Ardagh Fright Fest 2015 was a resounding success! Thank you to Fergus
Kennedy, Longford arts Office for his vision and support. The
photography exhibition had over 600 viewers (thanks go to Shelley
Corcoran and the students from around the county for all their hard
work). We got very creative during our Frightful Art workshop and Spooky
Art Day and the sun shone brightly for our Samhain morning walk with
Brendan Farrell. Lots of families enjoyed Ardagh School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry and we even presented OWLs certs to some students returning
for the fifth year. The highlights for many attendees though were the
Gothic writing workshops with writers ER Murray and Joe Murphy and we
want to say once more how grateful we were to have them attend.
Here's some feedback we received:
"Just so let you know that I thought the workshop (with E.R. Murray) was brilliant and I really
enjoyed it. I got “The Book of Learning” straight away yesterday"
"Just wanted to say thank-you for making this workshop (with Joe Murphy) possible. It
was one of the most enjoyable and informative I’ve ever attended. Ann, thanks to you and Annette for hosting the workshop – I’d add ‘comfortable and ‘hospitable’’ to the above description."
We
had so much going on for the first ever Ardagh Fright Fest, watch out for more in 2016. You will
find full details here later in the year, but for now see what you
missed:
Fantastic news below just in from E.R. Murray who we are delighted to
have here tomorrow morning from 10am giving a gothic writing workshop
for 11 to 14 year olds. There's still time to book your place, but be
quick!
Magical book found in Dublin – READ All About It!
Dublin City Council’s Library Service invites children to delve into the
world of Ebony Smart, a 12 year old girl whose world has just changed
forever - a new home in Dublin which is full of secrets, a magical book that
unlocks the mystery to her past and a mysterious boy called Zach who
befriends her – for the Citywide Reading Campaign for Children 2016.
The campaign is run by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City
Council Public Libraries, in partnership with Mercier Press and runs
from January to March 2016.
The Book of Learning by E.R. Murray
is a story of mystery and adventure, which will appeal to both girls and
boys of 9 years and older. There will be author visits to public
libraries as well as city-centre based events to promote the campaign
which encourages children to read for pleasure. The book features many
well known Dublin landmarks such as Glasnevin Cemetery, The Botanic
Gardens, The Natural History Museum, The National Library and St.
Stephen's Green.
An t-Ardmhéara Críona Ní Dhálaigh said: “The
Book of Learning is a book that will enchant and engage boys and girls
from aged 9 upwards and I encourage children and their parents all
across the city to read it and to visit their local Dublin City library
to find out more about the fun events taking place. Is scéal draíochtach
é a bheadh taitneamhach do éinne thar 9 mbliana d’aois”
“I’m
delighted The Book of Learning has been chosen for this year’s Citywide
Reading campaign, especially since Dublin is so central to the story.”
says E.R. Murray. “I wanted to capture the city’s essence in an
adventure story that was both magical and mysterious – so get ready for
wildcats, enchanted books, underground lairs, and shark submarines! I
can’t wait to meet lots of young readers at events in the New Year –
after all, it’s the readers that bring stories to life and make writing
so worthwhile.”
Details of the campaign will be available in early January at www.dublincityofliterature.ie The project is funded by Dublin City Council's Library Service and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Since we opened Creative Ardagh (www.creativeardagh.com) in 2011 we have been celebrating Halloween with our family event Ardagh School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We are now at Year 5 of this event, loosely based on Harry Potter with 'students' sorted into houses based on our local legend: Midir, Etain, Fuamnach and Aengus. We practice our dark arts on black paper in the artroom and have banished many a ghost with our phantom fizzing potion. This year we continue to add in more fun for all ages to this event over the bank holiday weekend and on Halloween itself.
We are delighted to be able to expand the celebrations with the support of Longford Arts Office to a week long festival which includes Gothic writing workshops for adults and teens (11 to 14), an art day camp for children, a teen art workshop, photography exhibitions by Co. Longford TY students assisted by Shelley Corcoran and a walk up Brí Leith, home of Midir who had close links with the ancient festival of Samhain.
Full details of all events can be found by clicking on the tabs above. Bookings to creativeardagh@gmail.com or 086 3027602.
