It turns out that the new movie ‘Van Diemen’s Land’ that has received rave reviews from previews around Australia including the Adelaide Film Festival, features local lad made good, Oscar Redding who not only plays the lead role but also co-wrote and co-produced the movie. ‘Van Diemen’s Land’ is due for official release later in the year. Click here for more details on Oscar

Artist and singer Judy Pinder has been invited to exhibit in Ireland in March 2009.

The exhibition was opened in Bray Town Hall by Professor Daithí O hÓgáin of the Department of Irish Folklore, UCD. (Professor Daithí O hÓgáin is author of many books which include ‘Fionn MacCumhaill, The Hero in Irish Folklore’, and ‘Myth, Legend and Romance: An Encyclopedia of the Irish Folk Tradition’. He is also a well know participant and presenter on national radio and television).

It was organised by Colm O’Foghlú who is the artistic director on an Béal Binn which is an organisation dedicated to the vocal arts, funded by Foras na Gaeilge (the body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language in Ireland).

The Dublin show was opened by Anne Plunkett, Australian Ambassador to Ireland at the Filmbase Gallery, Curved St Temple Bar, which is in the heart of Dublin’s arts district.

School students from both Bray and Dublin had ‘meet the artist’ sessions at both the galleries and Mrs Pinder also visited one of the schools (Gaelscoil Ui Cheadaigh) in Bray. Mrs Pinder said the students showed genuine interest though she was taken by surprise when they lined up for her autograph. Click here for more details on Judy