You must always anticipate the approaching sound of lively traditional Irish music on Inis Oirr, it is an important, even vital part, of our island’s culture and social life.
It might spontaneously come to life, or be heard in celebration of days of obligation, local sporting results, social and community occasions or celebrate the arrival of visiting musicians. It is also an inseparable part of the Irish pub experience one finds on Inis Oirr / Inisheer.
Even with emigration, new musical influences and huge cultural changes, it has remained a vibrant island art form – a sort reservoir of traditional idioms of timeless expression. The old oral cultural past of Inis Oirr / Inisheer is never far beneath the surface of modern island life, and always ready to spring forth in local melody, harmony or in rich patterns of traditional island rhythm.
Concerts and exhibitions are held in the local Arts and Heritage Centre throughout the year.
Be prepared to lose yourself in our musical island sounds.
–
Crafts
Handmade arts and crafts on the island include knitted products, quilting, weaving, basket making, carpentry and poetry.
Workshops combining basket making, model currach making and crios weaving are hosted on request.
Phone +353 (0)99 75979 Email: cleasteo@gmail.com
The island’s heritage and community is an inspiration for many visiting artists.
Cleas
Cleas, an Inis Oírr company set up in 2002, make and sell traditional willow, woollen and wooden crafts in the Cleas Crafts outlet in Áras Éanna.
By also selling craft products from other Inis Oírr crafters the Cleas craftshop ensures the survival of the island’s traditional skills. Cleas also encourages visitors to tune into their creative side and enjoy the experience of creating an item in a group workshop. Find out more at:
www.cleas-teoranta.com +353 (0)00 75979 Email:cleasteo@gmail.com
Quilting
Mná Le Chéile (Island Women Together)
Mna le Cheile, began in 2006 with six members interested in learning how to make patchwork quilts. Since then their membership has grown to almost 20. They have held yearly exhibitions of our work at Aras Eanna, Inis Oirr’s Ars and Culture Centre. They have also been successful in securing grant money from the VEC, HSE, and Comhar na nOilean. They have used these funds to purchase sewing machines and materials, to bring in special tutors on a regular basis to help them improve their patchwork skills, and most recently to purchase a long arm quilting machine. This very specialized machine will be used to finish their quilts here on the island, rather than having to send them off to the mainland. The long arm can stitch very intricate and lovely patterns that both enhance the patchwork design and secure the top, wadding, and backing layers that make up a quilt. Along with finishing their own quilts, they hope to develop a small enterprise, offering a long arm quilting service to other quilters across Ireland. Mna le Cheile meets weekly throughout the winter months and provides a welcome and enjoyable social outlet for women who share a passion for patchwork quilting!
During the summer months, Mná le Chéile hosts evening classes in patchwork and sewing . Complete a small project to take home with you. Although, due to Covid-19 restrictions these classes may not go ahead this Summer (2021).
Email: mnalecheile@gmail.com
Visit the blog: mnalecheile.blogspot.com
