Dundalk student wins art competition

MICHeLLe Moloney king’s copper and cotton weaving was accepted for exhibition with the Cork Textiles network. And then won the competition where her work was purchased by Cork School of Music to become part of their important permanent collection.

Fiodhna ni Bhaoill, Chairperson of Cork Textiles network was happy to see a new member do so well.

“I’m delighted for Michelle, her work is so unusual and her story and research is exciting.”

She recently started to create more structural work after researching rural farming, her own family archive and her interests in creating an alternative art history for Ireland. Moloney king said, “I’m inspired by farming, I remember old rusty tractor parts, sheep’s wool on barbed wire and seeing my Dad mend woven wire fences. I used to tell him it was all art be- cause it was broken but almost had a purpose and that’s what made it beautiful and he said I

THe organisers of Lighting up the Darkness 2022 are “delighted” to announce that they raised €5,927.50.

According to one of the organisers, Roisin Carolan, the funds for Lighting up the Darkness 2022 were raised in memory of “our dear friend Isabelle, in aid of St James’s Hospital”.

The Carolan family in kilkerley received sponsorship to cover the costs of lighting their house for Christmas.

Last year was their third year to raise money for charity. In 2020, they raised €4,303 for the Dundalk Simon Community.

Then in 2021, they raised €8,321.38 for The Rotunda was a dreamer but admired my ability to see such potential.”

Having work ac-

Foundation and the nICu in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

Roisin and Robert are completely blown away to have fundraised this amount for these three organisations.

“We would like to thank all who donated online, sent donations and donated to the buckets when they visited,” said Roisin.

“It was such a joy for us to see the cars pulling up, and parents taking photos with their children of the lights, and of our 6ft tall Santa at the gate.”

After the fundraiser in 2021, Roisin and Robert hadn’t planned on doing another fundraiser. They were cepted for a public body’s collection is an honour, it means more credibility as an artist, hoping to take some time out, just to enjoy Christmas with their family. membership to high profile art institutions and being a part of the nation’s archive. “I am humbled by the support from Cork Textiles network and their warm welcome. I wish my father could see my work of rusty, woven, patinated copper and cotton art hanging on the walls of such an important institution...”

However, in August when their dear friend Isabelle passed away after a very tough fight with cancer, it seemed that they had no other option, but to raise money in Isabelle’s memory.

In consultation with Isabelle’s husband Paul, the decision was made to raise money for St James’s Hospital, Dublin, where Isabelle received most of her treatment.

The Carolan family would like to thank their sponsors as without their support, this fundraiser couldn’t happen.

Moloney king’s artist statement is a well put together piece but condensed to the core it’s about making surrealist art, telling people she dug it up in the bog field and creating an alternative Irish history one where we were not under control of a foreign power or religious institution but were free thinkers with the gifts and ability to make art during the avant-garde movement.

She tells a story of the family’s inside joke - there’s gold in the bog field. “My Dad used to say that all the time and was teased unmercifully about it. He didn’t mean it literally, but there is a very old site of pagan worship there, a sweat house. He was talking about the importance of heritage, the Shamanic inter-cosmic travel that used to take place in those ruins centuries ago. I used to have my breakfast looking out at the bog field…it’s funny really, the mind and a child’s imagination. Guess there really was gold in the bog field after all!

My dad, Michael F. Moloney was a banjo player and singer so it feels right to have my work placed in Ireland’s foremost music institution.”

Tom Doyle, Conservatoire Coordinator of CSM said, “We were delighted to see work like this, textile and copper, it really caught our eye. There’s so much movement in the piece and it looks like a musical note or staff. Stunning!”

Music of Taize

WeLCOMe to those aged between 18 & 40yrs, to a relaxed time of peace and quiet prayer, in candlelight, with the music of “Taize”. Friday, 3rd February, 8-9pm followed by Tea/Coffee. “Bethany” 34 Point Road, Dundalk A91 WOC9. Tel: 042-9331602 bethanypointroad@ gmail.com.