Home > Talks

Cashel Arts Fest celebrates 125 years of the GAA with special guest speaker Len Gaynor
The Place of the Word
Be inspired with Ancient Wisdom
Irish Artists through the Centuries: Illustrated Talk

Cashel Arts Fest celebrates 125 years of the GAA with special guest speaker Len Gaynor

This celebration includes an interactive talk and film night. Len Gaynor will recall his many memories of the GAA from the perspective of player and manager.

1958 marked the start of the last golden era of Tipperary All-Ireland hurling fame. During an eight-year period, they competed in six finals, winning five of them. Watch highlights from the 1958 and 1961 All Ireland Hurling finals, in which Tipperary played Kilkenny and Dublin respectively. Each film lasts about 10 minutes and includes crowd footage and a minute or two of the respective minor matches.

An Cosc (The Ban) is a short film lasting about 13 minutes in which two young hurlers playing on the Clare and Tipperary teams go to Dublin to watch a Rugby match. They are greeted by Douglas Hyde and are subsequently banned from their respective GAA clubs, and are ultimately responsible (the story would have us believe) for Douglas Hyde’s exclusion from the GAA.

Two paintings from Marley Irish’s exhibition "A Sporting Artist" will also be displayed on the night.

(Unfortunately Nicky English is unable to attend as advertised. Cashel Arts Fest are delighted to welcome Len Gaynor)

Top

The Place of the Word

Michael Coady will speak about his life as a poet, writer and photographer and will read from his works.

Michael lives in Carrick-on-Suir and was elected to Aosdána in 1998. His literary awards include the Patrick Kavanagh and the O’Shaughnessy prizes for poetry. His most recent publications are “All Souls” and “One Another”. Both integrate poetry, prose and photographs. His work in poetry and prose includes a critically admired memoir of family migration and displacement in America. He has been involved in music of various kinds and published a personal memoir of the Clare traditional musicians Pakie and Micho Russell.

Top

Be inspired with Ancient Wisdom

The Process of Publishing - 3.00pm
Cahir-based Coracle Books will talk about how they publish their work. Coracle is a small publishing press directed by artist and writer Erica Van Horn and poet, artist and editor Simon Cutts. It continues as a printer-publisher employing many of the devices and formats of hypothetical publishing inherent in the small press. They will discuss the process of making books.

What is the Meaning of Life? - 4.00pm
Philosopher William Lyons sets out to give an answer to arguably the most fundamental of all human questions, “What is the Meaning of Life?” He will first explore the traditional answers to it given by science and religion (especially Christianity), and then by outlining a modern philosophical response. William Lyons, who was born in Melbourne, has lived in Ireland for the last twenty four years. His philosophy books include ‘Emotion’ (1980), ‘The Disappearance of Introspection’ (1986), ‘Approaches to Intentionality’ (1995) and Matters of the Mind (2001). He is also the author of a number of awardwinning plays including ‘The Fir Tree and the Ivy’, winner of the Éamon Keane Award at the Listowel Writers’ Week, 2006.

Top

Irish Artists through the Centuries: Illustrated Talk

We welcome the return of Brína Casey of the National Gallery of Ireland. Building on last year’s most enjoyable talk, she will concentrate this year on the development of Irish art and artists from the 18th century. Brína’s ability to communicate her expertise in a fun and informative way will make this a talk not to be missed. It will be slide illustrated and last 45 minutes with time for questions. Refreshments will be kindly provided by the Ardmayle Heritage Committee.

Brína Casey, Education Officer of the National Gallery of Ireland Outreach Programme will visit senior Art Students in Cashel Community School. She will concentrate on the development of Irish Art and Artists through the centuries.

Brína will also visit Cashel Community School and Cashel Day Care Centre during the day.

Top