Bealtaine 2026 at Uillinn, Celebrating the Arts and Creativity as We Age

1-31 May 2026 at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre

A Programme of Free Events Throughout May

Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre is delighted to present a rich and varied programme for Bealtaine 2026, Ireland’s national festival celebrating the arts and creativity as we age. Throughout May, Uillinn will host exhibitions, film screenings and open-studio events, with free activities taking place both at the Centre and across West Cork. Coordinated nationally by Age & Opportunity, Bealtaine invites older people throughout Ireland to engage creatively and share their artistic voices.

Bealtaine at Uillinn reflects the relationships we have built with artists, older people and our health and education partners across West Cork. The work shared is the result of time, trust and creative conversation. At Uillinn, we believe creativity should be accessible to everyone, and Bealtaine is a powerful reminder of what happens when people are given the space, support and encouragement to make art. The projects in this year’s exhibition highlight the imagination and skill of older artists in our community, and we are delighted to open our doors for a month of free events, screenings and open studios.

The Bealtaine Exhibition at Uillinn, running from 1 to 31 May in the Stairwell and Corridor Galleries, featuring:

Sound and Vision, a new collection of work from Arts for an Active Mind working with artist Paul Cialis. Created using small canvas, music and movement sessions, this work explores shared creative expression by translating classical music into abstract painting. With their eyes closed, participants allowed their hands to move freely across the canvas while listening to the musical pieces, letting sound guide the movement. These experimental drawings were later developed into paintings in each participant’s individual style, resulting in a series of distinctive and expressive works.

The exhibition showcases a wide selection of artworks developed through the Arts for Health Partnership Programme over the past year. The featured projects include:

Dance Hall Days, created by artist Anne Harrington Rees with clients from Dunmanway Day Care Centre. Over seven weeks, the group shared memories of local danc Together they created life-size shoes from masking tape, recycled cardboard and coloured tissue paper, later brought to life through a stop-motion animation set to an old-time Irish waltz recorded by musician Kate Liddell.

Landscapes of the Imagination, a cross-disciplinary collaboration at Skibbereen Community Hospital by visual artist Sharon dipity, dance artist Helga Deasy and composer Justin Grounds. Through gentle guided movement, live classical music and the use of natural-material brushes scented with herbs such as sage and rosemary, participants explored expressive mark-making. The exhibition presents handmade brushes, large paintings, eight A2 ink works and a film featuring participants’ movement responses.

Leaves of Gold by residents of Silverwood, Clonakilty Community Hospital working with artist Sharon dipity. A series of prints inspired by the falling leaves of autumn and Robert Frost’s poem Nothing Gold Can Stay. Using leaves chosen by participants, the group produced richly textured prints embellished with gold ink and layered relief patterns, bringing the colours and joy of the natural world into the sessions.

Ned the Donkey by Castletownbere Community Hospital residents working with artist Catherine Weld, Michael Greenlaw, A sculptural donkey accompanied by painted panels and a film exploring local stories and traditions connected to the playful sculpture of cart and donkey.

Granma’s Apron by participants from Skibbereen Day Care Centre with artist Michael Greenlaw.

A Little Bit of Magic by artist Sarah Ruttle working with participants in Schull Community Hospital and St Joseph’s Unit, Bantry General Hospital. With an interest in how tactile and sensory elements can enhance creative engagement, artist and residents explored  textile art using both traditional and contemporary techniques. Named by a participant ‘A little bit of magic’, this project grew through the group experimenting in cyanotype textile printing, applique and heat transfer on recycled and new fabrics, developing work inspired by the seasons cycle of the land.

Ceramic Village is from Silverwood, Clonakilty Community Hospital, created with artist Emma Scully. A collection of miniature ceramic houses, churches, monuments and trees. Each piece began as a single ball of clay that residents moulded, cut, designed and glazed themselves over several months.

Stitch by Stitch, created by residents of Silverwood with artist Emma Scully. Collaborative designing of  hand-painted bunting inspired by favourite painters including Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso. The resulting celebratory string of bunting reflects the group’s exploration of colour, shape and personal expression.

The Wise Trees by Castletownbere Community Hospital with artist Catherine Weld, print making with winter leaves, and drawing in ink using brushes made from winter grasses. In response to a poem by William Carlos Williams of the same name, reflecting what we wish we had known when younger. The project sought to recognise the knowledge and experience a long life can bring, and honoured the wisdom of those present.