Dunmore artist will pop-up at festival

LOCAL artist and photographer Ruth Connolly is bringing a unique venture to this year's Dunmore Annual Festival. On Market Day on Thursday, August 9, Ruth will be returning to the festival after the success of her solo exhibition last year, this time with an out-doors pop-up portrait studio. Here she will be taking photographs of couples, kids, families, friends and of course those all-important solo shots. Having graduated first in her class from Limerick School of Art and Design with First Class Honours, Ruth went on to win the Visual Artists Ireland Director's award. Presented to just one specially chosen student in the country, this award recognises the work of a student who through their presentation at their graduate show is showing ability and also a keen awareness of presentation and professionalism. Noel Kelly, CEO of Visual Artists Ireland, commented 'Ruth's work displayed a keen awareness of staging, framing and lighting. Her topics have a resonance for everyman, and the pared back presentation ensured that a wide range of audiences could engage with her work.' Ruth brought this show Private Thoughts, Public Spaces to Dunmore for last year's festival, held in an empty butcher shop. The thought-provoking images were displayed for a week for passers by to pop in and take a look. With a mix of neon signage and slide projects, Ruth described this exhibition as 'dealing with creating a common bond within society, by breaking down the barrier between the private and the public'. Since graduating in October 2011, Ruth has gone on to develop her skills, as well as adding Graphic Design to her qualifications, having received Distinction from a night course in Limerick College of Further Education. To continue with her education, she assisted Limerick based wedding photographer Richard Chadwick, learning the practical and business side to the industry, and shortly after, she undertook her first solo wedding, which proved a huge success. With a love for photographing people, a short portrait photography course seemed the natural next step and Ruth went to London to complete this, where she studied portraiture and studio lighting. In September Ruth moves to London to begin a two year Masters in Photography at University of the Arts London, Central Saint Martins, a school with an internationla reputation which boasts alumni from Jarvis Cocker to Colin Firth. Before then however, she is looking forward to the Market Day at Dunmore Annual Festival where she will be snapping photographs as well as taking bookings for portraits, weddings, events, and whatever else tickles your fancy this summer. Summer Music moves to Claregalway Castle SUMMER Music in Galway is a Festival aimed at children as much as classical buffs, and this year it has moved to Claregalway Castle. The week-long festival of glorious music in the unique setting of this beautifully restored 15th century tower house runs from Monday August 6 to Saturday August 11. A major part of the Festival is the programme for young students of orchestral instruments which includes full-day classes for experienced players and half-day junior programmes. Interested players may register on line up to August 6 and if numbers require it there will be transportation arranged between Galway city and Claregalway on a daily basis. Concerts, recitals and opera performances will take place in the castle grounds (under marquee). Chamber orchestra and Opera Ensemble conductor is Keith Pascoe, conductor of the Cork Symphony Orchestra and violinist with the RTE Vanburgh Quartet. The performance schedule is as follows: Monday, August 6, 2pm: Mozart plus Summer Serenades; 8pm: Hansel & Gretel â€â€ an opera for children. Thursday, August 9, 8pm: Beethoven and more. Friday, August 10, 8pm: Eloise â€â€ An opera for young people Music by Karl Jenkins. Saturday, August 11, 2pm: Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony; 8pm, A Midsummer Night's Dream â€â€ Text by Shakespeare, Music by Felix Mendelssohn. Tickets: Afternoon €5, Family Afternoon €15. Evening €10/€5, Family Evening €20. The Last Burning on tour Thereisbear! Theatre, a new company in Galway, are bringing Patrick Galvin's The Last Burning on tour this month. Michael Dolan thinks his wife, Bridget, is a witch. In desperation, he turns to the witch-doctor Blaney for help. But, though Bridget protests her innocence, strange events and her stranger behaviour raise suspicions in the town. It is based on a true story. The Last Burning will play Nun's Island Theatre Galway for two nights only, Sunday and Monday August 5 and 6, Canavan's in Tuam on Monday 13, and Hayden's Hotel in Ballinasloe on August 14 and 15.