It’s been a busy few weeks in Cloughjordan with lantern making workshops held with all classes in both local primary schools as well for adults and families at the weekend of November 9. Over 150 lanterns have been made as part of a free programme of community workshops with Cloughjordan Circus Club, funded by the Arts Council and Tipperary County Council, Arts Office. The lanterns and those who made them will take part in a procession as part of the Christmas Lights Festival in Cloughjordan on Saturday, December 7.

The procession will form part of a large light spectacle, Solas Spectacular created by Cloughjordan Circus Club. Led by Artistic Director, Joanna Williams, a team of local artists in a range of disciplines have been supporting the community participants.

Joanna Williams said: “We have been working on this ambitious project since the summer. It is probably our most ambitious performance to date and is being created by over 150 members of our local community. Participants have taken part in every aspect of the preparations including an outdoor wire walking programme running weekly since April; a wee- long summer camp with artist Caoimhe Dunn to make our giant puppet, a schools lantern making programme involving over 200 children as well as our Youth Circus Programme attended by over 30 local young people. We’ve even roped in a group of young adults who are part of a group of international volunteers from the Cloughjordan Community Farm who will manipulate our beautiful seasonal windsocks on the night.”

Solas Spectacular is a magical journey in light marking the transition from autumn to winter. A beautiful lantern procession will lead the audience to the village green where they will be treated to a wonderous spectacle in circus and light evoking a visual and sensory transition from the warmth of autumn to the chill of winter.

Expect a procession of over 150 lanterns made by our local community; the joy of a samba band and dancing autumn puppet; gentle scenes of leaves falling and ribbons twirling, flurries of hula hoopers and jugglers and the delicate beauty of wire walkers.

Saturday, December 7, will see a full day of festive activities in Cloughjordan including the Christmas Craft Market in St Kieran’s Hall from 12 noon to 6pm accompanied by storytelling from local bookshop Sheelagh na Gig, festive performance from female voice choir The Mellow Tones, the Light Spectacle at 5.45pm will be followed by events around the Christmas Tree including festive tractors, an appearance by a much anticipated special guest and the switching on of the Christmas Lights accompanied by music from Kevin McDonald.

The funding support received by Cloughjordan Circus Club has made the large programme of community engagement and workshops possible. Artistic Director Joanna Williams is also keen to point out that the collaboration with CCDA, the Community Employment Scheme, the Cloughjordan Market as well as many other local individuals who will support the event through stewarding and other practical tasks in the lead up are vital to making the event a success and supporting the young people and members of the community who are taking part.

Róisín Costello of the Cloughjordan Community Development Association added: “The CCDA are delighted to be collaborating once again with the Cloughjordan Circus Club in our community festive celebrations. Along with our Christmas Market in St Kieran’s Hall, the Mellow Tones Choir performance and the village Christmas lights ‘switch-on’, the Circus Club’s lantern parade and performance will bring hundreds of people together on our main street for a memorable community celebration. The circus club are a highly valued part of Cloughjordan’s community tapestry and over the years their classes, workshops and events under the expert guidance of Joanna Williams have enriched the lives of so many in Cloughjordan and beyond.”