Busy schedule for Bealtaine in Offaly

Offaly Older Person’s Network has recently worked with other organisations to create a calendar of events to celebrate Bealtaine during the month of May. Bealtaine was celebrated as far back as Celtic times but in more recent times Bealtaine is an opportunity for older people to engage in arts and creative activities and events.

Offaly Older Person’s Network meets monthly and aims to ensure that older people are heard when decisions are being made, to share information and also to organise programmes and activities.

Last week Bealtaine in Offaly started with a Welcoming Event for the Ukrainian people in The Presbyterian Church, Tullamore. Offaly Libraries have hosted Book Club events in Clara and Kilcormac. Earlier this week there were flower demonstrations in Banagher and Kilcormac Libraries and a Mid Offaly Lunch Club event in Mountbolus.

On Friday, May 13, at 2pm in Grennans on the Green there will be an afternoon of Short readings from the ‘People of Killeigh & Beyond’ Series and ‘Memories The Way We Were’. Booking or further information from Martina Gorman 085 2833117.

Bealtaine in Offaly 2022 continues next week with a Walk in the Sculpture Park in Lough Boora Discovery Park on Monday starting at 11am. This walk will be led by Seamus Barron, former Bord na Mona worker and further information can obtained from Declan Costello, 087 6991226. On Thursday May 19 there will be a Flower Demonstration at 2pm in Edenderry Library. Later at 3pm on May 19 the Bealtaine Film in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre will be Academy award winning ‘Belfast’ and you can book with Ann Coughlan, 057 9122911.

On Thursday evening also Banagher Craft Group will have an exhibition of their work in Crank House and the contact person is Margaret Gallagher 087 4151709. On Friday there are flower demonstrations at 11am in Tullamore Library and at 2pm in Birr Library.

The last week of Bealtaine in Offaly 2022 will include the Offaly Age Friendly Showcase event on Tuesday, May 24, in the Tullamore Court Hotel, from 10am – 4pm, with information, workshops and entertainment and the contact person is Bridie Costello Hynes, 087 1198591. Also on May 24, there will be a Smartphone Workshop with Craig Lucas in Daingean Library at 12noon and to book contact Mary at 046 9731028 or Marie at 057 9353005.

On Wednesday, May 25, there will be a Creative Birr Exhibition in the Library with members of Birr Craft Group showcasing their work from 4pm to 7.45pm. For more information contact Frances Kawala, 086 1261887. On Thursday, May 26 the ever popular Lunchtime Concert with Tullamore Gramophone Society will take place in the Library between 1pm and 2pm. Later in the afternoon Ballyboy High Mileage Group will host a traditional music, song and dance event in Dan & Mollys starting at 4pm and booking with Alice Carroll, 086 3763084. The final event will be a European Neighbours Day event on Friday, May 27, with culture and information sharing in Darmagh Community Building, Tullamore from 3pm– 5pm and the contact person is Molly Buckley, 0872914302.

Finally Bealtaine in Offaly 2022 would not happen without the collaborations and supports from Offaly Local Development Company, Offaly Age Friendly Programme, Offaly Libraries, Laois Offaly ETB, Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, older persons groups, craft groups, older people throughout the county and members of the Offaly Older Person’s Network.