Community groups partaking in the Bhangra Ceilí fusion event at Esker Arts as part of the Festival of Change earlier this month. Photos: Paul Moore.

PHOTOS: Offaly's unique landscape celebrated at Festival of Change

Published: Mon 15 Apr 2024, 9:03 PM

Last updated: Tue 16 Apr 2024, 10:08 AM

Some unique and interesting cultural events were held in the Offaly earlier this month as part of a 'Festival of Change' celebrating art within natural surroundings.

The festival, which was a joint effort between Offaly County Council, Mayo County Council, and Visual Artists Ireland, was scheduled for Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6, but Storm Kathleen prompted the postponement of some events on the second day.

The Offaly Arts Office said the festival delved into "the influence that art, both tangible and intangible, could exert on communities and locations, encompassing social, economic, and cultural dimensions".

The festival was connected to two distinct sites in Mayo and Offaly: the Tir Saile Sculpture Trail in Mayo and the Lough Boora Sculpture Park.

Left to right are: Sinéad O’Reilly (Arts Council Of Ireland) pictured with artists and representatives from a variety of community organisations at the opening event of the festival, 'Tionól'. Pictured are; Tim Quinlan, Pat Foley, David Jameson, Eddie Bulfin, Maura Murphy, Eileen Hutton, Linda Kelly, Bernadine Carroll, Micheál O’ Connell. Gary Dempsey in background. Photo: Paul Moore.

In Offaly, the festival commenced at Tullamore's Esker Arts on the morning of Friday, April 5, with ‘Tionól’, a gathering of selected individuals, groups, and artists who would present their expansive or concise conceptions regarding the potential held by 'art in the landscape' to an intrigued audience.

Pictured left to right at the opening of 'Midland: Mother Myth Memory' at Esker Arts are: Rita Duffy. Hardeep Singh Sahota, Cathaoirleach of Offaly Council Cllr. Eddie Fitzpatrick and Chief Executive of Offaly County Council Anna Marie Delaney. Photo: Paul Moore.

Artists and community groups were invited to be part of the audience and witness the blue-sky thinking with regards to running art projects. This led into an informal networking session called the 'Conversation Café,' providing a platform to further develop ideas from the ‘Tionól’ or introduce new concepts in a casual and laid-back setting amidst a lunch provided by Wild Plates Catering.

Throughout the day, a variety of discussions and activities ensued, including an illustrated discourse by photographer and filmmaker Tim Smith, accompanied by Hardeep Singh Sahota, with whom he has collaborated for the past decade.

Together, they had interwoven words, visuals, music, dance, and "found sounds" to delve into the lives of local communities in the North of England and how this had transpired into their recent endeavours in County Offaly.

Hardeep Singh Sahota facilitating a Bhangra Dance workshop.

Ruairí O’Shea, an established folk artist from Shinrone, wound the afternoon down with a soulful performance designed to reflect the themes of the day.

Ruairí O’Shea (Shinrone) performing at 'Art In The Landscape – Festival of Change' at Esker Arts in Tullamore.

The evening witnessed the unveiling of 'Midland: Mother Myth Memory,' an exhibition by the esteemed artist Rita Duffy, by Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick.

The official opening was followed by a Bhangra Ceili. Comhaltas groups, set dancers, belly dancers – all types of dancers either novices or more established were invited to this fun event – the first of its kind in the Midlands, which produced an evening of colour and cultural exchange.

Artist Rita Duffy (pictured fourth from left) at the opening of her exhibition Midland: Mother Myth Memory, pictured with relatives from Clara. Photo: Paul Moore.

While some of the Saturday events had to be postponed due to the weather, Offaly Arts and Esker Arts will announce details, in due course, of when they'll be rescheduled.

Hardeep Singh Sahota hosted a Bhangra Dance workshop in Esker Arts before the festival culminated with 'Rhythm of Light,' an exhibition premiere and commission showcase by Hardeep Singh Sahota.