Third day - first trip to Silvermines

March 7th
Miles = 195
Carbon Footprint = 53kg
Expenses 10 euro on food

Left home at 7.30; beautiful, spring morning. Crossed into Tipperary at Ballina/Killaloe. Could not face going into the Civic Offices. . . .so I turned right off the Nenagh road for Silvermines. Very interesting place - really liked the Cuan Mhuire meditation garden, where there used to be a church. Listened to bird song, the sun was shining.

Walked up to the site of some of the mine works - not possible to get to the actual mines that way, but looked at some ochre material like pigment, piled up in mounds.
Spent most of the morning in Nenagh Library, then travelled to the Local Studies library in Thurles. A wonderful library but not very useful for an artist as you can't browse - have to type in a search word and request appropriate books. No good for a magpie like me.

Met with Martina Finn in Thurles for dinner - proposed an idea for a public art project involving local artists and mentors. Suggested that they ask me to curate the project.

Evening presentation by Aideen Barry - had never seen her work presented together before. She is a fantastic artist and a really interesting person. Had a discussion with local artist Philip who has 18 acres on the banks of the Suir that he would like to open up to art interventions. Suggested that I travel around meeting up with local artists and discussing ideas.

I need to meet up with Heritage Officer, Environemnt Officer, and others. Must write article for CAVA as well.
www.aideenbarry.com