Magic in air as Áras Éanna turns 21

Europe’s most westerly arts centre is gearing up for its 21st birthday celebrations this month – by offering someone the chance of winning a five-night holiday on the smallest of the Aran Islands.

Áras Éanna’s ‘Éalu Draíochta’ draw, offering a five-night escape for four adults in Inis Oírr, will help to secure the future of the island’s arts centre, which has hosted artists, concerts, residencies and exhibitions since it opened in the year 2000.

The winner of the online draw will be announced to coincide with the launch of three exhibitions and an outdoor concert on the island on Saturday, July 17.

Originally built to be a weaving factory, the distinctive building on Inis Oírr recently re-opened to host artists in residence and a successful ‘virtual reality’ show by Galway City based Brú Theatre, having moved its activities online in April last year, response to the coronavirus.

All three exhibitions will take place outdoors in line with current Covid-19 restrictions and the concert will take place on the GAA pitch, which hosted a night of celebration featuring island artists and singer-songwriting trio The Raines for Culture Night last September.

“This year is very special. We were hoping to celebrate our 20th anniversary last year, but with the Covid-19 restrictions we decided that now is the time to celebrate as Ireland begins to open up,” says Áras Éanna’s Artistic Director Dara McGee.

“We got a feel for exhibiting outdoors last year, when the restrictions lifted for a few months, and we see the island as a palate for the arts centre to put art out there in front of the community.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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