Drawing & Painting Saturday Workshops

at Mill Cove Gallery with John Brennan BA HDipEd

Saturday October 22nd Drawing from Observation with pencil/charcoal - materials provided

Saturday 12th November Colour Mixing & Painting

Saturday 26th November Painting

10am to 5pm

Full day workshop with Lunch, coffee/tea provided €90

To book tel. 027 70393 - 10 places only per workshop

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In this year’s Tidy Towns Report, Castletownbere got 266 marks in the Category C section, up 5 on last year. Marks gained were in Landscaping (2), and one each in Litter Control, Waste Minimisation and Tidiness. Eyeries with 304 marks, received another silver medal and Bere Island was the leading island with 293 marks. The following is the Adjudicator’s Report for Castletownbere:
‘Castletownbere is welcome to the 2011 Tidy Town ’s Competition. Thank you for the completed entry form, supporting documentation and your Three-Year Work Plan. Thank you also for the area map which was colourful and very useful on the day of adjudication. Castletownbere is twinned with Locmiquélic and numerous signs attest to your awareness and interest in this connection. The impact of the large square is significant and as a long-term objective its enhanced presentation by making it a public area rather than merely a car park should be considered. In common with many similar centres you are enduring the closure of hotels and a number of shops along Main Street . The multi-coloured fishing trawlers were a fine display of the reliances of the area. The Fishery Harbour Centre was well presented in the main. We were struck by the attractive shops throughout the centre, many of them pleasantly coloured.
‘The Built Environment: You are well served with significant buildings, civil, ecclesiastical and commercial. Many of your traditional shop fronts have been carefully preserved and are increasingly of interest and attractiveness. The Dental Care Surgery was notable in this regard as was Issie’s. The SuperValu supermarket was well presented and Breen’s Lobster Bar was colourful. J O’Dwyer was a fine example of the traditional shop front being well maintained and Bay View House with its deep blue colouring, caught the eye. The mural on Murphy’s Restaurant projected a pleasant splash of colour as did the Mama Mia Pizzeria. The Fire Station looked a little tired and could with advantage be painted before next year’s competition. The Irish Coast Guard is a major building, well presented, as was the Community Hospital . O’Sullivan’s and O’Shea’s Bar were pleasant but the ESB building’s attractiveness was marred somewhat by the weeds at the base of the wall. The VEC Adult Education Centre was well presented and we admired the extensive and well-presented Harington’s House and Garden concern. The VEC Adult Education Centre was well presented.’
‘Landscaping: Pride of place will always be the ever-changing image of the sea. We admired the impressive efforts of many individual B&Bs and others resulting in splendid and colourful gardens. The sculptures, the elevated currach and the dignified memorial to Timothy Harrington were noted. The grounds of the Community School were impeccable and we admired the colourful mural at the junction featuring all forms of junior activity. Dunboy Castle mural at O'Donoghue’s caught the eye as did the flowers outside the national school. On the main thoroughfare the stretch between the two roads leading north was a delight. The well-located and most interesting Locmiquélic Garden with its sizable anchor was an arresting vista.
‘Wildlife and Natural Amenities: The establishment of two additional wildlife areas and your concentration on creating the suitable and necessary food chain spoke well of the long-term development of a thriving wildlife population. The enhanced presentation of your walk and the information boards contributes substantially to the pleasure for both locals and visitors alike. Compliments to the many individual householders who through their garden displays and in some cases bird boxes have also assisted matters substantially. The presents of bird boxes and suitable areas set aside in the schools is a wonderful development, ensuring a trans-generational interest in and appreciation for birds and wildlife.
‘Litter Control: We applaud the frequent “Keep Castletownbere Litter Free” signs. Litter generally did not appear to be a problem on the day of adjudication although there were minor amounts at the parking area and prior to the Sea Safari Area. Your litter runs are certainly helping and congratulations on your success in the Cork County Council Anti-Litter Challenge. The sizeable participation in the Spring Clean Day in April is an important awareness-raising exercise. The multilingual request to all to participate in the anti-litter programme is a commendable initiative.
‘Tidiness: The positive and co-operative Harbour Master has assisted greatly in up grading the presentation of this important and busy area. Congratulations on saying goodbye to the overhead ESB cables. The youth club’s fine new mural, already referred to, has lifted that entire area. Traffic is a difficulty and the provision of a one-way system is one solution among many that should be examined. The splendid Dinish Bridge in its pale blue and white livery looked very well. However its undoubted impact was slightly impaired by weeds on both sides. If the screening hoarding could be replaced or repaired at the open area, this would enhance matters considerably on the route to the charming grassed areas and seaside sculpture. We were surprised to note weeds growing in the eave high gutters of the Garda Station.
‘Waste Minimisation: Your success in diverting over one thousand kilos from landfill is a striking achievement, well done. There are many aspects to this Reduce, Reuse, Recycle exercise and the staging of a public information evening perhaps sponsored by the local authorities is recommended. Waste prevention is like many things, we are all aware of it but it does help to be reminded from time to time of what can be achieved. The “New to You” second hand clothing is a fine example of reusing. Congratulations to the school on securing their Green Flag status.
‘Residential Areas: Castletownbere has considerable inventory of traditional fine houses notably along the beach and along the route to Allihies. There are fine houses also on the way to the hotel now sadly closed. Standards varied in the West End Park . The infill housing opposite Beacon was neat and orderly but would be enhanced by painting in the areas traditional vibrant colours. Pleasant well-established private homes were the norm on the north road. Applause on the initiation of an Inter Estate Competition; this has been found very beneficial in other centres.
‘Roads Streets and Back Areas: The surface on approach roads was excellent but had an extent of spoil outside the curbs. The streets were suitably swept and gave a very pleasant and orderly appearance. Traffic speeds in town, in common with it seems the entire county was excessive to the point of danger. It is suggested that you survey all existing road signs for relevance, cleanliness, visibility and in some cases repainting. Do not overlook the supporting poles. The surface although normally good was showing signs of frost and snow damage at the West End . The presentation of seats and other street furniture has improved greatly. The hedgerows, hedges and verges are additional extra burden which you have taken on and overcome with aplomb. Improvement to the footpath and to the Eyeries Road particularly was noted.
‘General Impression: Colourful and long established with a thriving sea trade Castletownbere is coping with the outcome of the Celtic Tiger’s departure manfully. Despite the many cutbacks and difficulties your committee is energetic, enthusiastic and imaginative in dealing with the many problems with which you are faced. Congratulations to all who have assisted in this year’s fine entry. Your efforts are appreciated. Best wishes for your continuing success.’

EXHIBITION OF NEW PAINTINGS BY BILL GRIFFIN

SARAH WALKER GALLERY

SEPTEMBER 3RD TO 15TH

http://www.sarahwalker.ie/newindex.html

Bill Griffin is a well known self taught Cork artist. Griffin is an artist who possesses both a freedom of spirit and an ability to paint directly from his subconscious. His imagination is fuelled by forty years working and travelling in some of the world's most image rich countries.

Starting with his upbringing on the north side of Cork City , Bill travelled through London , where he first started painting, and on to the North Sea, the Middle East, Russia , Africa and India . The colourful and exciting career Griffin had in the oil industry has formed the backbone of so many great and hilarious stories, which are a direct influence on his work. He is currently living and painting in the Beara Peninsula

This exhibition includes a selection of work ranging from the familiar paintings of clowns to poignant landscapes from the Beara peninsula and various characters along the way.