Carrick-on-Suir Library looks back on a busy month of Bealtaine Festival events

Mary O'Hanlon taking part in one of the Bealtaine Festival ukulele classes at Clonmel Library 

An evening of poetry, stories and music was enjoyed by a large audience at Carrick-on-Suir Library as part of its series of Bealtaine Festival events.

The Carrick Library Miscellany evening on May 24 was inspired by RTE Radio 1's Sunday Miscellany programme.

The event featured poetry and prose readings from Ann Dempsey, Richard Cahill, Mary O'Gorman, Walter Dunphy, Mary O'Hanlon and Joe Whelan.

Music was performed by Chris Britton who played saxophone and keyboard and Laura Britton on bass guitar.

Librarian Carol Delany said the feedback from the audience was brilliant and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

“People remarked how they could relate to the events and emotions expressed in the poetry and stories, both the happy and the sad, the light and the dark sides of life.

“This is our fourth year (outside of the pandemic) hosting the Carrick Library Miscellany and once again the format of words and music has proven to be very popular with the audience.

“It is getting better with each year. I also like the intergenerational aspect of our event with younger people providing the music.

“On this occasion it was my  daughter and son, Laura and Christopher Britton. They have great respect for the wisdom and experiences of the older generation and I think it is lovely to see the different generations working together.

“I would like to thank all our participants for giving freely of their time and talents. I look forward to doing it all again next year.”

Carrick Library Miscellany was 16 events that took place in the Library during the month of May for the national Bealtaine Festival, which is a celebration of the arts and culture as we age.

Among those pictured is Mary O’Hanlon, from Ballyneale, who epitomised the true spirit of Bealtaine by participating in many of the events in Carrick on Suir Library.
 

At the Dan Breen Wedding film Mary brought along her framed  Wanted poster of Dan Breen, whom she nursed when he was an older man during his stay in Clonmel hospital.

Mary thoroughly enjoyed the four ukulele classes provided by Barry Quinn from Tipperary ETB at the Library
 

And for Carrick Library Miscellany, Mary, a very experienced actor and member of Brewery Lane Drama Group, gave a heart wrenching performance as  Maurya from Synge’s ‘Riders to the Sea’.

She recited Maurya’s monologue in which an old woman grieves the loss of her six sons, her husband and her husband’s father, to the cruel sea.
 

Carrick Library's staff thank Mary for her contribution to its Bealtaine Festival celebrations.

Pictured below: Carrick Library gardening workshop participants take instruction from Riley Howe.