Ranelagh isn’t just about trendy cafes, gastropubs, pretty parks, or the distinctive 19th-century redbrick houses that dot its many roads. It’s certainly all that, but there’s more. It’s a suburb that comes alive with many things, and art and culture certainly rank high with this neighbourhood and its community. Ranelagh has a vibrant arts festival, and many residents swear by the Ranelagh Arts Festival.
It’s organised by Ranelagh Arts, which has since 2005, supported and delivered inclusive and diverse cultural events including exhibitions, live music, poetry readings, theatre, creative workshops, life-drawing, and cine clubs, for the community of Ranelagh, Rathmines, and its environs.
So what’s on at the Ranelagh Arts Festival, and when does it take place?
It takes place from May 12th to 21st and at various venues.
You can be there for its opening at No 6 Ranelagh. The opening is in conjunction with their visual arts exhibition.
Ranelagh Arts Festival and Dublin City Council also present readings of four new plays in development.
These plays are:
Millennial League – Kathy Anne Murphy
Tolerance and Trust – Mairead de Blanca
Glorious – Anne Haverty
Brancusi Bird – Deirdre Mulrooney
Doors open at 2:30 pm, start at 3 pm end at 5 pm
You can get your tickets here.
Ranelagh Arts, in conjunction with DCC, will also present Beezie
Beezie is the true story of a woman from Sligo who decided to live alone on an Island with just her beasts for comfort and the odd visitor who ventured to row over to her, including W B Yeats. It is at times charming, funny and poignant, but above all, it is a mesmerising piece of live theatre.
Beezie’ is written and performed by Sheila Flitton, who played Mrs McCormack/the Banshee in The Banshees of Inisherin.
Beezie Gallagher was, for over sixty years, the sole resident of an island on Lough Gill, County Sligo. Born in 1872 and orphaned in her teens, Beezie’s wisdom, robust humour and fierce independence gained her a reputation as a healer, wise woman and witch.
You can register your interest in the play here.
Ranelagh Film Festival (RFF)
Ranelagh Film Festival (RFF) is part of the Ranelagh Arts Festival. This year it will be held in the Stella Cinema in Ranelagh on Saturday the 13th of May from 9 am-2 pm and Monday the 15th of May 9 am-5 pm.
If the events and offerings described above are up your alley, find yourself in Ranelagh in May, and you certainly won’t be disappointed.