Arts & Culture

AS THE evenings draw in, an exciting programme of music and song will play out at venues on the shores of Lough Derg in Mountshannon.  ‘Autumn by the Lough’  is curated by local musician Clí Donnellan, and an initiative of Clare Arts Presents (CAP). Supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, through Clare Arts Office, and Mountshannon Arts, the eclectic programme will include traditional and contemporary sounds.  Events get underway this Friday, September 30, at 8pm at St Caimin’s Church of Ireland in Mountshannon with a performance from AWNYA. Drawing on the tradition of storytelling, this Clare conceptual artist and singer-songwriter promises to take audiences on a theatrical journey through her songs, to create a full immersive experience. There is honesty and comedy woven into her songs, as well as what is described as “a refreshing view of the world of broken hearts!”. AWNYA’s music has been described as ‘Vaudeville Folk’ and a highly entertaining …

AS A decision is awaited on proposals to grant a licence for mineral prospecting in East Clare, a new song and music video has been launched to highlight concerns about mining.  Keep Tulla Untouched, which is made up of landowners in the affected townlands around Tulla and Bunratty Upper, joined forces with TAU and the Drones of Praise to launch a track featuring Dempsey and Clannad’s Pól Brennan.   The video for ‘Eist le Ceol ón Chré’, includes Dempsey and Brennan, as well as nine-year-old Joris and seven-year-old Thuan Ligtvoet. The boys are sons of founder members of Keep Tulla Untouched. The video takes inspiration from a line in the song, ‘It’s a dream for the children’, and features Dempsey dressed as a mystical warrior figure, calling on people to protect the land. “The video is beautiful,” said Jacintha van Roij of Keep Tulla Untouched. “It was shot in Leitrim, where our friends are protecting 47 townlands from gold mining. …

A UNIQUE and inspiring exhibition is to be hosted by KAVA in Kinvara, and opens on Culture Night (September 23). The show, entitled ‘Altered State/the liquid of our modernity’ is by sculpture artist David Dunne and will run until October 2. It features work that reflects on the interconnection between art, nature, science and technology. Dunne’s practice embraces installation, sculpture, video and live art. The work has been influenced by the Arte Povera movement in making site-specific interventions. Utilising wood, steel, concrete and low–tech archival electrical elements, this exchange of materials informs an intuitive, methodological response to particular archaic industrial situations. Dunne outlined that the show draws inspiration from “the satirical title The Valley of the Clueless (Das Tal der Ahnugslosen) given to two regions in the southeast and northeast parts of the former East Germany from the mid-1950s to early 1990”. “In these two regions TV programming and public broadcasts from West Germany television were out of reach with …

CULTURE night in Ennistymon will see a unique exhibition and artist’s talk at the Courthouse Gallery and Studios. ‘Tar Isteach’ is a participatory project with artists Maeve Collins, Monica De Bath and Julie Griffiths and will run from September 23 to October 23. The project started out as a Bealtaine, Age and Opportunity Commission back in 2020, in partnership with Clare County Council, Galway City Council and Roscommon County Council. The show is informed by a series of meetings, workshops and interactions with new Irish residents and citizens in Galway City, Lisdoonvarna and Ballaghaderreen in County Roscommon. Tar Isteach draws on the experience and knowledge that each artist brings, folding these over with the artisanal skills and the cultural perspectives of a diverse range of participant groups both native and New Irish. Embracing the Bealtaine theme of ‘Hospitality’, Tar Isteach interrogates the principle that it is only in our encounter with others that we can truly see and recognise ourselves. …

A LANTERN Parade is among the events that will take place in Mountshannon as East Clare celebrates Culture Night on Friday. Following a large-scale lantern workshop last Saturday, facilitated by Nathalie El Baba, the community is invited to gather at Market House at 8pm for a colourful parade through the town. Lanterns were also collaboratively made from willow and issue paper, in Lakyle and Iniscealtra national schools, and will be on display in a festive atmosphere. Anyone planning to attend is invited to bring their own lanterns, in a family-friendly event that will be followed by circus acts and fun at Aistear Park. The event follows a very successful and popular Lantern Parade in 2021 and there are plans to make it a yearly celebration. Another highlight of Culture Night in Mountshannon will be a tour through the town of a viking longboat created by local artist and blacksmith, Mark Wilson. The procession will involve stilt walkers and lots of …

A VISUAL and aural delight awaits at Mná ag Gaire’s Women’s Shed in Ennis this Culture Night when the acclaimed Hands in Harmony deaf community choir will take to the stage. As well as showcasing their performance skills on Friday with a mix of songs which have been translated into Irish Sign Language the choir is also launching a brand new film. The Hands in Harmony choir is made up with a mixture of deaf and hearing members with a mission to raise awareness of deafness and the Irish Sign Language in a positive way, highlighting the beautiful language and culture of the deaf community. Their performances have been described as being both emotional and visually stimulating, opening minds to something new and exciting. A film made with Grey Heron Media which has been created highlighting the experiences of members of the choir will be officially launched on the night. The film has been made in collaboration with Clare Local …

OVER 40 free events have been arranged across county Clare for the nation’s annual Culture Night, taking place this Friday, September 23. It represents the first Culture Night since 2019 of unfettered live access to events across the county, following restrictions imposed by the pandemic in the past two years. This year’s Culture Night with the theme ‘One Night For All’ offers a diverse programme of events and activities for all ages showcasing the wealth of artistic talent throughout the county. Organised by Clare Arts Office and funded by Clare County Council and The Arts Council, all genres of the arts sector will be programmed including music, song and dance, literature, film, art, and workshops starting at 4pm until late. A spokesperson for Clare arts office said, “Events are live this year as we enjoy a return to in-person events and a night for us all to come together and enjoy the best of Ireland’s culture. “In 2019 it was …

ENNIS actress Denise Gough has taken off to a galaxy far, far away having joined the Star Wars universe in her latest role. The multi-award winning actress is starring in Andor the latest TV show in the Star Wars franchise which debuted this week on Disney Plus. Denise plays Dedra Meero, a high-ranking Imperial officer in the show which is a spin-off prequel series to the hit film ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’. The show sees the return of Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, the much-loved character from 2016’s Rogue One, with the trailer depicting Denise’s villainous character hell bent on his capture. This isn’t the first time that Denise has featured in a show on Disney plus, with the three part ITV drama Too Close with Emily Watson also streaming on the channel. She is also an acclaimed stage actress winning two Olivier Awards for her roles in People, Places & Things and Angels In America on Broadway.