A Bealtaine Gathering in Aughadown
Dance of the Hawthorn Hedge

A Bealtaine Gathering in Aughadown, Dance of the Hawthorn Hedge on  29 May, 7:00pm

A participatory LGBTQ+ performance‑walk created by artist Toma McCullim with the Salt & Pepper Collective. Featuring guest artists Andrew Coombs, Liz Clark with Grá Choir, and Ballads of Belonging, the event responds to a cut hawthorn hedgerow. Dancers and audience‑participants move together along the Goleen Marsh Road to the Aughadown churchyard, sounding bells, cymbals and small acoustic instruments as an act of shared presence and gentle repair. Rooted in queer memory, collective ritual and arts for health, the work reflects on how healing and memorial‑making can be created together in the long aftermath of the criminal period.

More about Bealtaine 2026 at Uillinn, Celebrating the arts and creativity as we age

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 highlights the imagination and skill of older artists in our community.

We are delighted to open our doors for a month of free events, screenings and open studios, no booking required.