A 10-day programme of events celebrating local heritage, art and creativity is promised for this year’s Abhainn Rí Festival in Callan, Co Kilkenny.
After last year’s hugely successful inaugural event, the stops have been pulled out for this year’s festival which will be held from July 22 to August 31.
The festival programme is jam packed with events and includes something for everyone with an eclectic mix of exhibitions, performances, sports, talks, walks, workshops and a festival club.
Promising to be a week full of joy and inspiration, reflecting the close community spirit, the festival this year boasts a strong visual arts strand.
The programme also includes dancing in the Friary, an architectural symposium, a juvenile hurling tournament; heritage society walks and lectures, concerts and creative workshops. Battle of the Bands; Bank Holiday Sunday night time spectacle, titled Who Turned of the Lights?
Family Field Day with vintage parade and display will take place on Sunday July 24 in the Abbey Meadow
The festival is part of the Kilkenny Community Festivals Network, a pilot project initiated and supported by the Kilkenny Leader Partnership (KLP ) to provide assistance to six creative, fun-filled and varied events in the county between now and October 2011. (See details of other festivals in the Network below. )
Announcing details of the festival programme, chairperson of the festival committee Patrick Lydon said the impressive programme of events is due to months of hard work by a dedicated team.
“This is a festival of participation and inclusion and a celebration of creativity and community spirit. We are not compromising on quality and the programme includes events that will attract visitors from all over Ireland.”
The other Festivals which are part of the Kilkenny Community Festivals Network are:
— Inistioge Summer Festival (4 and 5 ) www.inistioge.ie , revolving around traditional outdoor entertainment for the family in an unrivalled magical location on the River Nore.
— Midsummer Events at Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre (June – September ) www.ballykeeffe.com bringing together a diverse and entertaining programme from Shakespearian outdoor theatre, a new rock climbing extravaganza, super music ranging from classical to rock.
— Graiguenamanagh Town of Books festival (September 16-18 ) www.booktownireland.com invites you to hunt for that special book by the Barrow, see a documentary photo exhibition of boat and barge life, hear writers talk about their work, enjoy a lively school debate, participate in a special book club event, participate in children’s art competitions and workshops and attend the fabulous Farmers and Craft Market opened by the legendary Graiguenamanagh Brass Band.
— Savour Kilkenny Food festival (October Bank Holiday weekend ) www.savourkilkenny.com enticing visitors to savour and taste artisan food and new produce by local food producers; attend a variety of talks and demonstrations celebrating Kilkenny’s emerging food culture, discover the Food Trail and growing number of food producers throughout county Kilkenny behind the From Farm to Fork concept and celebrate the joy of savouring local produce.
— Irish Conker Championship festival, Freshford (October Bank Holiday weekend ), where you can try your hand playing conkers under the canopy of 52 exquisite chestnut trees in the Village Square, or simply come as a spectator and savour the locally made mulled wine while joining in the craic as the whole village watches or participates in the annual championships.
