The Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, Co. Laois, is delighted to present the exhibition, Ó Mhná – Celebrating Women who Make a Difference an exhibition of poems and images by poet Denise Curtin, for International Women’s Day.

Noeline Delahunty, Community Nursing Unit, Abbeyleix.

Opening – Saturday 8 March 2025,(14:30 – 17:00)
Ó Mhná – runs Saturday 8th March to Saturday 5th April 2025. 
Opening Hours

Tuesday – Friday: 13:00 – 16:00 (entry through Laois Arthouse)
Tuesday & Thursday: 17:30 – 20:00 (entry through Library)
Saturday: 10:00 – 13:00 (entry through Library)

Laois County Council Arts Office is proud to present this exhibition, on such a noteworthy day for women, and to celebrate the women of Laois.  Monica Flynn / Assistant Arts Officer will host the opening – with welcome address by Councillor, Padraig Fleming, Cathaoirelach of Laois County Council, and official launch by Radio Presenter and Documentary Maker Ann Marie Kelly. The afternoon will include readings by Denise and a short talk on her work. All are welcome to the event and refreshments will be served.

For further details: T: 057 833 4033 | E: arts@laoiscoco.ie | www.arthouse.ie or www.laois.ie

Ó Mhná emerged from a discussion between poet Denise Curtin and Muireann Ni Chonaill, Arts Officer, Laois Co. Council, about a series of poems that Denise was working on, focusing on women who have inspired her in big and small ways.

Denise has created a series of beautiful poem portraits and dedication poems, including verse and imagery, which celebrate women known to her.  Women she has met in familial and transitory circumstances.  We have all encountered and know women in our lives who are at once ordinary and extraordinary. Denise says of the series ‘Whether it concerns knitting wraps for babies in conflict zones, creating a tiny museum in a community hospital, working as an inspirational teacher or a volunteer with the homeless, this exhibition celebrates the difference these women have made to the lives of others.’ Denise dedicates the exhibition to her Great-Grandmother Catherine O’Brien-Delaney (1889 – 1969) who lived in Stradbally, Co. Laois.

Denise will facilitate a writing workshop at Stradbally Library on Saturday 15th March (11:00 – 13:00). ‘New’ and ‘not so new’ writers, are welcome to join Denise for this workshop exploring the theme of HOME.  Participants are promised an enjoyable morning of discussion, reading sample pieces by famous authors along with brainstorming and encouragement.

Denise Curtin is a native of Athy, Co. Kildare. She is married and living in Portlaoise for many years. Her poems have appeared in a wide variety of journals and anthologies.  Denise taught Creative Writing for many years with the LOETB. She regularly works with writers’ groups, devising and editing projects.

Ann Marie Kelly, a Radio presenter with Midlands 103, presenting the Roadhouse Café, has won two Gold IMRO Radio awards for her work. She has also directed two film documentaries and curated a Spoken Word festival.