Mayo County Council Arts Office launched their Bealtaine 2010 programme of events for older people with an afternoon of music and dance in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar, on Thursday 29th April. The programme was officially launched by Cllr. John Cribbin, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council and music was provided by the River Lee Jazz Band. More than 130 people from local ARA groups and community nursing units took the opportunity to come along and celebrate the start of Bealtaine.

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, groups from the Sacred Heart Home Castlebar and Swinford with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094

Readings & Talks
As part of this years programme Tony Curtis will read his poetry at Mayo County Library on Tuesday May 4th at 6.30pm. Tony was born in Dublin and has had several collections of poetry published.

Tom Meskell and Aileen Lambert, artists involved in public art commissions in Mayo at present, will be presenting their work and projects to a number of groups in the county.

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, a group from Achill with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094

Residencies
During the month of May Emer Mayock and Joe Byrne, Artists in Residence, will be calling to and sharing their music and stories with a number of groups throughout the county. This residency project will provide the musicians and group members with the opportunity to explore the music, song and stories of the county.

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, members of the Claremorris Active Retirement group with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094

Mayo County Council Arts Office will be running a Dance residency providing a number of ARA's throughout Mayo with dance workshops during Bealtaine 2010. Grainne Anderson, a member of Dance Theatre of Ireland's Education and Outreach team, has worked with many companies and age groups both in Ireland and Scotland.

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, which was launched by Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council. L-R: Anne McCarthy, Arts Officer, Anne Marie McGing, Arts Office, John Cribbin, Neiil Sherdian Mayo County Council, Orlagh Heverin, Arts Office. Photo © KWP studio 094.

Newground
In partnership, Mayo County Council Arts Office, Mayo Artsquad, local artists and The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life will continue the work of New Ground (2008/2009) in a site-specific project as part of Feile na Tuaithe in May. The art works created on site will directly reference the museum's collection.

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, a group from Castlebar and Foxford with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094

‘Reflecting Colours' in the Windows of Bridge St., Westport
In addition, a stunning exhibition of artworks, produced by participants from Mayo County Council's Arts & Health Programme is taking place in Westport. The Reflecting Colours exhibition of posters is on display in the windows of shops, banks and other businesses along Bridge St Westport.

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, which was launched by Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council. Photo © KWP studio 094

All details of the programme are listed in the Bealtaine brochure which is available from the Arts Office. Please contact us at 094-9024444 Ext 7558 | 7471 or mayoarts@mayococo.ie if you would like more information or a brochure.

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, a group of ladies from Balla with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, a group from Westport, Parke and Kiltimagh with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094.

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, members of the Ballyhaunis Active Retirement group with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, a group from Charlestown with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, ladies from the Ballinrobe Active Retirement group with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094

Pictured in the Welcome Inn at the launch of the Bealtaine Festival celebrating creativity in older age, a group of ladies from the Dalton Home Claremorris with Councillor John Cribbin Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council who launched the Festival. Photo © KWP studio 094.