Plays exploring living with ME for Galway Arts programme

SHORT plays written by people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) will be a highlight of the new Arts in Action programme.

Founded by the late Mary McPartlan, Arts in Action aims to connect artists, researchers, students and the wider public through innovative artistic work and critical conversations. It is now based at University of Galway’s Institute for Creativity.

On Culture Night, Friday, September 18 ‘What about M.E.?’ will stage four short plays exploring the experiences of people living with ME/CFS and Long Covid.

Further standout events include The Pale Blue Dot on November 5, presented by Music for Galway and performed by Elevation Ensemble. The multimedia production reimagines the Voyager Golden Records launched aboard NASA spacecraft in 1977 and features new music by Irish composers Linda Buckley and Jonathan Nangle.

A live talk by artist Del LaGrace Volcano will be on November 12 in partnership with TULCA Festival of Visual Arts.

Deep-listening workshops led by artist Maeve Curtis and author Mike McCormack will run throughout October and November.

In December, the MusicConnects event, ‘3 Kinds of Music, will feature guitarist Aengus Hackett, ConTempo Quartet and the In Flow Gamelan Group.

Comedy fans can enjoy Diane O’Connor’s climate-themed show The Accidental Activist and Róisín Stack’s No Woman is an Island.

“Our plan over the coming years is to position Arts in Action as a cross-disciplinary, strategic programme for the University,” said Florian Schneider, Director of the Institute for Creativity at the University of Galway."

Events will take place at the University’s O’Donoghue Centre, Bank of Ireland Theatre and Siobhán McKenna Theatre.

All events are free and open to staff, students and the wider community with a mandatory registration.