Bealtaine Arts Festival events taking place around Inishowen

A range of events will be taking place around Inishowen in May as part of the Bealtaine Arts Festival.

The festival is Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity for older people and will be celebrated throughout the month of May in Donegal. It features older people as artists, performers, event organisers and as audiences and participants.

The festival, which is in its 26th year, was officially launched by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Councillor Liam Blaney at Donegal County Museum, Letterkenny.

Speaking at the launch, Cllr Liam Blaney said: “Bealtaine is always on a journey to be entertaining and inclusive. Just as we know there’s no one experience of older age, there is no one kind of event in Bealtaine 2023. The festival is full of exciting and interesting events for our communities.”

Festival events are to be held at venues across Inishowen during May.

Origami workshop
An origami workshop with Cathal McGinley will allow participants to experience the joy of paper folding. Origami, a form of art associated with Japanese culture, is one of the most suitable recreational activities and it simply requires a piece of paper and an active imagination.
The workshop will take place on Wednesday, May 3 from 3pm to 5pm at Moville Library. For bookings go to Eventbrite.ie or call (074) 9175384.

Taster hiking session
The Swilly Hikers are holding a taster hiking session which will involve one of their picturesque scheduled walks. Those taking part should come prepared with good walking shoes such as runners or hiking shoes/boots.
The walks take place on Wednesday, May 3 at 6.30pm at Inch Level and on Wednesday. For bookings go to Eventbrite.ie or call (074) 9175384.

Ink art and poetry workshop
An ink art and poetry workshop with artist Kim Sharkey is taking place on Monday, May 8, from 11am to 12pm at Buncrana Library. Kim Sharkey is a multimedia artist, creating across Illustration, animation, ceramics and other media. Participants will be looking at the medium of ink art and how it can be used.
Bookings for the 20 places on the workshop are available at Eventbrite.ie or on (074) 9175384.

Computer classes
Connect Computer Classes are taught entirely by students from Carndonagh Community School who will help adults find their way through the maze of clicks and downloads that come with negotiating the World Wide Web in no time.
The classes take place on May 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 11am to 12pm at Buncrana Library and on May 2, 9, 23, and 30 from 11.30am to 12:30pm.
Places for the Buncrana classes can be booked at 074 93 61941 or buncrana@donegallibrary.ie and places for the Carndonagh event can be booked at 074 93 73701 or carndonagh@donegallibrary.ie.

Visit by author Jane Buckley
Derry-born author, Jane Buckley will give two talks on her highly proclaimed Derry-based fictional award-winning thriller series The Stones Corner on Thursday, May 4 from 2pm to 3pm at Carndonagh Library and on Friday, May 5, from 11am to 12pm.
Places for the Buncrana event can be booked at 074 93 61941 or buncrana@donegallibrary.ie and places for the Carndonagh event can be booked at 074 93 73701 or carndonagh@donegallibrary.ie.

Digital Safety
Eve Curran, the security engagement manager with Ulster Bank will give talks on scams, fraud and digital safety Join Eve Curran which will include being aware of the risks associated with your online activity and avoiding being exposed to unwanted information, materials, or risks on the Internet.
The talks will take place on Tuesday, May 16 at 11.30am at Carndonagh Library and Friday, May 19 at 11.30am at Buncrana Library.
Places for the Buncrana event can be booked at 074 93 61941 or buncrana@donegallibrary.ie and places for the Carndonagh event can be booked at 074 93 73701 or carndonagh@donegallibrary.ie.

Donegal weather through the ages
From deep freezes and big winds to mirages, Caroline Carr of Donegal County Museum will give a fascinating exploration of Donegal weather events throughout the century. The event will take place at Moville Day Centre on Tuesday, May 16 from 2pm to 3pm. Places for the event can be booked at 074 9124613 or museum@donegalcoco.ie.

Weaving and spinning
A weaving and spinning workshop with Johnny Shiels, a third-generation spinning wheel maker, will take place on Tuesday, May 23 from 11am to 12:30pm at Carndonagh Library. The taster session will allow participants to learn about spinning and weaving. For bookings: go to Eventbrite.ie or call (074) 9175384.

The healing power of sound
The healing power of sound will be explored with Marie Fitzpatrick who will encourage participants to consider the benefits of a sound bath - a deeply relaxing, meditative experience which can take you on a journey of deep relaxation, tranquillity, and healing.
The event takes place on May 23 at Buncrana Library from 10am to 11am and at Carndonagh Library on Thursday, May 25 from 10am to 11am. Places for the Buncrana event can be booked at 074 93 61941 or buncrana@donegallibrary.ie and places for the Carndonagh event can be booked at 074 93 73701 or carndonagh@donegallibrary.ie.

Decorating terracotta pots
On Friday, May 26, a workshop on painting and decorating terracotta pots with Rhona Hannigan will take place at Buncrana Library from 11am to 12.30pm. Bookings for the 10 places on the workshop are available at Eventbrite.ie or on (074) 9175384.