This year Kinsale Arts Weekend festival runs from July 8th to 11th and as we emerge from the trauma of a global pandemic, the theme of the festival “The Year the World Changed” which was inspired by the David Attenborough documentary, offers opportunities to reflect, heal and hope through the power of the creative arts.
The exciting 2021 programme reflects the festival’s aims to celebrate many diverse art forms and artists from the worlds of theatre, dance, music, comedy, literature, crafts, and film as well as the visual arts come together over one weekend to delight and inspire locals and visitors.
Singers, Song Writers and Musicians, John Spillane, Lorraine Nash, Paddy Dennehy, Jack O’Rourke, Marina Cassidy, and Emmet O’Connor feature alongside local and loved artists over the four-day event at the “drive in” Saile venue.
Irish National Opera present an outdoor screening of “The Lighthouse” by Peter Maxwell Davies at the Bowling Green, one of Kinsale’s beautiful and historic locations.
Families and young audiences will enjoy a creative adaptation of a much-loved children’s classic, featuring “a terrible pair of foul folk” and a “feathered and furry rebellion” alongside a variety of other innovative dance, storytelling and theatre pieces at locations across the town.
Alannah Hopkin partakes in a live Q&A on her recently published book “A Very Strange Man”, selected by Sebastian Barry as his “Book of the Year” at the Tap Tavern.
Kinsale will become a live gallery incorporating shop windows alongside traditional galleries, enabling the display of the wonderful work of both local and national artists. Come to the Spaniard to experience the explosion of colour and creativity in the work of Omin, the renowned international muralist and graffiti artist.
Kinsale’s beautiful harbour and magnificent seascape provide a natural setting for a variety of other events such as poetry readings, craft making and drama.
Kinsale, offering a variety of high-quality accommodation and restaurant options for all budgets makes it a destination of choice in which to connect with friends, festival fans and artists alike.
The festival, organised by a team of local professionals, artists and residents benefits from an inspiring and inclusive community spirit that aims to place Kinsale firmly back on the road to recovery during the summer of 2021.
“Walk ins” are possible for most events on the programme, but to be certain of your place, why not visit www.kinsaleartsweekend.com and book your ticket now!
