national celebration of creativity as we age. Bealtaine aims to involve older people in the arts, through expression and active participation. It also encourages older people to engage as an experienced audience for all art forms. During May 2012 Mayo County Council Arts Office worked with active retirement associations throughout Mayo as well as some of the community nursing units in the county.

Parke Arts and Drama group are coming back to the Royal

Fri, Jun 08, 2012

The Parke Arts and Drama group, winner of the Mayo County Council drama award in 2011 for its production of Cupid Wore Skirts last March, returns to the stage this July in The Royal Theatre Castlebar on Thursday, July 12 with its 2012 production Fortunes and Misfortunes, a side-splitting three act comedy by Westmeath playwright Jimmy Keary.

GMIT graduate art show opens this evening

Fri, Jun 08, 2012

Tonight Friday, June 8 at 6.30pm the final year students showcase a selection of mixed media paintings. This exciting exhibition of paintings by final year art students in GMIT Castlebar will open to the public from 6.30 pm. The exhibition of paintings in oil, acrylic, ink, mixed media, prints and photography will be opened by the Director of the Royal Hibernian Academy Patrick T Murphy in St Mary’s Hall on campus and will run until Friday, June 15.

The body of art work displays the culmination of skill and artistic development of seven final-year students who have studied the degree programme on a part-time basis over six years. The exhibition marks the launch of their artistic careers. Dr Deirdre Garvey, Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator, GMIT Castlebar, says: “The exhibition showcases the talent and commitment of each student individually but also collectively highlights the importance of visual art and the need to nurture it in our communities. I hope the programme has helped the students realise their potential as artists and that they will continue to develop those talents.” The artists are Laura Bell (Sligo), Naimh Dalby (Athlone), Imelda Kilbane (Achill), Sabine Lacey (Killala), Judith McNamara (Achill), Carmel McNamee (Sligo) and Paul Rose (Kiltimagh).

A week of fun and festivities await at Ballina Salmon Festival

Fri, Jun 08, 2012

Ballina Salmon Festival promises a week of fantastic entertainment for young and old alike, whether you are in the locality or are planning a break by the River Moy. It’s A Knockout kicks off the second half of the fun filled week on Thursday, July 12. This event promises to be jam-packed with exciting challenges with something appealing to everybody. Enter a team of five and compete against the clock and each other for an array of prizes. It is sponsored by Tesco and Paddy Jordan’s Bar and Restaurant.

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