Offaly set for a mid term hullabaloo

Making a museum of made up stuff, meeting Mrs Books, going faerie hunting in Birr Castle, making bugs and masks, drawing cartoons, watching puppet shows and finding out what happens when a giant blue hand comes out of the sea and steals a little boy’s family are all options for Offaly children this mid term break, thanks to the eighth Hullabaloo festival.

The programme for the festival in Birr, Clara and Edenderry that’s become an eagerly awaited event on both children’s and parent’s calendars was launched by Birr Special Olympic hero Conor Dwyer and students from his former school St Brendan’s Boys Primary at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre earlier this week.

Organised by Offaly County Council arts office together with Birr Theatre and Arts Centre, Clara Family Resource Centre and Offaly library services, the Hullabaloo festival will take place from Wednesday, October 29 until Saturday, November 1 next.

This year’s programme features a very special performance by Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society of Marina Carr’s play for children ‘A Giant Blue Hand’, as well as a Moon and Sixpence puppet show, the Robin Williams’ film Jumanji and lots of workshops, cartoons, graffiti, storytelling, singing, dance and make and do.

There will be special ‘Day of the Dead’ Hallowe’en inspired workshops in Edenderry with Stagecraft Ireland, culminating in a flash mob, and to round off the festival the 4B brass band will do a whistle stop tour of Hullabaloo towns with music from cartoons including ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Itchy and Scratchy’.

Hullabaloo is primarily aimed at children aged two to twelve. Festival programmes are available online at www.offaly.ie or www.birrtheatre.com, from local libraries and also in local shops. In addition programmes will be delivered to schools in Birr, Clara and Edenderry.

Those behind the festival have advised parents to book events early, as places are limited and demand is high.

More information is available from 057 9357400 or 057 9122911.