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Memories are made of this

Nostalgia may not be what it used to be but for the participants in Fingal County Council’s annual Memory Makers competition, memories can certainly be put to good use.

Every May, as part of the Bealtaine festival, the Council’s Community, Culture and Sports Division hosts the Memory Makers Competition for older citizens. It’s an opportunity for every Fingal citizen aged 55 years or older to re-live a special memory from the distant or recent past, through the medium of art or crafts.

The theme of this year’s competition is “How your memory is evoked” and the judges will be paying as much attention to the memory behind the work as to the artistic ability displayed. As usual, submissions are accepted in any of the three categories – two dimensional (painting, collage, drawing etc.) three dimensional (woodwork, ceramics, fabrics, sculpture etc.) and short stories, which have an upper limit of 1,500 words.

“Our heritage plays a large role in shaping what sort of a community we are today,” says coordinator Rowena Dunne. “This is true for our ancient past but equally as important for the living memories of our older citizens. It is important for all of us that we jog these fascinating memories out of people’s minds and into some more lasting medium.”

First, second and third prizes of €300, €200 and €100 respectively will be awarded in each category and there will be two special €50 commended prizes. The overall winner will receive the Perpetual Trophy to hold for a year, along with a voucher for €200. Last year, the overall award was scooped by Phil McLoughlin, while the three category winners were Eileen Keelan (painting and drawing) Jo Branigan for her patchwork quilt in the three-d section and Madeleine A. Quann for her reminiscences of “Red Biddy.”

The winners’ exhibits last year went on display in Swords after the prize-giving and it is hoped that the same will be true this year.

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is May 6th. Short stories should be submitted by May 14th and entries and exhibits in all other categories should be submitted on May 20th.

Exhibits should be delivered to the reception areas of Fingal County Council, County Hall, Swords and Civic Buildings, Grove Road, Blanchardstown between the hours of 10am and 4pm on May 20th.

Application forms can be picked up at both council buildings or can be sent to you by contacting Memory Makers, Community Culture & Sports Division, Fingal County Council, PO Box 174, County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Fingal, Co Dublin Tel. 890 5108 / 890 5080.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by Derek Davis at the Park Plaza Hotel in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15 on the evening of May 22nd. Doors open at 6.30p.m. for exhibition viewing with the award ceremony commencing at 7.30p.m. This will be followed by a sit down buffet supper and entertainment by Diarmuid O Leary and the Bards Show band.

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