The Fall of the Leaf - Folklore from Co. Offaly

The Fall of the Leaf was the name of a folklore collection recorded and produced by Michael between January and April 2010 with clients from Riada House Day Care [Tullamore], Clara Day Care [Clara], Ofalia Day Care [Edenderry], Birr Community Nursing Unit [Birr] and The Irish Wheelchair Association [Ballinagar]. The collection was officially launched in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly on Thursday the 6th of May 2010.

Loads of interesting material around May as usual. Aside from Wexford and parts of Kildare, Offaly is a great county for the May Bush. You'll always spot a few when you'd be driving around the county. The title 'The Fall of the Leaf' comes a conversation I had some of the people about death where they spoke about ‘weak times in the year’ for older people. The Fall of the Leaf being one, the other being The Bud of the Leaf. Vulnerable times.

Following the launch, ‘The Fall of the Leaf’ was screened continuously for the month of May in Birr, Clara, Edenderry and Tullamore Libraries as part of the 2010 Bealtaine Festival.

The project was produced as part of an Arts Council 'Commissions Award' in collaboration with the Arts Office of Offaly County Council and the arts in health organisation Anam Beo.