Bealtaine 2017 got off to a great start today when the programme was launched by Cathaoirleach Cllr. Terence Slowey in the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny.
The audience was treated to a special concert by living Jazz legend Guy McIntyre accompanied by John Trotter and Roan Armstrong.
Bealtaine in Donegal features a wide range of over 150 events in libraries, arts and community venues and day care centres throughout the county over the month of May.
Speaking at the launch Shaun Hannigan outlined a small number of the 160+ events taking place in Donegal during Bealtaine 2017 – from Plein Air painting workshops to the Lad from Laghey showing in a number of venues throughout Donegal to the ‘Then there was Light’ event which will remember the Rural Electrification Scheme to tips on keeping your brain healthy at a dedicated event in the Central Library in Letterkenny.
Many of these events are free to attend with excellent concessions available for paid events.
“A lot of work has gone into putting together this extensive programme which will see over 160 events taking place in Donegal to celebrate creativity and art among older people and we are hoping that as many people as possible will come along and join us in celebrating Bealtaine. Events are taking place in libraries, arts and community venues and day care centres throughout the county” says Shaun Hannigan.
Grainne Hines from Active Retirement Ireland also spoke at the launch and highlighted the valuable work being done by older people in Donegal and how this work contributes to our positive mental health and wellbeing.
Ms. Hines referred to the many challenges that older people continue to face from poverty, to access to health care, to transport needs and referred specifically to the positive role played by the Older People’s Council in Donegal which has a key role in informing policy and services as well as providing information to older people.
In his official launch of the 2017 Bealtaine programme in Donegal, Cathaoirleach Cllr Terence Slowey encouraged older people across the county to participate in and attend the many events taking place, urging people to tell their own stories, share their own experiences and enjoy the many events taking place as part of this year’s festival.
Free Bealtaine events at Regional Cultural Centre Letterkenny include ‘An Introduction to Plein Air Painting’ workshop at 11am on Saturday May 6th, a Tea Dance and Book Launch by Letterkenny Active Retirement Association on Thursday May 11th at 2pm and ‘The Lad from Laghey’, a one woman show starring Jean Curran on Tuesday May 16th at 2pm.
‘The Lad from Laghey’ will also be performed at Mevagh Family Resource Centre on May 17th at 6.30pm and Aislann Kilcar on May 18th at 2pm.
A very extensive programme of events in libraries includes a series of, Songs and Stories by Patsy Cavanagh, Hand Weaving Demonstrations by Clare O’Presco, Music and Craic with Fergus Cleary, Basket Weaving by Brendan Farren and Tips For Personal Safety by Neil Martin.
The library programme also includes lunchtime concerts by the RTE Lyric FM Quartet at Central Library, Letterkenny on May 11th at 12 noon and at Twin Towns Community Library on May 12th at 1pm and Brain Health, tips how to keep your brain healthy, at Central Library, Letterkenny on May 18th at 6.30pm.
Bealtaine in Donegal is part of the national Bealtaine festival, co-ordinated by Age & Opportunity in partnership with local authorities and arts and older people’s organisations. The theme of Bealtaine 2017 is All Together Now, celebrating collective action and includes a diverse range of events throughout Ireland.
For further information on what’s on in Donegal during Bealtaine 2017, click here: Bealtaine 2017 Brochure
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