Check out the packed programme of free Bealtaine Festival events at Carrick-on-Suir Library

Creative mending, reusing and repurposing of clothes and broken items are the themes of a series of free Bealtaine Festival events the Tudor Artisan Hub artists' collective will host at Carrick-on-Suir’s Sean Healy Library during May.

Darn it - Mending Matters is a creative programme initiated by Carrick’s Tudor Artisan Hub to encourage embracing sustainable living through the arts by adopting creative approaches to repairing, reusing, repurposing and renewing to reduce what goes into landfill.

It is inspired by Kintsugi, the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold and based on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create a stronger, more beautiful piece to cherish.

Linda Fahy of the Tudor Artisan Hub says she was first introduced to Kintsugi as a result of a radio drama project during the Covid lockdown in 2021. She has been studying, adopting and adapting the philosophies behind these Japanese mending practices - Kintsugi, Sashiko, Boro since then.

Tudor Artisan Hub members and members of the community have over the past few months learned and taught one another simple practical skills to repair, reuse, repurpose and renew belongings.

The Mending Matters exhibition and open sessions in Carrick Library during the Bealtaine Festival showcase these visible mending techniques, using various materials, demonstrating how to give new life to broken, damaged things, to see beauty in imperfections and adopt eco-friendly living through the arts.

“We hope this showcase ignites people in our community to adopt a slower green living lifestyle, be more intentional about what we consume, keep and discard, have some fun with mending and endeavour to reduce waste into our landfills”.

The following are the Mending Matters events the Tudor Artisan Hub has organised for the Bealtaine Festival in Carrick Library.

Monday, May 8 at 2pm: Much is in the Little with Margaret O’Brien: A writing workshop where you discover how small, common objects can be repurposed as portals to brief but compelling pieces of original writing.

Wednesday, May 10 at 7pm: Kintsugi: This is a rehearsed play reading with writers Patricia Cantwell and John Corcoran and live music accompaniment by John Corcoran and Kieron Judge. This drama is centered on an interview with the late Kathleen Hackett at Sonas Nursing Home, Melview, Clonmel during the Covid-19 lockdown. This drama reveals how a character makes a beautiful life out of the broken pieces, like the Japanese art of Kintsugi.

Thursday, May 11 at 2pm: Making Tee-Shirt Yarn with Rikey Howe: Learn how to make yarn for knitting/crochet by repurposing an old cotton T-shirt. Learn how to turn that tee-yarn into something new. Bring along an old cotton T-shirt and have some fun.

Monday, May 15 at 2pm and Wednesday, May 17 – 6.30pm: Pop up Visible Mending Demo with Tudor Artisan Hub makers showcasing the mending styles used in the exhibition.

Thursday, May 18 at 2pm: Decorative Mending with Rikey Howe. Learn how to mend a piece of fabric using fun decorative darning techniques. Instead of seeing clothes as disposable, visible mending values sustainability. Bring along a piece of clothing and get advice on how to creatively mend it

Booking is required for all events except the Pop Up Visible Mending demonstrations. Book your place by contacting the Tudor Artisan Hub on (051) 640921/ (086) 256 0609

Tudor Artisan Hub Bealtaine events are free thanks to the support of Tipperary Arts Office and Bealtaine Festival funding.
Other Bealtaine events

Meanwhile, Carrick Library will also be hosting the following free Bealtaine Festival events.

Gardening workshops

A series of four gardening workshops based on an introduction to no dig, soil regeneration and composting for healthier soil and thriving plants.

Rikey Austin and her husband Paddy have set up a community garden near Kilsheelan growing fruit and vegetables to provide, free of charge, to those in need.

The workshops will take place at the Library on Thursdays May 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 10am to 12pm.

Ukulele classes

An Introduction to Ukulele class with Barry Quinn ETB takes place at the Library on Mondays in May from 10.30am to 11.30am.

Ukuleles will be provided during the classes. There is limited availability of places.

All of the events are free of charge but booking is essential as spaces are limited.
Contact carricklibrary@tipperarycoco.ie, phone (051) 640591 or call in and talk to a member of staff.
A brochure of all sixteen events running during Bealtine is available by contacting the library.