Thank you Elizabeth Rose Murray!

We were honoured to have E.R. Murray visit us during Ardagh Fright Fest to give a three-hour writing workshop for 11 to 14 year olds. Her novel The Book of Learning has been chosen for the Citywide Reading Campaign for Children 2016 (A campaign is run by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City Council Public Libraries, in partnership with Mercier Press). The participants in her workshop keep asking us when she will return and it seems that she was inspired by us too, which is always great to hear: "Sometimes we forget that input is as important as output, and that inspiration and energy can come from working in creative places and spaces set up exactly for that purpose ... the enthusiasm of the teens in my writing group was infectious – the centre was clearly a hub for the community, a safe space to create"
Elizabeth has now written a wonderful article about us which you can read here:
www.writing.ie/guest-blogs/explore-be-inspired-create-in-ardagh/

An Enchanted Woodland Christmas event

It's almost time for our Christmas event again. Make sure to book early to visit Santa without the queue, take part in a Christmas art workshop, hear some stories, relax with tea and treats and have lots more family fun in our Enchanted Woodland. Family events take place at 3pm on Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December. €8 per child, €5 per adult or €24 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)
We also have a special package available for pre-school, school or other groups throughout the month of December €4 per person for groups more than 10, €5 per person for groups less than 10. Session includes art, stories and our DPSM winter woodlands workshop. Bookings to creativeardagh@gmail.com or call Annette 086 3027602 or Ann 087 2326553.

Maths fun next week

We are looking forward  to welcoming several school groups for Maths Week next week. We still have some limited availability, €4 per person for groups of ten or more, €5 per person for groups less than ten.

Will you be able to find some of these shapes around the building? We will also be seeing what shapes we find outside before having some fun creating patterns with tessellating shapes with printing and paper mosaics. This curriculum-linked workshop can be adapted to suit all ages and don't forget that we are running special family sessions on Saturday 10th and 17th at 3pm, €24 for a family of 4 (1 adult and 3 children or 2 adults and 2 children) or €5 per adult, €8 per child.

If you can't make it along, why not try some tessellations for yourself with this tessellation creator and if you figure out what the hammer does, let us know!

Open call for art and literary submissions for new Midir and Etain anthology

Help us celebrate the Legend of Midir and Étain

Creative Ardagh, in partnership with County Longford Arts Office and Cruthú Arts Festival are inviting all artists, writers, poets, established and new, young and old to take part in an exciting Visual Arts and Literature Project.

We want to celebrate our local legend by publishing an anthology of stories, poetry and artwork by people of all ages. We envisage a mix of work from professional artists and writers, along with the work of children and other budding artists/writers based on the legend of Midir and Etain.

This inspirational legend lends itself to an exciting project such as this. Be inspired by the drama, love, envy and shapeshifting transformations that are entwined in the story and produce your own creation in whatever media you like. We are accepting poetry and stories up to a maximum of 1500 words and artworks in any media including drawing, painting, photography, digital media and images of 3d artwork.  The only restriction is that it is your own original work. You can find out more about the legend here: http://creativeardagh.blogspot.ie/p/midir-and-etain.html.

You can enter from where ever you are in the world by post or email. 
Artworks sent by post should not exceed A4 size.
The closing date for submissions is: 5pm on 7th June 2015.

Please send all submissions to:
Creative Ardagh, Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre,
Ardagh, Co. Longford
or email: creativeardagh@gmail.com

The anthology will be launched as part of the Bilberry Sunday Event on the 26th July 2015 in Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre. This event will be hosted by Creative Ardagh in conjunction with County Longford Arts Officer Fergus Kennedy during the Cruthu Arts Festival. Those selected for the publication will get a chance to read their written piece or display the original artwork on the day.

Poetry Day and Bealtaine Festival

We are delighted to be involved with Poetry Day on 7th May this year. We will be reading some of our favourite poems and creating artworks inspired by them. All ages welcome from toddler to adult from 11am to 2.30pm. Drop-in rate €5 per hour including tea/coffee and art materials.
www.poetryireland.ie/poetry-day/

Here's what we have on offer for the Bealtaine Festival this May:

Explore the legend workshops

The legend of Midir and Etain is a local love story. We offer workshops to groups in drama and art that explore the legend. These are available at a reduced rate to older people throughout May. We also will offer a reduction on our drop-in art classes on Thursdays for the month.

1st - 31st

Paint the Legend Bringing the Midir and Etain legend to life: listen to our storyteller, get inspired by the sculpture, stained glass and paintings of the characters in our collection and paint your favourite scene. Alternatively you can choose to recreate the characters with clay or fabric collage. Book your group large or small at a date and time that suits you for the reduced rate of €3 per person per hour.

Venue: Creative Ardagh, Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre

1st - 31st

Midir and Etain Drama Explore the legend and have fun while you act out our short drama, no need to learn any lines, just listen to the narrator and improvise. Book your group large or small at a date and time that suits you for the reduced rate of €3 per person per hour.

Venue: Creative Ardagh, Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre

1st - 31st

Creative writing Be inspired by the legend of Midir and Etain, or other events in our past history then get tips on character and plot development and write your own story or poem. Book your group large or small at a date and time that suits you for the reduced rate of €3 per person per hour.

Venue: Creative Ardagh, Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre

7th - 28th

Drop-in Thursdays. Come along any Thursday in May between 12 and 2pm and explore your creative side in your choice of art workshop: painting, collage, weaving, felting, drawing etc. for the reduced rate of €8. Tea/coffee included. 

http://bealtaine.com/bealtaine-2015/programme/listing/Longford

Don't be late for a very important date!

The White Rabbit is busy planning his Egg Hunt!! Don't forget to book your place or you might be late for a very important date!!
Join us for lots of family fun this Easter weekend at 3pm on Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th or Monday 6th April. Follow the white rabbit down the tunnel, join him on an egg hunt and take part in an Easter themed art workshop. Adults €5 (including tea/coffee), Child €8 (including art workshop and treats), Family (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) €24. Early booking advised, call 086 3027602 or email creativeardagh@gmail.com.

Lots of family fun coming soon

Craft Fair Saturday 14th March 1pm to 5pm Free Entry. Come along and browse the wonderful selection of handmade crafts in the picturesque setting of Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre in Ardagh Village. You might get a beautiful present for Mother's Day on Sunday or just something lovely for yourself. Tea and Coffee on sale on the day. 
Leprechaun and Fairy Hunt
If you are looking for some family fun you can join in with the Leprechaun and Fairy Hunt and Arts and Crafts Workshop at 3pm Saturday 14th March. (Booking essential for this workshop as spaces limited).€8 per child for workshop. 
Easter Family Fun
Join us for lots of family fun this Easter weekend at 3pm on Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th or Monday 6th April. Follow the white rabbit down the tunnel, join him on an egg hunt and take part in an Easter themed art workshop. Adults €5 (including tea/coffee), Child €8 (including art workshop and treats), Family (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) €24. Early booking advised.

French resumes on 4 March

Students no French class Wednesday 25th Feb, resuming Wed 4 Mar, running up to Orals: 6 lessons €80 or €20 per lesson.
New members welcome. To book contact Creative Ardagh 0863027602 or Susan at 0876500896

Engineers' Week at Creative Ardagh

Book a session with Creative Ardagh for Engineers' Week from 8th to 14th February and you will get the following:
Fun-filled 2hr workshop
Certification for taking part in Engineers' Week
Certification for taking part in a DPSM workshop: Woodland Creations or Exploring Colour.
Construction with the assistance of a Civil Engineer on the STEPS program during the session. We've been advised that he has a passion for bridges.
Use of Lunch room at your leisure
Free Tea/Coffee for the accompanying adults
All for the great value price of €8 per child if group larger than 10. (€10 per child for smaller groups) www.engineersweek.ie

 

What's on in Creative Ardagh?

There's lots happening in Creative Ardagh in 2015. French, Spanish, German and Maths grind clubs for Leaving Certs, a range of art and other classes for all ages and as always we are available for group bookings and parties. Of there's something missing that you would like please let us know. Full details below.

TUESDAY
Art for Adults
We are delighted to announce that we are hosting a new drawing and painting class for adults facilitated by artist Loretto Cooney on Tuesdays from 27th January, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Call her for full details and to book your place 086 8478527.

WEDNESDAY
Community Games Modelmaking classes 5.30 to 7.00pm. €3 per person.

German Leaving Cert Grind Club starts Wednesday 21st January, 6.30pm to 8.00pm, €80 for 6 sessions €20 for drop in. German native speaking teacher Jana Reinhardt will prepare you for written exams and orals.

French Leaving Cert Grind Club 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Starting on 14th January. Practice for your orals and prepare for your written exams with a qualified, experienced teacher/examiner in a group session. €80 for 6 classes €20 drop in. Susan Eades, M.A., H.Dip Ed, SEC oral examiner.

Maths Leaving Cert Grinds Club starts Wed 21st Jan at 8.00pm, €80 for 6 sessions or €20 drop in. Prepare for ordinary and higher level Maths exams with qualified Maths teacher.

Why not revise your French with Susan this year!!!
Adult Group French Conversation Sessions start on 14th January at 8pm. French conversation on current affairs, Grammar catch-up, French for holidays. €80 for 6 wks or €20 pw drop in.

THURSDAY
Elements of Art course
This exciting art course continues on Thursdays in Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre, Ardagh, Co. Longford from 12.30 to 1.30pm, open to all ages from toddlers to adults. Each class will cost €5 per person with occasional extra charges for materials which will be advertised in advance. Check out creativeardaghartelements.blogspot.ie for more details, to participate from home or to download lesson plans for schools. If you are interested in a Saturday afternoon class please let us know, we will provide it subject to demand.

Toddler Creativity
Be creative with your Toddler in a relaxed, fun environment. Every Thursday from 11.00am to 12.00pm. €5 per week. Art Materials provided. Free Tea/Coffee for the accompanying adult.

Arts and crafts group
Are you interested in arts and crafts? Want to learn some new skills in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere? Come along to the arts and crafts group on Thursdays from 12.00 to 2.00pm, €10 per person (including free tea/coffee). Activities include drawing, painting, collage, ceramics, felting and weaving. Contact us for more details.

Drop-In Art Drop
In to be creative from 11am to 2.30pm every Thursday. €5 per person, per hour to use our Art room and materials, €7.50 per hour per person for tuition from our Qualified Art teacher.

FRIDAY
¡Hola Amigos!
Spanish Grind Club for the Leaving Cert Cycle recommences 16th January, 6.30pm to 8pm. €80 for six class block or €20 for each drop in session. New members always welcome. Come and learn in a fun group environment with an experienced native speaker. Oral, Aural, grammar and exam paper preparation.

Group Special for January
We are currently offering a Winter Woods workshop package to preschool, school or other groups. The package includes art and science in our DPSM Woodland Creations workshop and an extra drama workshop in the two hour session. Learn lots about the woods in winter - how to identify trees, where animals live, what they eat and if they hibernate then create an art piece with things you can find in the winter woods. Prices €4 per person for one hour, €6 per person for one and a half hours or €8 per person for two hours for groups over 10. (Supervising adults free). €5 per person for one hour, €7.50 per person for one and a half hours or €10 per person for two hours for groups over 10. Contact us on 086 3027602 or creativeardagh@gmail.com to arrange your visit.