Get young again for the month of May

BEALTAINE is the name of a four-week arts festival running this month aimed at celebrating the creativity of older people. Throughout the country activities from plays and exhibitions to story-telling and music are planned.

A programme is available from John Cullen at Age & Opportunity - phone (01) 837 0570. In Dublin many arts venues are offering free entry to older people on certain days during the month and details of participating venues are in the programme.

THE Irish World Music Centre at the University of Limerick will host its first summer school during July on Irish traditional music and dance. The 10-day course begins on July 16th and is aimed at musicians and dancers aged from 16 years upwards.

However, the organisers will consider applications from younger, talented performers. All levels of competency and all instruments are catered for, from beginners up. The intensive course will be divided between lectures, tutorials and workshops.

The teachers are at the top of their respective fields and well-known performers such as Mel Mercier, Martin Hayes, Catherine Foley and centre director Micheal O Suilleabhain are involved. There will be lunch time and evening concerts and the centrepiece of the course will be a concert featuring the group Altan. The course can be residential or not as preferred and it costs £600 with on-campus accommodation and £400 for tuition only. Call Ellen Byrne at (061) 202917.