LAUNCH OF ART GROUP LATITUDE 54

Five dynamic and diverse artists celebrated the launch of their recently formed art group Latitude 54.

The launch event took place at The Gallery Whitehead and was opened by the Mayor Alderman Noel Williams and Mayoress Sheila Williams, both keen advocates of the local emerging art scene in the borough of Mid and East Antrim. The five artists are Audrey Kyle, Janine Dempster, Lisa Puhlhofer, Nina Couser and Seanna O’Boyle-Irvine.

Moran lifts a pointer and taps a large, tattered map that he’s hung on the wall of the prefab. He takes a long pull from his cigarette, rests it on a saucer on the table in front of him.

“The name Gweedore or Gee Door, as they say in the vernacular, refers to the parish here” – he traces a circle around the area – “in the northwest of the county.”

“Population 4000, give or take,” pipes up O’Toole.

Moran twists to squint at him.

“I’ve been reading up on it, sir.”

Moran turns his attention to the map again. “Most of the area inland is mountainous, and uninhabitable. Errigal” – he points – “is the county’s highest mountain – dominates the whole parish. Well – that goes without saying!”

“The people used the mountain for their sheep and cattle at the time of the Famine, sir,” offers O’Toole, “and sometimes stayed with them. But the landlord took the mountain from them and –”

“Okay, okay, O’Toole, much appreciated, but enough of the history lesson. It’s geography we’re interested in right now.”

“And the beaches?” prompts Frankie.

“There are three of them.” He taps the map with three short sharp raps like hammerblows, to indicate the location. “Brannigan tells me they’re all popular with tourists, especially Port Arthur” – taps again – “because of the dunes, the long strand, the safety for swimming.”

“Obviously not so safe for infants, sir,” O’Toole opines.

Moran snaps around to face the rookie, sucks air in through closed teeth. “Thanks for that, Garda O’Toole.”

O’Toole blinks. “Oh, you’re welcome, sir.”

The narrow grassy road that winds down to Port Arthur Strand comes to an abrupt end.