Entertainment
Exhibition puts spotlight on ‘ordinary’ heroes of 1916
Robert Ballagh and Declan Kerr are among the artists taking part in the Galway 1916 Exhibition which is part of Galway City Council’s Centenary Commemorations and will run in the Connacht Tribune Printworks on Market Street, from March 23 to April 13.
This show features the work of more than 30 artists from all over Ireland and abroad, who are examining the people, events and legacy of the 1916 Rising. The exhibition also poses the question, “Where are we now?” in terms of the values set out in the Proclamation which was read out on the steps of the GPO 100 years ago.
Robert Ballagh was instrumental in the Reclaim the Spirit of 1916 in 2006 and is well known for his depictions of Dr Noel Browne and Samuel Beckett.
In his work, meanwhile, Dundalk based artist Declan Kerr depicts participants of the 1916, not in their customary military attire, but in the clothes of their day-to-day professions. His works show how these were ordinary people living in extraordinary times. Kerr’s art will also be on display on Galway’s streets over Easter, thanks to the support of business in the Latin Quarter.
The indoor exhibition on Market Street highlights the works of Ennis native Thomas Maoldomhnaigh, whose watercolours and oil on canvas depict Eamon de Valera, Michael Collins and Liam Mellows. Women and their role in the Rising are not forgotten, thanks to unique wax and ink drawings of Tony Clark from Wicklow, while Portuguese artist Miriana Santos draws on the turbulent histories of Ireland and Portugal for her work.
The graphic artist Gerry Hunt has reimagined the events of 1916 through his graphic novel The Blood Upon the Rose, which can be seen up close at the exhibition.
Other attractions include a series of films by Louth filmmaker, Marcus Howard whose work illuminates the lesser known participants of the Rising, through the voices of their descendants.
Charlie Byrne’s will operate a pop-up bookshop during the weekend and writers will be on hand to discuss and sign their works. All the art on display is for sale.
The free exhibition opens from 11am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 6pm Friday to Sunday.
Mayor of Galway, Councillor Frank Fahy will launch the exhibition next Thursday, March 23, at 6pm and all are invited to attend.
Folk duo Niall Teague and Pádraic Joyce are launching their new album What Will We Be, a blend of folk, Americana and acoustic music, this Friday, May 19, at 8pm in An Taibhdhearc.
The success of their well-received 2020 release Taobh le Taobh, as well as recent successes at the Pan Celtic and Oireachtas Song Contests, spurred the duo on to record this new album which represents many years of collaboration and musical development.
It features Niall and Pádraic on vocals, harmonies, and acoustic guitars, Maidhc Ó hÉanaigh on double bass and Neil Fitzgibbon on fiddle. The catchy title track, What Will We Be, features contributions from percussionist Jim Higgins (The Stunning, Christy Moore, Paul Brady) and haunting, driving melodies on vocals, guitar, and fiddle.
Themes of love and hope are woven through Come Away with Me which features interplay between piano and fiddle as well as rich vocal harmonies.
People, places, and broken dreams are celebrated and lamented on Martin and Tom, Guitar Gold, Memories of You and Achill Island. The influence of David Henry Thoreau’s novel Walden features on the tracks Simple and Wise and Walden, with the beauty of nature, escape and simple pleasures at their core.
The album moves from minimalistic folk ballads such as Galway Ghost to swirling, string-laden arrangements on the song Neptune, both of which are influenced by maritime tales from Galway. Much of the work on this album was supported by the Arts Council, including work with musical arranger Eoin Corcoran and the string ensemble Treo.
The album will be launched this Friday, May 19, at 8pm in an Taibhdhearc. Tickets €22, plus booking fee at Eventbrite.ie.
Dunmore is the place to be this weekend for lovers of traditional music, as the Galway County Fleadh will take place there from this Friday, May 19, to Sunday, May 23.
It is 10 years since Dunmore last hosted a fleadh and the local Comhaltas branch, which has re-formed since Covid, is looking forward to facilitating this gathering of music, song, dance and craic.
The official Opening Concert will take place in Dunmore Town Hall this Friday at 8pm with the acclaimed Mulcahy family from Limerick. Mick, Louise and Michelle are well known throughout the country, thanks to their live performances, television appearances and numerous CDs. They were the winners of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Grúpa Ceoil Award for 2023. Tickets for their concert can be purchased on the door and a great night of music is promised.
Two days of competitions will kick off this Saturday at the town’s Community School, with more than 1,500 competitors taking part. Participants will be hoping to qualify for the Connacht Fleadh 2023, which will be held in Ballina, County Mayo, from June 23 to July 2.
Competitions for those aged Under 10, Under 12 and Under 15 will be held in a large variety of instruments on Saturday, as well as in singing and Comhrá Gaeilge. Sunday’s competitions will be for the Under 18 and Over 18 ages groups, as well as in dancing.
On both days a large entry is expected for Grúpaí Cheoil and Céilí Band competitions across all age groups.
Seventeen Comhaltas branches from across Galway will have participants in this weekend’s competitions, which will result in a large number of visitors to the Dunmore area.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the competitions, which offer a great opportunity to hear and see the talent on display. There will be sessions in local pubs over the weekend as well and everybody is welcome to attend these.
For more information on the County Fleadh, go to www.galwaycomhaltas.ie.
Music for Galway’s concert with renowned Swiss pianist Cédric Pescia which had been due to take place on April 27 but which had to be deferred, will now take place next Tuesday, May 23, at 8pm, in the Emily Anderson Concert Hall at the University of Galway.
This concert of German classics with Bach at its core, will brings the Bach element of Music for Galway’s 41st season to an end.
This world-class pianist who won the famous Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition, has a repertoire that spans many eras from baroque to contemporary and he is widely known for his elaborate programmes. Cédric Pescia describes music as ‘language and movement at the same time’.
Audiences will have a chance to experience his soft, clear touch as he performs a programme for solo piano that will include classics such as Schumann’s popular Waldszenen (Forest Scenes), a suite of nine short pieces, and the penultimate of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, No. 31. These pieces will be interspersed with French Suites by Bach.
■ Ticket for Cédric Pescia’s concert are available at www.musicforgalway.ie, or by phone 091 705962 and on the door on the night. They cost €20/€18. The price for fulltime students of all ages is €6 while MfG Friends can avail of the friends’ rate of €16.
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