The Gallery Café to host New York Artist exhibition
Experimental artist Kristy Verenga has opened her Who Am I? exhibition which combines media to explore the question at The Gallery Café in Gort. Kristy uses painting and sculpture to build the world that she calls home, these abstract and symbolic narratives are an expression of her daily experience.
Using oil paint on a wax ground and sometimes a texture like sand which also lets the drawing remain visible as part of the dynamic whole, she makes her own paper clay for the sculpture, which process emerged as a pandemic palliative. The images in her work are both playful and expressive of this interior dialogue.
Kristy Verenga studied modern dance and music and this feeling of movement is present in her work. She lived in Manhattan for 15 years where she had a fashion business, art gallery and taught yoga.
In 1999, she moved to Barcelona and had a studio in Tecla Sala, a gallery and work space for artists. In 2005, she received a residency grant with solo exhibit at the Roscommon Arts Centre which prompted the move to Ireland. She received a travel bursary (The Irish cow vs. the Indian sacred cow) which took her to Sanskriti Kendra in New Delhi, India. She now lives and works in Kinvara.
The exhibition will run until 7th of January 2024 and all pieces are available to buy in house. Pop in or check out www.thegallerycafegort.com.
After captivating audiences with its debut performance at The Blue Note in Galway’s Westend on Culture Night 2023, Jezahel will make its way to Galway’s Town Hall Theatre in December, promising a night of humour, nostalgia, and an intoxicating blend of class As craic!
This production, written by Malachy Duggan and directed by Emily Ahern is not your average theatrical experience; it is a wild ride through the past, mixing laughter, memories, and the energy of a bygone era.
Can a group of aging ravers defy the odds and stay up past their bedtime one more night to save the day? With a B-movie concept 30 years in the making, it is a play that would have the legendary Roger Corman spinning in his grave – that is, if he were already six feet under.
This feature-length play delves deep into 90s nostalgia and masterfully fits a square peg into the circle of life, exploring the journey of a group of kids from the 90s who have grown old, left without a roadmap for their lives. And the youth of today? They find themselves in a similar predicament, with all the nightclubs gone. Jezahel is a celebration of culture that comes alive after the sun sets, an experience that bridges the generational gap and ignites the spirit of the night.
Jezahel prompts the audience to reflect on the importance of preserving spaces for cultural expression, social interaction, and the party. The play highlights the need for fostering vibrant and diverse nightlife options in Ireland.
“Jezahel is a theatrical spectacle that transcends generations, a must-see for anyone looking to rekindle their youth, share a laugh, or simply experience the electric energy of the 90s once more,” smiled Malachy.
Tickets for Jezahel are priced at €16 and are available www.tht.ie or www.jezahel.com. The performance is happening on Thursday 7th December at 8pm.
Blue Teapot Theatre Company has launched a search for new actors aged 18 and over to join its full-time theatre ensemble. The award-winning Galway theatre company is looking to expand its talent pool by inviting aspiring actors with an intellectual disability to audition for a permanent place within the resident company of artists. This positive development is part of an overall expansion, aligned to the company’s Strategic Arts Plan (2023-2027).
Speaking about the search, Artistic Director Petal Pilley commented, “This autumn, a rare opportunity has arisen to join our coveted, professional ensemble. We will be holding open auditions for a small number of places, casting the net wide in search of brilliant talent. Previous acting experience is not necessary; many actors come to their careers as diamonds in the rough looking for an opportunity to shine. The successful candidates will join our vibrant, experienced cohort of actors to develop and perform theatre on Ireland’s main stages and beyond”.
Company actor Kieran Coppinger agreed, saying, “Be yourself, be proud of the fact you have a disability. When you’re on that stage, it’s a whole different world”.
For almost thirty years, Blue Teapot has worked consistently to radically transform theatre practices by telling stories through the lens of disability, paving the way for inclusive practices to become the norm. Artistic achievements in theatre include Sanctuary, Dancing At Lughnasa and last year’s production of Into the Dark Woods written by the company’s own Charlene Kelly in a co-production with The Abbey as well as twice nominated for an Irish Times Theatre Award.
Stage and screenwriter Christian O’Reillyadded, “This is a unique opportunity to join an extraordinary ensemble of brilliant actors and to develop artistically in an environment that is professional, supportive and fun”.
Interested candidates should apply to audition via email admin@blueteapot.ie or by calling 091 520 977 (Mon to Thurs 9am – 5pm). Deadline is 12pm Monday 13 November.
Auditions will be held late November and early December. For detailed information, visit www.blueteapot.ie/audition which includes accessibility controls for the visually impaired.
Asking questions through art is a creative and different way of us seeing each other. Have you ever wondered how your child sees you? Well, the answer might lie within the ‘I See You Like This’ exhibition. With our ever-growing appetite to document our lives through photos and selfies, children are often the reluctant subjects of adults’ cameras – asked to smile, look natural and come in closer. In I See You Like This, Australian artist Jessica Wilson, flips the camera around giving the children control while their significant adults become their subjects.
Facilitated by Jessica in a private session the week before the festival begins, children will design and direct a creative photoshoot of their significant adult, captured by photographer Julia Dunin. The resulting portraits will create the exhibition. If you would like to be part of this exciting exhibition you can book an appointment for you and your 7 – 14 year old child with Jessica via baboro.ie. In the appointment Jessica will ask the child questions about how they see their adult’s personality and then design and direct their own photoshoot using unusual objects to express how they see their adult.
This autumn, let The Gallery Cafe in Gort be your destination for memorable culinary experiences that capture the essence of the season, with the launch of enticing new evening and brunch menus, alongside the debut of their wine shop.
The Gallery Cafe, located in the historic market town of Gort, County Galway, is more than just a cafe; it is a restaurant and art gallery nestled within a beautifully restored building dating back to 1820. Founded in 2005 by artist and designer Sarah Harty, The Gallery Cafe celebrates local flavours through thoughtfully created food and art.
Start your autumn evening on a high note with baked Wicklow Blue cheese with roasted grapes and sourdough crisps, or succulent scallops paired with courgette, papadum, and a buttery sauce that is nothing short of divine.
For the main course, the menu boasts champions the land and sea, the humble cauliflower no more as it is served with black bean mole and beetroot pico, or savour the flavours of a striploin steak pappardelle accompanied by black kale and chestnut mushrooms for a hearty and satisfying dish.
Wrap up the evening on a sweet note with dessert options like a rich dark chocolate mousse, baked plum and walnuts, or a blackberry and hazelnut frangipane tart complemented by whiskey crème.
Do not miss their Sunday brunch experience, served from 10 am to 4pm, with a rotating menu that keeps things fresh and exciting every week. Some of the brunch stars have included Eggs in Purgatory – poached eggs with roasted tomatoes, chili, local kale, crumbled feta, and toasted sourdough. Or, if you are craving something richer, then it must be the Guinness-braised beef cheek McMuffin* with smoked cheddar, a fried egg, spiced apple, and leafy greens. And for those with a sweet tooth, the apple crumble French toast, tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with whipped cream and toasted almonds, is sweet perfection. Pair your meal with a specialty coffee or a mimosa for the perfect autumn brunch experience.
The Gallery Cafe Autumn wine shop is where wine enthusiasts can discover a curated collection of wines that pair exquisitely with the dishes created. From rich reds to crisp whites, expertly chosen by Argentina Sommelier Gabriel Perez Levitzky. The wine list features mostly organic wines from some of Europe’s finest wine-producing regions, including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Explore a diverse range of terroirs, climates, and altitudes, from sparkling Blanquette de Limoux to Austrian Pet Nat Roses, classical French Sauvignon blancs, and modern Gruner Veltliners. Sip on oaky Riojas Reserva or elegant Spatburgunders (Pinot Noir) from Germany that only elevate the flavourful creations of Head Chef Hannah O’Donnell.
“We are thrilled to welcome autumn at The Gallery Cafe,” says Owner Sarah Harty. Our new menus reflect the essence of the season, highlighting the finest ingredients and flavours that autumn has to offer. The addition of our wine shop allows our guests to enjoy the perfect wine pairings with their meals or to take home to enjoy.”
The Gallery Café, The Square, Gort, Co Galway is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm with evening menus on Friday and Saturday until 9pm. They have two sittings 6pm/6.30pm and 8.30pm. For reservations and more information, call 091-630630 or connect on Instagram and Facebook at The Gallery Cafe. Visit www.thegallerycafegort.com to explore menus, events, and more.
Heading to Sligo this October to a room that will be filled with innovators, entrepreneurs and risk takers.
Enterprising will focus on driving innovation and contributing to the development of a smarter, more competitive region (consisting of the West and North West of Ireland).
Enterprising is primarily targeted at pre-seed & seed stage start-ups who are under 5 years old and also High-Potential Start-ups with ambitions to scale their business, but also Innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, third level institutions, business support organisations, financiers, accelerators, incubators etc.
Thank you WestBIC for this hosting opportunity and for the masterclass I will be hosting in how to network effectively and more enjoyably.
The Mystery Tours will run on Thursday 26th October the exact venues will be kept secret but will be in walking distance throughout central Galway City centre and around the west end area. At the four mystery venues, it will be a celebration of local food and of course there will be plenty of tasty tipples to whet your appetite throughout the evening.
Starting time is 4pm from outside McCambridges on Shop Street. Book now at www.galwayfoodtours.com The Tour will take place over two hours. The cost is €45pp and limited to a max of 12 people.
Since Baboró’s foundation in 1997, volunteers have helped to inspire children to engage with the world through their experience of the arts. Now in its 27th year, the annual festival reaches thousands of children across the city and county.
Volunteers are invited to apply for this year’s festival, taking place from 13 – 22 October, 2023. Volunteers will be based in different venues throughout the city, helping to create a positive Baboró experience for audiences. Volunteering during the festival is also a wonderful way to meet a great bunch of people, with many returning to volunteer year after year.
Benefits of volunteering: by volunteering with Baboró you will be part of a team who plays a huge part in creating wonderful experiences for children, families, and carers.
You will get to see the behind the scenes of the Festival, you will interact with artists and audiences alike and you will meet new people, we guarantee that most likely you will make new friendships!
Deadline for applications: Thursday 28th September
For more information, contact our Baboró’s Festival Team Coordinator, Elena, at team@baboro.ie. or at www.baboro.ie
“Oh I never knew that about this place” A line repeated about Galways westend as soon as people discover the neighbourhood. Filled with small independent shops, art spaces, cafes, restaurants and one of the biggest nightlife scenes in the country, heading back the west is the place to be always.
To know more about how it became the place we all get to enjoy today, we need to learn how it has come to be. The Galway Westend Walking Tours which started just in June has given locals and people visiting this opportunity.
Running twice daily from Ravens Terrace, you are taken on a social and cultural exploration of Sea Road, touching on the Claddagh, through Dominick Street, along the canals and onto Henry Street, sneaking into the Small Crane and then onto Williams Street west. The stories of the west are told by an array of guides who have connections for very different and diverse reasons with the area. Some live and work (ed) here, some came, fell in love, and never left, some have studied it and others have taking the reigns and have a desire to share the magic of the west with as many people as possible. The walking tours explains the history of the buildings, the public spaces from Lady Gregory holiday residence to a small potato market, to famous traditional public houses to national music institutions and that is before you even eat a bite of food in the many award-winning restaurants.
There is a beautiful park that so many do not know about and ample stories of trade on the Eglington canal which now in our times just acts as a beautiful waterway we walk, run and cycle safely along up to the University.
Take a westend walking tour and understand the origins of this wonderful neighbourhood and just
why its has that special draw for everyone who spends time here. Book here: www.galwayswestend.ie
As part of Galway International Arts Festival The Kings Head are delighted to support the Irish premiere of Dragon, a fantastic creature that will pass through the streets of Galway. This free street performance will allow us to dive into this extraordinary world, as an enormous Dragon wanders the medieval streets of Galway!
Dragon will run 3 times during the festival – Friday 21 July 9.30pm, Saturday 22 July 2pm and 9.30pm. The route is Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch via the O’Brien’s Bridge & Dominick St. Lower.
Look at the fire, witness the shadows dancing in the night. Let the Dragon make your forgotten dreams come true!
Artistic Director and producer Pierre Povigna created Planète Vapeur in 2006. Having studied architecture, Povigna was always passionate about complex mechanisms and giant biomechanical machines. Working with a team of technicians and artists, Planète Vapeur bring fantastic and magical worlds to life.
“Galway International Arts Festival is the highlight of our year at The Kings Head. We have been involved as a venue since the late eighties and look forward to hosting Lunchtime Comedy with the ‘Laughter Loft’ again this year. This year is extra special, as we are lending our support to this amazing, family friendly, free event. Dragon will give that sense of magic on the streets of Galway that we have come to expect every July from Galway International Arts Festival,” said Paul Grealish of The Kings Head.
Great people of Galway take centre stage at the docks
People make the place and within Galway there are many people who are doing what may seem like ordinary things but with extraordinary affects. This summer as part of an initiative by Edward Capital at Bonham Quay, Serve The City Galway, Claddagh Watch and Tony McDonagh who looks after Fonthill Cemetery are being honoured.
Each of these people and the organisations they help with have massive impacts on why Galway is such a safe, welcoming, and kind place to live and visit.
A Lifesize picture board installation has been installed at Bonham Quay so that every motorist, cyclist, and person passing through the Galway Docks will get to know who these unsung heroes are.
Arthur Carr from Claddagh Watch is pictured at Bonham Quay. Claddagh Watch Patrol was formed in 2019 with a mission to prevent accidental deaths and suicides on the waterways and bridges of Galway City. Teams of volunteer’s patrol from late evening until the early hours, approaching anyone near the water distressed, disorientated or vulnerable.
Tony McDonagh, Fonthill Cemetery commented, “I have been volunteering since 1972, minding this beautiful space. Following in the footsteps of my father John, and my sons and grandsons will continue this tradition.”
Serve the City is a worldwide movement of volunteers connecting with local charities and opportunities. In Galway city, it is led by Tim O’Toole, Mary Reardon and Kristina O’Toole. “We volunteer to serve the practical needs of marginalised and vulnerable people within the community,” explained Mary Reardon.
To find out more, simply head to Bonham Quay where the large-scale pictorial exhibition by Pat Cantwell is on display 24/7 for everyone to see. Or go to www.edward.ie.
Discover Galway’s Rich Whiskey Heritage through Galway Whiskey Trail
The Galway Whiskey Trail is back, inviting curious visitors and whiskey enthusiasts to embark on a journey through Galway’s vibrant whiskey scene. Born from the fact that Whiskey was once Galway’s largest employer and which carried the Galway name with pride and distinction around the world. The Persse Galway Whiskey Distillery was established in 1815 in Newcastle, Galway by Henry Stratford Persse. Now this trail, which showcases the city’s finest whiskey bars and outlets, promises an immersive experience that combines the rich history of Galway’s whiskey heritage with the opportunity to enjoy whiskeys from renowned distilleries from Ireland.
This Whiskey Trail offers an opportunity to delve into the captivating world of whiskey while exploring the streets of this historic city. Each stop along the trail has its own unique charm and story to tell, and whiskey lovers will be captivated by the diverse flavours and warm hospitality they encounter.
The self-guided Whiskey Tour brings you to 12 locations that play a significant role in Galway’s whiskey heritage. You choose your starting and finishing so suit yourself!
In the Latin Quarter you will be warmly welcomed by the staff in Sonny Molloy’ to savour a wide selection of premium whiskeys while immersing yourself in the rich history of the iconic Persse Distillery. Uncover the secrets of Galway’s whiskey traditions at Freeneys as you explore their impressive selection of local and international whiskeys. Pop in to enjoy the cosy ambiance of Tigh Neachtain, where you can indulge in an extensive whiskey menu while revelling in the lively spirit of Galway’s bustling Latin Quarter.
Up the Street to the 800-year-old The Kings Head where you can sample rare whiskeys from around the world, all while surrounded by the captivating ambiance of one of Galway’s oldest pubs. Step into Garavan’s, a cherished whiskey establishment that has been delighting patrons for generations. Break from the pub scene and step into McCambridges, one of Galway’s oldest grocery stores, here you can engage in fascinating conversations about Galway’s whiskey heritage.
Experience the lively atmosphere at Blake’s Corner Bar and raise a glass at O’Connell’s where they will uncover the stories behind each bottle and embrace the welcoming spirit of Galway. Just off Eyre Square is An Púcán and just steps away from the hidden gem that is Garvey’s, a cosy whiskey bar where you can relax and enjoy a diverse array of whiskeys. As you head Back west a pit stop in The Dáil, a pub that exudes old-world charm and soak in the atmosphere that transports you to another era. Then across the bridge into Galway’s Westend where at Taylor’s Bar there is a very Galway welcome and a fine selection of whiskeys awaiting.
The Galway Whiskey Trail can also be booked for guided groups. To find out more check out https://www.galwaywhiskytrail.ie/ and get social @GalwayWhiskeyTrail on Instagram and Facebook.
