For full listing of the Bealtaine 2024 programme please click here:  Bealtaine Brochure 2024

Dr Arthur Broomfield is a poet, essayist, and short story writer. He has published nine books including six poetry collections. He holds workshops for poets and writers on-line. Writing Poetry : Now is the right time to start: You can do it! Arthur’s workshops will deal with the basic elements of poetry writing i.e. reading the good poets; inspiration, what is it, how do I react to it: rhyme and rhythm: are they necessary? imagery and naming: authenticity and originality, don’t be afraid to speak in your own voice, and what is the creative process, do I have it? Arthur wants the workshops to be enjoyable and hopes to see you there in what should be work and fun.

Fee: €5 per session or €15 for the full three sessions (payable in advance)

Date: Each Monday for the month of May, 13, 20, 27th at 10.30am to 12.30

Date: Thursday 30th May, at 7.30pm Venue: Laois Arthouse, Court Square, Stradbally, Co Laois, R32DT28

Booking is essential, fees to be paid in advance directly to the Laois County Council Cash Office T:05786 74308 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm

Art Exhibition with Alan Meredith

Quercu – the oak – brings together a new body of work by Mountmellick born Alan Meredith, on the occasion of his first solo exhibition in his native Laois.

The exhibition draws together separate, but related, ideas that the artist has been exploring in his practice for several years and reveals, if not the culmination of them, then certainly an advanced continuation and heightened expression of these ideas. Oak is important. As if predetermined, the artist grew up at The Oak, the location of his ancestral farmlands in County Laois.

Opening times: Tues & Thurs 1pm-5pm & 5.30pm-8pm, Weds 10am-1pm 1.30-5pm Sat: 10am-1pm (entry through library) Fri 1pm-4pm (entry through Laois Arthouse) For more details contact: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

Meet the Artist Saturday 11th of May 2 pm meet the artist Alan Meredith for a tour and conversation about the exhibition.