Experience

Members of the public are invited to participate in A Grand Experience a public art project by Offaly County Council with the crew of the historic Lora Marie 68M Barge as they embark on a unique journey from Shannon Harbour to Edenderry this March.

A Grand Experience is a film documentary about the life and ways of the Grand Canal during a barge journey eastwards in Offaly. The passengers on board are an eclectic mix of artists from Offaly; well known playright and writer of Pure Mule, Eugene O’Brien from Edenderry; singer songwriter Wayne Brennan from Daingean, and Veronica Nicholson, a photographer and installation artist from Rhode.

This documentary will follow the exploration of these three artists, with differing and distinct disciplines, as they embark on a journey to engage in their own artistic response to the canal they navigate. They will explore the fields the canal touches, the lives it encourages and the inspiration it has created. The documentary, which is being made by Martina McGlynn and Garret Daly of Mixed Bag Media in Daingean, will capture their experience, and record the formation of what will be their presented art work once their personal journey has been completed.

The project is one of three being funded by Offaly County Council under the percent for art scheme, all of which are aimed at placing a national spot light on the Grand Canal in Offaly as a Cultural Corridor. The film documentary A Grand Experience will be released later this year. If youd like to see The Historic 68m Barge on its journey, and meet the people involved it will be at the following locations:

Monday 19^th March - Shannon Harbour (10am - 4pm) arrive Belmont 6pm