Feast of free activities at Spiddal Crafts Centre

The second annual Féile na Ceardlainne, a free Festival of art, craft, music and dance celebrating the very best of Irish craft and design, will take place in Spiddal this Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6.

The two-day festival of creativity will take place at An Ceardlann in the village, which is home to 10 unique arts and craft design studios. Its members have programmed free open day workshops for people of all ages throughout the weekend.

Events this Saturday will include weaving demonstrations for children with traditional loom weaver, Máire Ní Thaidhg; throwing pots on a wheel with Fiona and Rob from Sliding Rock Ceramics; a jewellery workshop for children with Sue Donnellan from Glass Art Design Studio; salsa dancing; pinch pots with Geraldine O’ Rourke; and basket weaving with Ciarán Hogan. Activities start at 10.30am and run until 5pm.

On Sunday there will be painting classes for children at Andrea Rossi’s art studio; a Tai Chi class; badge making with Spailpín Fánach; card making for children at ceramic café An Siopa Buí; a jewellery workshop for children with Sue Donnellan and an open-air concert of overlooking Galway Bay.

The Ceardlann’s Builín Blasta Café will be open throughout the weekend, serving homemade scones, sausage rolls, pastries, pizzas, seafood chowder, fishcakes and desserts.

Based on the Galway side of Spiddal, the Ceardlann is 28 years in business and houses some of the best craftworkers in Galway. Geraldine O’ Rourke is a mixed media artist whose subjects range from Celtic mythology and figurative drawings to aquatic themes.

Rob D’eath of Sliding Rock Ceramics is a potter, whose showroom includes a gallery of Irish contemporary ceramic art, presenting work from other artists in Ireland in addition to his own.

Máire Ní Thaidhg weaves all her individually designed scarves, throws, wallhangings and tapestries in her shop, with yarns reflecting Connemara’s vibrant colours.

Brazilian artist Andrea Rossi works through the acrylic medium producing colourful figurative work, exploring different aspects of the rich Irish culture.

Stained glass artist, Sue Donnellan draws inspiration from the sea and landscape to create contemporary pieces of glass jewellery, lamps, glass clocks and candle holders.

Gearóid Ó Murchú of An Spailpín Fánach provides unique fashion handbags, t-shirts, casualwear, books and games. An Siopa Buí is a ceramic café where adults and children can paint their own pottery and enjoy a wide range of craft activities.

Celtic Coin Jewellery produces jewellery in silver, copper and brass using the designs of the first coins of the Irish Free State and incorporating spiral designs from Celtic heritage.

And new to An Ceardlann is Ciarán Hogan, son of renowned artist, Joe Hogan, who has opened his first basket weaving workshop.

For further programme details and for workshop bookings contact Sue Donnellan on 091 897847 or An Siopa Buí on 091 504692 or visit www.ceardlann.com