by Rose Rushe
ON A VISIT to Limerick to appreciate highlights of our National City of Culture programme, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys has launched an archive project at UL.
She was also privileged to witness an advance private performance of Gúna Nua’s play ‘The Unlucky Cabin Boy’* in Culture House, Pery Square and saw to the Urban Horse herd installation by Limerick Corridor Art Ltd in People’s Park.
The Arts Minister completed the packed itinerary of cultural current interests at Hunt Museum.
The university project, titled ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary – An Irish Story of the Great War’, is a dynamic archive online. It follows the lives of the Armstrong family of Moyaliffe Castle, Co. Tipperary, in weekly bulletins throughout the First World War.
Speaking of the website, Minister Humpreys observed:
“The diaries, correspondence, photographs and memorabilia of the Armstrong family provide a fascinating insight on the social, physical and emotional impact of the conflict on individuals, families and society”.
Congratulating Limerick as a whole for “embracing its historic designation”, she went on to say “the year has inspired, empowered and elevated those who live, work in and visit the city. I am confident that it will leave behind a legacy of developing ideas in the arts and cultural sector in Limerick far beyond 2014.”
*‘The Unlucky Cabin Boy’ is a new play devised by Gúna Nua Theatre Company, under Limerick born director Paul Meade, in conjunction with playwright Mike Finn and The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra.
Based on a true tragedy of the 1800s, on a ship that sailed out of Limerick, this City of Culture funded show will premiere at Lime Tree Theatre, November 5-8.
