Local talent at Féile na Bealtaine

FEILE na Bealtaine was the overall winner of the community awards in 2014, the first Arts Organisation to take the title. The festival has since its inception in 1994, developed arts within the community.

Some local involvement to look out for or particpate in:

A highlight of recent years at Féile na Bealtaine has been Puddings & Poetry at the Dingle Cookery School. While Mark and Muireann demonstrate how to make some delicious desserts, members of the audience read their favourite poems and a little of the story of why it is important for them - and get to sample the baking. To partake in this event leave your name with Áine or Joan at the Festival office on Orchard Lane.

The Dingle New Music Choir and Orchestra will be in concert in the Pobalscoil on Thursday evening, The choir who have been working with conductor and composer Gabor Peli, will present a night of Hungarian, Irish and classical pieces. Membership of the choir and orchestra has grown rapidly since the first note was posted in Dingle requesting people interested in joining a choir or orchstra to assemble in the Temperance Hall in July 2015. The ensemble is drawn from all walks of West Kerry life and you will find teachers, dentists, doctors, chemists, mothers, carers, computer techinicians, artists and farmers represented. Their concert is on Thursday at 7.30 pm in the Pobalscoil.

The festival has a wide range of local musical talent, from traditional to funk rock. Cormac Begley, Máire Breathanch, Abigail Joffe, Bernie Pháid Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Strange Attractor are among those taking to the stage.

This year, local writers Dairena Ni Chinneide, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Pat Neligan, Trevis Gleason, Greta McCarthy-O’Brien, Bríd Ní Mhoráin, Aine Moynihan and Felicity Hayes-McCoy will read and present new work. For those who prefer their poetry in motion, a guided tour of the town – with poets in tow – will leave from the head of the pier.

Deirdre McKenna has an exhibition of her intriguing prints in An Lab. The Annascaul artists exhibition will be officially opened on Friday evening by Michael Healy Rae. Internationally known local artists Liam O’Neill and Carol Cronin will also be showing their new work. Partnerships and collaborations include Úna Ní Shé joining with Leiko Uchiyama of Japan and Ken Bolger with Ronan Ó Snodaigh.

A film produced as part of the adult learning course in Camphill will give an insight into the day-to-day life of the community.

The festival is packed with activities and promises to be a great weekend. See www.feilenabealtiane. ie for more information or call into the festival office in Orchard Lane for a programme.