LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL

Thursday 2 May, 6.30pm

GREY HOUNDS ON THE TRAINThe W

ar of Independence story that no one hastold. M

eet four women, not ordinary wom

en, butfighters in a struggle to achieve Irish Independance.Booking advised.

Thursdays 2 & 30 M

ay, 11am-12pm

LITERATURE AT ELEVENJoin a group of literature enthusiasts to read a poemand piece of prose and discuss. All welcom

e.

Tuesdays, 7.30pm

HISTORY LECTURESA series of history lectures on a num

ber of topicswith guest lecturers. Booking recom

mended T:057 8622333

14 May

1919 and the Irish War of

Independence: A National and RegionalPerceptive

by Dr. Richard McElligott

21 May

Fake News and Irish Freedom

by Ian Keneally

28 May

Wom

en of the Irish Revolution –The

Wider W

orldby Dr. Kate O’M

alley

4 JuneThe M

assacre of Mullaghm

ast in 1577by Turtle Bunbury

Wednesday 15 M

ay, 7.30pmGENEALOGY CLUBCom

e along to the library to meet others interested

or engaged in family history. M

eet new peoplehear their experience and tips in genealogy.

Thursday 23 May, 11am

FLOWER ARRANGING FOR BEGINNERS

Bring along your own flowers to create anarrangem

ent under Edel’s guidance at thisworkshop for beginners. This is a free event butbooking is essential. Booking essential T:057 8622333

Wednesday 29 M

ay HEART CHECK by The Irish heart Foundation by appointm

ent.The Irish Heart Foundation will visit PortlaoiseLibrary to check pulse and blood pressure.Booking essential T: 057 8622333

Wednesdays, 7.30pm

BOARD GAMES CLUB FOR ADULTS

This group meet in the library –

Bring a game or

just yourself and join in the fun.

Wednesday 1 M

ay, 6.30pmM

AY BOOK CLUBSee Portlaoise Book Club on Facebook for thism

onth’s reading.

Wednesdays, 5.15pm

CIORCAL COMHRÁ

Join in Irish conversations in a relaxedatm

osphere.

Wednesdays, 11am

KNITTING/CROCHET GROUPSBring your own work and join a knitting group.M

eet new people and chat about the craft.

Po

rtlaoise Lib

rary Events

FOR MORE INFORM

ATION CONTACT:M

uireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer • Bridie Keenan, Assistant Arts OfficerT: 057 8664033 • E:artsoff@

laoiscoco.ie.

ACKNOWLEDGEM

ENTSThe Arts Office acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council. Thanks to the m

anager and staffof Dunam

aise Arts Centre and the comm

unity groups and individuals throughout the county who aresupporting or taking part in Laois Bealtaine Festival 2019.

Tuesdays in May, 11am

•Free

St Fintan’s Hall Carpark, Mountrath

MOUNTRATH RAM

BLERS WALKING GROUP

encourages beginners to join their weekly walks.Supported by Arthritis Ireland, Laois. All welcom

e!M

ore info T:086 8852503

Tuesdays & Thursdays in M

ay, 7.30pm

Portlaoise Leisure Centre•

Free

PORTLAOISE STEPPING OUT WALKING

GROUPwelcom

es new mem

bers to join allwalking sessions are 30/40 m

inutes duration.M

ore info T:087 9395670.

Tuesdays in May, 6pm

Oriel House, Portarlington •

Free

PORT TRAIL WALKING GROUP

encourages beginners to join their weekly walks– approx 5km

. All welcome!

More info T: 086 3288858

Tuesdays in May, 9.30am

Rathadaire Church, Ballybrittas•

Free

BALLYBRITTAS WALKS encourages beginners

to join them for a 40m

in walk approx. (meeting

beside the motorway bridge).

More info T:086 4026321

Tuesdays in May, 7pm

The Sw

an Inn•

Free

THE SWAN W

ALKERSwelcom

es new mem

bers to join - All welcome!

More info T:086 3850905 or 085 7813598

Wednesdays in M

ay, 10.30amBeside Parochial Hse, Stradbally

•Free

STRADBALLY WALKING GROUP

encourages beginners to join with weekly walks.Supported by SVT Com

munity Sports Hub.

All welcome! M

ore info T:086 8465876

Lifestyle &

W

ellbeing Events

Library

Events

Booking isrecom

mended as

places are limited.

Contact individual library.

Design and print: Brosna Press090 6454327

Wednesday 8 M

ay, 11am-12pm

•Free

Portlaoise Leisure Centre, PortlaoiseLAOIS SPORTS PARTNERSHIP ACTIVATETOGETHER, COM

MUNITY W

ALKCasual outdoor walk using our Activator W

alkingPoles at your own pace. All welcom

e, weatherperm

itting! T:057 8671248 for more info or to register.

Tuesday 14 May, 11.30am

-1.30pm•

FreeSt. M

ary’s Sports Hall, PortlaoiseLAOIS SPORTS PARTNERSHIP DANCE &GAM

ES MORNING

A fun filled morning of dance with M

aureenCulleton, Go For Life Gam

es, Activator Poleexercises and plenty of chat! All W

elcome!

T: 057 8671248 for more info or to register.

Friday 17 May, 11am

-1pm•

FreeM

ountrath Comm

unity Forum, (form

erBrigidine Convent), M

ountrath LAOIS SPORTS PARTNERSHIP GAM

ES MORNING

with Laois Men’s Sheds. A fun introduction to

the game of “Scooch”! Pre-Booking Essential.

T: 057 8671248 for more info or to register.

Sunday 26th May, 2pm

Cam

ross Parish Hall•€

5 Book

BINGOJoin m

embers of Cam

ross Active retirement

Group for a fun afternoon of bingo. All welcome.

Mondays &

Fridays in May, 7.30pm

Cullohill Comm

unity Hall•Free

CULLOHILL WALKING GROUP

Open Group, All welcome! M

ore info T:087 2160744.

Tuesdays in May, 10am

MDA Carpark, M

ountmellick

•Free

MOUNTM

ELLICK WALKING GROUP

encouraging beginners to join their weeklywalks. All welcom

e! More info T:086 1020431.

Com

e & join in the celebrations!

For the month of M

ay the Arts Office, Laois County Council invite people of an older age to join in som

e of the wonderful events that are happening in Laois for the Bealtaine Festival 2019. In celebration

of creativity the theme for 2019 is “Hospitality” to signal the w

arm w

elcome offered by the festival.

Library

Events

Dunam

aise Arts C

entre Events

All events can be booked online www.dunamaise.ie; over the phone on 057-8663355

or in person at our Box Office, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Church Street, Portlaoise.

Discounted rates for groups on request where possible.

Wednesday 1 M

ay, 4pmLaois Arthouse Stradbally

•Free

Launch of ‘FIESTA’an exhibition by the StradballyActive Retirem

ent Group, open throughout them

onth of May. A selection of paintings, including

still life and landscapes the group have developedover the year.

Friday 3, 10, 17 May, 11.30am

-1pm

Laois Arthouse Stradbally•

€5

RECONNECT POTTERY WORKSHOP

runs overthree weeks with ceram

ic artist Cathy Whelan. These

workshops will explore the therapeutic nature ofclay through sim

ple techniques andm

indfulm

ovements. Create a unique piece of work in a

creative and relaxed environment. Suitable for all

levels, no previous experience isnecessary.Participants are advised to bring an apron. Booking essential – Lim

ited numbers -

T:057 8664033/13 or E:artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

Cathy Whelan is a Ceram

ic Artist and Educator. A graduate of the National College of Art andDesign. Cathy’s work has been exhibited as part ofa group show in Gallery Zozim

us, Dublin and as part of a collaborative

exhibition in NCAD .

Saturday 4 May, 2pm

– 5pm

Laois Shopping Centre

ST JOSEPH’S MOUNTM

ELLICK EMBROIDERY

GROUPwill exhibit and showcase this age old

craft at an open afternoonat Laois Shopping

Centre,where the public are invited to take part orview

how the work is made, to encourage new

mem

bers to join the group.

Arts &

Crafts

Tuesday 7 May, 2.30pm

•Invite only

St Brigid’s Hospital, Shaen, Portlaoise M

onday 13 May, 2.30pm

•Invite only

St. Vincent’s Hospital Mountm

ellickM

onday 20 May, 1.30pm

•Invite only

Abbeyleix HospitalM

USICAL MEM

ORIESm

usicians from Laois

School of Music and M

usic Generation Laois willgive a series of perform

ances at Shaen Hospital,St Vincent’s Hospital M

ountmellick and Abbeyleix

Hospital for residents and day care visitors. Family

mem

bers are encouraged to attend and share them

usical mem

ories with their loved ones. DeniseBoyle (Fiddle) Nuala Kelly (Vocals/Guitar) and M

aryW

isely (Piano Accordian). Audience participationwelcom

ed. (for residents and out-patients).

Wednesday 8, 15, 22 &

29 May, 11am

-1pmLaois Arthouse Stradbally

•€

5

Have you got something to say; we grow, we age

and along the way we gather knowledge, information,

things happen, life happens and our story growswe should celebrate and record its highs and lows.The SERIES OF W

ORKSHOPSis a chance for you

to explore your stories, in a lively and friendlyatm

osphere whether through, prose or poetry or am

ixture of both. Share work by other writers, writeour own pieces and share

them on the last week.

Jean O’Brien is an awardwinning poet who haspublished five collections ofpoetry and is a regularcontributor on SundayM

iscellany. She is a former

writer in residence for Co. Laoisand has m

any years experience in tutoringin places as

diverse as the Irish Writers Centre, Prisons, Schools,

Comm

unity groups and at degreelevel. She tutors in

short story, mem

oire and poetry.

Music • D

ance • Literature

Thursday 2 May, 6pm

• FreeADULT BOOK CLUB

Thursday 2 May, 3pm

• FreeCarnation Theatre presents GREYHOUND ONTRAIN , a play that follows the real life stories ofwom

en who took part in the War of

Independence.

Tuesday 7 May, 3pm

-5pm• Free

WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

with Caroline Keane

Tuesday 21 May, 3-5pm

• FreeDRAW

ING FOR BEGINNERSwith Caroline Keane

Thursdays in May, 6pm

• FreeADULT CHESS CLUB

Every Thursday

Wednesdays in M

ay, 10.30am• Free

KNITTING CLUB

Ab

beyleix Lib

rary Events

Wednesdays in M

ay 11.30am-12.30pm

• FreeYOGA &

MINDFULNESS

with Mary Kavanagh.

Participants can use a chair or a yoga mat.

Booking is essential. Call M

ountmellick Library

T:057 8644588

Mountm

ellick Library Events

Thursday 9 May, 8pm

SPUDS & SPEAKS

with Michael Creagh and

guests. A night of story, song and spuds.

Rathdow

ney Library Events

Thursday 2 May, 10.15am

-11.30am• Free

PAPERMAKING CRAFT W

ORKSHOPwith artist Caroline Keane. Participants will learn how to m

ake paper and howto use everyday item

s to make the design unique.

Booking required T:057 8643751

Thursday 9 May, 10.15am

-11.30am• Free

WATERCOLOUR CARDS W

ORKSHOPwith artist Caroline Keane. Participants will learn som

e simple watercolour

techniques to create simple and elegant cards

or postcards. Booking required T:057 8643751

Fridays in May, 10.30am

• FreeKNITTING/CROCHET GROUPBring your own work and join a Knitting Group.M

eet new people and chat about the craft.

Portarlington Library E

vents

Tuesday 14 May, 10.30am

-12.30pm• Free

SILK FIBRE WORKSHOP

with artist Caroline Keane. Participants will learn how to m

ake silk fibresheets and 3D pieces using silk fibres, threadsand found objects. Lim

ited numbers. Booking T:057 8756378

Thursday 23 May, 6-8pm

• FreeART DEM

O & TALK

with Artist Tom Joyce.

Tom will dem

onstrate landscape paintingtechniques and explain com

position, costsinvolved, how to choose and m

ix paints, what tobuy and what not to buy. Lim

ited numbers. Booking

T:057 8756378

Mo

un

trath Lib

rary Even

ts

Saturday 11 May 8.30pm

Lugacurren Hall•

€5

LAUNCH A NEW COLLECTION (E.P.) OF

SONGSby Ballylinan songwriter Paul Hickey

along with his band ‘Soakin’ Rope’. It will, also,feature Lugacurren traditional group ‘Ol, Ceolagus Craic’. Assisted by the Arts Office, this willbe a sm

all intimate event with a warm

welcome

for all who attend.

Saturday 18 May, 2pm

-5pm

St Canices Hall, Borris-in Ossory•

€2

Afternoon of entertainment including BINGO,

MUSIC, SONG &

DANCE & AFTERNOON TEA

Organised by the Borris-in-Ossory SocialServices Com

mittee.

Saturday 4 May 8pm

•€

22/€20

Join CHRIS DIFFORDat Dunam

aise as he playshit songs from

his 90’s UK band Squeeze backcatalogue and recounts stories from

his 40 yearcareer. Unm

issable!

Tuesday 14 May, 8pm

•€

16/€14

Take 2 Drama Productions present

CHEQUE PLEASE!

Wednesday 15 M

ay, 2pm•

€5

Portlaoise Active Retirement Association present

their annual BEALTAINE VARIETY SHOW.

Tuesday 28 May, 11am

An Sean Chistin, BallyfinLINE DANCING FOR FUN

A warm welcom

e toall who have Line Dancing on their “to do list”.Hospitality, fun and gentle exercise guaranteed.

Wednesday 29 M

ay, 11amParish Centre, Portlaoise

•Free

SING FOR JOY CHOIRThis vibrant com

munity

choir, offers a céad míle fáilte to com

e and enjoysongs to welcom

e Summ

er. All are welcome to

join this talented group for a very pleasantBealtaine event. Donations welcom

e.

Booking isrecom

mended as

places are limited.

Contact individuallibrary.

Tuesday 21 May 12 noon &

8pm•

€18/16/12

WHAT GOOD IS LOOKING

WELL W

HEN YOU’RE ROTTENON THE INSIDE?by Em

ma O’Grady.

Touch tours of set available pre-show on request for visually

impaired patrons and their guests. 8pm

showalso has captions (sub-titles) live on stage. One m

onth before his death, retired civil servantand m

an of few words Paddy O’Grady had asudden urge to talk and recorded hours ofm

usings on life and absurdist stories ontocassette tapes. From

this fascinating archive,Paddy’s granddaughter (Em

ma O’Grady from

Mountrath) has created a charm

ing show, tingedwith warm

nostalgia and great humour.

With thanks to Bealtaine Festival, perform

ances areenhanced for patrons with visual and hearing difficulties.Presented with support from

Arts & Disability Ireland.

Friday 24 & Saturday 25 M

ay, 8pm •

€16/€

14

Laois Fourth Wall Theatre Group present SIVE

byJB Keane