In PICTURES: Open Laois mic for writers in Portlaosie

An Open Mic event for the Bealtaine Festival took place at Dunamaise Arts Centre, where people came to listen to and share their creative writing.

Michelle de Forge, Arts Centre Director opened the event with a warm welcome to everyone and introduced the event  and MC, Olivia Murray. To see more pictures tap NEXT or ARROW. Read MORE below picture.

Award-winning author Lynn Buckle, using both Irish Sign Language and reading, shared an extract from her piece "H is for Plane", provoking us to be more aware of the impacts of our actions on the environment and suggesting positive changes. Lynn is the founder of the Irish Writers Centre Climate Writers’ Group.  

Mick Morrissey from the Stradbally Writers Group then shared a powerful personal memoir of his mother and brother, evoking rural life in the mid-20th Century Ireland.

Lola Bolanji Adebiyi shared an extract from her book "Rescued From The Jaws of Death". She spoke of her courage and faith in a time of extreme adversity.

Sheelagh Coyle from Mountmellick brought us back to Dickie Rock and the 1966 Eurovision in one of her evocative memoirs.

Colette Wrafter from the Mountmellick Art Collective shared the beginning of a short story she is working on.

Host for the event, Olivia Murray then shared a short story of her own.

Hazel Restrick and Noreen Uí Laighin from the Mountmellick Art Collective finished the event by sharing a personal memoir and poems.

The audience of listeners and fellow writers were warmly supportive of all those who shared work aloud. It was a fascinating mix of styles and content, showing a wide breath of expression of ideas.

The impact of family relationships and social history, personal health and our impact on the environment were all explored with humour and pathos. 

The event was made possible with funding from Bealtaine Festival and the Laois Arts Office, represented by Diane Seale at the event and Dunamaise Arts Centre. Thanks is extended to all who attended, listened and shared at the event.