<strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong> <strong>Arts</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Culture</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> | SUMMER 2012BeeliciousRecipes for KidsDolores Keaveney writes about thepublication of her fifth book for children -Beelicious Recipes using Honey.“If you had said to me three years agothat I would have become an author<strong>and</strong> illustrator of children’s books, Iwould not have bel<strong>ie</strong>ved you. So, thisreally confirms my bel<strong>ie</strong>f that you neverknow what is around the bend. I havebeen an amateur artist for the past 35years, starting as a beginner at a nightclass <strong>and</strong> I continued to paint forpleasure. It was a great way for me tochill out <strong>and</strong> to express myself in mypaintings. I loved painting flowers <strong>and</strong> Ireally made this my painting choice.Then, a few years back I decided totrain as therapist but I found full timework very restricting <strong>and</strong> missed thefreedom to paint <strong>and</strong> garden at will <strong>and</strong>so I took a break. My interest in thehealing <strong>and</strong> spiritual side of lifecontinued <strong>and</strong> continues unabated <strong>and</strong>it was during this ‘down’ time that I gotthe inspiration to write the poemsabout the bees. I had lots of paintingsof flowers completed <strong>and</strong> I took thepoems <strong>and</strong> the flowers <strong>and</strong> put themtogether <strong>and</strong> I had the makings of abook. I self published this book in2009 <strong>and</strong> have produced three moresince then.Just when I thought I would be retiring awhole new career has opened up infront of me, which I am hugely excitedabout leaving me full of confidence <strong>and</strong>expectation about the future.I am a gr<strong>and</strong>mother with threewonderful children <strong>and</strong> five beautifulgr<strong>and</strong>children <strong>and</strong> I have to say that mygr<strong>and</strong>children are my inspiration; theyare full of life <strong>and</strong> they really havebrought out the child in me.Self-publishing is not for the fainthearted. You need great stamina to godown that route. I spent hours <strong>and</strong>hours on my computer looking up waysthat I could promote my book. In fact, Isuppose, you could say it took almosttwo years before I was ready to publishmy first book. With a lot of hard work<strong>and</strong> determination I think I am gettingthere.Writing books is a bit addictive becausewhen you have one written, then youwant another <strong>and</strong> another. Financiallyyou will not make a great deal out of it,but it is very satisfying.”LaunchMullingar woman Dolores launchedchildren’s cookbook Beelicious Recipesusing Honey in Red Earth, Mullingar inApril.The colourfully illustrated book drawstogether many of the skills Dolores hasgarnered over the years. BeeliciousRecipes using Honey is a simplecookbook for small children containinghoney recipes gathered from family <strong>and</strong>fr<strong>ie</strong>nds.Learn how to bake simple scones, buns<strong>and</strong> banana bread along with manyother tasty snacks using the magicingred<strong>ie</strong>nt, honey. All of the recipes inthis book with the exception of four areones which her daughter-in-law Hilary<strong>and</strong> her gr<strong>and</strong>children Ell<strong>ie</strong>, Greg, Mal<strong>and</strong> Will have tr<strong>ie</strong>d <strong>and</strong> tested manytimes. Ell<strong>ie</strong> <strong>and</strong> her Mum along withGreg <strong>and</strong> Mal bake daily in theirbeautiful kitchen which Ell<strong>ie</strong> callsButtercup Bakery, <strong>and</strong> Will <strong>and</strong> Ali cookbuns regularly.Ell<strong>ie</strong> her gr<strong>and</strong>daughter has h<strong>and</strong>written some of the recipes <strong>and</strong>Dolores said: “I think this adds greatcharm to the book.”here is an addedbonus in the book - lots of informationabout the bee! Dolores added: “I hopethat the recipes will be enjoyed bychildren <strong>and</strong> their parents <strong>and</strong> that theywill give joy to everyone who uses them<strong>and</strong> that the book helps promote one ofmy favourite insects the amazing bee!”Beelicious Recipes using Honey isavailable in bookshops <strong>and</strong> costs€9.99. You can also purchase any ofDolores’ books atwww.doloreskeaveney.com MBusiness of the Yearawards recognisesimportance of arts projectsThe <strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong>s Gateway Chamber of Commerce has announced thelaunch of The <strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong>sIrel<strong>and</strong>.<strong>ie</strong> Best in Business Awards 2012,which is now in its second year.Pictured at the presentation of the Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Business Award Plate, to Belvedere HouseGardens <strong>and</strong> Park, Mullingar, County Westmeath are: L-R Dan<strong>ie</strong>l McLoughlin, CountyManager, Westmeath County Council, Cllr Micheal Carrigy, Cathaoirleach, <strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong> RegionalAuthority; Bartle D’Arcy, General Manager, Belvedere House, Gardens <strong>and</strong> Park (AwardWinner) Ray Byrne, President, <strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong>s Gateway Chamber, Martin Daly, Director, <strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong>Regional Authority. Pic: Ger Rogers/HR PhotoSUBMISSIONS:4The President of the <strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong>s GatewayChamber, Ray Byrne, said: “This year’scompetition is bigger <strong>and</strong> better. Wehave added two new award categor<strong>ie</strong>s<strong>and</strong> included the chambers of commercefrom the entire midl<strong>and</strong> region of Offaly,Westmeath, Laois <strong>and</strong> Longford.”The awards categor<strong>ie</strong>s are:• Emerging New Business Award• Best Multi National Business Award• Business Person of the Year Award• Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Business Award• Best Cultural Tourism Business Award• Green Initiative Award• Retail Excellence Award• Lifetime Ach<strong>ie</strong>vement Award, Athlone• <strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong>s Gateway ChamberAmbassador AwardThe Best Cultural Tourism awardrecognises the huge importance of thearts projects, festivals, centres,theatres, studios, galler<strong>ie</strong>s, hotels,exhibition <strong>and</strong> convention centres,country house propert<strong>ie</strong>s <strong>and</strong> therestaurant sector of the cultural tourismindustry which operate from or arebased in any of the four <strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong>sCount<strong>ie</strong>s of Offaly, Westmeath, Laois<strong>and</strong> Longford.Ray continued: “These awards aim torecognise <strong>and</strong> promote excellence <strong>and</strong>innovation in the regional businesscommunity <strong>and</strong> the judging panel plays apivotal role in the Awards programme.”“There is a rigorous judging processinvolved, the first round of judginginvolves short-listing the entr<strong>ie</strong>s down tofive in each category.”The first round judges were chosen fromdirect nomination from each of thechambers in the region. Business peoplefrom outside the region conduct thesecond round of judging; selecting thethree finalists in each category <strong>and</strong> thisdecision will be announced in June. Theoverall winner in each category asselected by the second round judgeswill then be revealed at the<strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong>sIrel<strong>and</strong>.<strong>ie</strong> Best in BusinessAwards to be held in the Hodson BayHotel, Thursday June, 21.Mary Kennedy will be master ofceremon<strong>ie</strong>s <strong>and</strong> over 450 key businesspersonnel from the region will bepresent along with a large mediacontingent.Tickets are on sale now <strong>and</strong> cost €75each for this black t<strong>ie</strong> event, meal <strong>and</strong>wine included. If you wish to reservetickets please contact <strong>Midl<strong>and</strong></strong>s GatewayChamber, info@midl<strong>and</strong>sgatewaychamber.<strong>ie</strong>or phone Angela Rigney on086 3891675. MThe Gallery at Abbeyleix Library is inviting submissions from artists,photographers <strong>and</strong> sculptors who would like to book an exhibitionspace in the gallery for 2013.Please call in to the library to pick up an exhibition applicationform or download it at Gallery@Abbeyleix Library Application Form.Please also consult the guidelines for exhibiting in the galleryGallery@Abbeyleix Library Guidelines.
Tullamore Community<strong>Arts</strong> Centre movesstep closerTullamore Community <strong>Arts</strong> Centre has moved on to the next stagewith the signing of the design contracts between the Board of the<strong>Arts</strong> Centre <strong>and</strong> A2 Architects, which took place in January.Chairperson Desmond Doyle said:“Signing the contracts represents asignificant shift in pace now <strong>and</strong> willallow the project to progress toplanning phase within a matter ofmonths.“People may have wondered why thisprocess took a number of months butthis is a complicated procedure <strong>and</strong> wewanted to be sure that we are enteringinto a watertight agreement to protectthe finance being generated by thecommunity <strong>and</strong> the public funding wehave been allocated. Nobody wouldhave thanked us for rushing into thiswithout serious deliberation to allaspects of the design team <strong>and</strong>delivery, fees <strong>and</strong> health <strong>and</strong> safetyconsiderations,” he explained.The next steps include topographicalsite surveys <strong>and</strong> a Part VIII planningprocess. All going smoothly, it isexpected the tender process forconstruction will be advertised in thesummer. The construction tender willbe open to all local qualif<strong>ie</strong>dcontractors <strong>and</strong> will be advertisedArthouseStradballyB<strong>and</strong>Rehersal SpaceAvailable to Rentthrough the appropriate publicchannels.Fundraising driveMeanwhile, the fundraising drawcelebrated its mammoth success ofselling 2,000 tickets, raising €160,000towards the capital costs - a hugeach<strong>ie</strong>vement in this climate.The Board would like to acknowledgethe mammoth effort gone into thisproject, particularly by Paddy Fenning(Offaly person of the Year 2012)Fionnuala Corrigan, Mary Roche <strong>and</strong>Sheila McDermott <strong>and</strong> the many otherswho are sold tickets. Many arts groupsare also planning fundraising eventsduring the year <strong>and</strong> any suggestions forevents <strong>and</strong> activit<strong>ie</strong>s should be emailedto info@tullamorecommunityartscentre.<strong>ie</strong>so that they can be co-ordinated tomaximise impact. In the meantime,progress on the project can be followedon the official websitewww.tullamorecommunityartscentre.<strong>ie</strong>or on Facebook (follow the link on thewebsite) MIf you're looking for great b<strong>and</strong> rehearsal spacethat's clean, has a great sound systemequipped with digital drums, amps etcLook no further that theArthouse at Stradbally, Co LaoisRehearsal Studios Session Rates valid from March 2012Monday to Friday(10am to 4pm)€10 per hourTuesday & Thursday(7pm to 10pm)€25 per sessionSaturday(10am to 1pm)€25 per sessionCall us to-day to book your rehearsal space<strong>Arts</strong> OfficeLaois County Council057 8641740Email: artsoff@laoiscoco.<strong>ie</strong>Board – (Seated L-R) Cllr Sinead Dooley Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Town Council, DesmondDoyle (Chairperson), Caomhan Murphy (A2 Architects), Cllr Danny Owens, Cathaoirleach ofOffaly County Council.(Back L-R) Declan Kirrane (Director of Services), Cllr Declan Harvey, Sean Murray (Director ofServices), Dominic Doheny, Tom Farrell, Cllr Molly Buckley, Peter Carroll (A2 Architects), FionnualaCorrigan, Martin Heffernan (Punch Consulting Engineers), Sinead O’Reilly (<strong>Arts</strong> Officer)STRIKING A NOTEWITH ADRIAN DUNCANby Majella ReidAdrian DuncanBallymahon’s Adrian Duncan is a manwith an avid interest in the arts, music<strong>and</strong> literature <strong>and</strong> this has manifesteditself in many forms from hisinvolvement in the GoldsmithInternational Literary Festival to hiscompletion of a Bachelor degree inMusic (Hons) in 2009 from NUIMaynooth.It is therefore, perhaps, inevitable thatthis musicologist should undertake aser<strong>ie</strong>s of lectures focused on The Story ofWestern Music. To this end, Adri<strong>and</strong>esigned a ser<strong>ie</strong>s of six lectures covering1,000 years of the world’s most famous<strong>and</strong> influential periods of music that hewill deliver over a six-week period.The content of the lectures examines thedevelopment of western art music fromthe Middle Ages to the present day. Theclasses presented in an informal manner<strong>and</strong> talks are interspersed with samplesof music from the different genres <strong>and</strong>periods.“This lecture ser<strong>ie</strong>s is open to anyonewith an interest in music. It’s very muchabout covering the basics,” said Adrian,who also teaches piano <strong>and</strong> providestuition in Junior Certificate <strong>and</strong> LeavingCertificate Music examinations. It is hisintention that the content of each lecturewill roughly coincide with the variousperiods throughout music history.Through the agesStarting with the Middle Ages <strong>and</strong> theRenaissance Periods, the lectures willlook at areas such as Gregorian Chant,Josquin, Du Fay, <strong>and</strong> English Lute Song.During the Baroque period, the lecturewill move to artists <strong>and</strong> movements suchas Monteverdi, Strozzi, Corelli, concerto(Vivaldi) <strong>and</strong> fugue (Bach). In the classicalperiod, the areas covered includeSymphony/String quartet (Haydn), opera(Mozart), French Revolution <strong>and</strong> the riseof the middle classes.The Romantic Period is divided acrosstwo lectures, the first of which looks atBeethoven’s late period, Schubert’sGerman Song, <strong>and</strong> Mendelssohn’s pianoworks. The second lecture concerning theRomantic Period, will allow students todelve into artists such as Brahms,Strauss, Foster <strong>and</strong>, of course, influentialevents such as the Franco-Prussian War<strong>and</strong> the emergence of the United States.Finally, in the Modern <strong>and</strong> Post ModernPeriod, the class is taken on a journeythrough key concerns such as Atonality,Stravinsky, Cage, the Jazz Age, worldmusic <strong>and</strong> recording techniques.In what promises to be an inviting lectureser<strong>ie</strong>s, Mr Duncan said: “It is somethingthat I have thought about doing for sometime. Perhaps it is eventually somethingthat I can prune into a single schoolmodule. That’s a possibility.”The lectures started on Tuesday, March20 <strong>and</strong> conclude on Tuesday, April 24.These evenings commence at 7.30pmBallymahon Community Library.Admission is €5 per lecture or €25 for thecomplete ser<strong>ie</strong>s.For further information contact Adrianon 086 2580068 or emailadri<strong>and</strong>uncanmusic@gmail.com. M5