Galway Advertiser 1983/1983_04_07/GA_07041983_E1_011.pdf 

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Galway I doubt if opting out is as much fun as it was in the sixties. There was more fat on the land to live off then for one thing and more opportunities for opting in again if all didn't turn out as you h o p e d . A n d it was fashionable so it didn't really entail an ascetic alienation of fellowship but rather more a sense of joining the gang. But people are still at it; galled by the mundaneness of uncreativity of their nine to fives, they throw caution to the winds, pack it in and p u r s u e that e l u s i v e dream undaunted by the fact t h a t t h e r e a r e thousands itching to hop into their nine to five slot when they vacate. So what do you do if you are an elertronic design engineer with the smouldering soul of a poet? Stick it out as long as you can, chuck it in and head for Aran, where else? Corkman John O'Brien recently cut that industrial umbilical cord after a decade of loyal if frustrated service to finally apply himself full time to creative writing. Since he made the break in December he has compiled a collection of poems to be published in June and is working on a novel. Aran provides him with the solitude to explore his poetic themes and come to terms with his challenging new existence. He spends his time taking long walks around the island and photographing the rugged beauty of Aran. Some of his photographs are to be made into postcards of the island. John enjoys studying the people of Aran too, whom he sees as 'sottened by the harshness of their reality' and is looking forward to summer and meeting all the interesting people whom the island attracts. John's work will be published under his Irish name of Eoin O Briain.

Advertiser,

7th

April,

1983

11

Under the Arch
By Gia Griffiths
This dynamic young group is based in Belfast and helps run a wide variety of offbeat projects in the North and South ranging from mural painting to film making to dance. It was they who supplied the amazing billowing inflatable world for last year's Rahoon Festival. Last week's activities involved dancing and singing, music-making and playing tangle, getting to know everyone and looking at slides of previous workshops and games. Then a life size version of the traditional board game. Go, which they have devised to be played on a large scale board with each participant gaining territory by linking coloured strings, was played. And the end product was a huge net made of coloured strings which was hoisted overhead and from which dangled lighted candles at the end of string forms made by each person. And what a pretty sight it was. NOW has constructed an 'Amazing Travelling Diary' to record their activities, which consists of little wooden cubby holes representing each day of the month. Into each wooden slot they put a variety of things to remind them of the day. Galway's little slot has gone back to Belfast now full of little bits of string and pictures and memories of a day full of fun. brighten the window of the Connacht Cleaners and c h e e r c o u n t l e s s passers by in William Street and the Shopping Centre? Well 1 have, for years, as each new and striking creation appeared, incorporates plants and flowers, catkins, twigs, feathers, driftwood--all maimer of bits and pieces, in arrangements simple or complicated but always arrestingly effective. Gillian Goodbody it is who has been decorating these windows for more years than she cares to remember and her mother did it before her. Gillian trained at the prestigious Constance Spry School for florists in London and three years ago opened her own florists shop in Loughrea named Gillian Rosemary. Although it is tough work keeping the customer satisfied Gillian gets fun out of her business. It's not always easy to come up with new ideas for the windows but it is challenging and Gillian is always on the look out for things to incorporate in her designs. She has amassed a large collection of interesting pieces of driftwood which will one day play their part in one of her floral sculptures. The harsh weather of late has made it difficult for her to go gathering and has beaten down a lot of flowers but no doubt inspiration will come. So next time you're passing the Connacht Cleaners stop and have a look and if you fmd yourself in Loughrea go along to Gillian Rosemary's shop to see more of her charming work.

The New Christy Moore
The Christy Moore who will play in the Great Southern on Saturday next will be over a stone lighter than he was when he left Moving Hearts. Recent reports in the Sunday World that Moore had been training with a member of the boxing Christie family were hotly denied by his wife when I phoned his home this week. He has just recorded a new album in Windmill Lane entitled "Time has Come". This album includes a Bob Dylan song "The Immigrant", which has already gained critical acclaim on live performances.

Patricians Head for South Pacific
Details of the Patrician Musical Society production for '83 were announced at a reception in Moons on Monday evening. This year the choice is "South Pacific" by Rodgers and Hammerstein. President of the P.M.S. Mr. Ted White wished the society every success on behalf of Moons, and being the host promptly left the rest of speeches to the P.M.S. chairman Mr. Gerry Leyden. Mr. Leyden said the affiliation with Moons has been in existence for many years and he hoped it will continue for many years to come. Also one of the very important services Moon's has provided is that of booking office for the society. This year is the 30th anniversary of the P.M.S. and "South Pacific" will be the 32nd production to date. Since 1974 the society have been the recipients of several awards from the Assoc. of Irish Musical Societies, including Best Comedian costumes, front of house, producer and the prestigious "Best Overall Show". Musical director for South Pacific is Martin Tuohy who also plays Emile de B e c q u e . Production is by Peter O'DriscoU and choreography by Kathleen Kay. Musical numbers from the show which should be familair to the public include "I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair" and "Happy Talk" which topped the charts in 1982 for Police lead vocalist Sting. Galway hurler Joe McDonagh will be amongst the principal actors in the guise of Lt. Joseph Cable. Other principals are Roisin Duignan, Mary Duffy, Pat Heaney, Gail Curry, Eamon Shevlin, John Tuohy, John Armitage and Padraig Doyle. The show starts in the Jesuit Hall on Sunday 10th and continues until 17th with performances nightly at 8 p.m. Margaret Collins

CHRISTY MOORE
Meanwhile Moving Hearts, the group formerly fronted by Christy, have released a 12" single "Open Those Gates". This is a song about injustice. Although no names are mentioned there is little doubt that Nicky Kelly is the subject. Although proven innocent of the crime which he has been sentenced for Kelly still remaitis unfree. The "B" side is "Let Somebody Know", and the beautiful instrumental "Lake of Shadows" This scribe has been moonlighting with the Pictured at the offidal opening of an exhibition ^photom-aphs dedicated to the C o n q u e r o r s c u r r e n t l y memory of the late Jimmy Walsne by Mr. John Carlos, Connacht Tribune Stc^ enjoying success with "Baby Photographer were from left: Mrs. Joan Walshe (wife of the late Jimmy Blue". What is it like to play Walshe), Mr. John Carlos, Mr. Gerard Lee, Associate Secretary Building and the "Ballrooms of Romance"? Development Office, U.C.G. and Mr. Gerard Dawe, Poet, who opened the All will be revealed in this exhdbition. TTie exHbition continues in the U.C.G. Art Gaflerycolumn -- soon. Margaret Collins.

Now is the Time

Neighbourhood Open Workshops, known as Have you ever wondered NOW, paid a visit to Galway last week to hold who it was who put a day long workshop in together the very lovely the Centre for the Arts. a r r a n g e m e n t s w b c h

Gill's Art with Flowers

National Writers' Workshop
University College Galway, ps for writers in English in co-operation with the have been held in the Arts Council, will conduct College with Tom Kilroy, the Seventh National Anthony Cronin, John Writers' Workshop in the McGahern and Patrick College commencing on Mason as Moderators. Sean April 29. The aim of the () Tuama and the late workshop is to bring Eoghan 6 Tuairisc were together a group of writers, Moderators of two Workunder a professional writer, shops for writers in Irish. to pursue individual work in Many participants in these an environment of group Workshops were succes.sful, criticism, exchange of ideas subsequently, in having and re-writing. their works accepted for This year's Workshop will publication or production in be for writers of poetry or the Theatre. prose-fiction resident in the Information tnay be North or South of Ireland. obtained from University The Moderator of the College Galway or the Arts Workshop will be John Council. At a reception announcing details of the forthcoming John Players Tops and the Montague and there will official launching of the John Players Tops Magazine in Galviay were (L/R) John also be contributions from other eminent contemporaKinneen, Area Rep., John Player; Angela Smith, Committee Member; Alan ry writers. Guiomard, Treasurer; Carmel Varley, Committee Member; Brendan Holland, Four previous WorkshoChairman.

Galway Milk Run
For the Mental Health Association We wish to inform all Raaners that it is possible to pay Sponsor* siup Money into ACCOUNT No. 60786287, Bank of Ireland, Mainguard Street, Galway. Thanking everyone for their participation in the event.