The Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, Co. Laois, is delighted to present the exhibition, Ó Mhná – Celebrating Women who Make a Difference an exhibition of poems and images by poet Denise Curtin, for International Women’s Day.

Noeline Delahunty, Community Nursing Unit, Abbeyleix.

Opening – Saturday 8 March 2025,(14:30 – 17:00)
Ó Mhná – runs Saturday 8th March to Saturday 5th April 2025. 
Opening Hours

Tuesday – Friday: 13:00 – 16:00 (entry through Laois Arthouse)
Tuesday & Thursday: 17:30 – 20:00 (entry through Library)
Saturday: 10:00 – 13:00 (entry through Library)

Laois County Council Arts Office is proud to present this exhibition, on such a noteworthy day for women, and to celebrate the women of Laois.  Monica Flynn / Assistant Arts Officer will host the opening – with welcome address by Councillor, Padraig Fleming, Cathaoirelach of Laois County Council, and official launch by Radio Presenter and Documentary Maker Ann Marie Kelly. The afternoon will include readings by Denise and a short talk on her work. All are welcome to the event and refreshments will be served.

For further details: T: 057 833 4033 | E: arts@laoiscoco.ie | www.arthouse.ie or www.laois.ie

Ó Mhná emerged from a discussion between poet Denise Curtin and Muireann Ni Chonaill, Arts Officer, Laois Co. Council, about a series of poems that Denise was working on, focusing on women who have inspired her in big and small ways.

Denise has created a series of beautiful poem portraits and dedication poems, including verse and imagery, which celebrate women known to her.  Women she has met in familial and transitory circumstances.  We have all encountered and know women in our lives who are at once ordinary and extraordinary. Denise says of the series ‘Whether it concerns knitting wraps for babies in conflict zones, creating a tiny museum in a community hospital, working as an inspirational teacher or a volunteer with the homeless, this exhibition celebrates the difference these women have made to the lives of others.’ Denise dedicates the exhibition to her Great-Grandmother Catherine O’Brien-Delaney (1889 – 1969) who lived in Stradbally, Co. Laois.

Denise will facilitate a writing workshop at Stradbally Library on Saturday 15th March (11:00 – 13:00). ‘New’ and ‘not so new’ writers, are welcome to join Denise for this workshop exploring the theme of HOME.  Participants are promised an enjoyable morning of discussion, reading sample pieces by famous authors along with brainstorming and encouragement.

Denise Curtin is a native of Athy, Co. Kildare. She is married and living in Portlaoise for many years. Her poems have appeared in a wide variety of journals and anthologies.  Denise taught Creative Writing for many years with the LOETB. She regularly works with writers’ groups, devising and editing projects.

Ann Marie Kelly, a Radio presenter with Midlands 103, presenting the Roadhouse Café, has won two Gold IMRO Radio awards for her work. She has also directed two film documentaries and curated a Spoken Word festival.

Monday 15^th July 2024 7pm at the Laois Arthouse & Library

Join us for this artist’s talk to coincide with the current exhibition Staidéar Neamhbheo | Still Life with exhibiting artist Paddy Critchley and artist Jock Nichol discussing Paddy’s work.  Come see the exhibition and hear more about Paddy’s practice and approach to this genre.

7pm Monday 15th July 2024 at the Laois Arthouse, Stradbally.

All are welcome and the event is free to attend.

#laoisarthouse #laoisarts #laoiscountycouncil #paddycritchley #jocknichol

Staidéar Neamhbheo Still Life

An exhibition of work by Paddy Critchley, and the adult summer arts group, at the Laois Arthouse, Stradbally.

Opening: Friday 5^th July 2024 at 6pm

Exhibition Runs until Friday 26^th July 2024

Laois County Council Arts Office and the Laois Arthouse, Stradbally are delighted to present an exhibition of work by Paddy Critchley with participants from the annual adult summer arts programme 2024.

Following four-days with Paddy, focusing on drawing and painting from life, the group will present an exhibition titled Staidéar Neamhbheo Still Life at the Laois Arthouse, opening on Friday 5^th July 2024 at 6pm.

The Laois Arthouse welcomes all who wish to attend the exhibition opening. The exhibition will be open to the public until Friday 26^th July.

On Monday 15^th July at 7pm, Paddy Critchley will be in conversation with Jock Nichol about his current exhibition, Staidéar Neamhbheo Still Life and the direction he is going. All are welcome to attend, and admission is free. Refreshments will be served. Entrance is through the Laois Arthouse entrance on the Timahoe Road, Stradbally Co Laois. R32KWX3.

Paddy Critchley is an artist from Portlaoise, Co Laois. Since graduating from Limerick School of Art and Design in 2021, he has exhibited at The Hunt Museum and Limerick City Gallery of Art and the Dunamaise Arts Centre. Paddy has work in the Limerick City Gallery of Art and the Hunt Museum’s permanent collection. He was the recipient of the De Veres Art Award for Work of Distinction at the 191st Annual RHA Exhibition for the painting Nature Morte (After Beckett). His practice is a constant interrogation of his environment. His political ideologies towards his environment shape how he sees the world and informs his practice. Paddy is conscious that in an ever increasingly chaotic world, where money and power rules, he wishes to shine a light on the ordinary person and the life he lives and knows. Paddy Critchley aims to show different voices withing the social and economic backgrounds of his peers and their environments, these take the form on intimate portraits and still lives reminiscent of the American artist Alice Neel, who has been a substantial influence on Paddy’s practice. Paddy is also a painter and decorator and interested in the politics of this trade.

Adult Summer Arts Programme

Artist Paddy Critchley facilitated the Annual Adult Summer Arts Programme in 2024, in the beautiful surroundings of the Malthouse, Stradbally, Co. Laois.  The programme entitled Staidéar Neamhbheo Still Life comprised of a four-day course from Tuesday 2^nd to Friday 5^th July 2024 followed by an exhibition of work at the Laois Arthouse Stradbally.

Over the four-days, Paddy shared his work methods and experience to assist and guide the students.  This four-day programme focused on drawing and painting from life. This will primarily be a series of still life workshops in which they draw form still life compositions curated by Paddy, and progress to making acrylic paintings.

For further information see www.laois.ie or contact the Arts Office artsoff@laoiscoco.ie  / 057 8664109.

On Wednesday June 5^th at 7pm, Roger Bennett, the world renowned woodturner who is originally from Knockaroo, Co Laois will conduct a conversation with Alan, about the  exhibition Quercu, at the Laois Arthouse in Stradbally. It will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with the work and to meet people. Refreshments will be served.

Laois County Council Arts Office and the Laois Arthouse, Stradbally are delighted to announce the annual adult summer arts programme 2024.  The artist delivering the programme this year is Paddy Critchley. The programme is entitled Staidéar Neamhbheo Still Life: working from life and takes place in the beautiful surroundings of the Malthouse, Stradbally, Co Laois.

The four-day course runs from Tuesday 2^nd to Friday 5^th July from 10:30am-4:00pm with an exhibition opening at 5pm on Friday 5^th July at 6pm.

Over the four-days, Paddy will share his work methods and experience to assist and guide the students.  This four-day programme focuses on drawing and painting from life. This will primarily be a series of still life workshops in which they draw form still life compositions curated by Paddy, and progress to making acrylic paintings.

The week concludes with an exhibition opening of Paddy’s work and selected work of the participants also entitled Staidéar Neamhbheo Still Life at the Laois Arthouse, Stradbally on Friday evening, 5^th July at 6pm.  All are welcome to attend the exhibition opening. The exhibition will remain open until July 26^th.

Students will need to bring an easel, 4 canvases, two large and two small. Acrylic paints, brushes, and drawing materials. There are several easels and painting boards available on request from the Laois Arthouse.

Packed lunch and drinks also are recommended.

Paddy is an artist from Portlaoise, Co Laois. Since graduating from Limerick School of Art and Design in 2021, he has exhibited at The Hunt Museum and Limerick City Gallery of Art and the Dunamaise Arts Centre. Paddy has work in the Limerick City Gallery of Art and the Hunt Museum’s permanent collection. He was the recipient of the De Veres Art Award for Work of Distinction at the 191st Annual RHA Exhibition for the painting Nature Morte (After Beckett).  His practice is a constant interrogation of his environment. His political ideologies towards his environment shape how he sees the world and informs his practice. Paddy is conscious that in an ever increasingly chaotic world, where money and power rules, he wishes to shine a light on the ordinary person and the life he lives and knows.  Paddy Critchley aims to show different voices withing the social and economic backgrounds of his peers and their environments, these take the form on intimate portraits and still lives reminiscent of the American artist Alice Neel, who has had a big influence on Paddy’s practice. Paddy is also a painter and decorator and interested in the politics of this trade.

There are limited spaces and booking is essential. The course fee €120. Concession of €70 available for students and unemployed. Contact Laois County Council Cash Office – 05786 74308 to pay. Please quote: Masterclasses Paddy Critchley. Cash Office Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm and please send the completed booking form to Laois Arts Office.

The booking form and further information can be found on www.laois.ie or by clicking on the link below.  You can contact the Arts Office arts@laoiscoco.ie  / 057 8664109.

Booking Form PC Summer Adult Arts