Drawing Day for art students

Join us on Easter Island for family fun

Looking for something fun to do with your family over the Easter bank holiday weekend? Come and join us on Easter Island for an egg hunt, art workshop and lots more surprises at 3.00pm on Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th or Monday 21st April. Early booking advised as our events usually book out quickly. €8 per child, €5 per adult (including tea/coffee) or €24 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children).

Video of the visit of President Michael D Higgins

Thanks Rachel Masterson for this great video summary of the President's visit.

Very successful and exciting weekend!

Photo by Michael Croghan. For more photos click on the link to the President's visit page above.

Presidential Visit
Creative Ardagh would like to thanks everyone who helped make the President's visit a success. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit we encountered in the preparation time and on the day. Thank you all so much. Thank you also to the many people who accepted our open invitation to attend. It was great to be able to have representatives from most of the schools in the county, the various local groups and officials gathered together. We were especially pleased that we could welcome back attendees of the wide-ranging classes and events we have held over the last two and a half years.

As the President pointed out on the day every body has the capacity to be creative and having you all there was a wonderful way to demonstrate this and celebrate the diversity of our patrons: "I believe that art in whatever form it comes, should be made accessible to everyone and that it should be brought back into the daily lives of everyone." President Higgins also praised the “wide range of initiatives taking place here in the Ardagh Creativity and Heritage Centre and said it was “giving young and old the opportunity to engage in the creativity process and to learn new skills and to be able to talk to people without having to say something earth shatteringly brilliant!”

On the day the President toured the building meeting students and tutors from various classes in the art room, admiring the handmade products of the Creative Longford group in the craft gallery and meeting with members of Ardagh Moydow Reaching Out, Engage Longford and public representatives in the Heritage exhibition area. He also signed our visitors' book which also contains the signatures of previous Presidents and other visitors from all over the world.

Outside President Higgins was greeted by a guard of honour including local cubs, brownies and guides and school children from around the county. Brendan Farrell handed over the ceremonial Tree Planting Spade for the planting of a weeping willow by the President and he was then entertained by the moving dance by Orla McCarthy, ballerina accompanied by the wonderful harpist Mary Smyth before moving into the marquee to give his excellent speech.

Leprechaun and Fairy Treasure Hunt
The exciting events on Friday were followed by a more informal day at Creative Ardagh as we hosted a fun, family event, the Leprechaun and Fairy Treasure Hunt. Our little leprechaun and fairy visitors created some great St. Patrick's Day cards and an amazing rainbow before the big leprechaun ran away with the pot of gold and we all had to search the woods to find it. Lots of other fairies and leprechauns who dwell in the woods revealed themselves on the day to help with the search.

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

 

Creative Longford craft fair
On Sunday we finished off the weekend with the first ever Creative Longford craft fair. It was great to see many local return for the second or third time over the weekend and there seemed to be a great buzz in the marquee all day with lots of high quality handmade crafts finding new homes with the visitors. We also had a great face-painter in action and many of the attendees also got creative themselves in the art room. Hopefully we'll have many more days like this!

Leanne Forster Makes

Jacinta Baxter Designs

Made in Lucy's Kitchen

Wendy Louise Knight

Madeline Fitzgerald Farrell

Just For You, Ann Devlin

Bernie Mullen

Why have one celebration when you can have three!

We've decided that as we are starting the St. Patrick's weekend with a celebration of the visit by President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins on Friday 14th March (see below for full details), that we might as well continue the celebrations on Saturday and Sunday. We have two very different events lined up with something to suit all ages.

Join us at 3.00pm on Saturday 15th March for some exciting family fun. All fairies, leprechauns and other enchanting folk are welcome to take part in a treasure hunt, story time and a fun St. Patrick's themed art workshop. Fancy dress optional. It should be a magical afternoon finishing up with tea/coffee and treats.
€8 per child, €5 per adult or €24 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children), booking advised.

On Sunday 16th March at 12.00pm we are delighted to be holding our first ever craft fair in conjunction with the new county craft network, Creative Longford. We already have some of their beautiful handmade products in stock in our revamped craft gallery (Thanks Leanne and Jacinta!) so we know everyone who attends is in for a treat! There will also be lots more happening on the day to keep young and old entertained.
There are still a small number of tables available, free for members of Creative Longford and €20 for non-members, contact us quickly if you would like one.