The Bailiú Beag is an initiative which aims to foster creative thinking about arts and culture among young people in transition year at the secondary schools in Mullingar.

Over the course of the 12 weeks, artist Ali Morris will work with the students, to show them how to programme an arts festival and to help them to develop an arts and culture festival that will reflect their interests and artistic talents.  The various strands of the festival will mirror those of Bailiú Festival, namely art, music, history, sustainability, sport, wellness and politics.

During the residency, Ali will invite some artists from Ireland’s leading pageant companies to provide creative workshops for the students, to teach them how to develop ideas for floats and pageants that can be used in a parade.

Working with the Mullingar Men’s Shed, the students will create and build artistic floats. 

Dancers are also a big part of any parade pageant, and we will engage with local dance schools to help choreograph these moves.

At the end of the 12 weeks, the students will have developed an artistic programme for their festival which will take place during the Bailiú Samhain festival.

The aim of this project is to raise awareness of the value of festivals to towns and communities and how they can help to build social capital, create joy, be a place of learning and sharing.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.