merrion street

Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today (20 May 2013) opened a new exhibition entitled ‘Wandering Methods’ at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin 14. The exhibition has been made possible by a partnership between Bealtaine Festival, the OPW and Craftspace, in association with Falmouth University and the University of Northumbria.

Speaking at the exhibition Minister Hayes said: “ I am delighted that this is the third year this wonderful collaboration with the Bealtaine Festival is taking place here in Rathfarnham Castle. This is the second year that this particular exhibition is being showcased here and it is inspiring to see how the local artists and residents have used the history of the Castle, their own stories and memories to create these wonderful pieces of art we see here today”.

Speaking at the opening, the artistic director of Bealtaine, Dominic Campbell said “Creative explorations of our built heritage are an education and delight. We have only begun to uncover their social and cultural potential. The resonant images and objects created by older artists participating in Wandering Methods echo around Rathfarnham Castle”

The Minister concluded “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing this exhibition to Rathfarnham Castle. The theme for the Bealtaine festival this year is ‘Grow Happy’ and the two artists, Maeve Clancy and Liz Nilsson together with all the exhibitors have shown us that learning new skills, discovering hidden talents and exploring different narratives certainly proves this to be the case”.

Notes for Editors:

The Exhibition runs from 16 May 2013 and is free to the public. For further information on Rathfarnham Castle and opening times check www.heritageireland.ie

Wandering Methods:

This is the second year of 'Wandering Methods', a partnership between Bealtaine Festival, the Office of Public Works and Craftspace in association with Falmouth University and the University of Northumbria.

Artists Maeve Clancy and Liz Nilsson worked with a group of people in Rathfarnham Castle. The group has been learning new craft skills in depth, exploring different approaches and investing the time that is needed to make something beautiful for the Bealtaine festival.

Inspired by the history, the stories and the architectural details of Rathfarnham Castle and by objects from their own lives, participants were asked to look to the things that they keep in their own lives, the things that hold a memory or mean something way beyond what an outsider could see.