We received this e-mail at Carolina Arts from Carol Bergin looking for some help in spreading the word about this Irish inspired event, and since I’ve got a wee bit of the blarney in me – why not. The Festival of Ballycahill taking place in Charleston, Town of Charles (Baile Chathail in the original Gaelic, anglicized to Ballycahill) presents a festival of Irish arts, crafts, culture and entertainment that reflects the wonderful history of Irish settlement and achievement in Charleston, and the magical influence of Irish creativity in the modern era.
Here’s the info:
I have been the founder and organizer of several craft groups in Ireland. I am also privileged to have worked with many craft groups around the world through the Fair Trade network.
As a part-time resident of the Lowcountry, I am trying to get an exchange of experience between craft groups here and those in Ireland initially. I feel Ireland can greatly inspire craftspersons and the experience of crafts as a business in Ireland is relevant to the situation here.
As an initial offering, Inspired by Ireland has organized with Irish craftspersons to work with visitors on a travel program in June 2010. The details are at (www.inspiredbyireland.net).
As part of the first Irish arts festival, Ballycahill Festival, Helen Conneely, who was the founder of CORE, will be here for a week. Helen has great craft skills which she will share but also great wisdom in running crafts as a business. We invite members of your group to attend any of her demonstrations. Full details are at (www.ballycahillfestival.com).
Helen’s websites are:
(http://www.corecrafteddesign.com)
In addition, Arianne King Comer and I will be giving a workshop on Celtic Design, Saturday, 13 March at 1pm at the Meeting Place, 1077 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston. We would welcome any of your members. Celtic design can be applied to a wide variety of crafts.
We would greatly appreciate anything you can do to “spread the word”. I truly feel Ireland has so much to offer people interested in the arts. Let us share our wisdom!!!
All best wishes,
Carol Bergin
843/216-0031
