The increasingly popular Skibbereen Arts Festival returns this summer (July 25-August 3) with an incredible programme of world-class local, national and international acts.
A major coup for the festival this year is the debut West Cork appearance by the legendary English musician Richard Thompson, described by the LA Times as “the finest rock songwriter since Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix”.
Other musical highlights include a very special acoustic show by Villagers, the brilliant electro-pop band HousePlants (the collaborative project of Paul Noonan of Bell X1 and electronic producer Daithí), rising Irish sensation RÓIS, acclaimed new music group Crash Ensemble with Anna Mieke, and incredible traditional duo Cormac Begley and Liam O’Connor.
There are plays about life, clowns, bookshops and unidentified dead men, as well as a very poignant and timely performance of ‘The Gaza Monologues’, while writers appearing at the festival include Theo Dorgan, David Nash, E.R. Murray, Thomas McCarthy and Brendan Begley. Film highlights include an outdoor themed screening of the 1990s classic ‘Goodfellas’, and ‘The Art of Loss’, by Carmel Winters, followed by a discussion with ‘Derry Girls’ star Siobhán McSweeney.
Siobhán is also the celebrity sitter for the festival’s second ‘Live Portrait’ competition ‘Portráidí an Sciobairín’. This amazing festival also features a packed array of art events and exhibitions including a major exhibition from the Crawford collection entitled ‘Grá’ and the continuing ‘Secret History of Skibbereen’s Alleyways’.
Another highlight this year is the only Irish summer appearance by Cork comedy sensation Kyla Cobbler, as well as a packed programme of wellbeing and community workshops in Resonate, plus sessions, workshops, installations, and of course the legendary Fancy Dress Street Pageant with this year’s theme being the 1990s.
So no matter what your taste or what your age, you’ll definitely find something to love at this year’s Skibbereen Arts Festival. For booking and further information see www.skibbereenartsfestival.com
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