Mayo County Council hosts another Bealtaine festival across the county
Taking place annually in the month of May, Bealtaine is the nationwide festival celebrating the arts and creativity as we age.
Mayo County Council Arts Service recently held a series of workshops across the county, as part of its 2026 Bealtaine Festival Programme, which took place throughout May across the county.
Highlights of the festival included theatre workshops at The Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar led by Denise Gilfoyle and Terry McDonagh; movement/dance workshops led by Catherine Donnelly in Foxford; a writing workshop with author Gerry Boland in Belmullet; a bespoke Azure Dementia Friendly Gallery Tour led by Alice Dixon with FACT Social Club at Ballina Arts Centre and a cyanotype printmaking workshop facilitated by artist and photographer, Michael Gannon.
National Art in Nursing Homes Day on May 15 was marked by artist and printmaker, Norah Brennan, who led engaging printmaking workshops for residents and visitors at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar.
The Programme also included ‘Western Tunes, Songs and Tales' on May 25, as part of a Music & Health Ireland local partnership with Mayo County Council Arts Service. This event brought live music performances to residents in three Community Nursing Units, which showcased the joy of music and storytelling to both residents and staff alike.
Mayo County Council Arts Service, in collaboration with Healthy Mayo, hosted a well-attended Connect Café event for the Mayo Cultural Companions Network - fostering social engagement, cultural participation, and contributions to help shape the future development of the Cultural Companions Network in Mayo.
In celebration of National Poetry Day, poets Christina Hennemann and Mike Absalom read a selection of their poems on the Tommy Marren Show on Midwest Radio, bringing poetry to audiences across the region.
Taking place annually in the month of May, Bealtaine is the nationwide festival celebrating the arts and creativity as we age. The national festival is led by Age & Opportunity, the organisation dedicated to promoting active and engaged living as we get older.
Mayo County Council Arts Service runs an extensive Bealtaine Programme every year, which includes workshops in various artistic disciplines, artist talks, performances in care settings, gallery tours, and a variety of other events. The festival would not be possible without the support of the Mayo County Council executive and elected members, the Arts Council, and all the fantastic artists, audiences, venues, and participants that bring the festival to life.