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The Cherry Blossom Tales: Reimagining the Legacy of Anne Deane

Launch Event: 2pm, 2nd August 2025

Venue: Upstairs at Durkin’s Restaurant, Ballaghaderreen.

It is part of the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival. The “Cherry Blossom Tales” is a compelling new student-led exhibition created by contemplative artist and writer Dr. Anna King, in collaboration with St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen.

The launch event will include short readings and an opportunity to meet some of the student participants. An intimate visual art exhibition will remain open to the public until 5pm that day.
This unique project is inspired by the life and legacy of Anne Deane, Ballaghaderreen’s
influential 19th-century businesswoman, activist, and a key figure in the Ladies’ Land
League — Ireland’s first political movement led by women. This powerful chapter in local
and national history is brought to life through the creative lens of a new generation.
The exhibition features original paintings, photographs, framed narrative prints, and a
process-based video performance developed during a series of workshops with Anna, in
which students responded imaginatively to Ballaghaderreen’s history and to a fictional
story set in the garden of Dillon House in 1882.

Bringing the past into the present, the exhibition invites visitors to experience local history
through storytelling, art, and the creative exploration of place. The project was supported by teachers Karen Munnelly and Conor O’Connell of St. Nathy’s College, who helped coordinate student participation and guided the development of creative responses within the school.

The Cherry Blossom Tales is supported by the Roscommon County Council Creative Ireland
Programme 2025.

Admission is free. Tickets can be booked online:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ballaghaderreenartsfestival2025
For further information, interviews, or images, please contact:
anna7king@gmail.com, www.annaking.ie
Photo 1. Some of the students working on The Cherry Blossom Tales: Brooke Coleman,
Henry Black and Aaron Fox.
Photo 2. Students responding to the Cherry Blossom Tales: Oisín Llewellyn and Brooke
Colman.