Oein De Bhardúin Faery and Folk Stories from The Irish Traveller Community

This talk took place on the 20th of August 2022as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning ‘The Druthaib’s Ball’. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

 Poet and LGBTQ+ activist Oein De Bhardúin shared faery and folk stories rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community.

Oein DeBhairdúin is a writer, activist and educator with a passion for preserving the beauty of Traveller tales, sayings, retellings and historic exchanges. He is the author of the award-winning Why the moon travels and Traveller Culture Collections Development Officer with the National Museum of Ireland. He seeks to pair community activism with cultural celebration, recalling old tales with fresh modern connections and, most of all, he wishes to rekindle the hearth fires of a shared kinship.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

Oein De Bhardúin Faery and Folk Stories from The Irish Traveller Community - Collective Knowledges

This event was coordinated in partnership with Galway Arts Centre’s Artists in Residence REWIND << FASTFORWARD >> RECORD .

Moderated by Han Tiernan this discussion with LGTBQ+ activist, and Galway Pride founder Nuala Ward,  explores the social and political history and origins of Pride in Galway, which is Ireland’s longest running pride event.

The REWIND<<FASTFORWARD>>RECORD (RFR) initiative is aimed at engaging with LGBTQ+ community groups on a national platform to uncover queer histories and expand their retelling and relevance through a series of talks, tours, workshops and personal accounts.

This talk took place on the 2nd of September 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning ‘The Druthaib’s Ball’. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

Nuala Ward - Collective Knowledges

Dr Miriam Haughton On Repeal The 8th Referendum

As part of Galway Arts Centre's public enagement programme in association with Array Collective's "The Druthaib's Ball", Dr Jeannine Woods, discusses her research into traditional Irish Wakes and transgressive performance.

Dr Jeannine Woods, Lecturer in Irish and Postcolonial Studies NUI Galway, discusses her research into traditional Irish Wakes and transgressive performance.

This talk took place on 30th of September 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning ‘The Druthaib’s Ball’. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

Dr Miriam Haughton on Repeal the 8th Referendum - Collective Knowledges

The Irish Names Quilt Discussion With Liz Martin, Kate Drinane And Páraic Kerrigan.

REWIND << FASTFORWARD >> RECORD in conversation with Liz Martin,  Kate Drinane, Páraic Kerrigan and Han Tiernan (RFR) about the Galway contribution to the Irish Names Quilt, which is displayed in Galway Arts Centre’s gallery at 47 Dominick Street. The piece is on loan courtesy of Queer Culture Ireland.

This conversation took place on the 3rd of August 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning ‘The Druthaib’s Ball’. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

This event was coordinated in partnership with Galway Arts Centre’s Artists in Residence REWIND << FASTFORWARD >> RECORD.

The Irish Names Project was created in honour and remembrance of those who died in Ireland from AIDS and HIV-related illnesses. The Irish Names Project was initiated in 1990 by Mary Shannon (1947-2020), a leading member of the Quilt Group, which is one of the longest running community groups in Dublin. The community was seminal in educating people about HIV/AIDS and safe sex. Patches for the quilts were made in Galway, Dublin, Limerick and many other places around Ireland by loved ones and family members of those who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS.

Liz Martin is a HIV Activist and Author of “Still Standing: An Irish Woman’s story of HIV and Hope. Liz is a mother of four, who has been living with HIV for the past 30 years. During this time, Liz has worked tirelessly challenging HIV related stigma and discrimination. Today she continues to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in Ireland and overseas, bringing hope to others who feel they have no voice.

Kate Drinane is the co-founder of the Queer Culture Ireland research network. She is also part of the Education Team at the National Gallery of Ireland. She has introduced and developed LGBTQIA+ programming at the Gallery, including the management of OUTing the Past: Festival of LGBT History. She volunteers with ShoutOut and Gaisce LikeMinded, through which she mentors young people in the LGBTQIA+ community. She holds a BA and MA in Art History from the University College Dublin.

Dr. Páraic Kerrigan is an Assistant Professor, author and researcher with the School of Information and Communication Studies at University College Dublin. His research pertains to the dynamics of diversity in the media industry and its production cultures, specifically centred around Ireland’s LGBT community along with a focus on digital media cultures and platform governance. He has just released his first book, LGBTQ Visibility, Media and Sexuality in Ireland (Routledge 2021) He is also co-principal investigator on the Waking the Hirschfeld: An Oral and Archival History of Dublin’s LGBTQ Community Centre. This project is in collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland (NMI), with a book under contract with Liverpool University Press, a limited podcast series and an archive being developed for NMI.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

The Irish Names Quilt Discussion -Liz Martin-Kate Drinane-Páraic Kerrigan-Collective Knowledges

Professor Lillis Ó Laoire, performs a set of traditional songs and shares the history and folklore behind them.

This presentation took place on 19th August 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning 'The Druthaib’s Ball'. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Lillis Ó Laoire is an award-winning sean-nós singer from Gort A’ Choirce in County Donegal, who combines performance and academic practice. His performance will present both údar or brí an amhráin, and the songs themselves. Some of these songs are lighthearted and rhythmic while others plumb the depths of the human soul. The performance will deal with the stories and background of the songs prior to singing them. Topics will include unrequited love, a staple of sean-nós song and other more historical material.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and University of Galway.

Lillis Ó Laoire - History and Folklore of Traditonal Songs - Collective Knowledges

This talk took place on 30th September 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning The Druthaib’s Ball, Galway Arts Centre presents a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Dr Jeannine Woods, Lecturer in Irish and Postcolonial Studies at NUI Galway, discusses her research into traditional Irish Wakes and transgressive performance.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

Dr Jeannine Woods On Traditional Irish Wakes - Collective Knowledges

This storytelling session with the legendary Eddie Lenihan place on 23rd  September 2022 on 'Culture Night' as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning The Druthaib’s Ball, Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Further Information

Eddie Lenihan, is an Irish author, storyteller, lecturer and broadcaster. He is one of the few practising seanchaithe (traditional Irish lore-keepers and tale-spinners) remaining in Ireland. He has been called "one of the greatest of Irish story-tellers", "a national treasure"and an "absolute legend." (Wiki)

Eddie Lenihan - Collective Knowledges

This conversation took place on the 22nd of August 2023 in Galway Arts Centre's Nuns Island Theatre where Array Collective members Jane Butler and Stephen Millar discuss their work with Director/Curator Megs Morley.

About Array Collective

The 2021 winners, the Array Collective, is a group of 11 Belfast-based artists from the north and south of Ireland, England and Italy. They all live and work in Belfast creating collaborative projects in response to issues affecting Northern Ireland and issues around access to abortion, gay rights, mental health, gentrification and social welfare. They are the first artists from Northern Ireland to win the Prize and their work encompasses performances, protests, exhibitions and events. While each has their own artistic practice, the prize was won as a collective.

Commenting the Array Collective said, “We are all delighted to be able to show the work in Galway and open up a fresh dialogue with audiences in Ireland following on from the conversations it generated in England. The Galway outing naturally lends itself to explorations of the myths, music and politics inherent in the work.”

Newly appointed Galway Arts Centre Director/Curator Megs Morley said. “We are absolutely thrilled to be presenting the Array Collective’s Turner Prize winning work in our spaces in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre. This event marks a significant milestone for Galway Arts Centre and we’re excited to invite audiences from near and far to Galway this August/September to be the first to see this work in Ireland.”

Part of this major installation is The Druthaib’s Ball, centred on an imagined síbín – an illegal bar – with a floating roof made from banners created for protests and demonstrations. The Druthaib’s Ball is a built installation that invites audiences into an immersive experience reflecting the lively community hub of the Irish síbin, a long-established tradition of an illegal bar and space of contradiction, dark humour, and craic.  Audiences will gather in this síbin – populated by semi-mythological drúthaib, along with the Ball’s esteemed guests. To accompany the installation there will be a programme of events with local social justice groups, artists and musicians to animate the sibín with traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Dates and Details

The Array Collective’s Turner Prize winning installation opened on 13 August in Nun’s Island Theatre in Galway and ran until 30 September. A wider exhibition of artworks by the Array Collective will be on view in the Galway Arts Centre’s gallery spaces providing a unique opportunity for audiences in Galway and beyond to experience the prolific and vibrant work of this incredible artist collective.

Galway Arts Centre would like to acknowledge the support of their funding partners, the Arts Council and Galway City Council. The presentation of the Turner Prize winning Array Collective is supported by an Arts Council touring grant and the public programme of events is supported by Creative Ireland.

Artist's Talk: Array Collective in conversation with Megs Morley

Racehorsetrainer Ilka Gansera-Lévêque is joined by co-host Stephen Wallis for episode 27 to discuss all the racing and fineart news from Saint Wendred's.
On art side Ilka talks about an exciting new event that Art & Horse Racing Gallery is going to be a part of on Monday 21 October in conjunction with City Saddles, a networking group, who have a passion for all things equestrian.
Details of the charity event can be found on the Art & Horse Racing website. www.artandhorseracing.com

Stephen interviews Eileen Harte, a founding committee member of City Saddles about the event.
Eileen is married to Keith Harte and is partner in the family bloodstock business Keith Harte Bloodstock.

Racing wise Ilka updates listeners on the Vantage Point Racing Club horse Kingwell, her new National Hunt mare Summerleaze, who ran recently at Worcester, along with news about Just Once and the imminent arrival of her yearling colt from France.

Don't miss out on our 1st of Advent event at the yard on Sunday December 1st from 10am to 6pm

Art & Horse Racing Gallery will also be on the road in 2024/25 at the following art fairs below:

- Art Fair East November 7th-10th in Norwich

- Fresh Art Fair 31st January- 2nd February 2025, Alexandra
Palace in London

-Fresh Art Fair at Cheltenham Racecourse in April

-Petworth Park Fine Art & Antiques Fair in May

Electronic - Upbeat

Vantage Point Racing Club Episode 27

The subject of drawing is both huge and human-scaled. Men and women the world over have drawn for thousands of years on rock, papyrus, parchment and paper, and today the medium is more popular than ever. And yet we experience drawings intimately, one to one. When you look at a drawing you are taking a step closer to its maker because, for centuries, artists have thought with chalk, pen or pencil in their hands. If you think of painting or sculpture as the public performance, then drawing is where you can encounter the artist at his or her most unguarded: trying things out and wondering if this or that idea will work, experimenting, looking, dreaming, planning – catching ideas on the wing.

Drawing has always offered creative latitude. Artists have long turned to it to express thoughts, fantasies, traumas and emotions that would have been impossible in any other medium: whether Francisco Goya sketching his bitter insights into human nature, Henri Michaux recording his mescaline-inspired dreams or Yayoi Kusama drawing discomfiting ‘infinity nets’ in post-war US-occupied Japan. Taking Susan Owens’s recent book The Story of Drawings a starting point, in this in-conversation, Susan and Claudia will explore drawing’s role as an arena for experiment and candid expression.

The Story of Drawing: An Alternative History of Art - Susan Owens in Conversation with Claudia Tobin

Join the Vantage Point Racing Club today! …. Watch the horses that you put your money in run their race. Free racing tickets! Meet the horses and the team including the jockey, trainer, physio and everyone else. Come to open days and get a welcome gift. Get weekly updates on all the horses in the club.
New to racing? Not to worry! You will learn all about it. Ask any questions, anytime. Tune into my month to month podcast featuring racehorse ownership info and more. All for  just £20 per month.  We look forward to meeting you here at the yard Saint Wendred’s . 
"If you love it , you can’t go wrong!"

New tracks tagged #FineArt