Our December issue #220 is out now in print and online…


Posted November 29, 2023 in Arts and Culture

Editorial 220

HOME

I am penning this from The Boghill in the Burren in Clare, the home of Common Knowledge. Storm Debi has rolled in overnight, dumped an unmerciful amount of rain and cut power and water. It’s Monday morning and I’m just about to start a week long residency as part of Irish Design Week where I am joining a wonderful group of artists, creatives and enthusiasts to consider the concept of ‘home’, how it relates to folklore and tradition and how it can be reconsidered under the prism of life in the 21st Century. All going to plan, I‘ll hopefully be reporting some findings in the next edition.

Traditions in focus this month come from a little further South, namely Kerry where photographer Andrew Nuding has spent some time observing the rituals of Puck Fair and Hunting the Wren. Hailing from North West Cork, I recollect on occasion attempting a somewhat watered down look and version of it on Stephen’s Day to shake down a few coppers from neighbours. What Andrew has captured and recreated is the real deal – the colour, the pageantry, the shadow cast myths and fashioned freedoms of the season.

Whatever your own tradition or engagement with the festive season might be, may I take this opportunity to thank our amazing team of contributors and advertisers who help us make it possible and you for reading and supporting what we do.

Nollaig shona dhuit! – Michael McDermott

Also in the edition

++++ reviews, listings, roadmap, bitesize, barfly…

Cirillo’s

NEWSLETTER

The key to the city. Straight to your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter.