The Bealtaine Gatherine
The Bealtaine Gatherine
October 22 @ 10:00 am – 4:30 pm IST
This year’s Gathering will focus on the theme of Solidarity and we invite you, the Bealtaine community of organisers, artists, partners, local authorities and supporters, to join us to look at different issues relevant to our work. We hope to provide inspiration for events and information on planning for Bealtaine Festival’s upcoming 30th anniversary.
Book Your Place
Make sure to get your tickets first by contacting arts@ageandopportunity.ie to be added to our register of interest, where you will be sent booking information directly as soon as tickets are released.
Artists and Speakers
Colum McCann, Writer
Keith Payne, Writer
Grace Dyas, Filmmaker
Stephen James Smith, Performer
Mary Moynihan, Chair
Full Event Details
We are delighted to announce that The Bealtaine Gathering 2024 will take place on the Tuesday 22nd October (10am to 4:30pm) in Project Arts Centre, Temple Bar, Dublin.
This year’s Gathering will focus on the theme of Solidarity and we invite you, the Bealtaine community of organisers, artists, partners, local authorities and supporters, to join us to look at different issues relevant to our work. We hope to provide inspiration for events and information on planning for Bealtaine Festival’s upcoming 30th anniversary.
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our keynote speaker will be award-winning writer Colum McCann, speaking on radical empathy and the potential for social change.
We will also have case studies from artists Keith Payne and Grace Dyas and a performance by poet Stephen James Smith, as well as opportunities for networking, panel discussions and more.
Make sure to get your tickets first by contacting arts@ageandopportunity.ie to be added to our register of interest, where you will be sent booking information directly as soon as tickets are released.
Speaker Biographies:
Keynote Speaker:
Colum McCann, Writer
Speaking on Radical Empathy
Colum McCann is the author of seven novels, three collections of stories and two works of non-fiction. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, he has been the recipient of many international honours, including the U.S National Book Award, the International Dublin Literary Prize, a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French government, election to the Irish arts academy, several European awards, the 2010 Best Foreign Novel Award in China, and an Oscar nomination. In 2017 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts. His work has been published in over 40 languages. He is the President and co-founder of the non-profit global story exchange organisation, Narrative 4. He lives in New York with his wife Allison and their family. His most recent novel, Apeirogon, became an immediate New York Times best-seller and won several major international awards. His next novel, Twist, will be published in March 2025.
Keith Payne, Writer
Speaking on “Tales my Granny Told Me”
Joined by a participant from the project.
Keith Payne is a poet, translator and editor. He is curator of the Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill Poetry Exchange. Keith will be presenting on the project “Tales my Granny Told me” which collected stories from around the world brought to Ireland by International Protection Applicants.
Grace Dyas, Filmmaker
Speaking on “The No Show”
Grace Dyas is an established artist and activist with nearly twenty years of experience making socially engaged art. She will be discussing her film project “The No Show”, done in collaboration with Limerick City Build, about the group of men’s experiences of abandonment, absence, loss and social exclusion.
Performance:
Stephen James Smith
Stephen James Smith, born in Dublin, is an Irish poet, writer, performer, playwright, and educator. Their short poetry films have captivated millions. As a recording artist, Stephen’s work has been lauded both nationally and internationally, leading to Stephen being dubbed “Dublin’s unofficial poet laureate.” His creations have been extensively published, translated into eight languages, and have received numerous awards and nominations.
Organisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):
