Michael Gannon - A May Day Custom

What: Art Exhibition @ Castlebar

When: 01/05/2012 09:00:00-31/05/2012 17:00:00

Visual Art: Print Gallery, Linenhall Arts Centre Tuesday 1st -Thursday 31st May. Joint opening on Tuesday 1st May at 6.00pm. On May Day 2011, Westport professional photographer Michael Gannon arose very early and set out for the towns of Castlebar, Newport and Westport to document the custom of leaving flowers on doorsteps on May Day morning. A May Day Custom is an exhibition of photographs taken that morning celebrating this wonderful living tradition. A Fellow of the Irish Photographic Federation since 2009, Michael has been Chairperson of Castlebar Camera Club from 2008. His work has appeared in various books and publications, and he has exhibited in both photographic and visual arts exhibitions. This is his 6th solo exhibition. The opening will include a short talk by Architect Orla Murphy on the subject of the rural town as a place of ritual. All Welcome. Adm. free

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May on Our Doorstep

What: Art Exhibition @ Castlebar

When: 01/05/2012 10:00:00-31/05/2012 17:00:00

Visual Art: Linenhall Foyer Tuesday 1st May - Thursday 31st May. An exhibition of mixed media flowers created by primary school children during workshops at the Linenhall Arts Centre. Joint opening on Tuesday 1st May, 6.00pm. The opening will include a short talk by Architect Orla Murphy on the subject of the rural town as a place of ritual. All Welcome. Adm. Free.

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BEALTAINE; celebrating creativity as we age

What: Festival @

When: 01/05/2012 10:30:00-31/05/2012 18:00:00

Welcome to Bealtaine 2012. This is the 17th year of Bealtaine,Ireland's national celebration of creativity as we age - co-ordinated nationally by Age and Opportunity ( an organisation set up to challenge negative attitudes to ageing and to promote greater participation by older people in society). Bealtaine aims to involve older people in the arts, through expression and active participation. It also encourages older people to engage as an experienced audience for all art forms. During May 2012 Mayo County Council Arts Office will be working with Active Retirement Associations throughout Mayo as well as some of the community nursing units in the county. The main feature of this years programme are; Blossom in May a day long event on May 24th at Lough Lannagh, Castlebar,from 10.30am-3.30pm which will provide workshop opportunities, lunch ,music and a special performance of 'The Three Fat Women of Antibes'. All events are free. For more information on Bealtaine and the many events in May contact The Arts Office on 094-9024444ext7558.

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Mayo Healthy Living Month

What: Other @

When: 01/05/2012 12:00:00-31/05/2012 20:00:00

Mayo Healthy Living Month is a health promotion initiative by Croí, the west of Ireland Cardiac foundation, and Mayo primary, Community and Continuing Care, HSE West, and will involve a programme of events across the county aimed at encouraging all age groups to focus on their health during May and make some lifestyle changes in order to live longer and healthier lives. The schedule of events has something for everyone, including a healthy eating cookery demo, organised walks, an opportunity to learn the skills of CPR and a school essay competition for secondary school students. For more information contact Ailish Houlihan on 094-9049172 or email ailish@croí.ie

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The Opera/Untouched Exhibition

What: Art Exhibition @ Ballina

When: 03/05/2012 10:00:00-26/05/2012 16:00:00

During the month of May, Ballina Arts Centre will present two exhibitions by renowned multimedia artist Varvara Shavrova. Using the Ballina Civic Offices exhibition space and the Arts Centre’s own gallery space, the two exhibitions will run simultaneously throughout the month, with The Opera at Ballina Arts Centre and Untouched at Ballina Civic Offices. The Opera is Shavrova’s spellbinding insight into the fragile world of the Peking Opera, one of China’s most revered artforms. The famous Peking Opera, when first encountered in a dilapidated tea house in Beijing, was to prove an epiphany for artist Varvara Shavrova. Untouched is a photographic and multimedia show in which artist Shavrova juxtaposes the small farming community of Ballycastle in Co. Mayo, with one particular Beijing neighbourhood (pre-Olympics) that is currently undergoing a major redevelopment. Admission free. All welcome.

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Moorehall Walks

What: Walking @ Claremorris

When: 13/05/2012 15:00:00-20/05/2012 16:30:00

As part of Mayo Healthy Living Month a number of walks are being organised in local communities. The key emphasis of these walks is to encourage everyone to be more active. On Sunday 13th and 20th May guided walks led by local guide Brian Hoban will be held at Moorehall commencing at 3pm. These walks are classified as easy only 3km. Assembly for these walks is in the carpark at Moorehall, for details contact Brian on 087-9234504

National Volunteer Week

What: Charity @

When: 14/05/2012 10:00:00-20/05/2012 18:00:00

The local volunteer centre is appealing to members of the public to get involved in Ireland's first National Volunteering Week, which takes place from May 14th to 20th. The activities for the week are being co-ordinated by Ballina-based Mayo Volunteer Centre and manager Shauna Jackson is seeking as many volunteers as possible. To participate, contact the Mayo Volunteer Centre at 096-71444 or go to www.volunteer.ie where you can look up projects in the Mayo area and register to get involved.

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Atta Boy Mr. Synge

What: Theatre / Play @ Westport

When: 15/05/2012 20:30:00-19/05/2012 10:30:00

St Patricks Drama group return to the stage with their brand new production of "Atta Boy Mr. Synge", a 2 act comedy by Deirdre Kinahan. This cleverly written play centres around a local amateur drama group, in celebrating 25 years of entertaining their community, determined to stage one of the classics of Irish playography, John Millington Synges' "The Playboy of the Western World". But all is not well in the tightly knit drama group, which is run by the iron fist of no-nonsense stalwart Margery (played by Liz Browne) aided by her unassuming, ditzy assistant Flora (played by Marion Moran). With their 25th Anniversary production looming, the group want to show off their artistic talents to their loyal and faithful audience. Bewildered director Raymond (played by Ciarán MacSuibhne) must deal with crew members leaving at the last minute, actors not showing up to rehearsals, an unfinished set.......not to mention having to learn his own lines as he muddles unsuccessfully as the production "multi-tasker"!! Throw in the ambitious but flighty cast-member Conor (played by newcomer Kevin McGing) and you have a character mix for a play that promises plenty of brow-raising laughs! But WAIT! Can the sudden arrival of theatrical virtuoso Denise O'Byrne (played by Regina McCormack) be the answer to the Players prayers? Surely someone with her talents and vision can only bring the struggling drama group to new heights? Ah...but Denise has plans of her own and will stop at nothing to see them realized! Will the players fall prey to her whimsical notions..will disgrace and shame befall them on the most important night of their lives...or will tradition and hard work see them through with their good name intact? If you want to be amused by what MIGHT just go on behind the scenes of a theatre production, you are going to really enjoy this show! St Patricks Drama group are delighted to announce that this play will see talented group member Paul Dunning make his debut as Director supported by experienced Producer Tom Navin. The show will be staged for 5 nights Tues 15th to Saturday 19th May 2012 in Scoil Phádraig NS Altamont St., Westport. Tickets are on sale now from Dyars Jewellers, Bridge St., Westport 098 25558. For further information contact 086 860 9981.

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Jewellery Making Workshop

What: Workshop @ Claremorris

When: 17/05/2012 10:00:00-17/05/2012 16:30:00

A one-day jewellery Making Workshop will take place in Curam Family Centre, Claremorris on Thursday 17 May. The day will commence with registration tea/scones at 10am and will run until 4.30pm. Cost is €25 per person including materials, lunch and tea/scones.

May Third Thursday Event

What: Other @

When: 17/05/2012 19:00:00-17/05/2012 21:00:00

Join the Irish Network at The Fitz Bar, in Fitzpatrick’s Manhattan Hotel, 687 Lexington Ave, b/t 56th & 57th Street for an evening of business and social networking. Discounted drinks and free appetizers will be served.

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Mayo Organic Group Meeting

What: Club Meeting (All Welcome) @ Mayo Abbey

When: 17/05/2012 20:00:00-17/05/2012 22:00:00

The next meeting of the Mayo Organic Group will be held on Thursday 17 May at 8pm in Bishop O'Healy Centre, Mayo Abbey. The group has a full programme of events and presentations for 2012 and membership is just €15 per family or €3 per meeting.

Paul Durcan's Poetry Reading

What: Other @ Westport

When: 17/05/2012 20:00:00-17/05/2012 22:00:00

The Custom House Studios, Westport and Poetry Ireland present a reading of poetry by Paul Durcan from his newly published collection 'Praise In Which I Live And Move And Have My Being'. The reading will take place on Thursday 17 May at 8pm at the Atlantic Coast Hotel, Westport. Tickets are available at the Custom House Studios, Westport, phone 098 28735.

Hazel O'Connor

What: Music @ Ballina

When: 17/05/2012 20:00:00-17/05/2012 22:00:00

Hazel O'Connor sings acoustic at Ballina Arts Centre on Thursday 17 May. The rock star has returned to her soul folk-roots, live and on-stage. O'Connor performs with the celebrated Irish harpist Cormac De Barra, in a captivating, intimate, acoustic one-off special performance. Hazel O' Connor has fast re-established herself as an artist and performer to be reckoned with. Her husky voice remains charged with passion and her enthusiasm, love of music and wicked sense of humour, is ever present. No O'Connor show is complete without her original classics Will You, D-Days and Eighth Day or her new classics Rebecca, Driftwood, I'm Still Breathing and Acoustically Yours. Adm: €15 / €12 (conc). Booking advised.

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Table Quiz in aid of Claremorris AC

What: Table Quiz @ Claremorris

When: 17/05/2012 21:30:00-17/05/2012 23:30:00

A table quiz in aid of Claremorris Athletic Club will take place in the Dalton Inn Hotel on Thursday 17 May at 9.30pm. It will consist of tables of four at €32 per table or single tickets at €8. Tables will be made up on the night. There will be a raffle and prizes for first and second team winners. For further information contact 087 9714071.