Since its inception nine years ago, Kinsale Arts Weekend (July 10-13, 2025), has grown from a small but lively weekend into a well-respected annual celebration of creativity with national reach. While over the years the festival has grown in both scale and confidence – it now boasts a multidisciplinary programme with over 60 events, spanning theatre, music, visual art, film, spectacle and more – what has remained constant is its focus on quality and community. “The ambition and calibre of work we present continues to rise,” emphasises programme curator Lisa O’Brien, who shares with West Cork People how the weekend has metamorphosed from back rooms and pop-ups to filling venues, drawing national acts, and launching new commissions.
Inspired by Irish mythology, the theme this year is ‘Ninth Wave’, representing a threshold into the unknown. “It’s about risk, transformation, and what happens when we let go of the familiar,” explains Lisa, who says the idea gave the team a lot of creative freedom this year, with artists really responding to it. As a result, there’s a sense of movement and momentum running through the whole programme.
A Kinsale native, Lisa O’Brien came on board with the festival last year, after being asked to curate the 2025 programme. Her experience spans performance, producing and programming, and she has worked with a number of well-known organisations including Kilkenny Arts Festival, The RTÉ Radio Production Office, the new multi-disciplinary arts building at TU Dublin Grangegorman, as well as various independent projects. She’s a passionate advocate for work that crosses disciplines and invites people to see things differently.
As programme curator, Lisa’s objective has been to bring a fresh and creative perspective to the Weekend while ensuring it stays true to its roots, maintaining that intimate and adventurous spirit it has become recognised for. “I wanted to introduce new voices, create space for experimentation, and use the town itself as a canvas,” she shares.
She has created a programme that feels both surprising and accessible, something that offers discovery for seasoned arts lovers and first-timers alike. “I wanted to reflect a range of voices, forms and experiences, while keeping that sense of intimacy and curiosity Kinsale and the Arts Weekend is known for. I do feel we’ve achieved that balance, and the response so far has been very encouraging.”
Lisa shares some of the highlights of this year’s “packed and playful” programme: “We’re thrilled to welcome headline acts like Cardinals and Gemma Hayes for intimate concerts, and Brú Theatre’s ‘Ar Ais Arís’ is pushing boundaries with Irish-language VR storytelling. There’s ‘Sounds Queer to Me’, a hilarious and heartfelt solo show; ‘Under the Ivy’, a beautiful musical reimagining of Kate Bush’s work; and ‘Nosferatu’ with a live score at St. Catherine’s. On the street, ‘The Ninth Step’ brings dance into public space, and our Children’s Creative Hub offers something magical for younger audiences. That’s just a flavour.” There will also be a few surprises popping up!
She believes the success of the Kinsale Arts Festival lies with the people behind the scenes. “The strength of the volunteer team, the commitment from local venues and businesses, and the support from the community, it’s remarkable,” she shares. “Everyone involved cares deeply about the festival, the town, and the role the arts can play in bringing people together.”
But it’s also about taking creative risks. “The festival has a real sense of curiosity and openness, and I think artists and audiences alike respond to that.”
The support of the Kinsale community has also been instrumental in the success of the Weekend; with local businesses hosting visual art, cafés becoming venues, volunteers giving freely of their time, and local artists stepping forward every year with ideas and energy.
“The festival brings footfall to the town, yes, but it also brings pride. It connects people.”
