Mountshannon Maracatu

Andy Spearpoint

Andy is a musician who has been working in community music for twenty years in the UK and Ireland. He’s a self-taught musician who started out in bands in the UK in the early nineties. He’s a vocalist and plays sax and guitar as well as hitting things with sticks. He’s worked with a huge variety of groups of all ages over the years, often working with different kinds of percussion setups including a DIY Gamelan with electronics and most recently the Maracatu drums that will feature in the parade. His work is about harnessing people’s energy and innate musical knowledge to create collective musical happenings.

Lynn Kirkham

Lynn is a Master Basketmaker, Multi-media Artist and Sculptor.
Working mainly to commission, Lynn's Public Sculptures have become popular landmark pieces.
She also makes unique creations for private collectors, art lovers and community groups.
Lynn has a wide range of skills and many years experience, which she shares through courses, projects and online content.

Laura Jane

Laura Jane Allis is the founder and director of BreakThrough Dance Company which is based in Ennis, Co Clare. Established in 2007, the studio has gone from strength to strength and has watched hundreds of students pass through its doors over the years, with many going on to further their dance and performance training in the UK or further afield. Laura Jane has been dancing since age 3 and trained professionally for 5 years, both in Ireland and the UK, before moving back to Ireland to open up her own school. Laura Jane has choreographed many dance shows, gigs and productions in her 14 years of teaching, many of which took place in Glór Theatre in Ennis. BreakThrough Dance Company has their annual ‘Dance Fusion’ show there each year, they had their first company show, ‘Written In The Stars’ in 2018, she also choreographed for the local pantomime company ‘Pantaloons’ for a number of years, Eire Ogs ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, Ennis Street Festival, Corofin Dramatics Society, Clare Youth Musical Society (est. 2012- resident choreographer & co director) and also works closely with different schools in and around Clare, choreographing, directing and producing for various creative projects and performances. (Rice College, Creative Schools Ireland-an Arts Council initiative, Educate Together-CLDC and many more schools in and around Clare.)

Ailish McElroy

Ailish McElroy is a skilled artisan and self taught Milliner producing bespoke hats and accessories handcrafted in her studio in the beautiful hills of East Clare, Ireland.

Originally from Dublin, Ailish moved to East Clare in 2008 while persuing her former career as a Graphic Designer. Initially drawn to the craft of Millinery as a way of exploring new creative skills and for the rewarding opportunity to work with her hands, this interest soon became her joy and led to the establishment of her own Millinery and fashion accessories business in 2015.

Ailish McElroy seeks to create her pieces using traditional millinery techniques which have been used for centuries as well as embracing modern materials for their creative potential.

Mad Hatter Tea Party

On Saturday 28 May, from 11 am to 1.30pm in Mountshannon, all is not quite what it seems as a Mad Hatter hosts a most unusual tea party for children in Mountshannon. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is a fun and quirky event featuring an Arts and Crafts workshop for children to create their very own top hat with the guidance of a professional milliner.

Rachel Maloney

My work is highly inspired by nature, the marine environment, and all its sea creatures. The bright colours and interesting forms of the ocean are important elements in my work. I often use these forms, shapes and textures of the ocean to make my own work. I love the shimmery, translucent glow of Jellyfish, and their long tentacles, which slowly drift through the water.  Recently I have been making installation-based work, of aerial jellyfish and coral reef cushions. I use repurposed fabrics and textiles, gathering scraps and 2nd hand materials from a variety of different resources, always looking for a way to give them a new lease of life to begin to create a fun, immersive environment of the ocean.

 I also do a lot of Textile Screenprinting, where I print onto upcycled fabrics. Screenprinting is a beautiful way to put almost any image onto a flat surface, paper or fabric. I did a course with Nicola Henley a couple of ways ago where she showed us a lovely way to screenprint using leaves and flowers. It was a great way to be introduced to screenprinting.

Mark Wilson

Blacksmithing has always been an integral part of my life. I started at the age of 12. My metal work teacher was a great influence on me and remains a good friend to the present day.

I have found that most Blacksmiths are very keen, and open to passing on their knowledge  and encouraging young people to keep this important trade alive .

The Irish artist blacksmiths association promotes this idea through shows, workshops and forge.

https://www.irishblacksmiths.ie/

Daring Dames

Daring Dames is a series of astounding feats of wonder, strength and amazement by some of Ireland’s leading circus artistes. From strongwomen to acrobats and clowns, Daring Dames celebrates the power and courage within us all.

Want to be a daring dame or daring lad yourself? Learn to juggle and balance in hands-on circus workshops. Then come along to the workshop, which will take place after the performance.

Sunday 29 May - 11 am - The hall - for performance and workshop

Daring Dames will be at the parade as well!

Jyoshna

Jyoshna is a songwriter, ethnomusicologist from NZ living locally in Derroren.

Singing her originals plus songs from India and NZ Jyoshna weaves together a tapestry of unique sounds that portray her inner and outer landscapes, a musical diary of love, life and transformation. She is accompanied by Kavita on percussion and special guests. Having recorded over 40 albums

Reviews:

“the spiritual import of these lyrics which exude a sublime joy about life, the naturalworld and especially the great unknowables which remain tantalisingly beyond reach but give her a spiritual compass. We’ve probably said this before, but it bears repeating: Jyoshna is unique”. https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/9073/jyoshna-unity-hours-iii-jyoshnamusiccom/

This combination makes for an exoticism which is rare in a New Zealand artist..

You could almost imagine a club in heaven would be playing this music as the fulfilled and elevated took to the floor in ecstatic rejoicing. Graham Reid, posted Mar 31, 2014

Tea with Clowns

Unlanded Productions

Come and join Victoria Sponge and Chocolati Clair at the Cracked Pot Café, where you are sure to be refreshed and entertained. though the tea may taste like lemonade, it's made to the highest standards and served by a team of highly trained professionals who are not inept or silly in any way. At least, that's what they tell us...