Finscéal - The legend of St Brigid in Words and Images

OPENING: 7PM MONDAY 4TH NOVEMBER (all welcome)

EXHIBITION RUNS: 4TH – 29TH NOVEMBER 2024

The Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, Co Laois, are delighted to present the exhibition, Finscéal – The legend of St. Brigid in words and images bringing together a collection of artworks and performance from local, national, and international artists.

Brigid and Conleth at Dawn by Lia Laimböck.

The Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, Co Laois, are delighted to present the exhibition, Finscéal – The legend of St. Brigid in words and images bringing together a collection of artworks and performance from local, national, and international artists.

The exhibition emerged from an art class in Stradbally, where the tutor and curator, Orla Mc Donagh approached Muireann Ni Chonaill to consider an exhibition of the St. Brigid themed work as it was the 1500 celebration of St. Brigid. A brief callout resulted in a cross generational response and work in visual art, poetry and spoken word became part of the exhibition.

Orla Mc Donagh is a contemporary figurative artist and educator in a multidisciplinary practice based in Abbeyleix. Longlisted in 2022 for the R.D.S. visual arts award, Orla holds a degree in art history and contemporary art practice from A.T.U.

The opening night of November 4th will be hosted by Muireann Ni Chonaill, Arts Officer with opening by Councilor, Padraig Fleming, Cathaoirelach of Laois County Council, and artist curator Orla Mc Donagh.  Michelle Quirke will be weaving the story of Celtic Goddess Brigid and Saint Brigid as she weaves a Brigid cross from: Brigid – Mythology & Folklore Tales, re-telling the lore of the land in the old seanachaí style. Michelle is a UCC academic of Irish Celtic Mythology & folklore. The evening will include readings from Julie Scully, Poet, performing, Mná Bríd including a short talk on her work Cross in Copper: poet Denise Curtin performing Birdie, Margo and Gate to Heaven and poet Anne Egan will conclude the evening reading on the life of Brigid of Kildare from Brigid of Kildare, published by Kildare County Council.

The poet Ann Egan will present three handmade books of poems, artistic responses, and a billboard of poems by the 6th Class children of Ballyfin National School; a project made possible by the Artist in Schools scheme run by Laois County Council. Works by the artists Pauline Conroy and Aisling Hassett are presented and Oksana Rohovska, and the Stradbally Art Group will present the works of ten artists including: Veronie Naughton, Jim Kehoe, Siobhan Wheatley, Maureen O’Leary, Marie Croke, Margaret Devoy, Kathleen Devoy, Mary Murphy Maurice and Brendan Scully.

Gallery Opening Hours as Follows
Tuesday – Friday: 1pm – 4pm entry through Laois Arthouse
Tuesday & Thursday: 5.30pm – 8pm (entry through Library)
Saturday: 10am – 1pm (entry through Library)
Sunday: 17th Nov 11.30am -1.30pm (entry through Laois Arthouse)

See: www.arthouse.ie
T: 057 866 4109  E: arts@laoiscoco.ie

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