A Sense of Place - New Exhibition in Samhlaiocht Gallery

Artist Martyn Bell

An exhibition of work entitled 'A Sense of Place' by artist Martyn Bell goes on display in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery on Friday, August 3rd. The collection of watercolours by Martyn demonstrates the empathy and appreciation which he feels for his adopted homeland of Kerry.

"We're absolutely delighted to have an artist of Martyn's talent and ability opening an exhibition at the Samhlaiocht Art Gallery," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director of Samhlaiocht. "His paintings vividly capture the indescribable beauty of Kerry and you're left wondering at the magic of this most beautiful county."

"I've titled this exhibition "A Sense of Place" because the paintings are a record of places or impressions of places that have filled my visual memory," explains Martyn. "The paintings capture small fragments or glimpses of Kerry and my emotional response to my chosen home."

"It's wonderful to have an artist of Martyn's stature coming to the Samhlaiocht Gallery," added Trish Thompson, Curator of the Samhlaiocht Gallery. "His paintings really capture the essence of Kerry, I think people will really enjoy his work."

The Samhlaiocht Gallery is located in the old Presbytery next to St. John's Parish Church in the centre of Tralee on Lower Castle Street. 'A Sense of Place', opens on Friday, August 3rd at 7.30 pm.

Stevie G

Centrally located on Main Street, just a stone's throw from the beach and the world famous Ballybunion Golf Course, the Ballybunion Golf Hotel will see a different sort of club on August 5th when it hosts one of the most prominent DJs in Ireland, Stevie G.

Given that DJ's tend to be best known for dropping donkey loads of drugs it comes as a pleasant surprise to learn that Stevie G has a conscience, running youth culture workshops called 'Steppin into Tomorrow' and 'The Beats' at the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork.

"Basically the workshops are aimed at younger people. We want to get them interested in music for music's sake and highlight the positive aspects of Hip-Hop culture," said Stevie, "and the Triskel is a fantastic place to do it."

The workshops are aimed primarily at the 14 - 17 year old bracket though there are both younger and older people taking part. The workshops introduce the participants to the history of music while providing a platform to allow them to perform whether through rapping, DJ-ing or other musical endeavors.

"It's important to introduce the kids to the history of music," explains Stevie. "Hip-hop originally borrowed from everything, whether it was a bass line from a rock band like The Rolling Stones or something lifted from R&B, so people have to be aware of that history. I think the whole hip-hop culture is a culture of necessity, and the creative processes used are similar, in some ways, to those used by artists like Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollack. They borrowed from others that came before but built on it and created something new. There's a lot more to hip-hop than just getting a Tupac tattoo."

The workshop participants also get to perform to an audience outside of the workshop setting, playing recently as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival, while a trip to Liverpool is also planned for some of Cork's best up and coming talent. Stevie also produces a show called 'Teenage Thursdays' that provides a platform for the musically minded to perform to a live radio audience.

"It's a bit of a cliche but anything we can do to provide an outlet for talented youngsters so they have something else to do other than drinking, well, that's always a good thing," said Stevie.

His conscience notwithstanding, he's a damn fine DJ and if you would like to hear him play then pop along to the Ballybunion Golf Hotel on Sunday, August 5th from 10:30 pm to 2:00 am. Tickets are 10 euro and are available on the door.

Jack L Raises the Roof in Sol Y Sombra

Restaurants tend not to have the best acoustics in the world, which is perfectly natural given their primary concern is food. One notable exception to the rule, though, is Killorglin's Sol Y Sombra, a tapas restaurant where the acoustics are sublime but yet surpassed by the scrumptious food served.

And it was in Sol Y Sombra, on a recent evening, that Jack Lukeman, or Jack L, played to a full house, or rather a full church, as the restaurant is in an immaculately renovated old church. The setting, quite literally, takes your breath away as does the food. But we’re not here to review restaurants so let's move on to the music.

Jack L released his first album in 5 years, 'Broken Songs', in April of last year. The album ended up going platinum within a month of release, and saw Jack making a triumphant return to the Olympia Theatre for three sold out nights. He also released a DVD, 'Moment', which captured the magic of the Olympia shows and also went to Number 1 in the Irish DVD charts in October last.

Jack L is, for my money, one of the most extraordinary singers to come from Ireland, a country renowned for extraordinary singing talents. 'Where on earth does that voice come from?' is the natural reaction to hearing him sing for the first time.

The literal answer is from Athy, in Co. Kildare, where he 'grew up and worked an apprenticeship as a car mechanic, fine tuning his voice as well as engines in the interesting acoustic of empty garages.' Perhaps it was this training that allowed him to so masterfully capture the audience in Sol Y Sombra, then again perhaps not, but capture it he most certainly did.

Singing a mixture of songs from his new album and older favorites he seemed to relish the unique atmosphere of the venue, actually leaving the stage at one point and walking in amongst the crowd. They responded magically calling him back for an encore that lasted for five songs and included, his best known number Georgie Boy.

Used to playing in larger venues like the Olympia and The Point, it was wonderful to see him playing a much more intimate gig and interact with an audience that we so close to hand. And the food was bloody good too!

For more information on Jack L please log onto http://www.jacklukeman.com/ and for information on Sol Y Sombra please log on to http://www.solysombra.ie/

Michael: Culture Vulture

What's your name?

Michael Martin

Where are you from?

Maharees, Castlegregory

How long have you been living in Kerry?

41 Years

What are you doing in Kerry?

Fishing/oysters/security

Who is your favourite artist?

Michelangelo

What is your favourite film?

Gone with the Wind

What is your favourite book?

Herman Melville's Moby Dick and/or Conrad's Typhoon

What is your favourite piece of music?

Handel's Messiah

What's your favourite club night in Kerry?

Fabric

What is your favourite Arts venue in Kerry? (Can be anything from a cinema to a performance space?)

Siamsa Tire

"My theory is that when it comes to important subjects, there's only two ways a person can answer. For example, there's two kinds of people in this world, Elvis people and Beatles people. Now Beatles people can like Elvis. And Elvis people can like the Beatles. But nobody, nobody, nobody likes them both equally. Somewhere you have to make a choice. And that choice tells me who you are." Uma Thurman as Mia to John Travolta's Vincent in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction.

Elvis or The Beatles?

Elvis

Leonardo or Michelangelo?

Michelangelo

Coronation Street or Eastenders?

I don't watch soaps

Spielberg or Scorsese?

Spielberg

Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter?

Lord of the Rings

Jack L

Restaurants tend not to have the best acoustics in the world, which is perfectly natural given their primary concern is food. One notable exception to the rule, though, is Killorglin's Sol Y Sombra, a tapas restaurant where the acoustics are sublime but yet surpassed by the scrumptious food served.

And it was in Sol Y Sombra, on a recent evening, that Jack Lukeman, or Jack L, played to a full house, or rather a full church, as the restaurant is in an immaculately renovated old church. The setting, quite literally, takes your breath away as does the food. But we're not here to review restaurants so let's move on to the music.

Jack L released his first album in 5 years, "Broken Songs", in April of last year. The album ended up going platinum within a month of release, and saw Jack making a triumphant return to the Olympia Theatre for three sold out nights. He also released a DVD, 'Moment', which captured the magic of the Olympia shows and also went to Number 1 in the Irish DVD charts in October last.

Jack L is, for my money, one of the most extraordinary singers to come from Ireland, a country renowned for extraordinary singing talents. "Where on earth does that voice come from?" is the natural reaction to hearing him sing for the first time.

The literal answer is from Athy, in Co. Kildare, where he "grew up and worked an apprenticeship as a car mechanic, fine-tuning his voice as well as engines in the interesting acoustic of empty garages." Perhaps it was this training that allowed him to so masterfully capture the audience in Sol Y Sombra, then again perhaps not, but capture it he most certainly did.

Singing a mixture of songs from his new album and older favorites he seemed to relish the unique atmosphere of the venue, actually leaving the stage at one point and walking in amongst the crowd. They responded magically calling him back for an encore that lasted for five songs and included, his best known number Georgie Boy.

Used to playing in larger venues like the Olympia and The Point, it was wonderful to see him playing a much more intimate gig and interact with an audience that we so close to hand. And the food was bloody good too!

For more information on Jack L please log onto www.jacklukeman.com and for information on Sol Y Sombra please log on to www.solysombra.ie

Zeppo

Zeppo, the energetic five-piece that effortlessly combine blues, jazz, funk and rock into a unique musical gumbo, which appeals to casual music fans and die-hard musos alike, will play a free gig at Stoker's Lodge on Edward Street in Oakpark in Tralee, on Saturday night, July 28th at 10:00 pm.

Formed in late 2005, the band displays a maturity beyond its relative short existence. The various band members have played in groups around the world from the U.K. to the U.S. and from Spain to Prague.
The band has opened for the likes of Don Baker, Carvin Jones and Girls Aloud. "We all had a lot of experience playing in other bands before coming together," says drummer, John Connolly, a charismatic character with a colourful past, "so we've managed to do a lot in a relatively short time."

"We're really looking forward to the gig," added John. "Four of the band members are from Kerry. Lead singer, Linda Galvin, Moss Twomey, lead guitarist, and Neil Beasley, the bass guitarist and founder of the band, are all from Listowel, while Mossy O' Shea hails from Tralee. I'm the odd one out. I'm from Kilkenny."

When asked about playing with legends such as Don Baker, John just laughed and said, "Do ya know he has a slit in the centre of his tongue?" I had to admit, I did not know that. "It's true. He has the fastest harmonica tongue in the world. Ya should have heard some of the things the ladies would say to him! But that's why he's such a fantastic harmonica player. He can play two notes at the one time. Because of his lizard-like tongue!"

But it's not only legends that are fans, Zeppo was also the band of choice for Girls Aloud singer, Nadine Coyle's 21st birthday party. When you hear Zeppo play it's easy to understand why such an eclectic mix of people are fans. Listening to Listowel native, Linda Galvin, belt out the numbers with her sultry, sexy, rich and soulful voice is enough to turn anyone into a fan.

Grammy - Award winning and Golden - Globe nominated Wyclef Jean is also taken with Zeppo. "I lived in New York for 24 years and worked mainly as a plumber. I started plumbing in his house and ended up working as his body guard," laughs John.

Zeppo are currently writing material for an upcoming Album which will be released later this year but if you can't wait drop by Stoker's Lodge on Saturday, July 28th at 10:00 pm. The gig is free so if you don't like it you can always walk away. But I bet you don't.

For more information on the band please log onto www.zeppomusic.com

Two For A Girl

John Braunschweig

"The ill-fated love affair between a young traveller woman and a married farmer in Co Tipperary in the '40's." So was the description of "Two for a Girl" by Skipalong Theatre.

It's rare that the traveller community is represented in the Arts. St John's Theatre Listowel was packed to capacity on Friday 13th July. Obviously many North Kerry people were interested in this play.

The two actors, Mary Kelly and Noni Stapleton, also wrote the play. Mary Kelly played one character throughout, the young traveller woman Josie Connors, while Noni played several different characters, among them the afore-mentioned married farmer, Josie's grown-up daughter Frances and the farmer's wife. Both women performed brilliantly. So relaxed as to be able to relax the audience, accomplished, confident, relaxed, believable, not at all over-done.

Noni Stapleton's versatility was particularly apparent when acting as the farmer's wife. The contrast between the roughness or nonchalance she showed as the daughter, the farmer, the other traveller women, and the hand-wringing, guilty but self-serving lady was so skilfully but discreetly woven into her tapestry of characters that it was comical. It must be said that the comic effect was due mainly to recognition of ingrained but uncool aspects of oneself, as a buffer woman.

The story of Two for a Girl was clever, simple and good effective theatre that moved and provoked as well as amused the audience. The scenario of the attraction between the settled man and the traveller woman is little explored but, as Noni told me, not an unusual one.

"We consulted with travellers at Pavee Point, a partnership of Irish Travellers and settled people working together to improve the lives of Irish Travellers , on things such as plausibility of story-line, possible outcomes, authentic traveller reactions to events as depicted in play, accent, etc. It was nominated at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2004 for the Jane Snow Award for "Innovation and Bravery in Theatre", which we were absolutely delighted about. We also performed it for the Bewley's Cafe lunchtime performances in October 2004."

David Teevan of Clonmel's Junction Festival and John Breen, writer/director of Alone It Stands, brought it to Ballina, Co Mayo, where it was performed in an old mill with an all-traveller audience. The actors were a little nervous as to how it would go down.

"They loved it," says Noni, "After the performance, a traveller came up to me, put her hand on my shoulder and said " 'Your play made me proud to be a traveller.'"
John Braunschweig, an American visitor who comes to Barrow every summer, was also very impressed with Two for a Girl and said "Now that's a play that would have gone down well with John B."

Printz Dance Project

When people in Kerry think of swiftness of foot and athletic leaps into the air as often as not images of footballers spring to mind. A different kind of athleticism is called for as part of an ongoing developmental dance project which brings together the talents of the Printz Dance Project (PDP), from San Francisco, and the performing company of our own Siamsa Tire.

Dancers from the two companies will spend the first week in August working together with a view to producing a brand new performance sometime in 2008 which will be a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles of both Irish and American dance. However the week of exploratory work will also produce some instant gratification with a performance in Teach Siamsa na Carraige, one of Siamsa Tire's training centres in West Kerry on Sunday 12th of August at 8.00 pm.

The Printz Dance Project is lead by Stacey Printz, the founder and choreographer of the dance company. Stacey has a wealth of both theoretical and practical dance experience having received her sociology and dance degrees from the University of California, in Irvine, California. Since then Stacey has spent over twelve years teaching fusion technique, modern, jazz, hip-hop, world dance studies, choreographic technique, and improvisation in dance. Everything except Irish dancing! She is currently a member of staff at San Francisco Dance Center, St. Mary's College and RoCo.

The dance company has been drawing ecstatic reviews for its grab bag of talent, its deep feeling for the sensual power of movement and a veritable encyclopedia of high and low dance styles. Printz Dance Project blends dance techniques that include modern, jazz, ethnic, ballet, and hip-hop with a flow that expands into creative poses, gesture, floor work, and contact as it motivates eye, energy and spirit.

Printz Dance Project plays at Teach Siamsa na Carraige, Carraig, Dingle, on Sunday 12th August at 8.00 pm. For more information or to book tickets please call Siamsa Tire 066 712 3055.

Doghouse

Catherine Anne Cullen

Two poets, one a Moscow-born half-Polish, quarter-Irish Haiku writer, who once studied medicine and is now teaching creative writing to immigrants in Dublin; the other a TV and radio producer, animator, author of award-winning children's verse and documentary maker whose mother is from Tralee. Clash, to be precise.

DOGHOUSE Books are having a hectic summer. This July the prolific Tralee publishers launch two new poetry collections from the above-mentioned writers bringing to sixteen the number of publications to their credit. Jovial Senator and scholar David Norris did the honours at the launch of Dublin poet Catherine Ann Cullen's debut collection, A Bone in my Throat, which took place at the Rubicon Gallery on Stephen's Green on Thursday 12th July.

The front cover illustration of A Bone in my Throat is a reproduction of Albrecht Duhrer's beautiful woodcut Adam and Eve set in the familiar DOGHOUSE binding. The back cover has a comment from, among others, Brendan Kennelly. The renowned Ballylongford native speaks in exciting terms about Catherine Ann's writing: "Cullen ventures into the worlds of Adam and Eve, Bluebeard... and others, and explores the fascination of what is forbidden, the dark, alluring world of Taboo. A Bone in my Throat will be read and re-read by lovers of good poetry."

Catherine Ann recently gave a public reading of her work in Tralee. The reading took place at the Poets' Corner in Reubens Cafe, a regular event in Kerry's literary world every Bank Holiday Monday. Her work immediately seized the audience's attention. Confidently read it was brilliantly observed and crafted poetry with striking visual imagery that was professionally and meticulously edited.

Catherine Ann, though based in Dublin, has a strong Tralee connection. Walk into local hostelry Quinlan's of the Mall and ask Hugh to show you the photograph of Timothy (Thady) O'Gorman. He'll point out a handsome man, with big moustache, proudly sporting the dark green and gold jersey a Kerry footballer on which is pinned an All-Ireland medal. Both Thady and his identical twin brother James (Jimmy) played on the Kerry team which won the first All-Ireland in... yes, 1903. Catherine Ann is the great-granddaughter of James.
On Wednesday 25th July Russian-born poet Anatoly Kudryavitsky's new collection of Haiku and Senryu Poems Morning at Mount Ring will be launched by Shizue Ogawa, Tokyo University, Japan as a part of the 20th International Gerard Manley Hopkins Summer School. It will take place at 4.30pm at St. Paul's Secondary School, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare.
Kudryavitsky has published seven collections of his Russian poems as well as an anthology of contemporary Russian poetry in English translation, A Night in the Nabokov Hotel (Dedalus 2006). He is the founder of the Irish Haiku Society.

The books will be available in selected bookshops. For more information please call DOGHOUSE on 066 713 7547.

Samhlaiocht gets a Taste of Cuba

An exhibition of work entitled 'In search of Music... Cuba' by Kerry based artist, Karolien Verheyen, goes on display in the new Samhlaíocht Gallery on Wednesday, 27th of June. The collection of photographs and a short film / slide show by the Belgian born artist demonstrates the remarkable empathy and appreciation which she feels for the people, places and culture of Cuba.

"We're absolutely delighted to have an artist of Karolien's talent and ability opening an exhibition at the Samhlaiocht Art Gallery," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director of Samhlaiocht. "Her photographs vividly capture the indescribable beauty of Cuba and one is left with a sense of awe having looked at them. It's also an honour and a privilege to have His Excellency, Mr. Noel Carrillo, Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, open the exhibition."

Karolien is a percussionist whose love for Cuban music brought her to the island on an exploratory mission to meet Afro Cuban musicians and to learn from the Masters on their home ground.

"My reason for going to Cuba was primarily music driven," explains Karolien, "hence the title In Search of Music Cuba. But while I was there I fell in love with all of Cuban culture and so decided to document my travels with photographs as well as with recordings of the music."

Such is the understanding and compassion that Karolien has for the country, His Excellency, Mr. Noel Carrillo, Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, has agreed to open the exhibition of photographs, a short film / slide show accompanied by live music recordings by Cuban musicians which Karolien made while in Cuba.

"It's wonderful to have an artist of Karolien's stature coming to the Samhlaiocht Gallery," added Trish Thompson, Curator of the Samhlaiocht Gallery. "Karolien's photographs capture the essence of Cuba, its musicians and its people. I just fell in love with the work and had to show it in Samhlaiocht."

The Samhlaiocht Gallery is located in the old Presbytery next to St. John's Parish Church in the centre of Tralee on Lower Castle Street. 'In Search of Music' opens on Wednesday, 27th of June, at 7.30pm

Opening times at the Gallery are Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 5:00 pm. Everyone is welcome.

Margaret Barry

Margaret Barry

What's your name?

Margaret Barry

Where are you from?

Tralee

How long have you been living in Kerry?

All my life

What are you doing in Kerry?

I'm a teacher

Who is your favourite artist?

Monet is one of my favourites. I also like Edward Hopper. Two extremes but...

What is your favourite film?

Dangerous Liaisons. I also liked Age of Innocence.

What is your favourite book?

Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

What is your favourite piece of music?

The Spring Concerto from Vivaldi's Four Seasons or Kirsty McColl's Thank You for the Days

"My theory is that when it comes to important subjects, there's only two ways a person can answer. For example, there's two kinds of people in this world, Elvis people and Beatles people. Now Beatles people can like Elvis. And Elvis people can like the Beatles. But nobody, nobody, nobody likes them both equally. Somewhere you have to make a choice. And that choice tells me who you are." Uma Thurman as Mia to John Travolta's Vincent in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction.

Elvis or The Beatles?

The Beatles

Leonardo or Michelangelo?

Michelangelo

Coronation Street or Eastenders?

Coronation Street

Spielberg or Scorsese?

Scorsese

Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter?

Lord of the Rings

Kavanagh

Let's be realistic, if you're a poet you're probably impoverished no matter what age you are. Well, here's a chance to elevate yourself out of your state of ragged repose and acquire some pecuniary advancement.

To mark the fortieth anniversary of the death of Patrick Kavanagh (1904-1967), the Trustees of the Estate of Katherine Kavanagh will offer one or two Patrick and Katherine Kavanagh Fellowships of 8,000euro each to Irish poets, in their middle years, who are in need of assistance to continue their writing career.

The 2006 Fellowship was awarded to Kevin Kiely, soon to become the 2007-2008 Fulbright Scholar in Residence at Boise State University, Idaho. His latest collection is Breakfast with Sylvia (Lagan Press, 2005).

Monaghan-born Patrick Kavanagh was a farmer and cobbler until he moved to Dublin in 1939. He initially endured scathing criticism from the elite of Dublin literary circles who saw him as a bit of a buffoon. However, in 2000, years after his death, the Irish Times surveyed 'the nation's favourite poems' and ten of Kavanagh's poems were in the first fifty. In the same survey Kavanagh was rated the second favourite poet behind WB Yeats.

A long poem, perhaps his best, The Great Hunger, is a tragic statement of the mental and sexual frustrations of Irish rural life.

"And he is not so sure now if his mother was right
When she praised the man who made a field his bride...
He lives that his little fields may stay fertile when his own body
is spread in the bottom of a ditch under two coulters crossed in Christ's Name."

The Fellowships will be awarded in September. The deadline for applications is 31 July. Applicants may obtain further information from The Trustees at 3 Selskar Terrace, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, or visit www.tcd.ie/English and follow the link to 'Patrick Kavanagh'.

George Dugan In siamsa

Lily O'Sullivan, George Dudan, Nina Dugan, Ciaran Walsh

"Around Dingle, George is well-known as the American who sits painting on a crag on a typical stormy wet day in the middle of July," says Lillie O'Sullivan, artist and teacher. Lillie was speaking at the opening of an exceptional exhibition, curated by herself, in Siamsa Tire.

If you are the old-fashioned type of art lover who refuses to be 'fobbed off' with abstract blobs of pigment smeared haphazardly on a scrap of tissue paper, for example, then George Dugan's work is for you, because this guy can paint. Not only that but George paints from life - no painting from photographs on a cosy seat in a heated studio for him.

"I could paint from photographs", he says, "and I've tried it sometimes. It's easier, but I just don't get the same feeling."

Is this what gives the work a rare, simple and special glow?

The Round Gallery in Siamsa Tire is a snug sanctuary for George Dugan's beautifully observed and warmly lit Kerry landscapes. Walking into this gallery space, one perceives a sense of delicacy and loving sensibility in the depth of regard for the subject matter, and an uplifting delight in the rich variation of colour in fields, mountains, sunlight, sea, sky and cliffs.

It is hard to believe that George Dugan, who has been visiting Kerry to paint, as Lillie says, "in the manner of the monks", for almost three decades, is only now having his first solo exhibition here. The grandson of Irish emigrants he is Professor of Art Emeritus at Cortland State University of New York College.

It is there that Lillie came to know him and his wife, Nina, enjoying their warm American hospitality when she stayed with them for the most of a year. She also observed him as a teacher, "George teaches classes nobody ever forgets; he inspires people", and as a painter, "Occasionally I got to watch him paint, he could see light and mix colour like no-one else."

Lillie showed her appreciation and admiration for George's work in her introductory speech, noting his "intense careful exacting craftsmanship."

Lillie also commended Siamsa as "a place that values and nurtures tradition" and said that the "calibre of exhibitions and dialogue of place" continually leaves her "gobsmacked".

Ciaran Walsh, Visual Arts Co-ordinator of Siamsa, spoke about the pride he felt in being a "member of Siamsa and of the work he does with his colleagues." He sees George Dugan's work as fitting the fabric of what Siamsa represents for Kerry, depicting as it does "one man's engagement with the particularities of a place."
And it is a nice thing to see the particularities of our place, so familiar to us, through the eyes of George Dugan. Boats tied at Dingle Harbour, Slea Head, Couminole on a sunny day, the Sleeping Giant suffused in the light of a pearly grey sunset, sheep grazing over Ceann Tra and all manner of lovely sights.

In chatting with George he mentioned his doubt in his own abilities to capture colour. I was amazed and told him that I felt he was a very good colourist.

"Yes, but there's a shade of green here that I just can't get and I keep trying."

Well, I think he's captured the other thirty nine so that's good enough for me.

For further information contact Siamsa Tire on 066 712 3055

Film In Schools

St. Joseph's School, Ballyheigue

FAS which stands for Film In Schools and is a literally translation of the Irish word for 'vision' is an initiative from the Department of Education which began as a pilot project and was designed to introduce the medium of film as a support to the Revised Primary School Curriculum. But unlike other projects which concentrate on the history of film or the appreciation of film, FAS actually allows the primary students to make their own films! The project provides schools with film equipment and acts as a resource for teachers to enable them to guide the creation of films from embryonic ideas through to the final product which is then screened.

Students are involved in all the stages of making the film from the initial act of coming up with a plot, to writing the script, to storyboarding how they would like the film to look on screen before getting down to the actual mechanics of making the film. Individual students each have a specific role - some behind the camera and some in front - so the resultant films are truly the creation of the children involved.

The original pilot scheme began in March of 2000 and ran for three years until March of 2003, it was an unequivocal success and informed the development of a comprehensive Resource Pack for teachers, which is available to all participating schools on the official site www.fas.ie

2006 - 2007 marks the first year of Kerry's schools participating in the scheme and five schools were chosen from the many that applied. Lissivigeen National School, Killarney; Scoil Naomh Gobnait, Dun Chaoin; Kiltallagh National School, Castlemaine; St. Joseph's National School, Ballyheigue and Scoil an Chroi Naofa in Tralee took part and on a recent morning the fruits of all their efforts were screened at the Kerry regional screening in the Education Centre in Dromtacker in Tralee.

The films were of a fantastically high standard and ranged from the retelling of the tale of Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Sisters to an imaginative take on News Casts from Lissivigeen.

The judges on the morning had the unenviable task of picking one school to represent the Kerry contingent at the upcoming national screening to take place in The Helix in Dublin. A wickedly funny and finely acted film showing the unexpected come-up-ance of a school bully, called Ni Mar Siltear a Bitear, from Dun Chaoin was the film chosen by the judges to represent Kerry but the films were all of such high quality that discussions are in place to have the films screened as part of the upcoming Kerry Film Festival.

For more information on the project please contact Pat Lawlor of the Education Centre on 066 719 5000 or via email at edcentretralee@eircom.net

Tig Aine

Tig Aine

Aine Ui Dhubhshlaine is building the new restaurant with support from her sons Breandan and Donai, The new restaurant in Graig, opening in early August, will offer a range of dishes. Breandan as chef will be specialising in local seafood.

Aine herself is very interested in the environment. She is building the restaurant as environmentally conscious as possible. An air to water converter will be used to reduce reliance on oil and electricity. Solar panels will also be placed in the garden.

The Gallery will provide a platform for local artists to show and sell their work to the public. Aine's late husband, Micheal O Dubhshlaine, is well known in the area as a storyteller and a writer. His books 'A Dark Day on the Blaskets' and 'Are You Going Home Now? Memories of Old Kilkea' as well as Micheal's earlier books will also be sold in the restaurant.

Aine is delighted to be working with her sons in expanding her business. They are looking forward to welcoming the public to their new restaurant.


For further information and more photos contact Aine Ui Dhubhshlaine on 066-9156214 or tigaine@eircom.net

Fureys

"Sorry! Can you hear me?" Eddie Furey shouted down the telephone. There was uproar in the background.

"Hold on, I'll go in here."

Eddie was at a funeral up the country and had been "telling jokes and yarns" with some members of his family when I called.

It was great to be chatting to the man who, together with his brothers and Davey Arthur, has played and hung out with many of the greats, including Bono, Bob Geldof and the Scottish Eurythmics duo Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart.

I was particularly intrigued as to how Eddie and the boys had met up with the Eurythmics.

"Well, back in the '70s Dave Stewart was our roadie for 6 weeks," says Eddie, "and I used to be showing him a few chords here and there. In fact he said recently that I was the man who'd introduced him to the guitar."

Eddie, the eldest of the Fureys, spent many years in Scotland as a young man, where he once shared a flat with comedian Billy Connelly. He also became a good friend of Gerry Rafferty, whose band Stealers Wheel had hits with Baker St and Stuck in the Middle with You.

Their music also struck a chord with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as Eddie explained;

"Tony Blair once received a letter from a young girl from the Shankill Road. This girl told him that she’d never experienced peace in her lifetime. So he invited her to Downing Street and when she was there with him he introduced her to Green Fields of France. Apparently it is his favourite peace song."

Eddie also has strong memories of Pope John Paul's visit to Ireland. "The Pope had heard our song The Lonesome Boatman", says Eddie, "and he was very taken with it. He said it reminded him of St Peter. So when he came to Drogheda we got invited to play for him. He was such a great man and a good man. He was surrounded by security men but he blessed us after the performance. Then he went off in the Popemobile. I get a lump in my throat now thinking of him."

The Furey Brothers are well-loved for their music and particularly their stirring live performances. The band are on tour with their new CD "The Fureys Today" and will be playing in the ballroom of the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney on Saturday 17th July. They will play a further two gigs there on the 24th and 21st July and three dates in August. A CD/DVD will be released at Christmas "The Fureys Live at Vicar St".

They will also give their annual performance for Josephine Chaplin (Charlie's daughter) in Waterville later on this summer. Money raised from that will go to help the lifeboat association and Crumlin Hospital for Sick Children.

With their cousins the Hannafins living in Tralee and Davey Arthur now a Caherciveen resident the Fureys are in danger of turning into Kerrymen. Somehow I get the impression that they'd get a heroes' welcome!

Frank Lewis Exhibition

'Place & Passion ', an exhibition of paintings by Michael Downes, Paul Downey, Fred Gruizinga, Michael McCarthy and Tina Reed-Mullen will run at the Frank Lewis Gallery from until August 4th, 2007.

The Gallery hosted a fabulous official opening on a recent Tuesday evening, with Dolores Croke-Daly on harp singing some of Thomas Moore's melodies. The opening also included music by flautists Rhonda & Laura Daly.

The artists' work in the exhibition draws inspiration from the geography and history of Killarney. 'The Mountain Pool by Michael McCarthy captures the essence of the classical landscape that has drawn visitors to Killarney for over 250 years. It's a beautiful depiction of a woodland scene featuring a red-deer drinking.

Much of Killarney's mythology begins with the great chieftain O'Donoghue of Ross Castle and the eponymous painting by Fred Gruizinga recalls Killarney's long archaeological story, its fabulous history and, of course, it's folklore. 'Deora De' (literally the tears of God) is an Irish name for fuchsia. Tina Reed-Mullen's textured close-up emphasizes the luxuriantly rich colour contrast between the fuchsia's red and purple flowers and its deep green leaves.

In 'Watching the Weather' Jim Kinch focuses on an Irish obsession. But then if you earned your living in a canvas covered, light wood-framed boat on the edge of the broad Atlantic, then you would very carefully watch the weather too, for to ignore the weather could, quite literally, be a matter of life and death.

Sport is a particular passion of the Irish and Paul Downey's 'Cheltenham Champion Hurdle' illustrate admirably why the power and speed of horse racing is such a heart-stopping experience for so many Irish people.

Michael Downes' picture 'Slea Head' explores the unique influence the beautiful Kerry landscape has stimulated the creative muses.

If you would like to be similarily stimulated call into the Frank Hayes Gallery in 6 Bridewell Lane, Killarney. For more information please call 064 31108 or email info@franklewisgallery.com

Bob Scott

Bob and his wife Mary

I was invited to visit a gallery in Ballyduff by local artist Bob Scott and so, on a wet and dreary Wednesday morning, I set out to look for, "the second bungalow on the hill before Ballyduff." When I found the right house I felt as though I had come across a hidden treasure!

The gallery is in Bob's house and he has dedicated one of the bedrooms to his artistic vision. The room is split into four, distinct, tiny mini-galleries - each with a unique and individual feel. His gallery is an inimitable and moving experience; an installation in four parts.

The separate, yet connected, sections create a fluid experience as Bob guides the visitor from Fisherman's Hut through Rising Tide to Artists Studio and, finally, to the captivating Buildings . "I started with individual paintings and didn't realize that the whole thing would take over!" laughed Bob looking around at his creation.

This tiny artists' studio, which is set a few short miles from the sea, features over a hundred pictures which stare out at the viewer creating an atmospheric story and a feeling of nostalgia. Many of the works are of nearby Ballyheigue including Bobs' favourites; the rugged cliffs and landscapes of Meeneghane, Men's Strand, Ladies Strand and Nuns Strand. "My gallery is not just an exhibition of pictures - it's a North Kerry experience," said Bob.

It is now over ten years since Bob Scott fell in love with, and settled in, Kerry and his obvious love of his adopted home has found its way into his gallery. Although never classically trained, Bob sat in fields as a teenager and painted for pleasure. As a youngster he entered, and won, a BBC art programme, Sketch Club, but life and a full-time job as a teacher left precious little time for painting. It was not until he took early retirement and moved to Kerry that he was able to fulfill his dream of opening his own studio and gallery.

Through his work, he explores the identity, the confidence and the understanding of the North Kerry community. "My pictures appeal to a sense of past and present," explains Bob while the gallery is a multi-sensory exploration of North Kerry and delicately displays the rich heritage through Bob's unique interpretation.

From the more traditional oil on canvas paintings to the distinctly untraditional painted beach on the floor of the studio there is plenty to see and touch. If you are looking for a unique gift, mantle-piece talking point or just visual enchantment and sensory stimulation then head to Ballyduff and enter the world of Bob Scott.

For more information of if you would like to visit the gallery please contact Bob directly on 066 714 8103 or e-mail him at bobscottballyduff@gmail.com