“Tell me then, and tell me truly, what land and country is this?”

Now in its 20th year, Bealtaine is the nationwide arts festival celebration of creativity as we age (over 50s) and takes place during May. This year’s Bealtaine Festival theme is from a famous homecoming, where Odysseus comes home but does not recognise his homeland: “Tell me then, and tell me truly, what land and country is this?”. This is an invitation to look at our country through new eyes, hear with new ears, explore traditions, working with the land, artists who left, stayed and returned. Waterford City & County Library Service invites you to explore this theme with a range of free, fun activities, workshops, talks and much more. All events are free. Places are limited for all events. Booking is essential. Bookings will be taken from Tuesday 14 April 2015. You can also visit our Website at www.waterfordcity.ie/library for programme information. Bealtaine is co-ordinated by Age & Opportunity, the national organisation that inspires everyone to reach their full potential as they age. It takes place each May countrywide and over 120,000 people now take part in Bealtaine. Taking its name from the ancient Celtic festival celebrating springtime, Bealtaine celebrates renewal, creativity and growth in ageing.

Writing, Stories & Tales Public Reading To celebrate Poetry Day, the Tramore Writers Group will do a public reading from their own works. Tramore Library Thu. 7 May Time TBC All welcome. Waterford Writers’ Weekend This festival promotes the art and craft of writing and celebrates creativity in all generations. Highlights in the Library include: Inside the Daughterhood Natasha Fennell and Róisín Ingle chat to Orla Shanaghy about how their book came together and the impact it has had on those it has touched. Central Library Fri. 8 May 7.00pm – 8.00pm Phone 051-849983 or visit www.waterfordwritersweekend.ie to reserve a place.

Get Flashy with Fiction with K. S. Moore Master the art of micropoetry and create the shortest of short stories with this fun and challenging session. Central Library Sat. 9 May 10.30am – 12.30pm Phone 051-849983 or visit www.waterfordwritersweekend.ie to reserve a place.

Gallery Tour

Join us for an informal and fun walking tour of the galleries in Waterford starting in the Index Gallery, Central Library at 10.30am and finishing with a cuppa and chat in Garter Lane Arts Centre; calling at HIVE Emerging and Greyfriars Gallery in between. Central Library Wed. 13 May 10.30am – 12.00pm

Exhibitions and Art

Art Art teacher, Susan Enticknap will be helping you explore your artistic side using various art forms including pen and ink, acrylic and fabric paints. All materials supplied. “Landscapes and Seascapes” using acrylics

Tramore Library Fri. 1 May 10.30am – 12.30pm Brown’s Rd. Library Fri. 8 May 10.30am – 12.30pm Central Library Fri. 15 May 10.30am – 12.30pm

“Birds and Insects” in pen and ink

Ardkeen Library Mon. 11 May 10.30am – 12.30pm Tramore Library Mon. 18 May 10.30am – 12.30pm

“Fabric painting flowers and animals” using fabric paints Brown’s Rd. Library Fri. 22 May 10.30am – 12.30pm Ardkeen Library Mon. 25 May 10.30am – 12.30pm Central Library Fri. 29 May 10.30am – 12.30pm

Local art teacher, Phil Mortimer will run an art workshop, all materials supplied and all abilities welcome. Art workshop

Cappoquin Library Wed. 20 May 11.00am – 1.00pm All workshops are free. Spaces are limited. Booking is essential. One booking only for each workshop.

Exhibitions

Photographic Exhibition An exhibition from the Heritage Centre of photographs of Portlaw and Curraghmore of times past will be on display in Portlaw Library throughout the month of May. Portlaw Library 1 – 31 May

Art Exhibition by Peter Foskin

The work from this mixed media exhibition comes mainly from the artist’s interest in ancient Ireland, its tribes and holy men or shamen. They are pen and ink on old door panels, paper and some engraved glass. Index Gallery, Central Library 18 – 30 May

Bealtaine Exhibition A selection of art and craft works produced during the festival will be on display in the Index Gallery, Central Library from Wed. 3 to Sat. 13 June. Index Gallery, Central Library 3 – 13 June

Crafts Decoupage Workshop Participants will learn how to change ordinary items into something new, customizing it to reflect their own personality using contemporary decoupage techniques. Central Library Mon. 11 May 10.30am – 12.00pm Dungarvan Library Wed. 13 May 11.00am – 2.00pm Brown’s Rd. Library Fri. 15 May 10.30am – 12.00pm

Greeting Cards Workshop Craft artist, Clare Fitzgerald will take you through the steps in designing your own greeting cards. Ardkeen Library Fri. 8 May 10.30am – 12.00pm Tramore Library Mon. 25 May 10.30am – 12.00pm

Patchwork/ Quiltwork Workshop Pauline Beglin from the South East Patchwork Society will teach the basic steps involved in patchwork and quiltwork. Central Library Wed. 20 May 5.00pm – 7.00pm

All workshops are free. Spaces are limited. Booking is essential. One booking only for each workshop.

Traditional Viking Pottery and Woodcarving Demonstration The Community Employment Scheme participants from the Waterford Area Partnership will demonstrate the traditional Viking skills used in pottery and wood carving. Central Library Wed. 13 May 10.00am – 12.00pm

Knitting

The local “Knitting Natters” will exhibit and sell their works to help raise money to purchase a van for the Dr. Martin Day Care Centre in Portlaw. Portlaw Library Fri. 29th May 10.00am – 1.00pm

The Central Library Knitting Circle will pass on some of their skills in needle work to the younger generation of pupils from the Waterford Educate Together School. Central Library Thu. 28 May 11.00am – 12.00pm

Nature & Gardening

“Spring has Sprung” Interactive gardening session with Q & A, hints and tips by Margaret Power, Abbey Road Gardens. All are welcome. Central Library Mon. 11 May 3.00pm – 4.00pm “How to Maintain your Garden Plants” A hands on, down to earth talk by Bobby Power, now retired from Mt. Congreve Gardens. Lots of helpful advice and time for questions. Ardkeen Library Sat. 16 May 10.30am – 11.30am “Growing your own food, for a healthy happy you”

GIY founder and author of 'GROW COOK EAT' Michael Kelly will talk about a typical growing year in his own garden in Dunmore East as part of the Bealtaine Living Earth Festival. Michael is author of three books on the subject of food and self-sufficiency and writes columns for Food & Wine Magazine, The Journal.ie and the Evening Echo. His latest book GROW COOK EAT was a winner in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. GIY, which was founded in Waterford in 2009 now supports over 65,000 people annually to grow their own food at home, school, work and in the community. Michael is also a member of The Taste Council. Ardkeen Library Tue. 19 May 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Guided Nature Walk

To celebrate the richness and beauty of the natural world during the time of Bealtaine, there will be a guided walk along the unique Tramore Back-strand Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This SAC, located just twenty minutes outside the city is an understated gem for flora and fauna. This beautiful lagoon and dune complex is of international and national importance for bird species and for rare flora. Stunning in the May sunshine and with its fascinating natural history, this walk is sure to be of great interested to all. Please note: if you have a health condition that you feel may impact on your participation on this walk, please be aware that you will be undertaking this walk at your own risk. Tramore Old Railway Station Fri. 22 May 10.30am – 12.00pm

Talks and walk are free. Spaces are limited. Booking is essential.

Healthy Mind/ Healthy Heart Pranayam and Laughter Yoga with Richa Yadav Richa will do a special class with a combination of pranayan and laughter yoga and an introduction to meditation. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring your own mat/ blanket. Ardkeen Library Wed. 13 May 11.o0am – 12.00pm Central Library Mon. 18 May 11.00am – 12.00pm Tramore Library Wed. 27 May 11.00am – 12.00pm Relaxation and Meditation with Catherine Cooney Complimentary therapist, Catherine Cooney will do relaxation and meditation in a group setting. This will be a relaxing and enjoyable morning and all are welcome. Portlaw Library Thu. 14 May 11.00am – 1.00pm

Classes are free. Spaces are limited. Booking is essential. One booking only for each class.

History/ Genealogy

Family Search FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Their Website is of particular value to people doing family history research as it allows searches of the indexes to births, deaths and marriages for Ireland from 1864-1958. Sr. Walton will give short half hour workshops on how to use this Website database at the following dates and venues: Central Library Thu. 7, 14, 21 & 28 May 2.00pm – 2.30pm Ardkeen Library Fri. 8, 15, 22 & 29 May 11.00am – 11.30am Genealogy Talks on Tracing your Family Tree Genealogist, Tony Hennessy will present four talks covering the basics for those

who would like to begin tracing their family tree. Tony Hennessy M.A.P.G.I. is a

member of The Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland. He has been

involved in the world of genealogy for almost 30 years. He has run regular evening

classes in genealogy in Waterford since 2010. He lectures on the NUI Diploma in

Genealogy course in University College Cork and the Certificate in History of

Family and Genealogical Methods at University of Limerick. He also draws family

trees.

The series of talks include the following: Tracing your Family Tree: How to start, where to start

Central Library Tue. 5 May 10.30am – 11.30am

Tracing your Family Tree: Making sense of the censuses Central Library Tue. 12 May 10.30am – 11.30am

Tracing your Family Tree: Births, baptisms, deaths & marriages Central Library Tue. 19 May 10.30am – 11.30am

Tracing your Family Tree: Footprints left on the land Central Library Tue. 26 May 10.30am – 11.30am

Talks and workshops are free. Spaces are limited. Booking is essential.

Heritage Trail All are welcome to come along on a heritage walking trail starting and finishing in Cappoquin Library. This trail, facilitated by the Heritage Centre, will be approximately 3-4km in length. Please wear comfortable walking clothing. Cappoquin Library Tue. 12 May 11.00am This trail is free but booking is essential. Annie Brophy Collection During May Waterford City and County Libraries and the Archives Service commence online publication of this remarkable collection which spans six decades, with the earliest images dating from the 1920s. The collection comprises poignant Waterford based portraits, including people joining the religious life, the military and emigrating. A sample of this collection will be displayed on screen in Dungarvan and information on it will be available in all Library branches. Dungarvan Library 1 – 31 May

Gadgets & Cameras

Camera Functions Workshop Do you want to learn how to use the different settings on your digital camera? Photographer, Hugh O’Brien Moran will take you through the various basic camera functions. Tramore Library Wed. 13 May 10.30am – 12.30pm Ardkeen Library Wed. 20 May 10.30am – 12.30pm Central Library Wed. 27 May 10.30am – 12.30pm

Introduction to Social Media for Beginners Deirdre Keohan will demonstrate how Facebook and Twitter work. Tramore Library Fri. 15 May 10.30am – 11.30am Brown’s Rd. Library Fri. 29 May 10.30am – 11.30am Demonstration is free. Spaces are limited. Booking is essential.

Introduction to Smart Phones/ Tablets/ Apps Deirdre Keohan will demonstrate the different types of smart phone and tablet operating systems and their apps. Ardkeen Library Fri. 15 May 3.00pm – 3.45pm eLearning at the Library Learn new IT skills in the comfort of your library with an ECDL Equal Skills Qualification – a fun, informal and uncomplicated introduction to computers and the Internet for beginners. Courses are available at Ardkeen, Central, Dungarvan, Kilmacthomas, Lismore and Tramore Libraries. For more information, or to fill out an application form, contact your library or call into your local Department of Social Welfare.

Film Screenings

Programme 1: What we Leave in our Wake (2010) A filmic essay which unfolds as a series of conversations on Ireland, exploring themes such as emigration, mythology, consumerism, socialism, the place of the church in Irish life, the central role of land in Irish history and the sense of a civic society. Dir: Pat Collins (81 mins.) Dungarvan Library Thu. 7 May 6.30pm.

Programme 2: What Remains (2013) Dynamic assemblage of images selected from personal film collections preserved in the IFI Film Archive. Dir: Tadhg O’Sullivan/ Pat Collins (11 mins.)

followed by:

Fathom (2013) An evocative non-narrative and meditative film on isolation and thinking, framed by the Fastnet Lighthouse off the South West coast of Ireland. Dir: Sharon Whooley/ Pat Collins (21 mins.) Dungarvan Library Thu. 28 May 6.30pm

Music/ Drama

Dawn Chorus All are welcome to join in the springtime Dawn Chorus in the lovely surroundings of Dunmore East followed by tea and scones. Dunmore East Library Sun. 31 May 8.00am

Dusk Chorus Celebration All are welcome to take part in the grand finale event, “The Dusk Chorus Celebration”. This night of song, wine and cheese hosted by the Europe Direct Information Centre, is a chance for all to come and celebrate the end of the Bealtaine Festival and an opportunity for the Waterford Libraries to say thank-you to all who took part. During this evening, there will be a performance from the “Bealtaine Choir” and the exhibition of artworks will be

officially launched.

Drama Sketch Also, on the evening, there will be a drama sketch performance from the Waterford Intergenerational Group, consisting of people of all ages brought together by St. Brigid’s Family & Community Centre and the Inner City Youth Project. The group will perform two short drama pieces exploring connections across generations under the guidance of Martina Collender as Scriptwriter/ Director. The drama project is funded through the Waterford City & County Council Arts Grant Social History Programme. All are welcome! Central Library Wed. 3 June 6.00pm

The Bird Song Project is a celebration of traditional songs about birds. Devised and produced by Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert for Bealtaine, The Bird Song Project is a research and performance project involving older traditional singers. Across the four provinces, there are five concerts, each with a unique line-up. For lovers of traditional song, these will be

unmissable. There are 15 traditional singing circles, from Wexford to Derry, also participating by hosting their own bird song night. It is estimated that over 300 songs in relation to birds will be sung across the country in May. Each concert and the Singing Circle events will be recorded and made available on the project website in June 2015. This project has been commissioned by Age & Opportunity/BEALTAINE 2015 with the support of the Irish Traditional Music Archive and The National Library of Ireland. If you have any questions please contact Michael on 087 6470247 or visit www.thebirdsongproject.com for further details.

THE MUNSTER CONCERT Sat. 16 May, Cúil Na Sméar Hall, Cúil na Sméar, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 8.00pm. Adm €5 Featuring Tim Dennehy, Larry Joy, Senan Lillis, Máire Ní Chéileachair, Ann Mulqueen and Michéal Marrinan. Music Recital Celebrating 100 years of Irish singers on the international stage (1915-2015). John O’Sullivan to Robin Tritschler – an appreciation. A musical talk by Muiris O’Keeffe who will introduce CD tracks played on the evening. Dungarvan Library Thu. 14 May 6.30pm

Competitions Photography Competition Win €100! To follow this year’s Bealtaine theme “What land and country is this?” we are calling all photographers of any ability to send us a photograph relating to this theme. You can either submit a print to any of the Waterford Libraries branches or email it to djohnston@waterfordcouncil.ie All entries must be submitted no later than Monday 25 May 2015.

Recipe Cooking Competition In fitting with this year’s Bealtaine theme of exploring traditions, we are looking for your tried and tested recipes to form part of our Bealtaine Recipe Book! All recipes will be entered into a draw to win a prize worth €100. You can either submit it in writing to any of the Waterford Libraries branches or email it to djohnston@waterfordcouncil.ie All entries must be submitted no later than Monday 25 May 2015.

And another thing… The Dresser Project The Dresser Project is a new body of work being conducted by artist Michael Fortune for the 2015 Bealtaine Festival in Counties Mayo, Waterford, Carlow and Tipperary. Over the coming months Michael will travel to each county documenting their particular dressers through a combination of photography, film and story. The foundation for the artist’s particular interest in this subject stems from his own recently deceased 103-year-old grandmother’s dresser. Michael is interested in how these constantly evolving and ever changing displays reflect the experiences, lives and values of their keepers. Over the course of his work Michael hopes to document fifteen dressers per county. If you know of any dressers or maybe have one yourself or in your own family, Michael would love to talk to you. However big or small, plain or ornate the dresser is, please contact him by phone on 087 6470247 or by email at micfortune@gmail.com. Further information is also available at www.thedresserproject.ie The Dresser Project has been supported by the Arts Departments of Carlow, Mayo, Waterford and Tipperary Councils, in collaboration with the Folklore Department of University College Cork and the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life in County Mayo.

Booking is essential. To book, please call in to your local Library branch, phone or email us as detailed below.

Ardkeen Library 051-849755 or mfoley@waterfordcouncil.ie

Brown’s Rd. Library 051-849845 or jloughran@waterfordcouncil.ie

Cappoquin Library 058-52263 or bleahy@waterfordcouncil.ie

Dungarvan Library 058-41231 or gcroughan@waterfordcouncil.ie

Dunmore East Library 051-381479 or comullain@waterfordcouncil.ie

Kilmacthomas Library 051-294270

Lismore Library 058-21377

Portlaw Library 051-387402 or hfogarty@waterfordcouncil.ie

Tallow Library 058-56347

Tramore Library 051-381479 or scummins@waterfordcouncil.ie

Waterford Central Library 051-849975 or djohnston@waterfordcouncil.ie

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