Spraoi’s ‘String of Sound’ to surround Kite Studios

Kite Design Studios, in Henrietta Street, will certainly be busy during this year’s Waterford Spraoi weekend as the studio sponsors a new event, String of Sound, on the festival’s opening evening.

On Friday, August 2^nd, a group of selected Waterford musicians and bands will create a unique music trail in the Viking Triangle, performing a series of intimate music recitals, with evening performances at the Kite Design Studios in Henrietta Street.

With hundreds of free events peppered throughout Waterford City Spraoi has become synonymous with delighting locals and visitors alike over the August Bank Holiday weekend. 

Sean Egan, Master Engraver at Sean Egan Artglass, which is housed in the Kite Design Studios is enthusiastic about the performances.  “It’s hard not to draw parallels between Spraoi and Kite.  Spraoi has cultivated some phenomenal talent in Waterford over the last 21 years to the delight of the people of Waterford and the South East.”

“The Kite collective consists of local artists creating exciting and innovative craft pieces, from glassware to jewellery to ceramics.  Our artists have a shared vision in promoting exceptional craft, artistic talent and design in Waterford, in many respects similar to what Spraoi does.  That’s why we felt it would be a perfect fit to get involved with Spraoi this year and are happy to be associated with the ‘String of Sound’ trail”, Sean added.

T.V. Honan, Director of Spraoi, was delighted to have the support of the Kite Design Studios during the festival.  “Each year we strive to make Spraoi bigger, better, wackier, more off the wall and zanier.  Without the support of businesses like Kite we wouldn’t be in a position to do so.”

“The fact that the connections between Spraoi and Kite are so strong makes the fit even better.  In fact, we take great pride in the fact that both enterprises have, as such, been ‘forged in Waterford’.”

‘String of Sound’ will feature emerging and established Waterford bands and musicians performing an eclectic mix of music across all genres, while at the same time animating some of Waterford’s more unusual spaces.  The sessions will commence at 8pm on Friday, August 2^nd around Henrietta Street / Viking Triangle and finish as darkness descends on the city.

For further information about Waterford Spraoi pick up a brochure from any Maxol or Supermacs outlet in Waterford City or visit www.spraoi.com.  You can find Kite Design Studios on Facebook or by calling 051 858914.

Former Dragon speaks at FREE business start-up seminar

Waterford City Enterprise Board’s ‘Fresh Start’ seminar at the Tower Hotel last Thursday attracted a large and enthusiastic audience of budding entrepreneurs.

Over 90 attendees listened to start up advice from Mary Doherty of Granny Maddox and Sean Egan of Sean Egan Artglass, and information on how to best develop an idea into a business from Liam Murphy of the Department of Social Protect and Ciaran Cullen, CEO, Waterford City Enterprise Board.

An inspiring and enlightening hour was provided by entrepreneur Sean Gallagher. Anecdotes, advice and encouragement was the theme of his talk, explaining that positivity and hard work is essential to success. “Surround yourself with like-minded positive people and avoid those who will bring negative elements into your life”, said the former Dragon.

Following a morning of uplifting speeches Ciaran Cullen was delighted with the event, “There was a great atmosphere in the room, principally supplied by Sean Gallagher’s presence and encouragement. You could tell that the audience were taking it all in. I was encouraged by both the number of attendees and the volume of interaction, especially during the Q&A session, it was really heartening.”

“We are planning a number of ‘Start your own business’ courses over the coming months and this morning we filled at least one of these courses”, Ciaran added.

Waterford City Enterprise Board offers support services for start-up and existing SME’s in Waterford city. If you have a new business idea or are running a business that requires assistance you can contact the Enterprise Board by phoning Celia on 051-852883 or logging on to www.waterfordceb.com.

Irish heritage takes pride of place on Shamrock Bowl

 Crystal bowl designed by ex-Waterford Crystal master engraver presented to U.S. President Obama by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD

It was a proud moment in Waterford’s esteemed history of glass manufacturing as, this year, the traditional bowl of shamrock presented to the US President on St. Patrick’s Day originated in the Crystal County.

Sean Egan of Sean Egan Art Glass had the great honour of designing and crafting the stunning piece, entitled the “Gathering Bowl”, which was presented to Barack Obama by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD on Tuesday, March 19^th, following the traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

The first presentation of a bowl of shamrock to a U.S. President took place in 1953, when President Eisenhower accepted the gift from Ambassador Hearne. The first Taoiseach to present shamrock rather than the Ambassador was John A. Costello in 1956. The next Taoiseach was Jack Lynch in 1971, and subsequently the gift of shamrock was invariably from the Taoiseach-in-office to the President of the United States.

Following his redundancy from Waterford Crystal in 2009, Sean established Sean Egan Art Glass and is now based in the Kite Design Studio in the heart of Waterford’s Viking Triangle.  A former master engraver with almost 40 years experience, Sean has created some memorable pieces and in particular is renowned for his 9/11 Twin Towers commemorative sculptures, which were presented to former US Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney.

In the world of show biz, Sean was commissioned to create a piece honouring the Monty Python member Graham Chapman who died in 1989.  The Monty Python film “A Liar’s Autobiography” was based on the memoirs of the late Python and the film’s promotional poster was replicated in perfect detail on a flat glass piece.

Several months ago, Sean was contacted by the Department of the Taoiseach and asked to submit some designs for the “shamrock bowl”.  Utilising his keen eye for detail and creative flair, Sean’s outline mainly depicts The Gathering and features a famine ship, an interweaved Celtic knot and two harps surrounded by engraved shamrock.

According to Sean, it was a labour of love.  “When I got the call from the Taoiseach’s office I was absolutely delighted!  Who could have ever imagined that this time four years ago I was on the dole and today my work is being presented to the President of the United States?”

“I wanted the bowl to represent all that is good about Ireland.  We have a wonderful and warm tapestry of culture, music, art and language.  The tall ship is returning to our shore as part of The Gathering festivities while the harps represent our rich musical tradition. The Celtic knot is representative of the timeless nature of our spirit, with no beginning and no end and the engraved shamrocks are a symbol of the Irish diaspora.”

 

Mr. Ciaran Cullen, CEO, Waterford City Enterprise Board, which supports the Kite Design Studio project and the businesses within, said that this was the ultimate honour for Sean.  “Waterford City Enterprise Board has worked closely with Sean since he established Sean Egan Art Glass.  Sean is the true embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit that is fighting fit in Ireland and particularly in Waterford.  His perseverance, talent and resolve have gotten him where he is today.  Seeing one’s work presented by An Taoiseach to the President of the United States of America is, without doubt, a marvellous accomplishment.”

Far from resting on his laurels, Sean is in negotiations with Colonel Jim Tierney of the U.S. Army and is finalising plans for a new project that could see his work displayed in the 9/11 Memorial Museum which is due to open at Ground Zero in September 2014.  The piece will be a tribute to the Fighting Irish 69^th Regiment, which was one of the first responders to the Twin Towers attacks, losing two of its personnel.

Sean added “I plan to keep creating pieces that are indicative of the times we live in, that symbolise courage, bravery and overcoming adversity.  There are so many compelling stories to be told and my way of telling them is through the art of glass.”

For further information about Sean Egan Art Glass and further details about his many exciting projects visit www.seaneganartglass.com