Encore with Claire O'Brien: Recent Episodes
Tindle Radio
Claire discusses, dissects and celebrates the world of arts and entertainment in equal measure with fascinating behind-the-scenes reports.
On this week’s Encore, Offaly’s Aoise O’Dwyer on her passionate journey to discover the solo works for viola composed by women, Barbara Scully chats about the magic of middle age ahead of her conversation with writer Eleanor Mills - all part of the Laois Leaves Festival of Music and Writing and, on the other side of the lectern for a change, Nuala Kelly introduces the Suono Choir, also performing a free concert this weekend. Encore@midlands103 if you’d like to get in touch.
On this week’s Encore: a salubrious musical alternative to the horrors of Halloween with an All Hallows concert in Tullamore, new writing from Lorraine Murphy, storytelling in Rathdowney Library this weekend with Mick Creagh and his crew and Tadhg Devery ahead of his sold-out Day in the Country comedy show in The Bridge House this weekend. Encore@midlands103.com will get you straight to presenter, Claire O’Brien.
Tonight on Encore, we hear about Tullamore Musical Society’s 70th anniversary fundraising concern this Sunday, a Westmeath writer’s foray into short story writing, The Valley of the Squinting Windows on stage - and in Mullingar this week, and ATHLONE Little Theatre’s run of A Skull in Connemara, which begins on Friday. Encore@midlands103.com - drop us a line!
This week's Encore hears from Sightless Cinema, which brings its new show 'Home' to Dunamaise Theatre on Thursday night. It features a blind and visually impaired cast bringing an audio experience to a blindfolded audience - director Ciaran Taylor has the lowdown.
Staying in Portlaoise, for a show also on in the Dunamaise theatre is a Emily Kilkenny Roddy, a dancer from Portlaoise and rehearsal director with Catherine Young Dance. Their dance performance is called 'Floating on a Dead Sea' and features a number of Palestinian dancers and a documentary filmed in Palestine in 2019. It brings to life everyday life in Palestine in a more peaceful time than it knows now.
Also, writer Margaret Kiernan from Mullingar has just published her debut collection of poetry with Alba Press. It's called A Mirage of Lost Things and she tells Claire O'Brien all about the inspiration for it.
If you'd like to get in contact with the show, encore@midlands103.com is the email address you need.
Where is my mind? Not just a great song by The Pixies but the title of Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin’s immersive podcast show coming to Portlaoise on Tuesday. We head to Banagher to hear about a fascinating miscellany of words and music to remember Charlotte Brontë and her husband, Arthur Bell Nichols and th woman who kept the Brontë memorabilia intact for decades. And the Snapper is in Tullamore - Colin Hughes chats about his sellout stage play running at Esker Arts Centre. All this and more on Encore this evening - and every Thursday. Encore@midlands103.com if you’d like to get in touch!
On this week’s show we catch up with Paddy Cullivan, musician and historical entertainer about his new show coming to Mullingar next week. James Mac tells us more about his extraordinary exhibition and his work as a make-up artist and illustrator Oisin McGann explains how the art world is different to when he started out, but still a viable career path for the committed visual artist. Encore@midlands103.com is the email address to get in touch with presenter and producer, Claire O’Brien.
On this week’s Encore it’s James Mac. Claire Brien visited Dunamaise Theatre and Arts Centre, where his stunning exhibition Makeup X Art is running. And he has a masterclass on Friday 6th. Also on the show, Janet Stewart introduces The Dresses of St Paul’s, celebrating a century of weddings and wedding dresses at St Paul’s Church of Ireland in Mountmellick. Joe McCarrick directs Athlone Little Theatre’s 1920s/30s take on The Importance of Being Ernest (with a Lady Bracknell twist yet to be revealed!). Music industry lecturer John McFadden will interview one of Oasis’s founders, Tony McCaroll - who lived in Kinnitty - on Saturday night after the official launch of a blue plaque to celebrate his Offaly heritage. Encore@midlands103.com is the email address if you’d like to contact Claire.
Encore this week is a very special, featuring a documentary by Sinead Hubble and Amelia Averis on Founder Fable King, a play devised by Mountrath Youth Theatre and their director, Louise White from Abbeyleix. It tells the story of some famous Laois people from history.
A brand new heritage and arts festival for Mountmellick, Michael Patric introduces his play Sugar, which he'll perform at this week's Scripts Festival in Birr and photographer/videographer Evin O'Toole tells us about his role in Ceangal/Connections, the 2024 iteration of the creative project between Tullamore, Offaly and Chandler Arizona. And Prof Gerard Gillen previews next Tuesday's performance at the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, for the Tullamore International Summer Organ Series.
On tonight's Encore, filmmaker Gemma Creagh tells us about Conveyance, her short horror film due to have its premier at the upcoming Galway Film Fleadh, the inimitable John McDwyer talks about the inspiration for 'The Pension Plan', his most recent comedy play (staged by his theatre company Beezneez in Moate this weekend) and Courtney Callaghan catches up with singer songwriter Darren Kiely as he prepares to headline The Folly Festival in Cullohill this weekend.
Your weekly dose of drama, arts and entertainment from the midlands and beyond with Claire O'Brien - this week featuring Celtic Con, Environmental Art and the Tullamore Summer Organ Series.
Encore with Claire O'Brien, featuring Peig Sayers - the Queen of Storytelling, music and chat from a new show in Offaly, as well as comedian Sean Begley.
Claire O’Brien chats to visual artist Margo McNulty, Tommy Marren discusses play-writing & musician Nuala Kennedy.
Encore every Thursday at 7pm on Midlands 103
This week, we focus on just a few of the many stage performances happening around the Midlands at the moment. Sightless Cinema bring their very unusual immersive experience to Dunamaise and Birr Stage Guild are taking The Addams Family to Birr Theatre. And in Banagher, the drama group are urging you to Don't Dress for Dinner - in their comedy production.
There might be giants: how one Westmeath man’s dream of fifty foot giants, imagined during a spell recuperating near Lilliput, will come to life in New Jersey this year. And ahead of this weekend’s music showcase at Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone singer songwriter Rob Irwin talks songwriting and the joys of vinyl. Encore@midlands103.com to contact presenter, Claire O’Brien
Tullamore writer Mary Minnock chats about her novel ‘Homesick’ and the joys of self-publishing, Diarmuid from Donegal band Onóir on their lockdown adventure with folk music ahead of Saturday’s gig at Birr Theatre and comedian Anne Gildea on ‘How to Get the Menopause and Enjoy It’, her new show in Mullingar, also this Saturday night. It’s a busy show with Claire O’Brien tonight. Encore@midlands103.com
On this week’s Encore Claire O’Brien chats to Portarlington filmmaker Ken Wardrop about So This Is Christmas, his latest heartwarming and thoughtful documentary. Also Stradbally Artists Group on their exhibition and Frances Browner on her debut novel, A Bronx Summer. Encore@midlands103.com
Ireland's King Of Swing Luke Thomas will be in to chat to Shannon about his band The Swing Cats and their KINGS OF SWING TOUR which is kicking off next spring 2024. Works by thirty artists from Westmeath are to be shown together, in “Sa Lár”, the new exhibition opening at The Luan Gallery in Athlone, guest curator, Emer McGarry will be on to talk about that. And an Eye-catching new mural in Banagher has been attracting a lot of attention, Artist Lisa Glynn will be in to talk about her work. Three One Act Comedies is coming to Athlone Little Theatre and one director joins Shannon on the show.
It’s all about plays and musicals this evening with Athlone Community College putting on their school musical Beauty and the Beast in the Dean Crowe Theatre. Mountmellick Macra are putting on Mammy’s Boy at the end of November. Blind Panic is coming to the Dunamaise Arts Centre and also on the show Offaly Arts Grants 2024 and everything you need to know about how to apply and what is included.
Laois Youth Theatre restarts in Portlaoise for the 2023/2024 season on Tuesday 14th November, Pauline Dunne was on the show to explain the new season. David Munnelly and Shane McGowan are bringing their show to the Esker Arts Centre and David was on to talk about their music. Age & Opportunity, producers of the Bealtaine Festival, invites you to join them in Dublin, at the National Gallery of Ireland on November 15th. Eva Bergin, Jamila Mokrani, Isobel Gibney and Teacher and Director Jayne Origan who are with the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore and they are involved in their TY Musical of Chicago which is coming to the Esker Arts Centre in November.
This week’s Encore sees Athlone’s Rotary President Ciarán Cannon chat about next week’s gala concert featuring the Army Band and soloist, Gavin Ring.
And there’s a special feature, a gallery tour by Aoife Banks, curator of the Luan Gallery which is hosting a stunning exhibition of contemporary art from the collection at the Technical University of the Shannon.
Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society are putting on Marina Carr's "Portia Coughlan" in Esker Arts Centre. Hullabaloo! Offaly’s Children’s Arts Festival presents its biggest programme to date, Angela Ryan Whyte will be in to run through what will be happening. Offaly literary group from Tullamore, Wordsmiths, launched an anthology of short stories and poetry. And Michael Cannon talks through all things Halloween Costumes.
Cinderella Panto coming to Tullamore this December, one for all the family "Polar Bear and Penguin" in the Dunamaise Arts Theatre, Mullingar Arts Centre celebrate 25 years in business and Eagla Fest in Esker Arts Centre all on the show this week.
A new contemporary drama inspired by the digital age and particularly social media coming to Athlone Little Theatre called 'Four Minutes Twelve Seconds’. Kinnegad artist Justina McKeogh launches her first solo exhibition in Mullingar. Emer Dunne brings her new show 'Folk Threads' to Birr on October 21st. PÚCA Spooka will take place in Tullamore town park!
Avenue Q The Musical coming to Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore, Birr Theatre and Arts Centre presents The Curious Case of Albert Cashier: Lincoln's 'Lady' Soldier, Space Week is coming up and the full programme for the 14th OFFline Film Festival is out.
'Cook's Book of Poetry: The Batty's Wife Story, Tullamore Gramophone Society Contempo String Quartet concert, Creative Ireland did at the National Ploughing Championship last year & this year.
MJ Tierney on his journey from pitch to singing, Portarlington Culture Night, World Premier event at Dunamaise Centre with Padraig Rynne and artist Claire Guinan exhibition in Mullingar.
Author Eileen Casey on her upcoming Short Story Fiction Workshops, and a lot of Electric Picnic buzz.
Buíoch have just released their much-anticipated self-titled debut album, and they're gearing up to showcase their tunes at The Dunamaise Arts Theatre. An exhibition Stone Tape II The Westmeath Tale in the Athlone County Buildings this September, East West Fiddles, a group that melds cultures and continents through music, and who will be performing in Esker Arts Centre on September 8th Classical music and song. David Vesey and Special Guests comes to the Dunamaise Arts Theatre.
Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival starts tomorrow; we’ll find out everything happening in Birr from the 4th to the 12th August.
Dunamaise Arts Centre have announced the two talented young curators for their upcoming NASC Network Young Curators programme, they will join the show this evening.
There is a call for space enthusiasts for Space week in the Midlands, find out when you can do at around 7.30 this evening.
And lastly Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann kicks off this weekend so we have a look back at the launch and what we can expect for the week.
That Beats Banagher second weekend update, The Athlone Art Gallery James Mahon photograph exhibition, Dunamaise Arts Centre has a new play coming called A Prom Queen: The Movement (in concert) and Vikings are coming to Dún na Sí.
That Beats Banagher, James Scally will be in to tell you all the exciting things coming up. Leona Ward will be on to discuss A celebration of culture and diversity, by a group of intergenerational Traveller women based in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Filmmaker Austin Kenny will be on to explain his new documentary that is inspired by an old college film based around family from Offaly.
New public art piece in Athlone, 25th Anniversary of Tullamore Summer Organ Series and a book on the art of Horror film-making.
the Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society will be performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Esker Arts Centre, Fionnuala Corrigan will join be on to give you when and where for that. Old Fort Quarter Festival Director PJ Kavanagh joins Shannon to chat about the weekend ahead. An artist from Collinstown, Emma Carter, has been invited to show her work at the Borders International Art and if you are a fan of psychological thrillers then this new substack newsletter will be right up your ally.
New shows in the Esker Arts Centre, The Westmeath Filmmakers Collective summer networking party coming up and I speak to a Canadian writer who in her travel book series is coming to Ireland.
Mojo Mickybo is coming to Birr Arts Theatre, Portlaoise Active Retirement Group present Forever Young Variety Show at the Dunamaise Arts Centre and President Michael D Higgins visited Esker Arts Centre this week and Looking/Seeing/Making Boglands workshops and exhibition coming to Laois Arthouse in Stradbally.
Artist Shane Turner who recently worked on a mural in Tullamore, find out how to have fun at festivals without harming the earth, a new play is coming to the Esker Arts Centre called King, and a Laois audience are promised to be transported to the heart of song with a soprano singer.
Fleadh Cheoil launch and A new exhibition coming to the Atrium in Mullingar explores art through natural products like peat. This day week in the Dunamaise Arts centre sees a local woman premier her new show, Ruining the Act. I chatted with artist Caroline Conway who will be projecting on Charleville Castle for Shakefest this weekend and we find out all the midlands musical societies that were nominated for AIMS Awards.
Laois Dance Platform is holding an open call for this years Dance Battle, Shakefest is back this year, as well as Body & Soul Festival and this weekend than there will be a Masterclass & Concert at the Esker Arts Centre with the Máirtín O’Connor Band along with Music Generation Offaly..
Offaly native Clíona Noonan has just won an IFTA Award for her animated short, Soft Tissue.
Niamh McGrath brings her hilarious show GomBean to the New Esker Arts Centre tonight.
Hothouse flowers chat about performing at this year’s Forever Young Festival.
Also, some students from Moate Community School join Shannon on winning Junk Kouture in Dublin and progressing to the World Finals in London this October.
Opening night of ‘Michael Collins’ a musical drama performed by the Tullamore Musical Society in the New Esker Arts Centre, A midlands-set football drama ‘Lakelands’ coming to cinemas very soon, the Bealtaine Festical 2023 Laois events for the month of May and music from Westmeath singer-songwriter Ellen O’Meara.
Here is the encore blurb Celtic Eye Art Group backs ÉIRÍ artistic project, so Artist, poet and founder of Celtic Eye Art Group will be on to tell us all about this. Denis madden founder of the first ever Irish film berlin festival will join me to spill all the details on this incredible festival, AND Chasing Abbey join me along with some members from the Sacred heart school choir. Let’s start the show with a performance, so following its sold-out 2 night run at the Dublin Dance Festival in 2022, Catherine Young Dance is delighted to present A Call To You at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise on Thursday May 4th as part of a national tour.
Incognito art sale for Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, CEO Carmel Doyle and Artist Hazel Green join Shannon. Macra Mr Personality 2023 Mountmellick man Andrew Dunne tells all on his new title. Comedian Enya Martin is coming to Mullingar on the 6th May with her show Ask Your Ma. And Found Carolann Copland joins Shannon all the way from Spain to chat about the CAP Awards.
Arts Director of the New Esker Arts Centre chats about the opening weekend.
Mountmellick man Declan Furlong chats about his new poetry book.
Exciting plans ahead for the Bachelor Festival 2023 and 2024.
Also Shannon plays some relaxing music from a band playing in Portlaoise this Sunday called Harpanno.
This week Shannon spoke to Manager of the Student Resource Centre at TUS in Athlone that launched a student exhibition called ‘Through Our Eyes’. She also had director of the Birr Festival of Music on to discuss the upcoming 5 day festival. Mullingar Camera Club member Bob Morrison was on to talk about their latest photographic exhibition ‘Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and John Lyons from Tullamore Lions Club spoke all about their trio of fundraising events for the new Esker Arts Centre.
On this week’s show Shannon spoke to Tullamore author Donna Mills who wrote her first children’s book “What Can I do”, Fidelma Mahon from Edenderry who was named a one of twelve winners at the Novel Fair 2023, CEO Angela Dorgan of First Music Contact about the new pay and conditions survey of the music and performing arts industries, and Music Director David Vesey about the new Spink Music Festival.
Shannon speaks with members of TUS on arts courses available there.Athlone Little Theatre's next production is Philadelphia Here I Come and director Billy Nott discusses all.Caroline Keane is an artist who has facilitated a child-led exhibition in the Dunamaise Arts Gallery.And Shannon chats to Athlone woman Katie Brill on bringing Junk Kouture to Abu Dhabi.
Shannon Fogerty chats about the Mountmellick Drama Festival, a nominated Edenderry playwright, Lisa Canny's headline show, and fictional podcasts and audiobooks.
Shannon explores the opening of the New Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore, the art of cheffing, and how one local artist is one to watch in 2023, introducing a little jazz to the show.
Youth Arts Provision, oral history, and Christmas in February - all covered on this week's episode of Encore on Midlands 103, with Claire O'Brien.
Luan Gallery Athlone is ten years old and Midlands 103’s Encore Arts Show is marking the anniversary and the Westmeath Artists exhibition taking place at the gallery until Feb 5th. We hear from a number of artists in the open call exhibition, including prize winner Olena Karpenka, as well as Celine Sheridan and Paul Roy. Manager Carmel Duffy and curator Aoife Banks are also on air with Claire O’Brien.
Oh no it isn’t - oh yes it is! Panto season strikes the Midlands, with Athlone Panto Group currently bringing ‘Mother Goose’ to the Dean Crowe stage, and Portlaoise’s panto crew gearing up for the intriguingly titled ‘Sinbad and the Ring of Kerry’ from next weekend. And musician KTG, Ballymahon’s tremendous Katie Gallagher brings her singer-songwriter genius back to the mic.
A glance back at some of the great Encore moments, interviews, music, events and more from 2022; from Eoghan Egan to Patricia Gibney, Tina Claffey to Eva Coyle and even Garth Brooks gets a look in.
Excitement builds towards Forest Fest, and Platform 31 recipient for Westmeath Aoife Raleigh joins Claire O'Brien to talk about the surprise and her career.