Celebrating Creativity as we Age – Minister Moran announces free admission for all Senior Citizens to OPW sites on 22nd May
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
- Diverse programme of events across May to align with the Bealtaine Festival
- Irish Men’s Sheds Association members to take part in Drumming Workshop at Cahir Castle
- Nursing home residents to take a virtual Heritage tour
The Office of Public Works (OPW) today 29 April announced a programme of events and initiatives for Senior Citizens at various heritage sites across the country to align with Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival- “Celebrating Arts and Creativity as We Age” this May.
From musical performances to yoga and drumming workshops; there is a range of diverse and exciting events on offer.
On Friday 22 May, there will be a free admission day for senior citizens at almost all fee paying heritage sites*.
This initiative aims to encourage senior citizens to get out and engage with their cultural heritage, in keeping with the festival’s ‘Lust for Life’ theme.
Speaking at the programme launch, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Kevin “Boxer” Moran said:
“The OPW is delighted to collaborate with Age and Opportunity on this initiative again this year and now also with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.
It is wonderful to see the wide range of events that our sites have on offer to support the Bealtaine festival.
I am pleased to announce the OPW will offer free admission to a large number of heritage sites on Friday 22 May for all Senior Citizens.
We hope that visitors take full advantage of the range of creative, engaging, and imaginative events on offer over the month of May.”
A range of events will take place throughout the month including a Drumming Workshop at Cahir Castle with members of the local Irish Men’s Sheds Association and a peaceful chair yoga session will be hosted in the serene surroundings of Parke’s Castle.
Charles Fort will host an illustrated talk titled “The Muses & Mars,” exploring the fort’s rich artistic and cultural associations across three centuries.
At the Custom House, the Bealtaine programme will include special literary tours alongside outdoor sculpture tours.
Other events taking place across the month of May OPW Heritage sites include a guided walk and talk at Kilkenny Castle where visitors can enjoy the surrounding flora and fauna.
The National Botanic Gardens will present “Echoes,” a patchwork exhibition celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Irish Patchwork Society and there will also be a free exhibition highlighting contemporary ceramics by over 80 makers from across Ireland called “Clay/Works”.
At The Main Guard, “Silent Exposure” will feature early photography by William Despard Hemphill, offering insight into 19th-century life.
A concert by the Royal Irish Academy of Music’s Academy Artists will take place at Rathfarnham Castle.
Meanwhile, Castletown House will host an illustrated lecture exploring the history and homes of the Guinness family.
Dr Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager at Age & Opportunity and Artistic Director of Bealtaine Festival, commented:
“We are excited to once again partner with the OPW to celebrate the potential and possibility of ageing through staying active, creative and connected through the arts. Ireland’s public buildings are central to our cultural heritage and are wonderful places to visit and learn.”
In recognition of National Arts in Nursing Home Day on Friday May 15th, the OPW will also be running an event at a nursing home in Belmullet in Co Mayo.Residents from Sonas Nursing Home will have the opportunity to use virtual reality headsets and experience a virtual tour of an OPW heritage site from the comfort of their armchair.
For more information on the programme of events for Bealtaine, please visit www.heritageireland.ie or bealtaine.ie
*Kilmainham Gaol and Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is excluded from the list of sites who will participate in the free admission initiative on Friday 22 May, due to capacity constraints.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
Pictured: Ross O’Connor, OPW Guide, Dr. Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager Age & Opportunity and members of Loughlinstown/Ballybrack Irish Men’s Sheds Association, Mark Larkin, Christy Larkin, Ger Bailey, Brian Connolly, Gavin Moran.
The offer of free admission for senior citizens on Friday 22 May applies on an individual basis, and free admission does not apply to accompanying group members who are not Senior Citizens.
Free admission to all fee-paying sites except for Kilmainham Gaol Museum and Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. For a full list of OPW Heritage Sites, please see heritageireland.ie
OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.