Friday View 11/03
Everything is connected, a new library for Kanturk, an arts centre under constriction in East Cork and much else in our weekly round-up
Ellie writes….
On the fundamental interconnectedness of all things*
It’s not something I’ve ever heard someone working in my field describe, but some weeks, a theme seems to emerge, no matter how seemingly diverse what you are working on appears to be. This can be so pronounced that sometimes I’ve considered making a weekly podcast about the theme that emerges. The strands are intimate, personal, sometimes disturbing.
So let me tell you about this strange week.
On Wednesday, back to back, I was headed to Glen Park on the Northside to talk to a man about tree-felling that he feels is wrong and out of season, and then post-haste to the Lavit Gallery to get a sneak preview of Tim Goulding’s new exhibition for our Saturday podcast.
Sitting down to do some hurried research before grabbing my gear and departing, I stumbled upon a curious piece of synchronicity: Goulding’s father, Sir Basil Goulding, the CEO of Goulding Fertilisers but also an important figure in Irish arts and one of the founding members of the Arts Council, was the man who donated Glen Park to the people of Cork.
That’s right: when Gouldings Fertilisers shut up shop in the Glen in the 1960s, Tim’s dad decided it should be an amenity for the area and donated it to the city.
So with Glen Park mud on my boots, from a totally unconnected interview, I went to have a very interesting interview with Tim on Wednesday afternoon. Tim has lived in Allihies since the late sixties and its rugged landscapes have formed the backbone of his work as a painter for nearly half a century.
Earlier that day, I had emailed an interview request to Denis Walsh, an astronomer and member of Cork Sky Friendly Campaign. He lives in Allihies.
I don’t know what I’m trying to say here, other than that some weeks, the universe seems to chuckle alarmingly to itself and to puckishly spiral inwards towards some kind of unspoken vortex of meaning, and often I can’t decipher what it is.
I’ve had weeks where the theme has been grief, or disbelief (this one is very common, actually: when you talk to most humans, they can’t quite believe what’s happening to them), or other themes: education is a common one, or communication, or love, or enlightenment.
This week, it’s either Allihies or Tim Goulding. What’s the cosmic joker saying? I can’t quite hear it but it’s bound to be good. Read enough of T+D coverage this week and you’ll get there with me.
*The fundamental interconnectedness of all things is one of the precepts for investigations by holistic detective Dirk Gently, a character invented by Douglas Adams. My fridge is as messy, but my navigation technique differs slightly.
News in brief
An arts space for East Cork under construction
A 250-year-old coach house in Killeagh, East Cork is undergoing renovations to serve as an arts space for the village and beyond. €267,000 raised from Rural Development funds, SECAD and the Department of Rural and Community Development, plus local fund-raising from over 200 locals, has gone into this renovation project at Greywood Arts, run by Jessica Bonenfant Coogan.
After delays due to Covid-19 restrictions, Niall Guerin Construction broke ground on the project in January this year, and the renovation is scheduled to be completed by January 2023.
When complete, the Coachhouse will host “workspaces for local artists, a classroom to expand educational offerings such as afterschool art classes for children, and a flexible event space for exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events such as literary readings, film screenings, and musical performances,” Jessica says.
The Crawford Art Gallery will close for a month for “necessary investigative works” ahead of a planning submission to Cork City Council later this year. Last year the gallery received state funding for a major redevelopment which will be lead by Dubin-based Grafton Architects. Prior to the commencement of building works, the Crawford will close this month on March 21 through to April 21.
North Cork to Waterford by bike? This week Cork County Council and Waterford City and County Council announced that they will examine the feasibility of a new greenway nearly 80 kilometres in length and linking the two counties along a path that would run near the River Blackwater, from Mallow through to Fermoy, and to Dungarvan, where it could link with the existing Waterford Greenway. It’s important to note here that this is at the level of “consideration” but given the popularity of greenways and their tourism potential, it’s highly likely that the assorted councils will be pushing for this.
Junkets are back. Lord Mayor of Cork Colm Kelleher has been touring the US this past week along with several other city councillors and Ann Doherty, the chief executive and members of the council executive. According to a press release from the City Council they are “travelling to a number of cities in the United States with representatives of the Recreate Shandon Company to promote the proposed redevelopment of the Butter Exchange in advance of this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations.”
Kanturk gets a library. The new library in Kanturk, on Market Square, opened this week and replaces the library bus. As well as 17,000 books, wi-fi and a space for storytelling, there’ll also be self-service kiosks for checking our and returning books. More information on opening times and how to join the library here.
Also this week
More office space. Planning has been approved for a 16-storey office block on the site of where The Sextant pub used to be. This is a controversial decision as the original planning application from JCD Group was for a €125m 25-storey ‘build-to-rent’ apartment tower with 200 apartments. The Sextant was knocked in 2020.
Photo of the week
Astronomer and photographer Denis Walsh is based in Allihies on the Beara peninsula and he’s our go-to interview in this week’s long read, below. This ten second exposure of the Milky Way over Ballydonegan strand in Allihies was taken in June 2020. It’s best not viewed in the puny format of an email. If you could blow it up to life size, you could walk into it and possibly never return.
Out + About
🖼 Painting by numbers: Music, a new collection of abstract paintings by veteran West Cork based painter and musician Tim Goulding, he of ‘60s psychedelic folk outfit Dr Strangely Strange, has been postponed on a couple of occasions due to Covid-19 restrictions, and has even had an online rehearsal of sorts. But now it’s here, and supremely satisfying and mystifying in equal measure. Bask in the glow of a singular vision of music as a quasi-geometric wonderland at the Lavit this spring.
Time, date, place: Music by Tim Goulding is at the Lavit Gallery, Wandesford Quay, until April 2.
🎬Youth film by the sea: First Cut! Youth Film Festival returns to the spiritual home of Moby Dick this week. Encouraging young filmmakers develop the craft of making films takes centre-stage at this nurturing annual event. There’s an inspired Youth Music Video Competition, screenings of shorts and features, and a host of innovative workshops, panels and talks to inspire young filmmakers.
Time, date, place: First Cut! Youth Film Festival takes place in various venues in Youghal, Co Cork until the evening of Saturday, March 12. Full programme here.
👩🎨Unionise. It’s a precarious existence at the best of times, so any artists out there might be interested to know that Rebel Reads will be hosting a discussion and Q&A with Praxis Union entitled “Why Artists Need a Union”. Free to attend.
Time, date, place: Friday, March 11 at 5 p.m. at Rebel Reads, Marina Commercial Park
🗣Gaeilge agus lón: Tá Sos Lóin ar ais arís! Gaeilgeoirs of all abilities are welcome to join the Irish-speaking group in The Oval bar next week on Tuesday. What do you need? “Bring yourself, bring your cúpla focal and bring a bite to eat if you're hungry.” The Irish-speaking group will meet every Tuesday in the city centre pub beginning next week. More information here.
Time, date, place: Sos Lóin starts back on March 15 at 12:30 p.m in The Oval Bar on the junction of Tuckey Street and South Main Street.
This week on T +D
On Tuesday Ellie revealed how much Cork City Council is paying out on shutters on vacant and derelict housing. That story was as a result of an FOI request.
On Thursday our long read looked to the skies above us over Cork, particularly at night and specifically at light pollution. Our photo of the week (above) is taken from that piece courtesy of Denis Walsh.
Tomorrow, Saturday March 12. Don’t forget to check back here or in your inbox for our weekly Arts + Culture podcast featuring Ellie and Tim Goulding.
That’s it for this week’s round-up. Also any tips, news or events you’d like to share with Tripe+Drisheen, you can contact either of us at jj.odonoghue@gmail.com or emailellieobyrne@gmail.com. We are always happy to speak to people off the record in the first instance, and we will treat your information with confidence and sensitivity. Get in touch.