Bealtaine, the Irish national festival celebrating creativity in older age, is co-ordinated by Age & Opportunity and includes events organised by hundreds of partner organisations.

The Arts Council

Opening doors

“My generation of 60-year-olds and upwards... we're making our presence felt!"

Contemporary Dancer, Joanna Banks

Age & Opportunity

Bealtaine is coordinated  by Age & Opportunity, the Irish national organisation working to promote greater participation by older people in society. Check out the Age & Opportunity web site.
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View our gallery

After fourteen years, Bealtaine is still blazing a trail, demonstrating the many ways that artists of any age can surprise, confront and delight us. Browse through some of our memories of Bealtaine over the years. Click on any image to see a larger version.

Eamon Morrissey talk at the National Library Gay Byrne and friends at the National Library of Ireland talks Kathleen Watkins talk at the National Library of Ireland Nuala Hayes talk at the National Library of Ireland

Talks in the National Library of Ireland, Bealtaine 09 (photos: John Ohle)

Glen Roads Session, Co. Donegal Glen Roads Session, Co. Donegal Glen Roads Session, Co. Donegal Glen Roads Session, Co. Donegal

The Glen Road Sessions, Co. Donegal, Bealtaine 08 (photos: Simon Houston)

Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Co. Laois, Bealtaine 08 (photos: Alf Harvey)

Magic Me, Sligo, Bealtaine 08Magic Me, Sligo, Bealtaine 08 Magic Me, Sligo, Bealtaine 08 Magic Me, Sligo, Bealtaine 08

Magic Me, Sligo, Bealtaine 08 (photos:James Connolly Photography)

Silver Stars, Bealtaine 08 Silver Stars, Bealtaine 08 Silver Stars, Bealtaine 08 Silver Stars, Bealtaine 08

Silver Stars, Bealtaine 08 (photos: Colm Hogan)

What's new?

Bealtaine 2010 is coming

The closing date has passed for getting your events into our printed Programme for 2010 but you can still send in your registration forms for Bealtaine 2010 and we will put your event up on our website.

Read our invitation to participate

Bealtaine Evaluated

An independent evaluation of Bealtaine has been carried out by the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, National University of Ireland, Galway and was published during Bealtaine 2009. The report demonstrates the importance and effectiveness of engaging older people with creativity and the arts and shows how Bealtaine has contributed in a unique way to broadening the cultural landscape.

Read the evaluation of Bealtaine