Bealtaine Festival Opens with Vibrant Weekend Celebrating Age and Creativity
Bealtaine Festival, Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age, is set to burst into life this week with an action-packed opening weekend at the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar, Dublin. From morning to night, visitors can enjoy three days of vibrant and fun arts activities, showcasing a variety of artforms and events.
Marking its 30th anniversary, the month-long festival promises an inspiring mix of art, performance and community celebration, with events spanning every corner of the country in libraries, arts centres, care homes, and outdoor community spaces. From theatre and live poetry to dance and creative exhibitions, Bealtaine Festival invites everyone to join in a celebration of arts and creative as we age, embodying the festival’s theme, Lust for Life.
Events not to be missed this opening weekend include:
- Songs and Stories from Silver Stars: Silver Stars is based on singer/songwriter Seán Millar’s interviews with older gay men in the community from 2008/2009. Described as “extraordinary” by the Irish Times, the moving and eloquent telling of real-life stories of ordinary men in search of happiness and fulfilment in a country that was challenged by their existence. A short, additional commissioned piece ‘Beautiful’ will feature as part of the evening. It is a new, 15-minute spoken word song, based on interviews with two older gay performing artists about youth, beauty and fun. Thursday 1st May 2025, Project Arts Centre: Tickets
- Mary Coughlan in Conversation with Ailbhe Smyth: Immerse yourself in an evening of music and conversation with the legend that is Ireland’s greatest jazz and blues singer Mary Coughlan in conversation with activist Ailbhe Smyth. Discussing 41 years in music, resilience, activism, and the changing roles of women in society, two of Ireland’s greatest female trailblazers offer insights into our ever-changing world, nationally and globally. Friday 2nd May 2025, Project Arts Centre: Tickets
- What Have Older People Ever Done For Us? 30 years of social and cultural change in Ireland: This discussion looks back at the contribution of older people to the social and cultural history of Ireland over the last 30 years. The discussion will be chaired by RTÉ arts producer and editor Clíodhna Ní Anluain and will comprise distinguished voices from the arts and journalism sectors including archivist and activist Catriona Crowe, writer and journalist Martina Devlin, visual artist Alice Maher, poet Tom McCarthy, and writer Louise Nealon. Saturday 3rd May 2025, Project Arts Centre: Tickets
- Voices Unite: A Collaborative Performance of African and Irish History through Women’s Songs and Stories: Enjoy an evening of music, storytelling, and conversation featuring vocalist Eleanor Shanley, singer and educator Justine Nantale, drummer Segun Akano, author, songwriter, and guitarist Mike Hanrahan, and historian and author Liz Gillis. Saturday 3rd May 2025, Project Arts Centre: Tickets
- DIY Ireland: The Innovators Who Shaped Ireland’s Music Scene: A collection of musicians and music industry experts will gather to discuss the thriving and energetic Irish music industry from the 1970s to the present day. Chaired by music historian and industry insider, Michael Mary Murphy who was part of Dublin’s small DIY/punk music scene during the 1980s. Guests include Elvera Butler, Edwina Forkin, Jim Lockhart and Tom Dunne. Sunday 4th May 2025, Project Arts Centre: Tickets
- The Big Bealtaine Tea Party: Communities and groups all around Ireland are invited to host their own Bealtaine Tea Party on Sunday 4th May, to celebrate the festival’s milestone 30th anniversary. There will also be a flagship Tea Party event taking place in the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) on Sunday 4th May, with a gathering of musical guests, poets and more as well as the highly anticipated premiere of two new commissions on the theme of Lust for Life. Sunday, 4th May 2025, Nationwide.
Bealtaine Festival takes place nationwide from Thursday, 1st May 2025 and runs throughout the month of May. For tickets and further events details, please visit www.bealtaine.ie
Bealtaine Festival is an initiative of Age & Opportunity, is proudly funded by the Arts Council and the HSE, with the support of communities nationwide and a vast network of accomplished local and national bodies. Age & Opportunity is the national organisation working to enable the best quality of life for us all as we age.