Local notes: Light in the Linenhall, treats in Turlough
Dannielle Chambers from Castlebar, who received her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychiatric Nursing, with her parents Valerie and Peter, at the conferring of awards by ATU Mayo at St Mary’s Hall in the Castlebar campus. Picture: Mike Shaughnessy
The Linenhall Arts Centre, one of Ireland’s oldest arts centres is currently developing a Strategic Plan, and Public Engagement Strategy that will guide the organisation through to 2030.
These two documents, co-designed by community stakeholders, are funded by the Arts Council’s Capacity Building Support Grant, and the Linenhall team is being aided by arts consultant Heather Maitland in the project’s research and development. Adhering to their mission statement, ‘Arts for All at the Linenhall’, it is the first arts centre in Ireland to co-design such strategies, with input from stakeholders across the communities of Castlebar and its environs.
Visioning Workshops are being held with audiences, artists, funders, local businesses, and children and young people as well as the Linenhall team and Board of Trustees. Community Engagement Officer, Alice Dixon is also connecting with a large number of community groups who will also contribute to the plan. Conversations will be documented in each workshop and used to formulate both strategies. The Linenhall hopes to see the Strategic Plan and Public Engagement Strategy released in March 2024.
Castlebar councillors have included the development of the local railway station into a regional freight hub into a new town plan.
Councillors signed off on the local area plan last week. The railway stations plans were welcomed by Cllr Cyril Burke.
"We have a well-developed station in Castlebar with great access through the Breaffy Road Retail Park to the line. At a time when rail is becoming more attractive than road, it is important that Castlebar develops its rail service to its greatest potential. Having this included in our Town Plan will help fast-track any application to develop a freight service from Castlebar,” said Cllr Burke.
A large-scale installation, ‘Infinite Light’, conceptualised by Mayo artist Cathal McCarthy continues at the Linenhall Arts Centre until next Saturday, December 9. The project runs where the 'Light Laboratory' is situated, along the alleyway through to Supervalu carpark where a steel container hosts ‘Rainbow in a Box’.
“I wanted to create a mesmerising light experience for people of all ages to enjoy in the depth of winter,” explains McCarthy.
A sensory and experiential installation, it is the fruition of many years of research and development. Infinite Light invites your participation in using experimental light technologies old and new. Light is omnipresent all around us and ever changing. Explore how colours are made, observe how light disperses and create your own colour mixes. Witness how your eyes react to after images and ultraviolet light.
Be sure to explore the phenomena of light and colour in new ways before the exhibition concludes next weekend. This dazzling project is like nothing previously experienced in Castlebar and while access is free, advanced booking is required through the Linenhall’s Box Office team.
Renowned for her emotive and resonant vocals, Aoife Scott is on hand to serenade audiences with her unique and soulful sounds at the Linenhall Theatre on Friday, December 15. Daughter of much-loved singer Frances Black, Aoife superbly blends traditional, folk, and contemporary musical influences, and this promises to be among the finest entertainment for the festive season.
The National Museum of Ireland has launched a festive programme of events and activities for Christmas at Turlough Park. Taking place throughout the month of December, the Museum is inviting people to escape the hustle and bustle for a few hours, spend time with family and friends, and reconnect with culture, heritage and nature in the grounds of Turlough Park. Here are six top things to do:
'A Christmas Carol' by Ocean of Notions Productions comes to Turlough Park next weekend, December 9/10. This heart-warming adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless tale has become a highly anticipated date in the festive calendar of Cork City, where is has been performed at Nano Nagle Place over the last number of years.
There will be three intimate performances in the Victorian setting of Turlough Park, at 1pm and 3pm next Saturday, and 1pm on Sunday. Admission is free but places are limited and booking is essential.
The Museum is hosting a Christmas craft market in the Courtyard of Turlough Park House from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, December 9. There will be a range of local and handmade crafts for special and unique gifts, including candles, calligraphy, aromatherapy, art, cards, textiles and wreaths.
Younger visitors can take part in a Christmas themed treasure-hunt style activity in the exhibition galleries throughout the month of December. Pick up an activity sheet and clipboard at the museum reception and use the clues to find our lost Christmas decorations. The clues will lead visitors through three floors of exhibition galleries to find twelve decorations hanging in the displays. Find them all to complete the challenge! Then go to reception to see if you are right and enter our free competition for a special Christmas goodie hamper.
Discover the crib scene brought to life at Turlough Park with animals from Kiltimagh Pet Farm who will be there in the Courtyard with their four-legged friends on Saturday and Sunday, December 9/10, and 16/17. The crib was very much a part of the traditional Christmas celebrations in an Irish home. Learn about animals such as sheep, goats, cows and donkeys which would be typical on a traditional Irish farm and which also form an important part of the nativity story at Christmas. Then go to the exhibition galleries to visit the Life in the Community exhibition and learn about other Irish Christmas traditions such as Mummers and Wren Boys.
Enjoy some Christmas carols with the inspirational Rock 'n' Roses Choir in the exhibition galleries at 3pm on Saturday, December 16. The choir members are all cancer survivors and the group takes its name from Mayo Cancer Support Association’s Rock Rose House. The following afternoon (Sunday, December 17), come along from 3pm to see two of the region's leading choral groups – the Mayo Male Voice Choir and the Cill Aodain Choral Society – deliver an atmospheric performance in the exhibition galleries. Admission is free. No booking required.
Round off your visit to Turlough Park at Synge & Byrne Café in the Courtyard. There is a special menu of festive treats to enjoy this December, including red velvet cake, German style Christmas shortbread biscuits, mince pies and chocolate and orange muffins. Warm up with the flavours of Christmas with a 'Merry Berry' hot chocolate special, a mulled tea or a gingerbread latte. Then browse a unique range of Irish gifts, books and crafts in the Museum Shop next door. You can also visit a new exhibition of paintings by Jo Killalea in the Courtyard Gallery.
