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Arts / Culture

By Waterford City & County Council

“Superhumans”: theme for this year’s Robert Boyle Summer School

Superhuman: genetic modification, designer babies, bionics, prolonging life and accelerating evolution under the microscope at Robert Boyle Summer School June 20 to 23, Waterford and Lismore.

‘Superhuman’ is the theme for this year’s Robert Boyle Summer School which runs in Waterford city (Tower Hotel) and Lismore from June 20 to 23. It will demonstrate how Science and Technology is catching up with mythology and we are now poised to create Superhumans.

The gathering will consider the possibilities and perils of human modification and performance enhancement. Leading experts will also explore genetic modification, designer babies, bionics, prolonging life and implications for humanity.

See https://www.facebook.com/BoyleSummerSchool or https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/robert-boyle-summer-school-2019-waterford-and-lismore-tickets-59714201785?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford winner of national Creative Writing Award announced

Waterford City & County Council’s Arts Office is pleased to announce that the winner of the national Molly Keane Creative Writing Award 2019 is Fiona Ennis from Butlerstown, Co. Waterford with a story titled ‘Debt’.

Fiona has a BA in English and Philosophy and an MA in English Literature and Publishing from NUI Galway. She also holds a PhD in Philosophy from University College Cork. She lectures in Literature and Philosophy in Waterford Institute of Technology.

Fiona comes from a literary background as her father is the noted poet John Ennis who has published over twenty collections of poems and has had his poetry represented in numerous journals and anthologies.

‘Debt’ is the twenty second winner of the Molly Keane Creative Writing Award run by Waterford City & County Council’s Arts Office with support from the Arts Council and by kind permission of the Keane family. Fiona read her winning story at a presentation ceremony during the IMMRAMA Festival, Lismore (15/6/2019) and was presented with prize money of €500.

Margaret Organ, Arts Officer thanked all the entrants and judges for their work. She said that it was encouraging to see entries from all the counties in Ireland and then to have a Waterford winner on this occasion was testament to the writing talent in this County.

She also announced that entries have now opened for the national Waterford Poetry Prize 2019, results of which will be announced at the Waterford Writers Weekend in October during the Imagine Festival. See this post and waterfordarts.com for entry details.

Recipient of bursaries to attend ‘Time to Write’ with writer Lani O’Hanlon at the Molly Keane Writers Retreat, Ardmore in August were also awarded. Full bursaries went to Martine O’Donovan and Ciara O’Brien, Tramore and partial bursaries to Joanne McCarthy and Paul Casey/Waterford city.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Poetry Prize 2019

The Arts Office, Waterford City & County Council is pleased to that it is accepting entries for the Waterford Poetry Prize 2019. The Waterford Poetry Prize is open to all writers currently living on the island of Ireland.

The prize will be presented at the Waterford Writers Weekend 25th to 27th October 2019 during the Imagine Arts Festival in Waterford city.

There is no age limit and no entry fee for the Waterford Poetry Prize 2019.

The first prize is €400 plus attendance at a designated writing course at the Molly Keane Writers Retreat, Ardmore in 2019. 2nd prize €300.  3rd prize €200. The closing date for receipt of entries is 12 noon on Monday 2nd September 2019.

The entry form and guidelines can be downloaded here (below) and on www.waterfordarts.com or by contacting the Arts Office on 058/41416.

By Waterford City & County Council

Africa Day 2019 @ Waterford Cultural Quarter

Africa Day 2019 – June 6th

Waterford City and County Council will host a series of activities at Waterford’s Cultural Quarter in O’Connell Street on Thursday the 6th of June 2019 from 11am to 3pm, to mark Africa Day 2019, which is supported by Irish Aid and the Department of Foreign Affairs

The programme of events will aim to better inform the indigenous population about the diverse, rich and colourful African Culture in Waterford. A variety of musicians and acts are set to entertain in an open air environment with genres ranging from traditional African music, Coco Fiesta, Gospel Choir to modern dance and hip hop.

There will be plenty of activities for children including a mini-farm, wobbly circus with stilt walkers, balloons and hula hoops, baby boogie and face painting. On street craft demonstrations will include a Berber market, produce stalls and an instrument workshop and much more.  Why not come along and experience the event for yourself.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford successful in renewing prestigious Purple Flag accreditation

Waterford is celebrating being awarded a Purple Flag for the third time. Waterford is now one of over 70 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland who have been awarded with Purple Flag status for their achievements in helping people to have a great night out.

The committee submitted a detailed renewal application in January 2019, and the city went through a rigorous independent assessment on 5th April 2019 which included visiting many ambassador businesses, hotels and entertainment venues, as well as a boat trip with Waterford City Marine Search & Rescue.

Waterford passed all 31 Purple Flag criteria as well as the minimum thresholds of decreasing crime statistics, providing appropriate transport, offering a vibrant appeal, a stimulating destination and a strong partnership.

By Waterford City & County Council

Scoláireacht Ghaeltachta 2019 (Gaeltacht Scholarship)

Tá áthas ar Oifig na Gaeilge, Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge a fhógairt go bhfuil sé i gceist Scoláireacht Ghaeltachta a bhronnadh ar dhalta(í) meánscoile ó Phort Láirge arís i mbliana.

Bronnfar scoláireacht ar dhalta(í) a chónaíonn i gCathair nó i gContae Phort Láirge (laistigh de limistéar riaracháin na Comhairle) chun freastal ar Chúrsa Samhraidh C de chuid Choláiste na Rinne i Rinn Ó gCuanach, cúrsa a bheidh ar siúl ón 14-28 Iúil 2019.

Is féidir foirmeacha iarratais agus sonraí iomlána na scoláireachta a fháil trí theagmháil a dhéanamh le:

Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach,
Oifigeach Gaeilge,
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge,
Oifigí Cathartha,
Dún Garbhán,
Co Phort Láirge

Teil: 0761 10 2884

R-phost:       msbreathnach@waterfordcouncil.ie

Sé an t-am agus an dáta deiridh a nglacfar le hiarratais ná 5.00 i.n.
ar an gCéadaoin, 8ú Bealtaine 2019

The Irish Office, Waterford City & County Council is delighted to announce its intention to present a Gaeltacht Scholarship to a second level student(s) from Waterford again this year.

A Scholarship will be available for a student(s) living in Waterford City or County (within the Council’s administrative area) to attend Coláiste na Rinne’s two-week Cúrsa C, which takes place from the 14-28 July 2019 in the Gaeltacht area of west Waterford.

Application forms and full details of the terms and conditions of the scholarship are available by contacting:

Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach,

Irish Officer,

Waterford City & County Council,

Civic Offices,

Dungarvan,

Co Waterford


Tel: 0761 10 2884

E-mail:           msbreathnach@waterfordcouncil.ie

The final time and date for receipt of applications is 5.00pm on Wednesday, 8th May 2019

 

 

By Waterford City & County Council

Mount Congreve features in Ireland’s Ancient East pop-up gardens display

SPRING HAS SPRUNG, AS THE GARDENS OF IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST POP UP ACROSS DUBLIN THIS WEEK 

#IrelandsAncientEast

This week, pop up gardens are appearing across Dublin to showcase just a handful of the stunning stately gardens and country estates that are scattered across Ireland’s Ancient East just waiting to be explored this spring. The pop up gardens will transform busy pedestrian walkways and urban areas of the city overnight and give commuters and visitors a taste of what’s waiting for them just a short drive from Dublin.

Ireland’s Ancient East is rich with garden experiences, packed with tales of passionate designers and big house drama, allowing visitors to step into another world where great houses, intriguing stories and gorgeous eateries are all just waiting to be enjoyed this spring. Not just for the garden enthusiast, prepare to dive into the deep history of lavish stately homes and the stories they have to tell. Follow your inner foodie and enjoy some of the best local provenance at the celebrated restaurants and cafés that nestle within.

The Pop Up Gardens

Iconic locations will showcase the unique gardens, including the famous Molly Malone Statue which will become a visual floral feast, displaying the gardens of Huntington Castle & Gardens, Co. Carlow. The Japanese Gardens at The Irish National Stud will be crossing over the busy Meeting House Square in Temple Bar to bring a new cultural experience to the busy hipster enclave. Busy city commuters will be stopped in their tracks at Heuston Station as the train station platforms are exchanged for the apple orchards of Emo Court House, Co. Laois.

Birr Castle, Gardens & Science Centre, Co. Offaly, will be replicating its own dramatic show outside the mother of drama, The Gaiety Theatre on South Kings Street. Georgian Dublin will come alive on Merrion Square at fashion house, Louise Kennedy, as a living embodiment of the beautiful Italian Gardens at Powerscourt Estate, House & Gardens transcend vertically over the iconic doorway.

If you’re around central Dublin this week, make sure to pop by the following gardens of Ireland’s Ancient East and take a moment to enjoy the sights and scents of these unique spaces:

  • The Japanese Gardens at The Irish National Stud, Co. Kildare – Meeting House Square, Temple Bar
  • Huntington Castle & Gardens, Co. Carlow – Molly Malone statue, Suffolk Street
  • Powerscourt Estate, House & Gardens – Louise Kennedy Fashion House, Merrion Square
  • Emo Court House, Co. Laois – Heuston Station
  • Birr Castle, Gardens & Science Centre, Co. Offaly –The Gaiety Theatre, South Kings Street
  • Mount Congreve Estate Gardens, Co. Waterford – George Bernard Shaw, Richmond Street South

For further information on the gardens Ireland’s Ancient East visit: https://www.irelandsancienteast.com/discover/things-to-do/10-gorgeous-gardens

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Dr Éibhear Walshe to give talk in Medieval Museum

Will read from his new book and speak about the writing process

In this exciting new historical novel, Eibhear Walshe recounts Handel’s time in Dublin in 1742, retracing his golden youth in Rome, his sometimes shady role as emissary and spy for the Elector of Hanover, who in 1714 became George I of Great Britain and Ireland, and his doomed first love affair. With energy and insight, this novel leads up to the first performance of Handel’s most celebrated work of sacred music the Messiah.

Eibhear Walshe was born in Waterford, studied in Dublin, and now lives in Cork, where he lectures in the School of English at University College Cork and is Director of Creative Writing. He has published in the area of memoir, literary criticism and biography. His books include Kate O’Brien: A Writing Life (2006), Oscar’s Shadow: Wilde and Ireland (2012), and A Different Story: the Writings of Colm Tóibín (2013). His childhood memoir Cissie’s Abbatoir (2009) was broadcast on RTÉ’s ‘Book on One’.  His novel The Diary of Mary Travers (2014), was shortlisted for the Kerry Group Novel of the Year Award in 2015 and longlisted for the 2016 International Dublin Literary Award. He was associate editor of Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks (2016), shortlisted for the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards.

Wednesday 24th April 2019

7.30pm

Medieval Museum

€5 (to the Museum purchase and conservation fund)

By Waterford City & County Council

Poetry Ireland Access Cúirt bursary

Poetry Ireland and Cúirt International Festival of Literature are delighted to offer the Poetry Ireland Access Cúirt Bursary this spring. This will provide an emerging poet from a background that is currently statistically underrepresented in Irish poetry the opportunity to visit the festival and become immersed in the poetry programme. The bursary includes tickets to all events and workshops, accommodation for five nights, travel costs to Galway and a per diem.

Applications are invited from poets from minority ethnic and socio economically disadvantaged backgrounds, poets with disabilities, and poets who identify as LGBTQI+. This bursary is only open to poets who are currently based on the island of Ireland. To apply please send a short expression of interest statement (no more than a page) in an attached Word document, outlining why your work would benefit from this support to info@poetryireland.ie by 5.00pm on Friday 15 March.

By Waterford City & County Council

A Conversation with Michael Heaney

Michael Heaney will be in conversation about compiling the book of 100 Poems by his late father Seamus Heaney and he will speak about the ‘Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again’ exhibition currently on show in Dublin.

Plus there will be an open mic section: Read a poem of your own or a favourite Heaney poem on Friday 22nd March 2019 at 8pm  upstairs in Phil Grimes, Johnstown, Waterford. Tickets at €10 are on sale now in Phil Grimes.

Grant assisted by The Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council.

By Waterford City & County Council

Couple with Extraordinary Story to lead Waterford City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Waterford Couple with Extraordinary Story to Lead Waterford City Parade

Des and Mona Manahan have been chosen as the 2019 Waterford City St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshalls. Des and Mona have had their true love story shared all over the world in recent months and have appeared on the Late Late Show, This Morning, BBC News and have appeared in articles all over the world.

Because of Mona’s (83) failing eyesight, Des (84) thought that he would start learning how to apply Mona’s makeup so she could always look and feel her best. They have been married for the last 56 years, this really is a true love story. Des and Mona met in 1952 when Des decided to serenade Mona with Nat King Cole’s “They Tried to Tell Us We’re too Young”.

Although their story has gone viral, it mustn’t be forgotten that Des and Mona have made huge contributions to the arts and theatre in Waterford. Des has spent his life on the stage, a member of every musical society in Waterford since the 50’s, a member of the Grand Opera Society, he has appeared in professional productions all over the country and still performs with Waterford Musical Society today. Mona and Des have both made huge contributions to the iconic “Tops of the Town”. Mona, who worked on costumes for Red Kettle Theatre Company for years, also took the lead on all the costumes for the Tops shows. Meanwhile Des was writing comedy for the shows and acting as musical director and producer.

Mayor Declan Doocey said, “I’m delighted to have Des and Mona acting as the Grand Marshalls for this years St. Patrick’s Day Parade, these two have an extraordinary story that has been heard by millions of people, as well as having contributed so much to the arts and theatre in Waterford. As we celebrate colour, culture and community in this years parade I believe these two perfectly embody what it means to involve oneself in their community and bring vibrancy to everyday life.”

Des and Mona will lead the parade, beginning at Dooley’s Hotel and will arrive at the viewing stand to be greeted by the Mayor.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Artlinks Bursaries awarded for 2019

The Artlinks partnership of local authorities Arts Offices in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford has awarded over €60,000 to artists in the South East. Supported by the Arts
Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon this grants stream provides professional development
opportunities and supports for established and emerging artists who are resident in these
four counties.

The recipients of bursaries from the Arts Office, Waterford City & County Council are:

  • George Higgs/Music, Ardmore.
  • Blawnin Clancy/Visual Arts, Dungarvan.
  • Catherine Barron/Multidisciplinary, Dungarvan.
  • Cora Cummins/Visual Arts, Villierstown.
  • Emma Penruddock/Literature, Clashmore.
  • Adam Phelan/Theatre, Waterford city.
  • Mary Grehan/Literature, Passage East.
  • Kathleen Dobbyn/Visual Arts, An Sean Phobal.
  • Clodagh Beresford Dunne/Literature, Dungarvan.
  • Eamonn Dolan/Theatre, Dungarvan.
  • Lani O’Hanlon/Literature, An Sean Phobal.
  • Róisín Sheehy/Literature, Tramore.

Margaret Organ, Arts Officer, Waterford City & County Council remarked that the standard of applications was particularly high and that it was positive to see new applicants being supported. She thanked everyone who applied and wished the awardees every success with their chosen courses, projects, mentoring and workshops.
Artists who are resident within the four partner Local Authorities can register for
membership free of charge on www.artlinks.ie

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