Bealtaine Festival 2023 in Fingal Libraries

The Bealtaine Festival will run throughout the month of May with events taking place across Fingal library branches. Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Howard Mahony said: “I am delighted to be in Rush Library to launch this year’s Bealtaine Festival programme in Fingal Libraries. The community, inclusion, and creativity of the Forget Me Nots choir captures the spirit of what the festival is all about”.

County Librarian, Betty Boardman, said: “We have a varied programme of workshops, performances and talks for this year’s Bealtaine Festival to give everybody the opportunity of trying something new, making social connections and exploring creativity in their communities regardless of age”.  

Continuing the musical theme of the launch, this year’s programme features concerts from the musical ensemble the Mobile Music Machine in Blanchardstown, Baldoyle, and Rush Libraries. Dr. Jonathan Creasy will give a lecture, with music, on the poetry, prose, and songs of the 1920’s in Blanchardstown Library.

There will be opportunities to learn new skills and express your creative side with Aoife Munn’s Hanging Basket workshops and Maria Pantel’s ‘Sweet Shop’ workshops, where you can personalise a mass-produced item of clothing.  Will Nathans’ art workshops in Rush Library will focus on painting portraits and landscapes. Genealogist Claire Bradley will guide you through how to research your family history. Library staff in Rush, Blanchardstown and Malahide Libraries will show you how to use the interactive light games on Tovertafel or ‘magic’ tables. If you have always wanted to lean to play bridge, join Martin Staunton for bridge classes in Donabate and Malahide Libraries.  

The Bealtaine Festival programme also features a series of talks that will inform, empower, and inspire. Dr. Frank Prendergast of Birdwatch Fingal will explore our local habitats, wild bird sightings and sounds. Author Barbara Scully will discuss the opportunities life offers older women in her talk Wise Up: Power, Wisdom and the Older Woman.  Adventurer Eugene O’Leary Eugene O’Leary will talk about his hikes and adventures to encourage people to stay active throughout their lives.

We look forward to seeing you in Fingal Libraries this May! You can view the Bealtaine Festival brochure on the Fingal Libraries website: https://www.fingal.ie/bealtaine-festival-brochure-2023 or pick up a copy in your local library. Bookings for Bealtaine Festival events can be made by contacting the library hosting the event.