Join us for the Tipperary Bealtaine Launch at 1pm on Friday 5th of May when artist/folklorist Michael Fortune and participants from Age Friendly Roscrea showcase their work and findings from their recent folklore and reminiscence project. Back in late 2022 artist/folklorist Michael Fortune began work on a project with staff and participants from Age Friendly Roscrea recording stories, tales and memories in the centre and also in people’s homes. For the Tipperary Bealtaine Programme, Michael and the group have produced this material into a pop-up exhibition featuring images, text and films.

Michael Fortune has been a pioneer in the area of socially engaged work within Ireland over the past twenty years and his practice has widened the conversations regarding the intersection of traditional and contemporary cultures. Michael grew up in a family immersed in story, superstition and folk belief in an area known as ‘The Macamores’, an old Gaelic stronghold stretching along the east coast of Wexford. He completed his BA in Fine Art, specializing in video and performance, at Limerick School of Art in 1999 and his MA in Screenwriting at DLIADT in 2003.
Fortune continues to produce project work throughout the country and works as a part-time Associate Lecturer at Limerick School of Art and Design (Master of Education and Digital Media). He also conducts work as a Visiting Lecturer in many colleges and in universities Ireland. His life, interests and practice are an intertwined and inseparable mix of the ancient, the contemporary, the private, the public and the intangible.