Lantern Procession

Saturday, 21st of March saw a host of creative community members join forces with Take A Part Carlow and visual artist Tom Meskell in a beautiful lantern procession through the Tullow Road area.

This was the culmination of 6 weeks of intensive workshops in which groups and community members, including The Hens Shed, Youth Reach Carlow, The New Oak Arts and Crafts groups and numerous others, worked alongside Take A Part Carlow to learn the art of weaving willow to create beautiful lanterns.

The final procession was a beautiful and deeply moving event. Participants ranged in age from babies in prams to elderly members of the community — a genuinely cross-generational gathering that reflected the spirit of everything this project had set out to achieve. The procession moved gently up the road, lanterns glowing, music playing, the neighbourhood transformed for the evening.

When the procession arrived at the Domen Celtic football pitch, participants’ response was one of real excitement and wonder. As they entered the field, they were welcomed by local musician MaryAnne, who performed live within the space, surrounded by over three hundred lights. The seventy-strong audience stood in the middle of the illuminated field (behind Gealscoil Cheatherlach), absorbed in the atmosphere. It was a truly special moment. Take A Part Carlow Arts Action Group member, Nina Cassin, then addressed the crowd, thanking everyone and speaking about the meaning and purpose of the project. Her words were a fitting and heartfelt wrap-up to the procession. Participants then returned to Éire Óg Club House, where refreshments had been arranged, and Duane Ayers performed a new original piece as the final performance of the evening.

Images & Video courtesy of CleereCutMedia