Bealtaine set to break out in bloom all across Duhallow
THE 2017 IRD Duhallow Bealtaine Festival got off to a rousing start when a large group of local musicians performed at the launch on Jimmy Reidy’s ‘Around the Fireside’ which was recorded at the Heritage Centre in Freemount.
Louise Bourke, Jack Roche, and Con O’Sullivan from IRD introduced the musicians and outlined the many wonderful events that will take place throughout the month, while adding in interesting snippets of local history and folklore as the programme unfolded. Paddy Tobin, Kathleen Moylan, and Mary Buckley were also on hand to explain about the many events on offer.
The Bealtaine Festival celebrates age and ppportunity, and nurtures creativity in its many diverse forms.
Card making workshops, scrapbook layout, iPad, tablet, and smart phone training are all on offer, while the great outdoors will be celebrated during walks in the Island Wood, Newmarket; Claragh, the Mullaghareirk Mountains, and Mount Hilary.
There will be a Joe Dolan tribute night, a Bealtaine variety concert, and a tea dance, and everyone can relax after all these energetic pursuits during a coffee morning, an Alzheimer’s tea morning, a trip to daytime cinema, and night time drama. The Rosary will be recited throughout the month of May at Tureencahill Grotto at 8pm (Mon-Fri), and 7.30pm on Sundays.
Performers at the launch included Casadh O’Thuaidh from the Cork ETB School of Music with their teacher, Noreen O’Connor, and John Dennehy on guitar, the Castlemagner Community Singers, the Lorraine O’Riordan Gospel Choir accompanied by Louise Bourke, and solo singers Ger O’Brien, Mary Buckley, Sheila Fitzgerald, and Marie Twomey.
The recorded programmes will be broadcast on C103 FM on Jimmy Reidy’s ‘Around the Fireside’ on Monday, May 8, and Monday 15th at 9.50pm.
Information on the full programme of events can be obtained from IRD Duhallow at 029 60633 and at www.irdduhallow.com