WHAT’S ON at a glance
‘GOD BLESS THE CHILD’ National Opera House, July 7, 8 p.m.
The short stories of Frank O’Connor will be brought to life in a hilarious play called ‘God Bless the Child’ at the National Opera House on Thursday, July 7, at 8 p.m.
Three of the famous writer’s stories, My First Confession, My Oedipus Complex and The Genius, have been adapted into a full-length play for the stage by Patrick Talbot, who also directs the production starring Gary Murphy, right, Ciaran Bermingham and Shane Casey. Following a hugely successful season at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin and a national tour in 2015, the production has been revived for a second Gaiety run and countrywide tour and is coming to Wexford for one night.
This year is the 50th anniversary of Corkborn Frank O’Connor’s death.
The audience will meet young Michael, who goes into mortal combat with father when he returns from the First World War; Larry, a genius who can’t understand why the world can’t keep up with him, and Jackie, who has the grim task of not only making his first Confession and Communion but must also deal with his very obstreperous grandmother.
The funny and moving play which is richly evocative of Ireland in the early decades of the 20th century, produces howls of laughter wherever it goes.
Set design is by Jim Queally with lighting design by Paul Denby, costume design by Mary Newman and sound design by Cormac O’Connor.
Booking at the National Opera House.
FREE TRADITIONAL MUSIC SESSION Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, July 10, 3 p.m.
A free traditional music session will be held in the Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig at 3 pm on Sunday, July 10. Wexford Arts Centre has organised the event as a summer treat for all age groups who are invited to enjoy a seisiún in a unique Crannóg setting with musicians Steve Murphy, Fergal O’Hanlon and Richie Sinnott. The event is supported by the Arts Council.
HOGWARTS SUMMER CAMP Wexford Arts Centre, July 11 to July 15
Harry Potter fans are invited to take part in a five-day Hogwarts summer camp at Wexford Arts Centre from Monday July 11 to Friday, July 15, from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. each day. Participants will make their own ‘magical wand’, learn spells, take a potion class and delve into the crafts of illusion and mind-reading as well as playing the transfiguration game Patronus with clay and also Quidditch Pong.
OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT – THE COMMITMENTS
Rosslare Community and Sports Centre, July 16, from 8 p.m. An outdoor movie night will be held at Rosslare Community and Sports Centre on Saturday, July 16 with a screening of ‘The Commitments’ under the night skies. Moviegoers are invited to bring along a blanket or book one of the VIP seating areas. Gates open at 8 p.m. and there will be live music and family fun before the film starts at 9.30 p.m. Hot food and snacks will be served. This is Rosslare’s first outdoor cinema night and there is much excitement about the event which is sponsored by Boggan’s Londis. Tickets cost €10 and €15 for a VIP seat. To book, telephone 053 9132202.
CHILDREN’S SUMMER CAMP Irish National Heritage Park, July 18 to July 20
A summer camp for children run will be held at the Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig on Monday, July 18, to Wednesday, July 20. The camp will be run by Artmakers with drawing, painting, printmaking, construction and creative fun on the agenda. The cost is €50 for each participant with family discounts offered. To book telephone 086 3768204.
EXHIBITION BY YVONNE COOMBER Gaslamp Gallery, Gorey, July 14 to July 24
An exhibition of new work by the artist Yvonne Coomber will run at The Gaslamp Gallery in Esmonde Street, Gorey from July 14 to 24.
Yvonne, right, who spent a large portion of her childhood in Ireland, where her mother is from, is known for her vibrant, abstract flower paintings and landscape art. In her own words, her ‘rainbow-drenched paintings sing of wild tumbling hedgerows, tangled meadowlands, open moorlands and magical fields’. She uses a mixture of oils, inks, glosses, glazes, fine glitter and gold leaf applied in a multitude of layers with paint brushes, sponges, rags, palette knives and fingers to create a finished piece and she always works outside with the weather often dictating where the paint falls.
Yvonne’s new exhibition is called ‘Tread Softly’.