On The Fringe with Mary O'Neill

On Thursday last the Mayor Councillor Joe Kelly launched Waterford Faoin Speir. This is an Arts Council programme to create artworks in outdoor settings so audiences can access them in COVID-19 times.The event is happening thanks to Spraoi, Garter Lane Arts Centre, The Arts Council, Waterford Council and ourselves at WLR. Geoff Harris spoke to the folks involved on this week's Fringe programme.

Paper Flowers and Tin Cups is a documentary taking us a walk with Irish traveller Nora. Nora has been visiting friends in Tramore for 38 years and she tells us about her life in her own words. Produced and presented by Roisin Sheehy.

This years festival will run in accordance with guidelines from October 16th to 25th. As part of it, young artists are invited to submit work for an exhibition. Festival Manager Nora Boland had more details "On the Fringe."

Michael was joined in studio by his daughter Julie, a musician in her own right, who conducts City of Waterford Brass. He discussed the highs and lows of the past six decades of the band.

It explores the issues of gender and sexuality and runs at Garter Lane Arts Centre until October. 'i' was curated by Sandra Kelly. Director of Garter Lane Síle Penkert also joined the conversation.

Local man Andrew has been involved in the arts in Waterford for decades. He describes the last few months, where, like many others, all jobs suddenly ceased because of lockdown. He also looks ahead to new movie releases

Limerick based Sarah Cahill is a spoken word artist and playwright who has received funding to document the experiences of people during lockdown. She talks to Mary about #ShareYourStory

Author of six best-selling books including Ann Devine, Bolloxology and the Books of the Irish Mammy, Colm will bring his stand up show to Theatre Royal on August 28th. Ahead of that, he chatted to Mary "On the Fringe."

The accolade was given by the online reviewer recently, for the Medieval Museum and The Bishops Palace. Director of Waterford Treasures Eamonn McEneaney tells Mary "On the Fringe" that it's invaluable recognition.

Waterford Libraries has invited Dr. Maxine Keoghan to illuminate the joint histories and connections between Waterford, Ireland and Newfoundland, Canada in five short videos which have been showing for Heritage Week 2020. There is also a Q&A via Zoom on Friday August 21st. Maxine chatted to Mary "On the Fringe."

Dunmore East native Fatti has been illustrating books since 2015, often in collaboration with her father John. She's recently teamed up with the HSE to produce a series of posters encouraging people to socially distance and wear masks.

Currently on limited in release in cinemas nationwide (including at Dungarvan SGC,) 'Broken Law' tells the story of two brothers, who are poles apart, but brought together in an expected way that leads to a moral dilemma for one of them.

The overall winner of the 2020 Bristol Short Story Prize will announced in October 2020. The shortlisted stories will be published in an anthology by Tangent Books. Fiona, a previous winner of the Molly Keane Creative Writing award, joined Mary in studio.

The focus of a lot of Lisa's work is depictions of Waterford City and surrounding areas. As well as producing calendars, Lisa has worked on a number of commissions and she has an upcoming exhibition at The Coastguard Cultural Centre in Tramore. She spoke to Mary in studio.

Norma is a familiar face from many TV shows including "Can't Cope Won't Cope," "Damo and Ivor" and "Moone Boy." She's now out on her own, doing a podcast series and stand up show entitled 'Heal your Hole,' which comes to Theatre Royal on August 14th. Norma joined Mary in studio, "On the Fringe."

The market at 39 O'Connell Street in Waterford City features food traders, makers of arts and crafts, and plenty more besides, as Keith outlined to Mary "On the Fringe."

The organisation on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford has received funding from Creative Ireland to support its arts programmes for older people, as part of a government initiative. Assistant Director of Waterford Healing Arts Trust Maeve Butler chatted to Mary "On the Fringe."

The Heritage Council is calling on children across the country to put their imagination to good use this summer by using Lego bricks to recreate their favourite example of Irish built, natural or cultural heritage. Wildlife Officer Lorcan Scott spoke to Mary "On the Fringe".

First published in 2014, this is the story of Bloody Sunday and the shootings in Croke Park that killed 14 people on November 21st 1920. Michael Foley retells in vivid details the humans stories behind this terrible event. The new edition marks the centenary of Bloody Sunday and contains additional material. Michael chatted to Mary "On the Fringe."

It's been a long few months for people working in the arts with all theatre houses and other venues shut. Plans are afoot to reopen places in August, under strict new measures. One such place is Theatre Royal and manager Mary Boland chatted to Mary

The SGC Dungarvan is now re-open and while there are little or no new cinema releases at present, there are plenty of films on the line up to keep people entertained. Graham chatted to Mary about the summer plans for the venue.

For the first time in its 26 year history, there will be no Spraoi parade the August Bank Holiday weekend. Instead, an altered version of the festival will take place in September. Artistic Director Mike Leahy told Mary all about Spraoi Time 2020.

Visitors were welcomed back to the Hook at the end of June under social distancing guidelines. The lighthouse is over 800 years old and still intact. Noel Lynch tells Mary that it's a place with fascinating stories.

The bursary was launched by members of the arts community in tribute to Ted and Mary O'Regan who were hugely supportive of the arts in Waterford. It aims to be an opportunity for a Waterford person to develop his or her creative talent. This year there are four recipients; Martina Collender, Ciarán Power, Rose Keating and Keith Dunphy. Martina chatted to Mary "On the Fringe"

Sarah Jane, like many others, has had to think outside the box when it comes to re-opening her premises in Waterford City. She's collaborated with other food makers and crafts people for a new initiative called 'Room Service.'

John manages Fundrums and Creation sound therapy, working with lots of groups, with the main focus being on special needs. John currently has a GoFundMe page and he explains how he plans to spend the monies raised.

Paul is a member of the Waterford Writers' Group and has written a book called 'Great Spirit of Yosemite, the Story of Chief Tenaya.' He told Mary why he wanted to write it, and about the research involved.

Eamonn Carroll, Director of the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, to talk all about the Covid Care concerts that the organisation is putting on in care homes across Waterford.

David Fallon, a final year English major at WIT will have a selection of his poetry published in "Green Carnations Anthology" compiled by Queer Writers of Ireland. David joined Mary, "On the Fringe."

As part of a phased reopening of Garter Lane, members of the public can now access the art gallery again. Director Síle Penkert spoke to Mary "On the Fringe."

This is a piece of historical fiction with Ireland's first female botanist Ellen Hutchins as its central character. Marianne explains to Mary why she chose to set her novel in this era, and why she wanted to write about Ellen.

Done in collaboration with Leon Butler, this work is a digital monument to the unseen experiences of quarantine. It was part of the Cork Midsummer Festival and the Carlow Arts Festival. Peter outlines to Mary what it's all about.

Joanne is co-editing the publication with local writer Derek Flynn. They're looking for people to submit pieces for consideration between now and June 30th. Joanne explains to Mary that The Waxed Lemon will not have a digital presence but will rather be a physical keepsake.

Director Edel Tobin chatted to Mary about the dates for this years festival and what can and cannot go ahead. There are also some new additions in terms of locations.

The Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) Youth Choir is made up of 50 singers from secondary schools all over the South East. Singing from their own homes, they've performed a song called "North" by the band Sleeping at Last, which was then put together by their conductor Niall Crowley. It's in memory of choir member Karl Kirby who died recently. Niall chatted to Mary "On the Fringe."

“The Comeraghs: Gunfire and Civil War: the story of the Deise Brigade IRA 1914-1924” by Seán and Síle Murphy, has been republished by the Waterford County Museum. Seán Murphy joined Mary "On the Fringe."

This is part of Criunniú na nÓg, and it's an online initiative where young people have submitted artwork, to be turned into an overall graffiti piece by a local artist. Sean Crowe of the Waterford Young Arts Critics has the details.

Nicholas has penned many other pieces before, including a poem for the Waterford hurlers. "Silence" is his latest - he tells Mary how it came about.

It's in association with the David Hennessy Stage School and Digicol Photography and Media Productions. Glenn chats to Mary about how you can watch it.

The Arts community is looking at a very different world, post-Covid. Conor chats to Mary about the difficult losses suffered due to the closure of venues, but he also strikes a positive note heading into the future

It was for the group's production of 'Cats,' which ran at Theatre Royal in October / November 2019. Choreographer Michelle says it was a dream to be part of it all. (Photography: DigiCol)

Murals for Communities sees six mural artists facilitate workshops with community and businesses groups, resulting in artwork across three cities-Waterford, Heerlen in the Netherlands and Kaunas in Lithuania. The chosen community groups from Waterford who will take part this year are Killure Bridge Nursing Home, Vita Community Hub which is part of the Rehab Group, and the Aiseirí Addiction Treatment Centre. Organiser Cristina Ciampaglione had the details

Festival Manager Nora Boland told Mary that as things currently stand, the festival will run at venues in Waterford City from October 16th to 25th, with measures in place to make sure everyone is safe.

Don has been a familiar face since the days of The Den, and since the restrictions he's been teaching people to draw on YouTube. He's also written over 50 children's books and last weekend, he gave a Zoom drawing class through Garter Lane.

Waterford native Deevy was considered one of the most important Irish playwrights of her time, and has seen something of a resurrection in recent times with her plays being shown again in Waterford and further afield. Her subject matter was sometimes seen too controversial to be staged, something that Una Kealy of the School of Humanities at WIT will discuss in her online lecture at 2.30pm on Wednesday May 13th, as part of the Bealtaine Festival with the libraries.

Set in post-World War II Hollywood, this is about an ambitious group of actors who will do anything to make in showbiz. Maria McCann is fascinated by the "Golden Age" of the cinema - she discusses the series, and about how actors were treated back then.

Eavan died late last month, at the age of 75. Locally-based poet Mark knew her well, and discussed the impact she had as a poet. He also talked about how more people are taking to writing poetry, during the restrictions

Padraig is the chair of Garter Lane Arts Centre, and was one of the producers on the award-winning Jim Nolan play The Red Iron, which was staged last November. You can watch it online at 8pm this coming Sunday and Pádraig had all the details "On the Fringe."

Poetry Day Ireland takes place on April 30th. As part of that, 'Poetry Day Waterford' is an online initiative organised by Anna Jordan. She tells Mary all about it, On the Fringe.

This will stream live from the Waterford Theatre Archive facebook page, from 8pm on Sunday April 26th. Wayne tells Mary what will feature.

This is the Wexford-author's 8th novel, and can be bought online, both through Amazon and through bookshop websites. It's also available in supermarkets. Carmel outlines to Mary what it's all about.