Bealtaine Festival
Launch at Buncrana Library
01.05.25
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THE 2025 Donegal Bealtaine
Festival was launched last Tuesday at Buncrana Library,
marking the 30th anniversary of Ireland’s national
celebration of arts and creativity as we age. Donegal
has proudly been part of Bealtaine for 28 of those
years, and this milestone year features the festival’s
most ambitious and wide-reaching programme to date. |
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Cathaoirleach Cllr Niamh
Kennedy pictured with Maura Logue, Dark Daughter
Productions and Sinead Noonan, Donegal Bealtaine
Co-ordinator with members of Donegal Culture Division
and Andrea Campbell, DCSDC Arts Development Officer. |
Speaking at the launch,
the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Niamh
Kennedy celebrated the festival’s growth and importance
in the cultural life of the county: "Bealtaine is about
creativity, connection, and community. It’s about
lifting up our older people, showcasing their talents,
and ensuring culture and creativity are accessible to
all, wherever they live."
This year’s programme puts a special spotlight on local
talent, with artists such as Bernie Wilson (painting
workshops), Grainne McCool (creative writing), and Paddy
Donoghue (poetry writing) leading creative sessions.
Meanwhile, music fans can look forward to performances
from legends like Philomena Begley, Ray Lynam, Ralph
McTell, Genticorum, and local favourite Patsy Cavanagh.
The festival also offers a rich variety of talks and
experiences - from sound bath workshops and
intergenerational storytimes, to a biodiversity talk on
Donegal’s sea life, and events that explore
sustainability and memory.
Those attending the launch were captivated by a
performance from Maura Logue, who brought her acclaimed
one-woman show ‘Nora Gallagher’ to Buncrana Library. The
performance offered a nostalgic and lively glimpse into
a key part of Donegal’s social and cultural history,
blending story, humour and music in a way that perfectly
reflects the spirit of Bealtaine. |
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Sinead Noonan, Donegal
Bealtaine Co-ordinator, pictured with poet Paddy
Donoghue during the launch at Buncrana Library. |
"Bealtaine doesn’t live in
a gallery or a concert hall alone - it's all around us,"
said Sinead Noonan, Donegal Bealtaine coordinator. " It
means you don’t have to go far to feel connected - to
hear a poem, to see an exhibition, to tap your feet to a
live tune, or even to try your own hand at something
creative. That’s what makes celebrating Bealtaine in
Donegal so special - culture doesn’t sit on a pedestal
here, it lives in the community."
You can view the full programme of events planned by
picking up a Donegal Bealtaine brochure in your local
library or cultural venue.
The Bealtaine Festival 2025 programme is available at
Donegalculture.pdf .
For more info visit
www.donegalculture.ie . |
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