You Say You Don't 'Get' Dance? Check This Out!

(STOCK PHOTO)There are SO many types of dance- something for everyone!

There is an exciting new opportunity being offered by the Dublin Dance Festival & Project Brand New! 15 people who are curious about (seeing, understanding) dance performances will be selected to take part in an innovative program during the Festival from the 16- 19 of May.

 Fast Track to Dance 

I am very excited about this initiative- it is a fantastic opportunity to see, enjoy, and learn about the amazing dance performances that are on at the Festival, and take this experience & learning to help you enjoy the myriad of dance performances that occur throughout the year- live or on telly.

I've actually applied myself- a bit cheekily because I have seen several dance shows this year, but I really don't know anything about dance & amn't sure how to talk/write about it, which is why I've never written about dance performances here on Vibrant Ireland. Fingers crossed!

Anyhow, I think this is a fab opportunity for people and I hope that if it doesn't suit you, you will perhaps pass this info on to someone you know.

Here's the info, courtesy of Dublin Dance Festival:

This is an exceptional opportunity for anyone who is interested in and curious about dance but hasn’t seen very much yet. It is a completely immersive weekend at Dublin Dance Festival delving into the festival’s vibrant programme of work.

15 people will be selected to form the Fast Track group, who together will attend 8 dance events ranging from large scale to small scale work, presented by both national and international dance makers.

In addition, the group will have the opportunity to meet the Festival Director & team and meet some of the makers & choreographers. They will have access to all post-show events and will participate in a critical feedback session, facilitated by Lynnette Moran of Project Brand New and Niamh McCann, actor & theatre maker .

Fast Track is a short sharp burst of activity that will introduce the group to dance as an art form – and will build a critical language and confidence around seeing and talking about dance performances.

What do you need to take part?

You must have full availability on the following dates and times –

Thur 16th May 5.30pm – 10pm

Fri 17th May 5.30pm – 10pm

Sat 18th May 12pm – 10pm

Sun 19th May 12pm – 6pm

We will also host a one hour induction at 1pm on Sun 12th May, details of which will be shared with those selected.

How to apply 
Please send the following:

A short (150 word) statement about why you would like to take part. Please give us an indication of why you are interested in this initiative, and/or why you would like to find out more about dance from the close encounter.

Your name, address, email and contact number

Please send to: projectbrandnew@gmail.com

Deadline: Thursday 2nd May @ 6pm

Price: €85 inclusive of all show tickets in schedule, workshop and talks.

Should you have any queries please email the address above.

Please note that we have a very limited number of places available on the programme.

Discover more about Fast Track to Dance here.

Find out what else is going on at Dublin Dance Festival-- so many great shows this May!

2 Fab Music Festivals in 2 Fab Irish Towns

Here are 2 music-based festivals in delightful settings for you to consider for your calendar of Irish fun this year- and take note of for next, as they are annual events.

First off in May is Kilkenny's Rhythm & Roots festival, from the 3rd to the 6th. The small medieval city of Kilkenny is perfect for this fantastic festival- everything is within walking distance & the chances that you'll rub shoulders with musicians in the intimate venues is high. There are over 60 free gigs, and even the paid gigs are inexpensive. One of my favorite festivals, the craic is mighty! If you'd like to get a taste of it, here is my post from last year's festival.


If you'd like to head out West, Westport is a fun town with beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and interesting history all around the area. I've been sent some information on Westport's Festival of Music and Food on 29 & 30th of June, and Westport House's offer of tickets & camping for the weekend.

I've been privileged to see the cup & ring standing stone and watch the sun 'roll down' Croagh Patrick outside of Westport- pity I was there in the years before blogging & smartphones, but click here for a site that does have photos & info. Scroll down on that page for the rolling clip.

Head Wesht! Here's the Westport info I was sent:

Westport House Camping

''One of the most anticipated highlights of Westport House’s events calendar this summer is the return of The Westport Festival of Music and Food which takes place on Sat 29^th & Sun 30^th June 2013.  The festival will be a two-day celebration of music and food, embracing local and international rock, folk, celtic and acoustic sounds, headlined by Elvis Costello & The Imposters and Imelda May, and joined by a host of other top music acts such as Christy Moore, Ryan Sheridan, Damien Dempsey among others.  

Westport House offers an incredible festival camping experience for festival goers.  With hot showers, real toilets, wifi, picnic areas, laundry, and family-friendly facilities onsite, all set against a stunning backdrop, it’s no surprise that camping proved a huge hit with thousands of revellers last year and is expected to be even bigger and better in its second year.  Combined festival & camping tickets are on sale through www.WestportHouse.ie  only start at €155 per person for the weekend.''

So, there's 2 Irish festival ideas to get your motor revving for holiday fun. If you have other hot festival tips, please let everyone know in the comments below. Thanks, & have fun festivaling!

A June Gem: Lismore Immrama Festival of Travel Writing

If you enjoy travel, reading top notch writers, and beautiful settings then Immrama, the Lismore Festival of Travel Writing is a must do. I am very excited about this year's programme- and I bet you will be too! 

The  days of the 13th-16th of June 2013 will be filled with talks & readings from international authors, as well as a workshop on e-publishing (I'm certainly going to try to get my nose into that!) Here's some of the scoop from the launch:

One of the world’s most highly-regarded travel writers, Paul Theroux will take to the stage at Immrama on Saturday, June 15 at 3pm. Perhaps best known for Ghost Train to the Eastern Star and The Great Railway Bazaar, his most recent work is The Last Train to Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari.

Paul Theroux’s highly acclaimed novels include Blinding Light, Hotel Honolulu, My Other Life, Kowloon Tong, and The Mosquito Coast. Also among his travel books are: Dark Star Safari, Riding the Iron Rooster, The Old Patagonian Express, and The Happy Isles of Oceania. He lives in Hawaii and on Cape Cod and is the father of British authors and documentary makers Louis and Marcel Theroux.

 (On a side note, if you are on Twitter, you may enjoy #travelbookclub each month. Last month Paul Theroux's Ghost Train To The Eastern Star was read and this month's read will be Eric Newby's A Small Place In Italy. Join in 1 May 9pm GMT! More info on #travelbookclub here. )

Later on June 15, British writer, journalist and broadcaster, Simon Winchester OBE, will speak about his work and travel experiences. Having traveled to Canada and the US before university and Greenland while a student at Oxford, Simon worked for a time as a geologist in Uganda before becoming a journalist – a move he attributes to having read work by Lismore Immrama regular Jan Morris.

He worked as Northern Ireland correspondent for The Guardian newspaper during some of the early and most turbulent years of the Troubles, covering the introduction of internment; Bloody Sunday and Operation Motorman. He was Britain’s Journalist of the Year in 1971 and his time in Northern Ireland was the basis for his first book, In Holy Terror. The following year saw him move to Washington DC as US Correspondent and he also later worked as India Correspondent for The Guardian.

He was Chief Foreign Feature Writer with the Sunday Times and was on the Falkland Islands when they were invaded by Argentina – later spending three months in an Argentine jail. He later worked as Asia Editor with Conde Nast Traveler. In 1998, he had an unexpected international publishing success with The Professor and the Madman. The most recent of his 22 books are The Man Who Loved China; Atlantic: A Biography of the Ocean and The Alice Behind Wonderland.

Also joining the two keynote speakers is bestselling writer and award-winning broadcaster Charlie Connelly whose books include Attention All Shipping: A Journey Round The Shipping Forecast; In Search of Elvis and Our Man in Hibernia: Ireland, the Irish and Me. His most recent work Bring Me Sunshine deals with the perennial conversation topic of weather.

Opening the festival on Thursday, June 13 are Irish writers Theresa McDonnell, author of What have you got in your bag? featuring her stories as an aid worker; Monica Corish who spent many years travelling and working in Africa from 1983 to 2006 and Kieran Heffernan who has contributed to numerous books and magazines.

On Friday, June 14, Liz Davies and Hilary Linstead who co-wrote ‘Growing old outrageously’ will entertain festival-goers. Hilary and Liz were old school friends living on opposite sides of the world when suddenly after 35 years they reconnected and have since journeyed together to create a comical travel book. 

(I don't know about you, but I love their book's cover.)

On the morning of June 15, Donald Brady will discuss the ‘Watercolor Society of Ireland’, which was founded in Lismore in 1870. John Dwyer will host a workshop on E-publishing and Rachel Finnegan will host a reading at St Carthage’s Cathedral discussing her publications of the travel correspondence of two 18^th century travellers Dr Richard Pococke (later Bishop of Ossory & Meath) and his cousin Jeremiah Milles (later Dean of Exeter), who both began their clerical careers in the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore under the patronage of their uncle, Bishop Thomas Milles.

And bringing the festival to a close on Sunday evening, June 16, are two writers originally from Lismore. John O’Keeffe who left Lismore in his teens to take his own journey around the world will discuss his book ‘Down the Deerpark Road, Outside Lismore’. John will be joined by Rosamund Burton also from Lismore who will discuss her book ‘Castle, Follies and Four-Leaf Clovers’.

Also, do mark your calendars for this:

A pre-Immrama Festival event has also been announced for May 19 international travel writer Michael Shapeiro will host an evening at Lismore Courthouse Theatre discussing his latest book ‘A Sense of Place’ which sees Michael interview some of the most famous travel writers in the world including many whom he met at Immrama, including Jan Morris, Pico Iyer and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Full details of the schedule and Saturday Special tickets for the Immrama Lismore Festival of Travel Writing 2013 are now available online at www.lismoreimmrama.com or by calling (058) 53803.

                                                      

                See You in lovely Lismore, county Waterford!

The Arts in Beautiful Settings: The Barrow River Arts Festival

The idyllic Barrow river, Graiguenamanagh,

The idyllic Barrow river valley of counties Carlow and Kilkenny is the setting for The Barrow River Arts Festival 

19-21 April 2013. 

Okay, I may be biased because this is where we live, but why don't you come and see what you think of it yourself? If you enjoy the arts the festival is a great excuse to visit. There will be music, visual art, poetry and more- with the added attraction of events being held in the historic home of the kings of Leinster, Borris House, as well as in medieval Duiske Abbey.

 Plus, you could also hire bikes & cycle up the Barrow towpath from Graiguenamanagh (home of  Duiske Abbey) to Borris & Borris House- enjoyable exercise AND the arts: win-win!

 UPDATE! The area is now an even more interesting setting. Breaking news has it that the Virgin Mary has appeared as on the hillside above Graiguenamanagh and the golf course. What do you think? Does it look like her?? 

For the full programme and more information on the festival http://www.barrowriverartsfestival.com/index.html  

The Celts are Coming, & they're armed with Fun!

 Sarah Foley (7), Shayna Howe (6), Hannah Matthews (4), Chantelle Matthews (9) Ava Kehoe,8
Photo Dylan Vaughn. Carlow Pan Celtic Festival

 Get jiggy at  the Carlow Pan Celtic International Festival this Easter!

I've been sent the info on this year's fest (2-7 April 2013,) & it sounds brill! 

 Bride de Róiste, festival director says there will be ''a great festival line-up and highlights include storytelling and swapping, concerts, book launches, traditional singing and choral competitions as well as piping and drumming, harp, fiddle and dance contests in dozens of venues across Carlow town.” WHEW! 

''And in ancient times, Irish dancers' hairstyles were this big!''

Disclaimer: *may not be a direct quote* ;-)

Photo Dylan Vaughn

Story tellers Jack Sheehan & daughter Aideen McBride from Bagenalstown Co. Carlow.

 Don't miss it!

I'm told the highlight for many will be the Pan Celtic International Song Contest on Thursday, April 4. It will feature newly-composed songs from each of the six nations in their own Celtic language. Ireland will be represented by Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh from Donegal, singing Le Do Thaobh, by Connemara native Áine Durkin, a moving and poignant tribute to Áine’s late sister.

Carlow Pan Celtic Festival launch, Tricia Hutton, Carlow town. Dylan Vaughn

Here are a few more tidbits: 

''Carlow comes alive for the festival. Outdoor entertainment includes Celtic dancing, an open-air Ceilí, busking competitions and the festival parade. Festival-goers are also invited to run, walk or jog the Pan Celtic Mile!

The Trad Trail features no less than 40 sessions and 80 musicians in a total of 12 hostelries. There is also a series of workshops which range from baby fiddle to master classes in all traditional instruments, as well as Sean-Nós, Céilí and Breton dance classes.

This year’s programme also features performances from the Garda Band, RTÉ Cór na nÓg, Thurso Pipe Band, Pervish, The Great Trad Train and ARDS CCÉ as well as 3 Orchestras in Concert. Celtic language classes will offer a taste of Scots Gaelic, Manx and Cornish as well as Irish.

A Festival Club in the Seven Oaks Hotel, hosted by a different nation each night, will give a taste of the very best of Celtic entertainment each country has to offer. The festival is a true family event, with workshops and attractions galore for children, a ‘Celtic Taste of Carlow’ artisan farmers’ market and much more.''

Fun, music, dance, food-- I'm in!! See YOU there? 

All fringe events are free of charge.

 For more see www.panceltic.ie

Something for ALL at Waterford Writer's Weekend!

Waterford Writer's Weekend is for all ages!  Picture: Patrick Browne

Even though I live in county Kilkenny, and we are- ahem- the festival capital of Ireland, I must say Waterford is brilliant for festivals too!

March brings us another Waterford festival; and you don't actually need to be a writer- just a reader or listener- to enjoy it!

The Waterford Writer's Weekend
runs from 21-24 March 2013, and
there will be readings, debates, discussions, workshops, & more- for all ages. The organizers have told me ''Lots of fun activities and events have been organized for young readers and writers with Teens Write Workshops, story-telling for younger children and a fun science event for schools with Paul O’Dwyer and Humphrey Jones, co-authors of A Neutron Walks into a Bar." 

  I'm going to go to loads of events, and one talk I think many readers of Vibrant Ireland will be interested in Tarquin Blake's, whose site Abandoned Ireland & book Abandoned Mansions of Ireland are full of haunting photographs.

Here's a sampling of what's on: 

Opening the festival on Thursday March 21 are the Seán Dunne Young Writers’ Awards. The Awards are a tribute to the work of the late poet, and continue to promote the work of aspiring young authors. 

On Friday, a discussion on the uses of social media to promote anything from a book to a small business will be followed by a session hosted by three successful self-published authors offering practical advice to those wishing to pursue the independent publishing route. 

 On Friday evening ex-Alternative Miss Ireland Joanna Ryde will host an event called “The Edge of Glory,” a talk about her books, blogging and making it big.

Greyfriars Art Gallery hosts  the very topical symposium“Ireland in Europe, where now?” with Dr. Elaine Byrne, Sunday Independent columnist and Irish expert to the European Commission on corruption.

I've heard Mark speak before; he's very entertaining!
 Is this ^ why he gave up festival drink for Lent?
(I took this when he spoke at our Town Of Books Festival 2012)

On Saturday, 23 March novelist and dramatist Dave Duggan will talk about his theatre work which has been seen in Ireland, New York, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Afghanistan, & about having his work aired by the BBC and RTE. 

Award winning blogger & journalist Mona Wise, Mark Graham of ‘A Year of Festivals’ fame, and Anna Carey of fashion blog beaut.ie will discuss whether“To Blog or Not to Blog.” 

Brian Kennedy and Billy Costine will be “Talking Sport,” while poet K. S. Moore will read poetry from her collections. 

 Best-selling author Kate Kerrigan will discuss her Ellis Island trilogy of novels and protagonist Ellie Hogan’s emigration to New York and return to Ireland.

 At the “Inspiring Lives” talk, Debbie Deegan, founder of the ‘To Russia With Love’ charity which has helped over 5,000 Russian orphans improve their lives, will tell the story of her experiences in Russia, from the intricacies of soviet-style bureaucracy, to the threat of violence from international criminals.

Those are just a few of the events! Click here for the full programme.

A series of free events will take place throughout too, from a ‘Tell Your Own Story’ session encouraging everyone to get writing, to a wonderful genealogy workshop with leading Irish family history expert John Grehnam.

I'll be there for lots of the festival- hope you will be too!  See you in Waterford!

A Taste of Waterford's Harvest Festival 2012

    Get Ready To Drool (& Eat!) 

From 2011's fest- the Viking's table

 Waterford Harvest Festival is returning on 10-16 September, and it is going to be another tummy-tempting event! We went last year and nearly had to be rolled home after the enormous Sunday food market. So have a read of what's on this year, & mark your calendar, because you definitely should be there!

Here's some info from the festival as to what is on:

A host of top Chefs are lined-up to feature at the Waterford Harvest Festival from Sept 10 to 16.

Neven Maguire, Kevin Dundon and Darina Allen will all be out in force to showcase their culinary skills in addition to BBC’s Martin Dorey, the presenter of the hit TV series ‘One Man and his Campervan’ and author of the Camper Van Cookbook.

Taking to the streets of Waterford City this week the city’s top restaurant Chefs unveiled the festivals restaurant trail which features, a Curry War, Meet the Chef Cookery Demo’s, Bambina Pizzini, an afternoon of Funky Irish Food, a Restaurant Masterclass and more.

                           

Chef Kevin Dundon will launch the festivities at the brand new Medieval Museum on Monday, September 10 at 1pm with the Super Valu Mobile kitchen for an afternoon of food, fun and freebies! 

Waterford Harvest Fest Chefs!

Also on September 10 join food critic and wine connoisseur Paolo Tullio and take a journey through Waterford’s Wine history and tour the wonderfully atmospheric 13^th century Mayors Wine Vault. 

Throughout the week from Tuesday, September 11 to 14 a daily ‘Meet the Chefs’ open-air free cookery demonstration will take place.

Wednesday afternoon, September 12 renowned chef Neven Maguire will take to the stage at the Tourism & Leisure building at WIT and chat about his favourite recipes. 

On Wednesday evening, September 12, a very special event will take place with all proceeds raised going to Waterford Hospice. Neven Maguire will showcase his recipes featuring local produce. Guests will be treated to wine and canapés at 7.30pm at the House of Waterford Crystal.

A highlight of Harvest festivities, the Harvest Dinner take place on Thursday, September 13 at 7.30pm at Waterford Castle. Enjoy a seven course tasting menu – featuring dishes that relate to the ‘History of Food in Waterford’ where Head Chef Michael Quinn will introduce each course.

On Friday, September 14 The Artisan Beer Festival takes place at 6pm and will feature BBC’s Martin Dorey, the presenter of the hit TV series ‘One Man and his Campervan’ and author of the Camper Van Cookbook will cook up a storm. Martin will showcase his expertise on outdoor cooking and takes the helm at 7.30pm. 

Also on Friday 14 ‘The Big Barbeque’ takes place at the Viking Triangle. This is the perfect opportunity for everyone to enjoy free access to Waterford’s exciting new heritage developments within the Viking triangle, including the Medieval Museum and the Bishops palace.

Martin Dorey will also host a free cookery demonstration on the Quayside at ‘Feastival’ on Sunday, September 16 where the quayside will be taken over by food producers from across the country creating Ireland’s longest food market. This cookery demo will take place at 2pm.

Lebanese food from 2011 Harvest fest- soo tasty!

The 2012 GIY Gathering will take place in the city during the Harvest festival and sees BBC’s Alys Fowler and Mark Diacono of River Cottage join a host of Irish stars on September 15 and 16.  The GIY Gathering will also include guest speaker Roger Doiron from the US, the inspiration behind Michelle Obama's White House vegetable garden and founder of Kitchen Gardeners International.

The city will be in festival mode from September 10 to 16 with events on offer for all foodies and the family. For a full programme of events see waterfordharvestfestival.ie

   MORE on the Harvest Festival HERE and even MORE here :-)

from 2011- this delicious ice cream was made on a small Wicklow farm

I'm happy to say that I will be visiting the Harvest Festival on the 13th &14th, on the Blogger's tour, and I'll also be there on the Sunday 16th for the fantastic Feastival. Hope you will get a chance to come, or all the tweets I'll do of the food will just leave you drooling! 

 Happy Feasting!

whattoseeinireland

Get Festive at Wonderful Waterford's Winterval!

Launching ‘Winterval’ in Waterford- Ireland AM’s Anna Daly

UPDATE: Winterval will be back in 2013, AND run to January :-)

Do you enjoy feeling festive? If you are naturally a holiday lover, OR if you'd like to encourage a more festive feeling in yourself or your family this year, you'll want to  go to Winterval in Waterford! Here's the scoop:

The 23 day ‘Winterval’ festival starts 30 November, &  is the very first of its kind for Ireland’s oldest city. Winterval offers a jam packed schedule of fun filled activities, featuring many firsts for Ireland, including the FREE ‘Sol Luminiere Lightshow’- a spectacular 3D sound and light show designed especially for Winterval. This will will light up the Deanery in Cathedral Square each evening during the festival. 

Giving away my approximate age- I had this Hasbro Spirograph! :-)

For toy lovers young and not so young a free entry ‘Toy Museum’ featuring some first production toys from the 1950’s will be a wonderful trip down memory lane, the museum is curated by Hasbro and will feature some ‘collector item’ toys brought to Ireland especially for the festival. For festival goers wishing to get ‘crafty’ the Crafts Council of Ireland will host series of Craft workshops exploring new techniques in Clay, Textiles, Jewelery, and Paper Craft. 

Winterval also sees the Waterford Vikings Fado set up camp at Greyfriars Chruch where they will demonstrate the traditions of a Viking Christmas. Celebrating the Polish culture, a ‘Traditional Polish Christmas’ will be hosted by Waterford’s Polish community and offers festivalgoers Gingerbread Man making class (yum!) for children and lots more at ‘Swiety Mikolaj’.

In keeping the with the medieval tradition of end-of-year markets springing up as social gatherings where people could enjoy a little excess before the onset of bitter weather, a festive ‘Winterval Market’ will take over the medieval heart of the city. 60 beautifully decorated log cabins will offer the very best quality & range of goods in food, craft, wooden traditional toys and decorations. 

A brand new road train the, "Winterval Express" will also be unveiled for the festival, enabling visitors to take a tour of the 2km Winterval Trail (you can hop on & off where needed.) The epi-centre of the festival features a wonderful Santa’s grotto in the magical 12^th century city undercrofts. 

Other exciting Winterval events, which will be highlighted in the coming weeks, include a City Square Treasure Hunt, a Georgian Christmas at Bishop’s Palace, Storytelling at Reginald’s Tower including a Children’s Christmas and Classic Movie Club, Waterford Home Crafts Fair at Garter Lane. Waterford On Ice, a host of theatre productions and lots more exciting activities.

       I'm definitely going! Hope you will, too! 

A full listing of the Winterval trail events can be found on winterval.ie

 whattoseeinireland

50 Shades of Graig, & Tinnahinch! Photos of Ireland's hidden gems

http://bestfootphoto.wix.com/fiftyshadesofgraig  

See all the festival signs? never a dull moment in our area!

This weekend -21 to 23 September 2012- the Town of Books Festival AND the Michealmas festival are both on here in Graiguenamanagh (Kilkenny side of the river Barrow) and Tinnahinch (Carlow side of the river Barrow.)

Have a look at this fantastic new photo site showing off the 50 Shades of Graig. Many thanks to Best Foot Photo for putting this together to show off some of the fantastic things in our patch of Kilkenny & Carlow.

http://bestfootphoto.wix.com/fiftyshadesofgraig  

 whattoseeinireland

Feastival!

Human & beast found things to nibble at Waterford Harvest festival Feastival

There is something for *everyone* to nibble on at Waterford Harvest Festival! A week long extravaganza concluded with the Feastival- a huge array of food stalls, craft stands, & more all along the quays in Waterford City. Here are some photos to give you  a taster (sorry) of what was on offer. Mark your calendar for next year!

Waterford Harvest Fest 2012, some local producers

There is always lots on for the kids; farm animals, ride on tractors, bouncy castles & such, & of course lots of yummy cakes & buns to make sure they've enough energy for everything ;-)

Kids love the Harvest Fest! (heh heh!)

The Waterford Blaas

There were bands, re-enactments, shelter from rainshowers, & fun as well as great grub. I find that Waterford always puts on a great festival, from the massive Tall Ships festival right on down to some smaller ones. The Waterford Harvest Festival is a whole week of food and fun  that should definitely be on your list. The Feastival itself was also a great day for the whole family. Foodies could eat wild harvested mushrooms, kiddies could play under them in this popular garden. See you in the enchanted food forest next year! 

Note: We went to Feastival (part of the Harvest Festival) under our own steam. Sure it is free, anyhow :-D Well, not the food, but there is no entrance fee! But I do want to make it clear that this year (2012) I was a guest of the festival 2 other days as part of a blogger's tour. That was fantastic, because I got to experience & tweet about even more of a festival I'd loved in 2011. Thank you, Waterford! 

Fulacht Fia, an event from the Irish Bronze Age

Waterford Harvest Festival is in full swing, and I want to let you know about an interesting event for the whole family happening this Friday evening, & Saturday morning into lunchtime. The Fulacht Fia bronze age event will see the cooking done on Fri & then you will do the eating Saturday :-)  

  There is LOADS on this whole week; go check out their website to find out more & plan a day out. I was on one of their Slow Food tours today and it was very interesting and tasty; I recommend doing one! 

You can check out some photos from my day at the festival here.

See you in Waterford!

On the radio for Ireland's Town Of Books Festival!

If you are free tonight ( Tues 4 Sept) listen in online or on local Kilkenny/Carlow area radio to KCLR 96fm  between 8-9pm to hear me talk about Ireland's Town Of Books Festival :-) I'll be talking to Ken McGuire on The Arts Show about the 50 Shades Of Graig, the variety of books on offer, the fantastic events, & more. I'll also be trying to say 'Bridget In Werewolf Rehab.' Will I be successful in that? Listen in to find out! :-)

Bridget In Werewolf Rehab

50 Shades of Graig! Ireland's Town of Books Festival

Don't Miss it!!           

Books, craic, history, music, & fun for the whole family on September 21-23 in the wonderful medieval riverside town of Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny!

 One of Ireland's hidden gems, the town is filled with booksellers from all over Ireland & the UK during the festival weekend. This year the theme is 50 Shades of Graig, & in addition to the readings/talks from (non-Graig) Irish authors, there are fabulous walks & tours where you'll enjoy the nature and  history of Graiguenamanagh, music from Graig's own Brass Band- the longest running in Ireland!- local food, plants, craft, & books from local authors. Go on, mark the dates in your calendar!   

    

Get stuck in at Graiguenamanagh Town of Books Festival

Graiguenamanagh is the best place in Ireland to pick up a bargain in new and second hand books, antiquarian, childrens and specialist categories. The festival also features several readings for young and old alike, a smashing food and craft fair, music, street entertainment a host of interesting activities. 

Graig is the outdoor activity headquarters for southeast Ireland, and is constantly alive with hillwalkers, cyclists, & canoeists,  as well as fishing and boating enthusiasts.

So come on down to the river and take your time to browse the bookshops, walk the Barrow towpath and pop in for afternoon tea or enjoy a wee drink in a local hostelry. Here's the 2012 schedule:

Friday 21^st September

Booksellers open 2-6pm

Bridget in Werewolf Rehab: Author Maura Byrne reading & Workshop for 9-12 year olds – Graiguenamanagh LIBRARY 3pm €3

Louise Philips: Crime writer, A reading from her book ‘Red Ribbons’

All welcome –hosted by Graigue Bookclub at Graigue Library 7pm

Saturday 22^nd September

Booksellers open 10am to 6pm

Graiguenamanagh Community Garden open day: with willow weaving display & plant sales, 10 –5

A Walk through Silaire Wood: Graiguenamanagh. Meet at the boathouse 10.30am. €3

‘The Backwards Speller’ – Children’s author and backward speller extraordinaire David Donohue, reading and workshop for 7-13 years old at Graiguenamanagh Playgroup 11.30am €3

Graiguenamanagh Brass Band: on the streets of Graigue 11am

Funky Kids Art & Craft workshop and Funky Disco: for 7 to 12 years 2.30pm at Graiguenamanagh Playgroup €3

National Chamber Choir of Ireland in Concert Duiske Abbey: conducted by David Hill and singing sacred music connected with the Autumn Equinox 3pm €15.00(€12.00 concession)

Sunday 23^rd September

Booksellers open 10am to 6pm

Artisan Food & Craft fair: Upper Main St. 11am to 5pm

Graiguenamanagh Brass Band: 12 to 1pm Upper main St.

Street Entertainment: with Cory O’Brollochain followed by 

Juggling workshop for kids: (workshop €3) 2pm

The 800 year walk: Through the ages since establishment of Duiske Abbey in 1204. Includes fascinating visit to the historic, working, Cushendale Woollen Mills with guidance from current owner of the mill. Walk guided by Graiguenamanagh Historical Society, meet at Duiske Abbey 3pm

Jazz by the river: 3pm at the boathouse with FourSquare Jazz

The Festival Monkey – Mark Graham: creator of the popular Blog ‘A Year of Festivals In Ireland’ gives his version of the fun, culture, & plain old bizzare events he's experienced this year.
 Murrays Pub 4.30pm

I'm certainly going to be there! Hope to see you!!
whattoseeinireland

Dive into Kilkenny Arts Festival!

Diving off John's Bridge, Kilkenny City

Dive into Kilkenny Arts Festival- you'll emerge energized and refreshed! C'mon down- there is a great buzz in town and fantastic things to see, hear, do, and talk about! I'm writing this on the Sunday Aug 12, and the festival runs through next Sunday; have a browse through the programme and plan a visit. Seeing the art & craft is free, & there are free events; but even the pay-for events are great value, so come enjoy a fantastic festival!


Head out to the things on outside of KK City, too! We got to the Three Solos show on Thomastown's Low Street, as well as the shows in gorgeous buildings of Grennan Waternmill (Berkley Gallery) & Grennan Mill Craft School. There is much more on there in Thomastown, too! (We have to go back- ran out of time!) If you only have time for 1 stop, the show in Grennan Mill Craft School is the one Hubby & I feel you should not to miss. Note: my bird photos above do NO JUSTICE to Fiona Heaney's pieces- so go see for yourself! Even the buildings are works of art ;-)

Old mill workings behind Grennan Mill Craft School, Thomastown, Kilkenny

  The Thomastown shows are listed under the category Open Submissions, & don't (if you can do stairs) get frustrated with climbing the stairs all the way to the top floor of Grennan Mill Craft School for the works there by John Bentley & Andi McGarry are very worth seeing!
 Back in Kilkenny City, I got to hear Craft Strand curator Angela Kelly talk about the works in Utensil, on in the National Craft Gallery. Beautiful & interesting, I think it is also worth a visit- and do have a listen to the Whispering Table. Clever idea :-) Be sure to check the programme, as there are craft events on for kids & adults, too.

             
The Globe Theatre are presenting As You Like It in the atmospheric setting of the Castle Yard beside the National Craft Gallery all week, and it is a wonderful show. ( If you are interested in Shakespeare & Ireland, you may like this Irish Times article.)  The actors are such great singers as well, and play instruments, too- a multi talented bunch! The show is great fun, & the Friday we went the sun joyfully shone down til dusk fell. Tis about 3 hours long, & outdoors, so go prepared for rain, sun, chill-- who knows what weather may happen! There is a bar, tho', so if it is wet you could drown your sorrows ;-)

The sun shone on As You Like It!

On Saturday night we saw Aziz Samhaoui & the University of Gnawa. As usual, the music selected by the music curators at Kilkenny Arts Festival didn't disappoint.The band's great groove soon had people on the floor dancing, & most others seat dancing as well! I hope to upload a short clip when I've time- there's s.l.o.w. upload speed here *sighs* Til then, here's a photo & a link to a song from them.                                                                                                                     

           

 As I write this there's still a whole week of enjoyment left-- don't miss out! There's lots on for the family, too, & so many great places to eat & chill out when you need a break. We had a very tasty lunch at Zuni's casual front cafe on Saturday, and Cleeres is always fab for pub lunch, bevvies & craic on the Watergate/Canice's side of town, while Bridies is a pub we love on the Set Theatre side of town. Where ever you go in Kilkenny-- enjoy! And mark your calendar for next year's Art Festival!
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