From sea swims and storytelling circles to photowalks and crafting workshops, mark May Day at one of these events …
Celebrate May Day with Poetry Ireland’s programme of events across the country, funded by Bright Idea Bursary. These community-focused events bring together poets, artists, activists and locals who recognise Bealtaine: a month-long festival featuring performances, exhibitions, discussions, workshops and readings by artists working in different art forms all over Ireland.
Swim & Poetry: The Cove, Greystones, Co Wicklow
The Happy Pear brothers and sea swimmers gathered for a sunrise dip followed by a poetry circle and a well-deserved treat afterwards at Rise at the Cove café. In the evening, The Whale theatre is hosting Bealtaine Poem Circles with guest poets Frances Browner, Eithne Hand, Sian Quill, Deirdre McKernan Crosby and Marc Diamond, with musicians Brian Whelan, John Hutchings, Liam Ruth, and poet and sound therapy practitioner Layla Morononey. @thehappypear @whaletheatre
May Day: In Solidarity, Tea Houses, Co Kilkenny
May Day or International Workers’ Day is a globally recognised time for reflection on solidarity and resistance. Inspired by the power of poetry and art at the forefront of activism, take part in a drop-in collage-making workshop with Jessica Weber Patterson, while pioneering poet Sarah Clancy will speak about using poetry as a tool for social change. @kilkennyartsoffice @tea.houses.kilkenny
Mixed Media May Day: Brigit’s Garden, Co Galway
Uachtarard Writers Group and uachtarARTS Community Arts Group invites participants to a free drawing and poetry workshop in the Celtic themed Brigit’s Garden and Café in Rosscahill, facilitated by artist and poet Barbara Dunne. @brigitsgarden
Glad Voices: Portumna Castle Gallery, Co Galway
Join a gathering of writers, reciters and musicians to welcome the promise of brighter days ahead, with a gift for your garden compliments of the local Active Retirement Group. @portumnacastleopw
Poetry Photowalk & Readings: Bailieborough Library, Co Cavan
Explore May Day’s meaning through smartphone photography, poetry and discussion with a free photowalk led by artist Suella Wynne and poet Máiread Donnellan, and poetry readings in the evening. @bailieboroughcreativehub
Paved by Poetry: The Glen Art Centre, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim
The Rabbit Riots Theatre Company highlights local women’s voices, with playwright and poet Treasa Nealon’s free workshop featuring collections from the audience in an online booklet for public viewing. @rabbitsriottc @theglenscentreleitrim
Petals & Poetry: The Yeats Society, Co Sligo
There’s an open invite to the public all day to bring a favourite poem or drawing and some flowers to cover the floor map of Sligo in the Yeats building as part of our exhibition. @yeatssocietysligo
Butter & Bealtaine: The Butter Museum, Co Cork
Join the guided tour and workshop with writer Molly Twomey inspired by Ireland’s deep dairy heritage. In these creative writing sessions, she will discuss traditional butter-making rituals and showcase a 1,000-year-old keg of butter. After, the tour will gather at Maureen’s Bar for a Bealtaine-themed prompt and poem to spark your creativity. @mollytwomey @thebuttermuseum
POP: Pink Balloon, Dingle, Co Kerry
A multi-sensory celebration of spring into summer featuring storytelling, music, poetry, art, and flower crown making with florist and plant medicine practitioner Juliana Bermingham. Enjoy performances from Dairena Ní Chíobháin, Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin, and Dingle and Brandon choirs, plus a special Pink Balloon cocktail created by Kennedy’s Bar mixologists. @kennedysbardingle
Making Poetry Playful: Belfast School of Art Shop, Belfast
EASCAIR Magazine is hosting an immersive evening of poetry and art as part of Belfast’s Late Night Art Trail. The interactive gallery curated by Robáird Ó Dochartaigh allows visitors to become part of the art reflecting life in the North. @bsoa_artshop @eascairmagazine
Eat The Storms Poetry Podcast: May Storm
The Eat The Storms podcast will host a special Poetry Day Ireland episode entitled May Storm with a nominated poet from each county sharing some of their chosen written and spoken word. @poetryireland @eatthestorms
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