Laois Leaves Literary Festival 2014,

Friday the 7^th Nov at 8.00pm, the Laois Arthouse & Library, Stradbally- readings from bestselling novelist Donal Ryan and poet Louis de Paor. Music by Uilleann Piper, Séan Mc Keon.

Sat 8^th Nov –at 8pm- an evening with Sr Caravaggio, in Castle Durrow Hotel, , with contributors to the novel Peter Cunningham, Cormac Millar, Peter Sheridan and Eilís Ní Dhuibhne. Music by Andeas Balke.

Sat 8^th Nov-Workshops for young people aged 15-20 with Colm Keegan – 11-2pm – 2.30 to 4pm – in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise-    editing and preparing work for reading on stage-cost €10.  Followed by free Open Mic event at 4.30pm.

Sunday 9^th Nov at Noon in Castle Durrow Hotel – Readings by Poet and Novelist Mary Ó Donnell, Poet Noel Monahan and music by Vocalese.   

Tickets  €12 or €30 covering all 3 evening events.  Bookings  Tel:  057 8663355. www.dunamaise.ie and more info contact The Arts Office, Laois County Council T: 057 8664033/13 E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie  Website: www.laois.ie   

 Castle Durrow Hotel is offering an early bird dinner prior to Meeting Sister Caravaggio , €25 per head. Contact Castle Durrow Hotel on 057-8736555

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Week Three of Pet Portrait Workshops at the Arthouse!

“I am enjoying hearing of the connection participants share with the animals they’ve chosen to portray. I am encouraged by everyone’s willingness to experiment with paint and am very much looking forward to seeing the portraits develop over the coming weeks!” says Lorraine Walsh, Resident Artist.

Painting Workshop at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally

Join artist Lorraine Walsh for a series of 5 workshops for adults beginning on Wednesday 8^th October from 7pm -9pm.  No experience needed  –

Magically Overactive Imagination – an exhibition of artwork by artist Gemma Lalor will open on Thursday 2nd October @ 6pm.  Come along and meet the artist and view the work.  Adela Meally of “Adela and the Meanits” will officially launch the exhibition for Gemma..

A return to the Crossroads

Actress and Storyteller Nuala Hayes will soon commence a short residency at the Arthouse in Stradbally,  to compile a book of Laois Folktales for the History Press. This will be part of the Folktales of Ireland series, which is proving very popular.  Nuala hopes to follow on then with Folktales of Offaly. The residency at Stradbally will revisit and follow on from her work during a previous sojourn in Laois as Artist in Residence in 2004 when her aim was to unearth the stories from Laois.

She will revisit some of the people and places which featured in the audio CD’s, now stored in the local library.   Nuala has already begun researching the stories from Laois and Offaly, which were collected in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. A treasure trove of stories rich in mythology and mystery, are waiting to be savoured.

Friday 19th September don’t miss open studio talks and art workshops at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally from 3.30pm -4.30pm. Join artist Lorraine Walsh for an exploration of light and shadow and artist Caroline Keane who will create fun pieces of art from recycled materials.  Free and  Family friendly – Children must be accompanied by an adult and booking is essential contact 057 8664033 or 8664170 or email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

Artist Gareth Jenkins, a resident artist here will be opening his latest exhibition of work “Interlayer” in the nag gallery, Basement, 59 Francis Street, Dublin 8 this Friday August 28 2014 6.00 – 8.00 pm.

The exhibition continues until September 20 2014.

We hope you can all make it and of course Congratulations Gareth!

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