Magical arts night
LOVERS of the arts and culture enjoyed Culture Night in New Ross and across the district for the first time this year, when several venues were used for performances and to highlight the area’s rich local culture and heritage.
WACT Youth Theatre performed a collection of short performances called `As One Door Closes’ dealing with the themes of choices and decisions that are required of young people in St Michael’s Theatre. Seana Redmond gave a display of sean-nos and barrel and brush dancing and Irish music. She also shared the history and folklore of the dance with the crowd and played old ballads and airs on the tin whistle, including many Wexford songs of `98.
Baya the Storyteller shared wonderful Irish tales at New Ross Library. Afterwards in the Library Park amphitheatre the junior members of New Ross & District Pipe Band gave a tour-de-force performance, including playing the theme tune from Game of Thrones, The Pikeman’s March and The Minstrel Boy, while there were some fantastic individual and group performances from the award winning band, led by Brian MacMahon.
The talented Cumas group performed a lively set afterwards, followed by local dance group 2 Many Dance Moves Dance Company, led by Becci Whelan and Irina Karpenko. As the suns set on the amphitheatre, the dancers gave a fluid, fascinating performance of `The Children of Lir’. Giving a contemporary and spell-bounding performance. The Ros Tapestry, Dunbrody Famine Ship and Hook Lighthouse all provided free tours on the evening.