A celebration of youth engagement at Spleodar, Nenagh’s Halloween Arts Festival

SPLEODAR 2024 will throw a spotlight on the talent and creativity of the young people of Nenagh this Halloween mid-term through engagement with Nenagh Youth Theatre (NYT), the mask-making workshops at local schools and Battle of the Bands, a collaboration with Music Generation Tipperary.

For weeks NYT members have been hard at work preparing behind the scenes for Spleodar 2024. The wait is nearly over and during your visits to Nenagh Arts Centre from October 29th to November 2^nd they invite you to experience The Tale of Baba-Yaga and interact with Museum in a Box, a virtual mini sound machine for all ages to explore – but only if you dare! Working over the summer with director Calvin Magee and artist Melissa Ryan, NYT members have created an eerie re-telling the Slavic folklore of Baba-Yaga, the wickedest witch of them all.

Come and listen to the spine-chilling story of the bony-legged witch Baba-Yaga whose son with good morals marries a human girl. When she begins to despise her daughter-in-law, Baba-Yaga plots to kill her in some way. For a multi-sensory spooky experience, try on the exquisitely scary witch masks, made by the NYT members under the direction of Melissa Ryan, while you listen.

That’s not all the NYT have been up to lately as you can hear if you download their radio play The Horned Women from Spotify, adapted by NYT and directed by Calvin Magee. A gripping retelling of a classic folk tale of a wealthy woman who must protect her family from a group of witches who invade her home, they invite you to listen to the story when you visit Nenagh Arts Centre and scan the QR code. Or find the code in the Spleodar 2024 brochure and listen at a time and place of your choosing.

And, still that’s not all: watch out for NYT members as they pop up in many guises over the five days of the festival. You have been warned!

Calvin Magee, Nenagh Youth Theatre Director, said: “The Spleodar Festival has been a fantastic platform for Nenagh Youth Theatre and youth arts in general. It has provided opportunities for artists to engage with young people, explore new creative ventures, and celebrate our rich heritage.”

In the lead up to the festival, artist Giordana Giache worked with local school children from St Mary’s National School 2 and CBS Primary School for four weeks to develop masks based on the Irish tradition of fiddle faces.

Making do with what is available and taking ideas from local traditions and ghost stories, the kids worked with recycled materials - from old jumpers, to fluffy bedsocks and tired t-shirts - to create a wonderful array of masks. Prepare to be amazed at their creative work displayed in Nenagh Arts Centre during the festival and at the parade at 6.30pm on October 31st.

Spleodar are delighted to partner with Music Generation Tipperary to bring you a celebration of our emerging Rock bands from across Tipperary on Saturday November 2nd at 7pm at Nenagh Arts Centre.

Participating bands will be treated like Rock stars on the day with talented photographer Maurice Gunning taking publicity shots for the bands to use for their promo. During set up the bands will have professional sound checks, an opportunity to network and then the high-octane experience of performing live in the evening to an auditorium packed with friends, family and supporters.

Everyone’s a winner in this battle as it promises to be a highly entertaining musical evening and a highlight of the festival for all the family.

If you are under 18 and would like your band to take part, apply via the QR code. Interest has been phenomenal already so don’t delay and get your application in if you’d like to take part. Tickets to attend the Battle of the Bands are free but with limited availability, you are encouraged to book at Nenagh Arts Centre on (067) 34400 or at www.spleodar.ie

Speaking about Spleodar 2024, Sean Crowley, Chair, Nenagh Arts Centre, said: “We really want to encourage everyone to visit Nenagh Arts Centre and come to Spleodar 2024. See and hear for yourselves the amazing engagement from the youth groups throughout the programme. Spleodar 2024 really has something for everyone and we’re delighted to showcase the talent and creativity of our young people. So come along and take part in our fabulous 25th Spleodar festival.”

Dates: Tuesday October 29^th to Saturday November 2^nd.

Venues: Nenagh Arts Centre, Banba Square Plaza area, Nenagh Castle grounds and St Joseph’s CBS sports field

Tickets available from: Nenagh Arts Centre (NAC), Banba Square, Nenagh, E45 NX26, via: www.spleodar.ie or by phone on: 067 34400.