Arts

A foretaste of Wexford Literary Festival 2022

Wexford Literary Festival is delighted to announce that things are beginning to hot up for this year’s Festival weekend from 1st – 3rd July.

The hard-working Festival Committee are busy putting together a comprehensive, all embracing, wide ranging, Programme of Events incorporating the many forms of literature – Poetry, Prose, Drama, Film, Visual Art, and Spoken Word.

This year the Festival will be a Room & Zoom event, allowing viewing and participation from right around the world.

The Festival Committee is also developing and expanding literary links begun in 2021 with writers and poets in Savannah, Newfoundland, and Wales, further enhancing our international status and appeal.

This year’s Festival’s theme, a century from the formation of the State, is historical, and our innovative Committee plan to incorporate the historic events of one hundred years ago into our Festival weekend. The Battle of Enniscorthy, between the Free State garrison at Enniscorthy Castle and Anti Treaty snipers at St. Mary’s Church and the Courthouse, raged for four days on the streets of the town from 1st – 4th July, exactly coinciding with our 2022 Festival.

We are currently engaged with developing a programme telling Enniscorthy’s story and the part it played in the birth of the Nation, through literature, visual art, and drama.

So, watch this space for further details of this exciting concept.

Our 2022 Programme will also include events at the Wexford Arts Centre and Red Books, Wexford, and our annual Children’s Bookmark Competition kindly sponsored by Eason of Enniscorthy.

Over the coming weeks, we will have details of the myriad of events planned for WLF 2022 and in due course we will be announcing the winners of our various prestigious competitions:

Maria Nolan, Secretary, Wexford Literary Festival

n The Colm Tóibín Short Story Award, n The Anthony Cronin Poetry Award, n The Eoin Colfer Children’s Short

Story Award, n The Billy Roche One Act Play Award n Meet The Publisher Event.

For updates, news, etc make sure to visit our website www.wexfordliteraryfestival.com

– Maria Nolan

Odd women out!

A lecture entitled ‘Odd Women Out: Waterford Playwrights Teresa Deevy and Rosamond Jacob’ will be given by speakers Dr Úna Kealy and Mr Aaron Kent on 19th May at 7pm in Enniscorthy Library. In this lecture Dr Úna Kealy and IRC Postgraduate Scholar Aaron Kent discuss and explore the dramatic work of playwrights, Teresa Deevy (1896-1963) and Rosamond Jacob (1888-1960, Waterford women who resisted and countered the cultural and political momentum of their time. Both Deevy and Jacob were Waterford women who asked important questions of Irish society throughout their lives and through their work. Close contemporaries and friends, they addressed similar issues in their writing and activism, although they did so from different cultural backgrounds. Both women wrote across a variety of literary forms but it was their plays in particular that went against the grain of popular sexist, discriminatory and patriarchal attitudes in the mid-twentieth century: they remain dynamic and relevant to twenty-first century audiences. A growing body of theatre makers, researchers and historians, much like Deevy and Jacob’s contemporary critics, are discovering that these writers offer valuable insights into Irish society and that their plays have much to say to contemporary audiences. Booking is essential: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3885404 n

Helen Woods, Gorey

Jane Kent, Wexford town Rhian Foley, Wexford town

Brendan Rossiter, Barntown

Co. Wexford’s generous artists

A total of 38 big-hearted Wexford artists generously donated their art for the recent Incognito 2022 sale in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation which took place on Thursday April 21st. Incognito is Ireland’s biggest online art sale and this year celebrated its sixth year. What makes Incognito different to other art sales is that the buyer has no idea who the artist is until after the sale closes. Among the Wexford artists taking part this year were Bernadette Doolan from Enniscorthy, Helen Woods from Gorey, Brendan Rossiter from Barntown, and Claire Hobbert, Rhian Foley and Jane Kent from Wexford town.

This year there were over 1,200 artists taking part from 18 different countries all over the world including Australia, Canada, Estonia, France, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, UK, and the USA to name just a few. n

Last chance to catch major exhibition running at Wexford County Council HQ

Making and Momentum: In Conversation with Eileen Gray, curated by Richard Malone, is running until 13th May at Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford, Y35 WY93.

Making and Momentum: In Conversation with Eileen Gray Curated by Richard Malone

Featuring work by Sara Flynn, Laura Gannon, Mainie Jellet, Nellie Malone, Richard Malone, Niamh O’Malley, Ceadogán Rugs and Mourne Textiles.

4thApril – 13th May, 2022 Wexford County Council, Carricklawn Wexford, Y35 WY93

Opening Launch: Friday 1st April at 6pm All welcome to attend.

Wexford County Council is excited to present Making and Momentum: In Conversation with Eileen Gray, a touring exhibition curated by award winning Irish artist and designer, Richard Malone. The group exhibition, which celebrates the work of Eileen Gray and the influence of Irish art and design worldwide, launched at Roquebrune, France in June 2021 and travelled to the National Museum of Ireland last September. It will run at Wexford County Council from Monday, 4th April to Friday, 13th May, 2022.

The exhibition ambitiously places equal importance on the artist, artisan and maker - observing the creative spirit present in developing an independent visual language; removing the rigid definitions and categories of art making, much like Eileen Gray’s own practice. Gray, who was born in Brownswood, Enniscorthy in 1878, was a pioneer of the Modernist movement and one of the most celebrated and influential designers and architects of the last century.

As part of this exhibition, Wexford County Council in partnership with Richard Malone and supported by Creative Ireland, will host a programme of workshops, talk and events for the general public and various communities of interest to engage with contemporary craft in Wexford focusing on work that is inspired by Eileen Gray’s legacy.

Artist and designer, Richard Malone, collaborated with Association Cap Moderne (the custodians of E-1027) to curate and exhibit some of Ireland's leading visual art makers. The exhibition is in celebration of Gray's phenomenal global influence across artistic disciplines - from weaving and rug making to metalwork and painting. Each artist and artisan has been selected for their multidisciplinary and experimental approach to making. The group represents an award winning selection of some or Ireland's most prominent artists with numerous accolades amongst them, such as the Royal Hibernian Academy commission, the Loewe Craft Prize and the International Woolmark Prize. Wexford’s award-winning designer Richard Malone's homage to Enniscorthy’s internationally renowned architect and designer Eileen Gray features in an exhibition Making and Momentum: In Conversation with Eileen Gray which is now running at Wexford County Council until 13th May 2022. n

Above: Richard Malone with one of the pieces on exhibit. Below: Eileeen Gray.

At Enniscorthy Library...

On the third Thursday of every month the Adult Book Club meets in Enniscorthy Library at 7pm. New members welcome. If you are interested in going along please contact Enniscorthy library on 053 9236055. n

On the last Thursday of every month the Slaney Writers Group meets in Enniscorthy Library at 7pm. New members welcome. If you are interested in going along please contact Enniscorthy library on 053 9236055. n

‘The Cliffhangers’ Junior Book Club is back in the Enniscorthy branch for its monthly meetings – usually the last Thursday of the month. Currently the children are reading ‘Scavengers’ by Darren Simpson. It’s a great way to try new authors and genres and there is no pressure to read aloud. New members are always welcome. If you would like your child to join, please contact 053 9236055 for more information. Suitable for ages 8–12. n

POETRY DAY with Maria Nolan

To celebrate Poetry Day, Thursday 28th April, the Wexford Book Centre invited lovers of verse to mark the occasion with well known poet Joe Neal. The loquacious Welsh word-wizard delighted the Book Centre gathering with lyrical pieces, such as Changing of the Light, Music of the Night, Heron, Centurion, Ragtime Cowboy, The Books that Fell on Me, Disco Days, and many other gems from his diverse collections. One of my particular favourites, Ruined Cabin, which won the Anthony Cronin Poetry Award at the Wexford Literary Festival, had me enthralled as Joe explained how he happened on a cabin in the woods on a trip to West Virginia. A tree stump with the axe still standing upright, an old bango, and a homemade wheelchair, captured the poetic genius in Joe as he sat alone for two whole hours contemplating who might have lived there, and where they might have gone so suddenly. As he mused the subject, a name came to him like a ghostly whisper on the autumn breeze and the character Bartle John was born. What a beautiful tale and a lovely tribute to the person who once inhabited the old cabin, whatever his name was.

Poetry readings give the audience a chance to delve into the magical tales behind the verse and into the artistic musings of the poet’s mind.

Well done Joe and Wexford Book Centre for the opportunity to hear not just your melodious words but the stories that created them. – Words & Pics Maria Nolan

Joe Neal –the loquacious Welsh wordwizard.

Wexford soprano to star in prestigious opera festival

The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF), Ireland’s unmissable summer opera, is returning on a high note for seven magical days from 31st of May to the 6th of June 2022.

The festival, which attracts more than 3,000 people to Waterford and the Blackwater Valley region each year, has embarked on an even bigger celebration of opera, classical music, and the arts than ever before.

Artistic Director Dieter Kaegi has developed a creative and imaginative programme for all to enjoy during its 13th season. BVOF will showcase emerging Irish talent alongside established international artists and rising stars, to bring opera to life in a variety of unique and stunning locations like Lismore Castle, Salterbridge House, St Carthage’s Cathedral, Villierstown Church and Tourin House along the beautiful Blackwater Valley. Kelli-Ann Masterson – the accomplished soprano from Wexford – will be performing in the headline opera Orfeo ed Euridice which runs from 1st to the 5th of June at Lismore Castle.

Kelli-Ann is an alumna of the ABL Irish National Opera Studio 2019/2021 and of Northern Ireland Opera Studio 2018/2019.

In 2019 Kelli-Ann was awarded the Wexford Festival Opera Healy Bursary and the WFO & PwC Emerging Artist Bursary. Kelli-Ann made her Wexford Festival Opera debut in 2019 singing the role of La Fée in Viardot’s Cendrillon where she was praised for her ‘essentially sparkling performance’. In autumn that year, KelliAnn made her debut with the RTE Concert Orchestra.

Recent engagements include performances with Irish National Opera. Kelli-Ann has completed a Bachelor of Music Education Degree at Trinity College, Dublin, followed by a Masters in Music Performance at The DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, now TU Dublin Conservatoire. n

http://kelliannmasterson.com www.blackwatervalleyoperafestival.com

140 exhibiting artists from all over Wexford and Ireland.

Exhibition runs until 17th May, 2022.

A brand new adult art class is coming to Enniscorthy, starting May 11th and running for 5 weeks. Perfect for beginners! The Presentation Centre Convent Road, Enniscorthy Co. Wexford, Y21 X889 Phone: 053 92 33000

Caroline’s creative masterclass

Enniscorthy Library welcomes author Caroline Busher for a Creative Writing Masterclass on Friday 20th May at 11am. Whether you are already writing a novel or want to know where to begin, Irish Times Best Selling author Caroline Busher will give you her top tips for success. The workshop will consider the importance of setting, characterisation, plot, dialogue and how to build tension in writing. Participants will be given the opportunity to discuss their work and advice on getting their work published. Booking is essential: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3882276 n

Ireland’s finest jazz & blues performer

MARY COUGHLAN, Saturday, 21 May 2022, 8pm, Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely. If your music of choice is blues or jazz, you can’t fail to be moved by the emotional depth, expression and power in Mary Coughlan’s voice, forged from an extraordinary life. Mary has carved out a timeless musical career, with a legion of devoted fans worldwide. It has been said that, “To hear Mary sing is truly to be at the core of the human heart.” n

Wexford Public Libraries Social Media:

Follow Wexford Public Libraries on Facebook

Follow Wexford Public Libraries on Instagram @wexfordlibraries

Follow Wexford Public Libraries on Twitter @wexlibraries

Look for videos on YouTube "Wexford Public Libraries"n