Cycles - Collective Short cycling experience

Cycles is an arts participation project created by Carlow Arts Festival developd with communities in Hacketstown, Rathvilly, Graiguecullen and Tullow. The project explores language, history, landscape and cycling, and is led by artists Michelle Browne and Eszter Némethi. We have been looking back 100 years to 1923 and imagining our future in 2123 through a series of workshops, talks and discussions.

This project cuminates in a collective cycling experience on the 14th of July 2024 - an 18km loop with an audio piece that shapes people’s experience of the cycle.

Cycles is part of ART2023, a Decade Of Centenaries programme, presented by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon in association with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. This project has been supported by Creative Ireland and Healthy Ireland and is part of the European Week of Sport.

This project was developed in partnership with County Carlow Sports Partnership, Carlow Arts Office, Carlow County Development Partnership CLG, Carlow County Library, Carlow County Museum, Carlow Road Cycling Club and County Carlow Environmental Network.

Audio and Performance Credits: Landscape: Carlow

Cyclists: you and everyone who cycled with you on the 14th July 2024

Text : Eszter Némethi and Michelle Browne with the poem ‘Irish Sycamore’ by Jane O’Rourke and texts by Anna Mae Timmins Byrne, Orlaith Treacy, Fr.John McEvoy, Vuyo (Keith) Longwe, Nathan Ndlovu, Pauline Dowling, Mary Doyle

Voice performers: Shannon O’Doherty, Anna Mae Timmins, Jane O’Rourke , Keith, Nathan, Shannon Basso Gaul, Fr.John McEvoy, Moya Mac Erlaine, Michelle Browne

Performers: Shannon O’Doherty , Augustine Osagie, Rabietu Ulinfoh Benedict, Emmanuel Ewhrudjakpor, Karina Shteider, Mary Simbule, Morenikeji Gbadebo, Ridwan Okunade, Sulaimon Olowookere, Sunday Araloyin, Virginia Sibanda, Yekateryna Podobna, Josephine Oguntowo, Asmou Olowookere

Choir: Carlow Community Choir

Choir director: Mary Ammond O’Brien

original song and composition: Ye Vagabonds (Brían and Diarmud Mac Gloinn)

Sound design and editing: Sean MacErlaine and Michelle Browne

In-app editing: Michelle Browne

Costume seamstress: Aoife Lyons

Producer: Orlaith Treacy

Production Manager: Eoin Hally