Love, life, sudden death, revenge, the plight of refugees, and a surgeon's Connemara . . . these are just some of the themes reflected in a packed western arts calendar over the coming weeks.
Sligo will be lit up with 5,500 bulbs on a 130-foot high Ferris wheel when the Arts Festival opens on May 22nd. Now in its 12th year, the programme promises puppets, mummers, pub music and theatre during the 10 days to June 1st - winding up with deep south swamp blues, voodoo dance music and a cappella choral on the Whit (May 29th31st) weekend. Further details are available from the Arts Festival office at (071) 69802.
In Castlebar, the Linenhall Arts Centre is hosting an exhibition by artist Una Sealy, whose work has been described by one critic as "kitchen sink realism". A graduate of Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design, and founder of Studio 16, one of the longest-standing facilities in Dublin's Temple Bar, Sealy has just returned from 18 months in San Francisco where many of these paintings were done.
The work is on display in the arts centre in Linenhall Street, Castlebar until May 30th.
Galway surgeon Kieran Tobin began looking for a hobby a few years ago, and is now a self-taught artist who moved from watercolour to acrylic and then to his preferred medium of pastel. Like many before him, he has taken to the roads of Connemara, and his first solo exhibition in An Damhlann, the Kenny gallery at the Spiddal Craft Centre, Co Galway, catches many of his favourite haunts. It runs until May 28th.
Also in Galway, the Refugee Agency opens its travelling show this week, entitled A Part of Ireland Now. The project tells the stories of 10 individuals who have come to Ireland in the past, explaining how they have rebuilt or are rebuilding their lives and outlining some of the difficulties they have faced. Officially unveiled tomorrow by the Lord Mayor, Alderman Michael Leahy, the exhibition runs in Galway City Library, St Augustine Street, until May 31st.
The Abbey's production of Tom MacIntyre's Caoineadh Art Ui Laoghaire has already caused a minor stir in Galway over the decision to stage the first night last month in Colaiste Chonnacht, Spiddal, rather than at An Taidhbhearc. Set against the backdrop of the Penal Laws, the lament of Eibhlin Dubh ni Chonaill for her murdered husband, Art O Laoghaire, returns to the city tomorrow when it opens at the Druid for one week.
Finally, Croi, the ever-active West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation, hosts its charity fun cycle next Sunday, May 17th, around the Corrib. Some 400 participants will choose the 25- and 75-mile routes through Connemara, departing from Eyre Square at 10.15 a.m. The aim is to raise £1 million towards the new cardiac surgical unit for the west. Further details from Croi at (091) 524222 ext 4310, and latest date for completed entry forms is tomorrow.