EIlish Creamer exhibition and teacher pack launch

We are delighted to have the opportunity to exhibit the works of Granard-native Eilish Creamer. The exhibition is opening in conjunction with the launch of a teacher pack and website based on Eilish's work tomorrow night, Wednesday 18th April at 7.30pm. All welcome.

The '...and where are you from? Art of Longford Townlands' teacher pack is designed to be used with the website http://longfordtownlandsart.blogspot.ie thanks to the support of Creative Ireland's Longford Committee.

The project started when Creative Ardagh were approached by Eilish with her vision for an art project to enable students to 'increase their cultural identity and imagination by application of history and folklore to art'.

Eilish's own work had led her to explore the unique shapes of the townlands around the county on maps and with her local knowledge she began to see images in the shapes. Her recent paintings feature stories from local legends, folklore and history.

The teacher pack and accompanying website can be used as inspiration for a similar project in your local area. Inside you will find local history resources, lesson plans for introducing the project and ideas for a variety of interpretations in different media including drawing, paint and colour, fabric and fibre, clay and printing. All of this is linked to the primary school curriculum but the open-endedness of the project allows for adaptation for secondary school and adult groups also. 

Scéalta Beo coming in August

A new storytelling and mythology event in the Midlands

We are very, very excited to be able to announce that Creative Ardagh will be hosting a unique storytelling and mythology event this August 11th and 12th. Scéalta Beo will have a diverse programme for adults, teens and families including workshops and performances over the two days. Some of our panel of international storytellers and mythology experts have been working on new pieces on Midir and Etain especially for their appearances. The weekend promises to be an extremely memorable occasion. Watch this space for full details coming soon.

Midir and Etain in Wonderland

Our popular Easter egg hunt Midir and Etain in Wonderland returns on Easter Monday 2nd April at 3pm, €10 per child includes art workshop and egg hunt and free tea/coffee for accompanying adult.  Family discounts available.

Alice is revisiting the Wonderland of Ardagh, home of Midir and Etain. Is Fuamnach really the Red Queen or is Midir the Mad Hatter? Come along and join the White Rabbit in the quest for the way into Tir na nÓg and you might even find some eggs. Be inspired by the story and let your imagination run wild in the art workshop, help to paint the roses red or follow the White Rabbit down the burrow. Lots more family fun too.

Booking essential. Buy tickets online below or contact us to book on 086 3027602, 086 1717925 or by email to creativeardagh@gmail.com.

Thanks to Mary Smyth for the beautiful poster design and to our model Alice (Lily-May).

Tickets

1 Child €10.00 EUR 2 Children €20.00 EUR 3 Children €27.00 EUR 4 Children €36.00 EUR 5 Children €45.00 EUR

Annual Indoor Craft Fair next Sunday

Come along for the biggest craft fair yet in Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre from 12pm to 5pm on Sunday 18th March. Lots of stalls with handmade crafts, books, cakes and art. Great variety of stalls and activities on the day including a reading by author Eileen Moynihan at 2pm, sand and fairy door art all day and the annual Leprechaun and Fairy Hunt  with Creative Ardagh at 3pm.

Snow closures

Due to the weather conditions we will be closed tomorrow and Friday. Our new craft shop hours will begin once the roads are safe for travelling. Watch this space.

New opening hours

From 1st March 2018 we will have extended opening hours for the Craft Shop and Heritage Exhibition on a trial basis as follows:.

• Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am to 1pm; 
• Thursdays 12pm to 4pm;
• Saturdays and Sundays 12pm to 5pm.

Self-directed learning and drop-in art continue or Thursdays 12pm to 4pm, €5 per person, per hour.
Heritage and History tours and School Programmes can be booked as usual.

Dream Big this Engineer's Week

This year for Engineer's Week we are delighted to be able to show Dream Big: Engineering Our World, a 42 minute film being shown across Ireland for the first time thanks to STEPS, the organisers of Engineer's Week. 
We will also have one of our panel of civil, electronic and software engineers available to talk to students about what they do afterwards. 
Two sessions a day available to primary and secondary schools or other interested groups, Monday 26th February to Friday 2nd March, 10.30am to 12.00 pm and 12.30pm to 2.00pm so book your session before they fill up. €4 per person for groups of more than ten; €5 per person for individuals or smaller groups.

 

Here's what www.engineersweek.ie says about the film:
"Narrated by Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges, Dream Big: Engineering Our World is film that will transform how we think about engineering. From the Great Wall of China and the world’s tallest buildings to underwater robots, solar cars and smart, sustainable cities, Dream Big celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small, and shows how engineers push the limits of innovation in unexpected and amazing ways. With its inspiring stories of human grit and aspiration, Dream Big reveals the compassion and creativity that drive engineers to create better lives for people and a more sustainable future for us all."