Connect with nature at fringe event of drama festival

Reflections on ‘nature and the arts’ is the theme of this unique event which takes place in Hope Castle Lodge, Castle Square, Castleblayney on Saturday, 4 March from 2pm to 5pm. The afternoon will include a focus on the natural treasure that is the Lough Muckno estate. The way in which nature can influence the visual arts and the spoken / written word will also be a theme at the event. The presenters on the afternoon will include Billy Flynn, Alison Bole and Michael Harris. The event will be chaired by Liam Murtagh from the Transition Monaghan group. Joe Hanratty of the Drama Festival Committee will also talk about the setting for the event.    

The restored Hope Castle Lodge at the entrance to Lough Muckno Park will be the venue for the ‘Every Blooming Thing’ event’

SPRINGWATCH IN CASTLEBLAYNEY

As part of the afternoon’s event, ecologist Billy Flynn will lead a one-hour nature walk

Billy Flynn, Ecologist

from the venue to the shore of Lough Muckno and the Black Island. He will help us discover the wealth that nature provides us with at our doorstep as the spring season bursts on the scene. Separately Billy has been advising Castleblayney Tidy Towns Committee and last year in association with the Group he produced a 3 Year Tidy Towns Plan for Castleblayney.

The ‘Springwatch’ walk during the event will include a visit to the shoreline of Lough Muckno and to the woodland floor on the Black Island.  

FINDING THE HEART IN STONE

From the visual arts dimension, Monaghan based sculptor Alison Bole will revea

‘Energy’ by Alison Bole

l how nature influences her work – she will show us some us some samples of her work to illustrate how it emerges in her work. One of Alison’s sculptures entitled ‘Energy’ – depicting the “energy, enthusiasm and vision of voluntary organisations” stands at the front of the Community Enterprise Centre in Castleblayney. It was erected there in 2001 to mark the UN International Year of the Volunteer.

Monaghan based sculptor Alison Bole will be one of the presenters

NATURE SPEAKING THROUGH POETRY

The title of the event was inspired by some lines in Patrick Kavanagh’s poem Inniskeen Road: July Evening –

“…I am king
Of banks and stones and every blooming thing”

Poets have long been inspired to tune their lyrics to the variations in landscape, the

Michael Harris, Mullyash 

changes in season, and the natural features around them. The various challenges now facing the natural world, poetry can play an important role in highlighting the interconnectedness of us as humans and the natural world around us. Michael Harris will share some of his own poems and those of others to illustrate this link. Michael is from Mullyash, Castleblayney and he is currently based in London.

Anyone attending the event is advised to wear warm and rainproof clothing and suitable footwear for the walk. Admission is €5 at the door. See ‘Fringe Events’ at http://www.castleblayneydramafestival.ie.