Top class line up for this year's Cashel Arts Festival

The 22nd Cashel Arts Festival, on this weekend has the theme SPARKS. There is plenty to spark the imagination, creativity and delight with a huge variety of events on offer, many free or reasonably priced. 

International, national and local performances will feature on the streets and in venues around town. Gary Younge is the Bolton Lecture speaker this year and is an award-winning author of six books. 

He is also a broadcaster and has made several radio and television documentaries. A Professor of Sociology at Manchester University he is an erudite speaker on topics such as ‘Who Are We? And Should it matter in the 21 st Century’. ‘Travels in the disunited States which are the titles of two of his books.

The venue is St. John the Baptist Cathedral on John Street on Saturday 14th September at 7.00 p.m.

As part of the Talk and Literature events the author of Hotel Lux: an Irishwoman in Moscow, Dr. Maurice Casey, historian, originally from Cahir will share the story of May O’Callaghan, the witty translator who lived in room no. 5 in Hotel Lux for four years in the 1920’s. 

From the Russian Revolution until the 2 nd World war, radicals from all over the world spent time in this famous hotel. This is on Saturday 3.00 p.m., Chapter House.

On the Festival opening night in Brú Boru, Dr. Martin Worthington will introduce the World’s oldest Story, Gilgamesh. 

Long before writing was invented story-telling was both a form of entertainment and a way in which myths were handed down. 

This epic tale is told with a background of light and shadow populated with the figures from the tale, a blend of word image and music.

Curator, art historian and writer, Catherine Marshall will also launch the Visual Arts programme and this year’s exhibitions feature work by Cornelius Brown and Helen Comerford (1945-2024). 

Cornelius Brown exhibition is ‘A Garden is a Stone’s Throw from the Sea’ (each garden painting has a sea painting companion). Helen Comerford is in two parts ‘Helen Comerford the Artist’ and ‘Helen Comerford, The Legacy’.

Musical Event Highlights include Garron Noone, musician, comedian spokesmodel in Brú Boru on Friday night, Lisa Hand on Saturday night with her effervescent music to light up the stage in the intimate setting of Brú Boru. She will also be supported by local band Between//Roads. 

On Sunday during the day, the participants in the Choral Workshop will perform on the Rock of Cashel and that night, The Castle String Quartet will transport the audience into the world of the Netflix period drama Bridgerton in the suitably candlelit-setting of St. John the Baptist Cathedral, John Street at 8.00 p.m.

 Earlier on Friday evening, on the Plaza street entertainment includes an interactive drop in Drumming Workshop followed by a one-person show ’51 Removals’ featuring Binah who has moved 51 times across continents, seasons and times zones. 

Walk with her on her journey to the Rock Car Park. 

Then Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Musicians will entertain the audience before some sparks fly with a brand new fire show ‘Mobius’ by Rogú. 

Cashel: Our Playground is a continuation from the successful Memoir Project in 2023.

More stories of life in Cashel with a particular emphasis on play, are recorded by Eoin Glesson. Stories such as Cowboys and Indians around the Rock, the games of skittles and many others are included. 

This year, Mark Fitzell, the author of several books of Faces and Places in Cashel will add a visual element with a display and a moving record of play on Cashel’s Streets. This is all co-ordinated by Rebecca Lenehan, writer and researcher and takes place in the old Xtra Vision shop on Friar Street. 

This is part of the committee’s recognition of the importance of outreach within the community to actively involve them in the arts. 

Workshops are also a feature of the festival, from Little Music Makers with Patrice Davern, (0 to 4 year olds), Kreative Kingdom )6 – 12 year olds), Drop-in Sculptural workshops to make a bird, dragonfly or butterfly in natural materials with Lynn Kirkham (8 years to adult), Forensic Science for Teenagers, Autumn Wreath-making with Róisín and Candle painting with Lisa (adults). 

Or why not try Family Zumba with Yuliya. 

The very popular Craft Market with Entertainment takes place on the Plaza on Saturday and on Sunday, Food and Entertainment feature.

 This is a lovely opportunity to see and support local crafts people and be entertained by such groups as St. Patrick’s Brass Band, Southside Moves, Burgess School of Dance, Dr. Hurley Pipe Band, The Music Department of Cashel Community School, James Murphy, guitarist and singer from Boherlahan and singer/songwriter, Mary Nugent.

The voluntary festival committee feel the few small sparks of inspiration and hard work offer a great variety of events for this year’s festival. 

However this can only happen by the support of our Co. Council and their Arts Office, Failte Ireland, Creative Ireland Programme, Cian O’Carroll Solicitors, Amneal and all of our very generous sponsors for their belief in, and support of our endeavours. 

We thank them most sincerely and welcome you, our audience, to Cashel Arts Festival 2024 Sparks!

 For information and booking, see https://cashelartsfest.com/whats-on-cashel-arts-festival/