Benjamin Perchet, artistic director and CEO of Carlow Arts Festival, with Sinead Cormack, Mac Rua, Fitch Moriarty and Emma Lucy O’Brien at the launch of Carlow Arts Festival in Tully’s Bar, Carlow
Photos: michaelorourkephotography.ie
Invited guests at the launch Ammar Salah and his sister Maran, who fled the war in Palestine
Sinead Tynan, Maurice O’Reilly and Jolly O’Rock
Janice de Bróithe with Fergal Browne and his daughter Maeve
Ferga Moran and Catriona Ní Mhurchú
Andy Currums, Shannon Basso-Gaule, Eric De Butléir and Roisín Lawler at the launch of Carlow Arts Festival
Cian Kinsella chats with Ferga Moran
Fiach Moriarty, Sinead Dowling and Walter Hennessy
Sinead Dowling, Walter Hennessy and Mac Rua
Andy Currums, Roisín Whelan and festival CEO Benjamin Perchet
Emma Lucy O’Brien and Mac Rue wat the launch of the Carlow Arts Festival in Tully’s Bar, Carlow
By Suzanne Pender
THE programme for the 45th annual Carlow Arts Festival has been officially unveiled with an action-packed line-up in store. All are encouraged to join in the celebrations from Wednesday to Sunday 5-9 June as Carlow town takes centre stage with an eclectic array of more than 80 thoughtfully-curated events.
The festival launch was held in Tully’s Bar last week, with artists, funders, sponsors and friends attending the launch event.
Artistic director Benjamin Perchet and the festival team noted that “storytelling emerges as a predominant theme in this year’s programme”.
“The Irish have a unique way of narrating tales that are rich in exaggerations, fantasy and dramatic flair. Carlow Arts Festival 2024 will showcase stories through a variety of mediums from music and spoken word to comedy and contemporary dance,” said Benjamin.
“Aindrias De Stac’s show By the light of the silvery moon will transport you through ancient Irish stories, while Tell Dad by Bush Hartshorn offers a one-to-one encounter to share your own personal stories.
“An Irish proverb mentions that those who travel have the best stories to share, and we are thrilled to feature contributions from our local Polish, African and Traveller communities, along with exciting contributions from a host of top international performance artists. We invite everyone to come and be inspired,” he added.
This was followed by a live performance from Jolly O’Rock and the AHA Storytellers. A big hit on the night, the AHA Storytellers will be performing at Carlow Arts Festival in June at the festival’s new venue The Yurt.
Refreshments were provided by the festival’s principal sponsor O’Hara’s Irish Craft Beer. Corporate partners and sponsors include Estrella Galicia, Carlow Credit Union, Dooley Motors and the Talbot Hotel Carlow.
Among the highlights of the festival is First light at Carlow Town Hall on Friday to Sunday 7pm to 9pm nightly. This is an immersive spectacle – part street theatre, part adventure, part circus show – specially created with and for the people of Carlow.
The hugely popular Carlow Live and Local is back from the Friday to the Sunday in O’Hara’s Big Top. Presented by Carlow County Council Arts Office and curated by Carlow-based live music producers Fiach Moriarty and Walter Hennessy, Carlow Live and Local features the best local talent.
The Yurt is a brand new pay-what-you-can venue for 2024, generously supported by Carlow Credit Union and Creative Ireland. The Yurt presents a full programme of shows by, about and for the people of Carlow.
To explore the full festival programme, see www.carlowartsfestival.ie/whats-on.
