The Fall of the Leaf: Folklore from Co Offaly

THE FALL OF THE LEAF was a Commissions Award project from the Arts Council in which Wexford based artist Michael Fortune produced a new short film, “The Fall Of The Leaf”. The new work centred on superstitions and beliefs from within Offaly. Recorded in Clara, Tullamore, Birr, Edenderry and Ballinagar the twenty five minute film features recordings of participants from all of the centres talking about a range of beliefs including not throwing the ashes away on a Monday and walking in the May dew. Although the film draws attention to many beliefs which are disappearing, Michael sees the work as a celebration of the people relating the stories. The use of film helps to further bring the stories to life and it becomes evident that the characteristics of the people recorded play as much an important role as the stories they are telling. Fall of the Leaf/Michael Fortune/2010