Cashel Arts Festival will showcase local talent

Cashel Arts Festival looks set to be a varied and exciting festival this year!

The festival will include theatre, visual arts, literature and film and an incredible Culture Night programme.

This year the festival will take place from Thursday, September 20, to Sunday, September 23.

Chris Mullin, former British Labour politician, will deliver the keynote Bolton Lecture in St John’s Cathedral on Saturday, September 22. Before entering parliament, Chris Mullin reported from the wars in Vietnam and Cambodia. In the 1980s, in spite of bitter personal attacks from the British media, Chris Mullin led a campaign that resulted in the release of the Birmingham Six. His recently published memoir ‘Hinterland’ will form the basis of his fascinating talk, looking back at a life lived fully.

From a musical perspective, look forward to welcoming Old Hannah from the West of Ireland on Saturday, September 22. This is an up and coming band, recently featured on the Late Late Show and shortly to release their first album. There will also be music from ConTempo, Ireland’s national television and radio broadcasters quartet-in-residence, as well as the Tipperary based Cedartowns and Farhaven.

Phelim Drew (son of Ronnie Drew of The Dubliners) brings a one man show to Brú Ború on Thursday, September 20, with an adaptation of George Orwell’s classic ‘Down and Out in Paris and London’ - a classic tale of riches to rags.

The award winning international author Julian Gough will open the festival and take part in events for young and old – he is the author of the children’s ‘Rabbit & Bear’ books and the recently released ‘Connect’.

There will be exciting visual arts to see and enjoy around Cashel, including opportunities to watch artists at work creating art in public spaces alongside exhibitions of local and international work.

The festival will showcase a host of local talent with local playwrights, songsmiths and artists.

New strands have been added to the festival with the Taste of Cashel, where local produce and food will be to the fore. As always the festival will provide opportunities to watch and engage with local craftspeople carrying on ancient and enduring crafts.

Organisers are grateful to sponsors and partners.

Many events have opened for early booking on www.cashelartsfest.com. Follow Cashel Arts Fest on Facebook/ Twitter for updates and watch out for the festival brochure!