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Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Soprano Celine Byrne helps raise €14,500 to restore Wicklow church bells
St Saviour's Church in Arklow recently played host to an evening of classical music headlined by acclaimed Irish soprano Celine Byrne that raised €14,500 towards the restoration of the parish's 125-year-old church bells. Performing to a packed audience, the 'Harmony in Faith' classical concert saw international award-winning artist Byrne, who has performed with greats like Andrea Bocelli, take to the stage with support from the Arklow Revival Gospel Choir and the 'A-Chord-ingly' barbershop quartet from Greystones. The funds raised will go towards the refurbishment of the church bells, which were manufactured and installed in St Saviour's in 1989 by John Taylor, the original bell and foundry maker, who perfected the tuning of the bells. Delighted with the turnout and fundraising total, organiser and ringing master Matthew Dent said: 'It was a fantastic night, with over 300 people in attendance, and Celine was a fabulous performer, she wowed and captivated the audience with opera arias, Irish folk songs and spiritual songs. 'We were joined by His Grace, the Archbishop Michael Jackson and St Peter's and Mary's Fr Ó Cochláin, as well as the Presbyterian minister Michael Anderson and also the minister Fadzi from the Methodist church. 'We served non-alcoholic bubbly and Italian ice creams at the interval, and Celine captivated onlookers with her dazzling personality during the break by speaking to various guests. Overall, the night was a high success. 'We raised a total of €14,500 before costs, so we have enough to see the full restoration of the bells and a little extra to go towards the church roof repairs. 'We will now be showcasing the bells and the hard work to restore them in a digital presentation at St Saviour's on Heritage Week, August 16 to 24, where the public are welcome at this free event to show how their generous donations and support have been spent,' he added. 'A big thanks to all the town's businesses for supporting us, who were also specifically thanked at the event for their support. 'We also invite anyone looking to join bell ringing at the church and would like to learn the art of campanology (bell ringing) free of charge every Friday evening from 7 pm till 8.30 pm (email: stsavioursbells@
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Wexford beekeepers win national award for exceptional heritage project
The group was recognised for their project on the stories and traditions of local beekeeping in Wexford down through the years. Making use of extensive and deeply compelling oral history, a core objective of the project was to safekeep both the bees and the history of their keeping across the county. The memories and reflections of those who contributed to the beekeeping community in Wexford were recorded and archived with a focus on the themes of biodiversity and heritage. In collaboration with local historian Michael Fortune those leading the programme sought out people in the locality with interesting stories. From all of the resulting material submitted, 11 stories were shortlisted with interviews hosted by the group in the idyllic grounds of Johnstown Castle in May. On June 4, the exciting project was launched at Johnstown Castle with the participants and their families. Also in attendance were members of the Heritage Keepers. The group's oral history project was published on Youtube and is available for the public to view. There are six videos and among the contributors are Jim and Sean Aherne, Matt Doyle and Niall Keogh, Joe and Andrew Kelly and Loretta Neary, Pat Sills and Tony O'Brien, James Hogan and Bob Delaney and Joe Kelly who read 'The Honey Bee' by Ned Kavanagh. This was among the winning projects because it demonstrated 'how much knowledge, passion and traditions exists in communities across the country', according to the Heritage Keepers. 'By using the Heritage Keepers funding to collect an oral history of beekeeping in Wexford, our group had hoped to preserve knowledge and practices that may otherwise be forgotten,' said Jacintha Cloney. 'With the help of Michael Fortune and the support of The South Wexford Beekeepers Association, Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens, The Irish Heritage Trust, our own South Wexford Beekeepers Heritage Keepers Group and, most importantly our interviewees, we believe we have created something even more special and rewarding than we initially set out to do.' Jacintha said that the group may revisit similar projects in the future, and that they were 'buzzing' to have been recognised in this way. The group are proud that the videos will be shown in Johnstown Castle as part of Heritage Week in August. Heritage Keepers is a programme targeted at community groups and primary schools and offers participants support to delve into, explore and truly understand local and natural heritage and provides funding to enable groups to take positive action within their communities. And a call has been made for new applications for the programme with community groups and primary schools welcome to apply, whether they are rural or urban. They can be submitted through and it's important to know that the application deadline is September 30. Since the programme started in 2022, more than 200 groups have participated, with 75 taking part last year. Due to this growing demand, this year's Heritage Keepers programme will have increased capacity.
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Looking for some activities to do this summer in Mayo? – why not check out this 18th century estate with free outdoor events
The Museum is encouraging people across the region to discover the National Museum on their doorstep this summer through exhibitions, demonstrations and talks across a diverse range of topics - from 20th century lawn sports to folklife traditions and customs. The National Museum at Turlough Park is located on a historic 18th century estate and features modern, award-winning galleries, a courtyard café, a woodland playground and 30 acres of biodiverse gardens and parkland. Here are seven top activities and events for July and August. Find further details on all upcoming events and exhibitions at Boules on the Lawn Learn about the sport of pétanque – also known as outdoor boules - with the members of Castlebar Pétanque Club from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, 19 July. See a demonstration of this lively and strategic sport – which originated in the early 20th century in France. Then have a go yourself! Admission is free and no booking is required. Traders on the Reek Ahead of Reek Sunday at the end of the month, explore an interesting part of the history of this well-known annual pilgrimage date. Come along at 2.30pm on Saturday, 19 July for a special screening of 'Traders on the Reek'. This documentary tells the story of families who have fed and watered many thousands of pilgrims on Croagh Patrick down through the generations. There will also be talks and contributions on the day from some of the families featured in the film. Admission is free. Booking is required. Email BookingsCountryLife@ or telephone +353 94 90 31751. Woodland Explorer Young visitors are invited to explore biodiversity and engage in some mindful nature watching through the free Woodland Explorer activity booklet, available from Museum Reception. The grounds of Turlough Park are home to lots of different habitats with woodland, gardens, lake and river areas. Learn more and use your keen senses and skills to complete a series of fun nature challenges to finish this self-guided trail! Orienteering Did you know you can give orienteering a try in the grounds of Turlough Park? Go to Museum Reception to pick up a map of the newly developed orienteering routes. There are five maps to choose from. Then download the app to enjoy a fun, family friendly orienteering activity through 30-acres of gardens, woodland and parkland. Free guided tours Discover objects and stories that are both familiar and surprising from the National Folklife Collection at Turlough Park. Join a free guided tour to learn about life in the Irish countryside from the 1850s to 1950s, exploring fascinating traditions, customs and skills. Then hear more about the Fitzgerald family and the history and architectural style of Turlough Park House and Gardens. Free public tours take place at 2pm and 3.30pm each Saturday throughout the summer months. No booking required. Places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Heritage Week The Museum will once again be participating in National Heritage Week, with a programme of free events celebrating Ireland's cultural, built and natural heritage between 16 and 24 August. One of this year's highlight events is a traditional skills demonstration featuring the well-known woodworker and influencer Eoin Reardon and skilled basketmaker Tom Delaney of 'Ould Crafty'. This event takes place on Sunday, 24 August. Be sure to follow the National Museum on social media for further details as they are announced. SWARM Pencil in a stop at the Courtyard Gallery during your visit to see a vibrant children's art installation inspired by Ireland's bee species. Combining colour, movement and shadow, SWARM was created by school children across counties Mayo, Sligo and Galway, working with artist Cas McCarthy. The project took place in association with the popular exhibition The Murmur of Bees, which remains on display this summer in the exhibition galleries. ADVERTISEMENT The National Museum in Turlough Park, Co. Mayo is located within a historic 18th century estate and features Ireland's National Folklife Collection. Objects, archive film and photography present a tapestry of daily life from the 1850s to the 1950s. From country and village to town and city, these stories of the everyday are both familiar and surprising. The visitor experience includes 30-acres of gardens and parkland, scenic walkways along the river and lake, a woodland playground, the Greenway cycling route, the courtyard café and a book and craft shop. Everyone is welcome and admission is free
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jim Cartwright's classic play to take to the stage in Bolton
Local playwright Jim Cartwright's best-known work comes to Bolton Little Theatre next week as The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice hits the main stage in an elaborate production by Geoff Millard and his team. 'I love the play, which is probably why this is my second time directing it – it's just got everything.' said Geoff, who actually knew Jim as a child in the 70s, 'My wife and I ran a youth drama group in Farnworth back then and Jim was one of our aspiring young actors.' READ MORE: Step back in time to Bolton Little Theatre 1976 production Bolton Little Theatre opens its doors for Heritage Week Central to the story is the role of 'Little Voice' or 'LV' as she is known, played by new face Amber Maria. 'LV' spends her time shut in her room listening to the records her late father loved and trying to emulate them. The complex vocal impressions include songs by Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Edith Piaf and Shirley Bassey to name a few. 'It's not a role that comes along very often,' she explains, 'but loving singing as much as I do, it was a part I just couldn't turn down.' Lisa Barlow plays 'LV's dysfunctional mother 'Mari'. Lisa said: 'I've actually played the part before when Geoff last directed it. 'The audience feedback then was so positive I jumped at the chance of having another go at it – as a character she's so wonderfully awful.' ' Mari's friend 'Sadie' also sees a repeat performance from Shaz Holstead who played the same part on a different production in Chorley. 'I don't usually repeat roles,' says Shaz, 'but when something as brilliant as Little Voice comes along again you just have to grab it with both hands.' 'LV's life looks set to change when impresario 'Ray Say', played by Steve Harrison, spots a way to make a quick buck. Steve said: "He plays Mari along pretending to be interested in a relationship, when all he really wants is to exploit her daughter and make as much money out of her talents as he can.' Together with 'Mr Boo', played by Glenn Robinson, who runs the local variety club, they look set to squeeze 'LV' for all she's worth regardless of the personal cost to the young girl. But all is not lost. Her knight in shining armour comes in the form of Connor Beckwith's 'Billy' as one of the workmen who installs a new telephone into Mari's house - along with another returning face, Harvey Walton as his partner. 'Billy' recognises 'LV's vulnerability and wants to take her away from it all – but is he too late? 'I think lots of people will know the story from the 1998 film starring Brenda Blethyn, Michael Caine and Ewen McGregor,' said Geoff, 'but perhaps they didn't realise it actually started life as a stage play.' Amber added: 'It's more than just a play about a young girl who can sing, the thing I love most of all the message of resilience that it conveys – something we can all learn from.' 'The Rise & Fall Of Little Voice' runs from Monday 23rd to Saturday 28th of June 2025 at 7:30 pm at Bolton Little Theatre, Hanover Street, Bolton BL1 4TG. For tickets visit or ring 01204 524469.
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Soprano Celine Byrne to help Wicklow church restore ‘the best bells in Ireland'
Headlined by international award-winning artist Byrne, who has performed with greats like Andrea Bocelli, the 'Harmony in Faith' classical concert will feature support from the Arklow Revival Gospel Choir and the 'A-Chord-ingly' barbershop quartet from Greystones. Funds raised will go towards the refurbishment of the church bells, which were manufactured and installed in St Saviour's in 1989 by John Taylor, the original bell and foundry maker who perfected the tuning of the bells. The bells are unique in that they are a specific shape known as a 'profile', of which only three sets in existence, with the others in the UK and New York. As part of the conditions of a maximum Heritage Council grant of €25,000 secured by the project committee to carry out the restoration, they are offsetting the carbon footprint incurred through the transportation of the bells to the UK by using 98pc existing materials and planting Irish native trees. Looking ahead to the fundraising concert, organiser and ringing master Matthew Dent provided some insight into the history of the bells, adding that they would ring out again as part of Arklow's Heritage Week celebrations, with an accompanying video that documents the entire restoration process. 'We are very blessed to have Celine Byrne performing, along with the Arklow Revival Gospel Choir and A- Chord-ingly, so it'll be a nice varied concert, supporting local groups and bringing an international star to the St Saviour's stage,' Matthew said 'The funds raised will go towards the restoration of the church bells, which, believe it or not, are the best bells in Ireland because of their shape, profile and the thickness of the brass. They don't make them like that anymore, so they're an unusual set. 'There's also a good bit of history to them, and a nice story about a gentleman called William Washbrook. He rang what's called a 'peal of bells', which is a three-hour constant ring, where you ring 5,040 different positions. 'He rang that single-handedly, and they didn't believe that he did it. So he did it a second time, here at St Saviour's Church, in front of the Irish Bell Ringers Association, and then they put it in the papers. 'When the bells are restored, we'll be presenting them and playing them out for Heritage Week (August 17 to 24) and we're planning on having the school children of Carysfort to plant the trees to offset the carbon footprint that we've used to take the bell parts over to England to be refurbished,' he added. 'We will create a video of the entire process so that people can come to the church, hear the bells ring and see the full restoration. Carysfort NS will also send some of their students to educate them on the whole process. The video will also be available on your tube for historical purposes. 'Harmony in Faith' will take place at St Saviour's Church in Arklow on Saturday, June 28, from 7 pm to 9 pm. Tickets are €30 and available from
