Jenny Loughran from Waterford Libraries gives us details of the Bealtaine Festival starting May 1st

The Bealtaine Festival is run by the library services nationally for the month of May, and Waterford is no exception. All 12 branches across the City and County have events.

Jenny Loughran, Staff Officer with Waterford Libraries had a chat with us in studio.

What is the Bealtaine Festival?

It's a national annual celebration of creativity as we age, supported by the Arts Council, and this year's events run in Waterford from May 1st to June 5th. Jenny was keen to point out that while the festival is primarily aimed at older people, there are lots of events locally that are inter-generational. It's also important to note that all Bealtaine activities are completely free.

Bealtaine events at Waterford libraries

Jenny outlined just some of the highlights this year; a Dawn Chorus with the Bealtaine Choir at Dunmore East library, writing classes, Irish language workshops, heritage walks, a cinema club, yoga, Story Times (where you can bring the little people in your lives,) as well as sewing and art workshops.

Sociability

Jenny pointed out to us that one of the big benefits of the Bealtaine Festival is the chance for you to get to know new people, whether you've recently retired or you've just moved to Waterford.

Do you need to book in advance?

Jenny strongly encourages anyone who wants to come along to a Bealtaine event to book. You can do that by dropping into any of the Waterford City and County branches of the library, where booklets are also available, or you can do it online here.

Speaking of age being no barrier, recently on WLR's Deise Today Damien interviewed 65 year old Mary Nolan Hickey who's cycling around Ireland for the RNLI. You can listen back here.

Meanwhile below is our chat on The Big Breakfast Blaa with Jenny Loughran, about the Bealtaine Festival. Have a listen...

https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/jenny-loughran-of-waterford-libraries-discusses-the-bealtaine-festival