Exhibitions
3-9 August / 1pm-6pm
AT THE MASONIC HALL
Please note:
The Masonic Hall is not wheelchair accessible.
The Flow of Fun
The Masonic Hall will be transformed into a playful multi-sensory installation taking inspiration from the Camcor River.
Riso Print
Artists Naomi McArdle, Andrea Moore, Bronagh Tully, Shannon Bergin, Maria Mollohan, Emma Barone, Bronagh McCarthy, Aisling Larkin, Verona Stellet, Paul Bokslag.
Facilitated by Black Church Print Studio.
River Boxes
Come build together! Brightly coloured patterned boxes created by Paul Bokslag with pupils from Oxmantown National School and Mercy Primary School, to be stacked and rearranged.
Sculptunes
A series of interactive multi-sensory installations designed with and for early years children, by early years artist Helen Barry, In partnership with the National Concert Hall.
Please play gently!
Mother
- Lauren Culbert
Experience an immersive space with subtle sounds, soft scents, tactile and visually-engaging elements that offer a multi-sensory experience!
AT BIRR CASTLE
THE CALL OF THE
SHANNON
- Bernie Masterson
Copper Tree Gallery
A collection of four short stories from ordinary people about their relationship with the River Shannon and how it has influenced their lives, and continues to do so. Bernie was the winner of the Open Submission Exhibition 2023.
Official Launch / Tuesday 6 August, 6.30pm.
This event is kindly sponsored by
Photo credit / Brian Cox
AT THE OLD CINEMA
UNDERWATER
WORLD
Old Cinema, Brendan Street
Steph & Kevin Hanlon
We are thrilled to be able to bring you once again some of the magic of Longford Lights. Dive into a mesmerising underwater world illuminated by UV lights.
AT JERRO'S, MAIN STREET
THE PRESS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
ASSOCIATION OF
IRELAND (PPAI)
In association with Birr Theatre & Arts Centre.
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre is delighted to host the annual PPAI exhibition, sponsored by AIB. This collection of images accurately describes the Ireland of 2023; presenting not only a record of our island’s history, but also is a testament of the incredible skill of our press photographers. The exhibition is on a national tour.
BIRR ART GROUP
This exhibition focuses on work executed by members during their weekly sessions as well as the plein-air/paint-out sessions taking place across Vintage Week. Members will be out and about painting in three locations across the town from the 5th-7th August.
St. Brendan’s Hall will be used for the duration of the paint out as a meeting-up point, refreshment centre and comfort break zone.
If you’d like to take part, please
contact Jean Forristal on (086) 023 4690.
AT BIRR THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE
PATHWAYS
Aidan Byrne
Aidan’s creative work as an individual artist
has always had an element of imaginative
exploration, using a process of creating
drawings and paintings that challenge
the need to follow specific rules, patterns,
conditioning or subjects. The absence of
structured rules allows the expression that
emerges to be authentic, original and
playful. The initial drawings and paintings
provide the basis for designs which are then
re-interpreted in mosaic.
THE MAX, MAIN STREET
OPEN SUBMISSION
EXHIBITION
Curated by Rowena Keaveny
‘A Place is only a Place’.
A sense of community is found in the connections people make to each and their environment, consisting of memories, experiences, attachments, cultures and generations making a place more than a physical space. A sense of place is a unique set of qualities and characteristics - visual, cultural, natural and social - that provide a meaning to a location.
BEAUTIFUL BIRR
3D model streetscape of Oxmantown Mall created by 5th and 6th class children at Oxmantown NS with incredible attention to detail.
ARTISTS
AT WORK
Visit the Pop-up studio throughout the week, with painters John Gillen, Eamonn Byrne and Katerina Hayden.
BIRR
CRAFTERS
To honour the much -loved Frankie Gallagher, whose legacy artworks can be seen all around town, the Birr Crafters are showing ‘Views of Birr’, using each individual’s unique style and materials.
OTHER LOCATIONS
QUILTS FROM CONNEMARA
The Space Above, Main Street
Fri 9 & Sat 10 August / 10am-6pm
Connemara Quilting Groups: Carna, Indreabhán, Inis Oirr, Leitir Mealláin. Explore the ancient craft of Irish quilt making through this vibrant showcase of four quilting groups from South Connemara.
Bigí linn agus muid ag foghlaim faoi cheird ársa na cuilteála Gaelach, le taispeántas galánta ó cheithre ghrúpa cuilteála as Conamara Theas.
ARCHIVE FILMS OF BIRR
Old Barber's Shop, Main Street
Birr Historical Society will present a selection of old films every evening from 6pm featuring Birr.
Also at this venue: James Scully, Martello Tower Bookshop.
SWEET SHOPS OF
BIRR
Grimes Gaelic Bar Window
A photographic exhibition archiving the
locations of where sweetshops were in Birr by Anam Beo archival artist Jackie Lynch through conversations with retired shop owners and with clients of Birr Community Nursing Unit.
THREADS
Tin Jug Studio Brendan Street
A light-hearted, supportive ‘connecting’ between potential buyers and promoting local artists. All the artworks will be for sale at a remarkable bargain price!
All viewers to the gallery can bid per artwork. However, just which artwork(s) a buyer might
become the proud owner of to take home, will be the big surprise and joy on the day of the draw!
Mini-Museum - peep-hole art/display. Simply lift the studio’s letterbox ‘Nil junkum’ flap, to peer in.
CAROLAN DUFF
Townsend House
Carolan Duff, a young illustrator specialising in children’s art bringing whimsical stories to life with vibrant watercolours and ink. Perfect for all ages, this exhibition celebrates the joy andmagic of stories, scenery and creatures.
IZABELA STRZALA
The Growery
Experience diverse styles from abstraction to realism, Immerse yourself in the emotive world of art in a unique setting.
Opening Friday 2 August at 5pm
THE WALL AT
NEW ORDER DISTRICT
Local artists share their talent at this fantastic
venue.
Please note the Artist Appreciation Day planned for: Wed 7 Aug / 11am - 4pm has been postponed due a bereavement.
LEINSTER REGIMENT
MEMORABILIA EXHIBITION
Birr Library
Official Opening on 31 July at 6pm.
This exhibition commemorates the colourful history of the Leinster Regiment housed at Crinkill Barracks from 1881 and covers many aspects from this time. Come and view a piece of Birr’s history! Bill Finanne, medal collector, will also exhibit as part of this collection.