NEWS

REVISITING THE BANSHEE

The GAFF is delighted to announce its collaboration with artists Aileen Lambert and Michael Fortune for a new project, Revisiting the Banshee, twenty years following the release of their enormously popular folklore film The Banshee Lives in the Handball Alley.

The original film still holds a very special place in the hearts of Limerick people and is regarded by many as an exemplar across Ireland’s public art projects and one that has left an enduring legacy in the communities of Ballynanty and St. Mary’s where it was recorded.

Commencing in March 2025 the artists returned to Limerick to work with students in St. Mary’s National School, Bishop St. and with Thomond Primary School to create a new film. The process draws on elements of the original film with input from some of the young people, now in their 30s, who took part in the project in 2004.

In tandem with the work in primary schools, a public screening of the 2004 film took place in The GAFF on March 22nd. Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert joined past and present project participants to talk about the experience of having been involved in the film and how the new project is likely to take shape. 

Recordings for the new film, with students from 5th and 6th classes in participating schools will take place in April with editing happening over the summer. The new work will premiere during Belltable’s Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival in October. Revisiting the Banshee is made possible with support from The Arts Council / An Chomairle Ealaíon and Limerick Arts Office.

Our new home on Edward St. achieved completion of Phase 1 renovations early Autumn 2024. We gratefully acknowledge the support of Limerick City and County Council, the JP McManus Benevolent Fund, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, College Players, Limerick Arts office and our colleagues in Limerick’s arts and community sector, all of whom have helped us realise this project. We look forward to Phase 2 commencing in 2025.

Collaborative arts practice has seen a rich growth in the Midwest region of Ireland in recent years. Sometimes referred to as community arts or socially engaged practice, collaborative projects and programmes essentially involve connection between professional artists and communities of place or of interest.

The GAFF now presents MidART, a publication that shines a light on artists who are currently working or who have recently worked with community groups in different locations across Limerick and Clare. The list comprises artists engaging communities through dance, theatre, visual art, music and spectacle.

We hope that this publication promotes contemporary, collaborative arts practice in our region and we welcome suggestions for future publications.