In a Word... shameless

Stop the clocks, turn off your phones, Big Maggie’s coming to town, with William Shakespeare! (Turning a `Dream’ into a nightmare?) Pianist John O’Conor, cellist Alibhe McDonagh, and (separately) outstanding flute player Matt Molloy will be with Lúnasa in the Cathedral. And Joe Brolly in the soup. Maybe?

Yes, the BallaghDream Arts Festival begins this day at the centre of the universe – Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon – and I am being shameless in telling you about it here. Paintings by five leading West of Ireland artists will be on exhibition at Mulligan’s Main Street; Mikel Murfi returns in triumph; DJ Daithi is in the Castle; 25 ukulele buskers on the streets; Simon from `The Inbetweeners’ is at Edmondstown House; an art and poetry trail all over town; workshops for kids/young adults; .....and the last few choc ices there! Sure, where else would you be going?

Everyone needs a break. Let your’s begin tonight with Ballaghaderreen Players in John B Keane’s monumental `Big Maggie’ at St Nathy’s College and end on Sunday week with London’s Pilgrim Players in Shakespeare’s `Midsummer Night’s Dream’, outside - in the woods! - at Edmondstown House.

Next Tuesday our very own national treasure Róisín Ingle will charm all, as is her wont, (she will, she will, she will!) along with award-winning Galway poet Mary O’Malley and the Cathedral choir in Literary Night at St Nathy’s College from 7.30pm. This promises to be a very special treat.

There’ll be Trad Night at the town’s magnificent Cathedral next Wednesday with Lúnasa, Matt Molloy, John Carty, and fiddle players Cora and Breda Smyth. Followed on Thursday with `Classical Night at the Cathedral’ when Ireland’s leading pianist, John O’Conor, performs with cellist Ailbhe McDonagh, as well as sopranos Odile Heimburger and Chloe Ewings.

So much culture, so little time. Which bring us to the GAA and next Friday when shy man, pundit and barrister Joe Brolly will discuss `Championship 2023′ at St Nathy’s College with local football heroes John O’Mahony, Andy Moran, Seanie McDermot, and Cora Staunton.

And outstanding stand-ups during the week will include Noni Stapleton, explaining on August 13th how her boyfriend fell in love with a heifer, in `Charolais’ (Don’t ask, she’ll tell!).

Whew! I’m exhausted just writing this. (Any choc ices left?)

Details at www.ballaghdreamartsfest.ie

Shameless, from Middle English shameles, “lacking a sense of decency”(??!!)

inaword@irishtimes.com