michael o`toole - Kilkenny Arts Festival

Transcription

michael o`toole - Kilkenny Arts Festival
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Board of Directors
Emer Foley (chair), Fergus Cronin, Susan Proud,
Maureen Kennelly, Anna O’Sullivan, Conor Langton,
Thomas O’Toole, Michael O’Toole, Isabell Smyth,
Orla Kelly, Gobnait Kearney, Brian Kiely.
Festival Team
Chief Executive Damian Downes
Marketing Director Brendan Rice
Office Manager Valerie Ryan
Local PR Co-ordinator Cathy Power
Programme Co-ordinator Jacqui Dempsey
Production Manager Michael Burke
Publicity Christine Monk
Social Media Maestro Layla O’Meara
Volunteer Co-ordinator Niamh Duffe
Marketing Executive Bryan O’Regan
Marketing Intern Emilie Le Goff
Artist Liaison Liz Nolan
Artist Liaison Gwen O’Sullivan
Graphic Design A&D
Web Design Pixel Design
IT Support Tectrix
Web Maintenance Spot On
Festival image Alé Mercado
Curators
Street Kilkenny Arts Festival Team
Theatre/Dance Tom Creed
Classical Music Susan Proud
Music Gerry Godley
Wired Matthew Nolan
Literature Colm Tóibín
Visual Art Aisling Prior
Craft Angela O’Kelly
Children’s Events Joe Brennan
SYMBOLS GUIDE
Wheelchair
Accessible
Not Wheelchair
Accessible
Funding Bodies
Kilkenny Arts Festival thanks the curators, artists and
performers whose passion and commitment inspire us
year after year.
Thanks to the hard-working volunteers, especially those
who have worked with the festival year after year. It could
not take place without them.
Programme Sponsors
Thanks to the festival sponsors and friends without whose
generosity the festival could not happen.
Thanks to everyone who gets involved in the wonderful
happening that is the Kilkenny Arts Festival.
The Kilkenny Arts Festival gives special thanks to: Mary
Butler and Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, Ger Cody
and the Watergate Theatre, Caroline Coode, Niamh Finn,
Office of Public Works, Kilkenny Tourist Office, The Dean,
Chapter & Staff of St Canice’s Cathedral, Róisín McQuillan,
Sharon O’Gorman, Mary Heffernan, Jaki Jordan, Anne
Teehan, Frank Kavanagh, Ground Staff of Kilkenny Castle,
Sally O’Halloran, Fr Louis Hughes, Willie Meighan, Philip
Edmondson, The Order of Malta, John Cleere, Kilkenny
Rhythm & Roots Festival, The Cat Laughs Festival, Eamon
Walshe, Eamon Langton, Eddie Langton, Fiona Flood and
the girls, Sunniva O’Flynn, Brian Tyrrell, Tony Walsh, Joe
Crockett, Sgt Gary Gordon, Isabelle Etienne, Rolf Stehle,
John Purcell, Sarah Quinlan, Una McCarthy, Imelda Rey,
Rory McCarthy, Ken Maguire, Julia Compton, Keith Johnson,
Des Doyle, Ann Mulrooney, Nathalie Weadick, Maeve Butler,
Naoise O’Donovan, Brian Keyes, Tess Felder, Sue Nunn,
Tomm Dowling, Lucy Yates, Cathal O’Neill, Deirdre Davitt,
Sean McKeown, Kilkenny School of Music, Staff at Rothe
House, Staff at Butler House, the Ormonde Hotel, St Canice’s
Credit Union, the Hibernian Hotel, the Clubhouse Hotel,
Declan Murphy, Kilkenny VEC, the Garda Síochána, Kilkenny
Fire Brigade, Regina Fitzpatrick, Business2Arts, Theatre
Forum, Heather Maitland and Susan Hallam.
Parking
Available
Limited Parking
Available
No Parking
Available
KILKENNY
DESIGN
CRAFT
CENTRE
Media Partners
General Sponsors
KILKENNY
INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT
COMPANY LTD
Embassies and Cultural Institutions
Festival Partners
Bluett O’Donoghue
Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan
JC Minogue
02
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KILKENNY 400 and
KILKENNY ARTS FESTIVAL
JIM AND DR NICK
TEATRO DO MAR (Portugal)
Fire juggling and two eight-foot unicycles make this
a show for the whole family. And then you might get
the chance to join in too.
present
NUSQUAM
TURBO AND DAI
Saturday 8 August
9.45pm
Kilkenny Castle Park
Free tickets available
at Festival box office
Please note that this
performance contains
flashing imagery.
Nusquam is a sensuous and
emotive production. It is an awesome
performance of physical theatre,
aerial acrobatics, music and film.
Turbo and Dai breakdance to old 80s classics like Paul
Hardcastle’s Nah-nah-nah-nah-Nineteen and the theme tune
from Beverley Hills Cop. It’s time to get that lino out, Pledge it
up and windmill like you just don’t care. Unfortunately these two
have had minor mishaps and have to wear their neck brace and
leg cast until the fractures heal properly.
It is performed on four, seven-metre
high mobile structures. It features big
transparent spheres and projections
onto a screen in front of which the
actors hang over their worlds.
It expresses how humans balance in the void, rootless. They are smothered by
an avalanche of information that cannot be absorbed and cannot nourish them.
Nusquam is a reflection on human nature, man in search of himself and his
reason to exist in modern society.
He is in a desperate search to survive the social pressures, imprisoning
individuals in private bubbles of patterns and rules. Lack of communication,
loneliness, adoration of television, the pursuit of perfection, alienation and
illusionary views of freedom and happiness, drive the four characters within
their own frustrations to lose touch with reality.
Created in 1986 in Sines,
Portugal, Teatro do Mar is
a travelling, physical theatre
group. It focuses mainly on a
young audience. Its modern
voice and artistic language
encompass new circus,
dance, music, visual arts,
video image and animation.
PRICE CHECKERS
These two checkout girls, with their scanners, price guns
and lovely ‘muzak’ accompaniment, are ready to mark you
up! Is your spouse reduced to clear? Does your friend need
a special promotion? Could you be 2 for 1? Quick on the
draw, this priceless pair of pricers take a funny look at the
shopping side of life.
CARPET MAN AND LINO BOY
Visionary fashion gurus Carpet Man and Lino Boy bring their
incredible couture creations to the catwalk on the pavements
of Kilkenny.
Carpet Man has seen the future of fashion through the colossal
highs and the bottomless lows of the retail carpet trade.
With the family’s most resourceful nephew, Lino Boy, as his
sidekick, Carpet Man proudly presents astounding couture
creations fresh from the Garden Shed Studio.
03
JIM AND DR NICK
Saturday 8 August
2.30pm
MacDonagh Junction
5pm
The Canal Walk
TURBO AND DAI
Saturday 8 August
1pm, 3pm & 5pm
Streets of Kilkenny
PRICE CHECKERS
Sunday 9 August
2.30pm
MacDonagh Junction
4pm & 5pm
Streets of Kilkenny
CARPET MAN AND
LINO BOY
Friday 14 August
2.30pm
MacDonagh Junction
5pm
The Canal Walk
04
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KEYSTONE KOPS
Saturday 15 August
1pm
Kilkenny Castle Park
2.30pm
MacDonagh Junction
4.30pm
Streets of Kilkenny
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KEYSTONE KOPS
MABOU MINES (US)
The bungling Kops are trying hard but they can’t catch the
elusive escaped convict Slippery Jack. On the run from law and
order with his ball and chain in tow, Jack outwits the Kops at
every twist and turn with his nimble guile and cunning disguises.
Could the crazy Kops be even more stupid than they look?
GANDINI JUGGLERS
GANDINI JUGGLERS
Saturday 15 August
4pm
Kilkenny Castle Park
9.30pm
Set Theatre, John Street
10.15pm
The Canal Walk
FUTTER’S CHILD
Sunday 16 August
1pm
Kilkenny Castle Park
2.30pm
MacDonagh Junction
4pm
Streets of Kilkenny
EDMOND TAHL
Sunday 16 August
2.30pm
Kilkenny Castle Park
3.30pm & 5pm
Streets of Kilkenny
05
Virtuoso juggling with balls, clubs, rings and bouncing balls
from some of the most versatile technical jugglers in Europe.
Elaborate patterns of objects fly through the air whilst the
jugglers gracefully weave, leap and turn beneath them.
Catch one of their spectacular nighttime glow shows.
FUTTER’S CHILD
Gothic slaphead Futter finds himself a teensy bit out of his depth
when he’s left minding the baby. Mr Futter is something like Uncle
Fester from the Addams Family. You are welcomed into his unique
world of love and horror. He is a misunderstood lovable misfit doing
his best to look after a rather challenging baby.
EDMOND TAHL
Poor Edmond tries to look the part of a bowlerhatted gentleman with a flower in his buttonhole.
He is followed by swarming angry bees, finds
himself in the middle of a spaghetti western
gun fight and hears alarm bells. He meets huge
monsters, hears ringing telephones, avoids
crashing glass, low flying helicopters, packs of
hunting hounds and squeaky prams. In the middle
of it all he attempts to keep his composure.
LUCIA’S CHAPTERS
of Coming Forth by Day
Written and directed by SHARON FOGARTY
Performed by RUTH MALECZECH and PAUL KANDEL
Set and Lighting by JIM CLAYBURGH
Music by CARTER BURWELL
Projections by JULIE ARCHER
Costumes by MEGANNE GEORGE
Choreography by J’AIME MORRISON
Dramaturgy JOCELYN CLARKE
Lucia’s Chapters explores the life and death of Lucia,
the adored daughter of James Joyce. As a young woman
in Paris, Lucia’s life was filled with writers, artists and
intellectuals. She was a dancer and a painter. Her father
believed Lucia to be the true inheritor of his genius. While
still in her twenties, Lucia’s behaviour grew erratic. Lucia
spent the next 50 years in confinement, until her death
in 1982.
Following the sell out success of A Prelude To A Death in
Venice in 2007, New York’s seminal experimental theatre
troupe Mabou Mines returns to Kilkenny with another
extraordinary production. Featuring set and lighting
design by Wooster Group founder member Jim Clayburgh
and music by Coen Brothers collaborator Carter Burwell,
Lucia’s Chapters is an exquisite sensory experience.
“Lucia may be dead… but in the hands of the
extraordinary actress Ruth Maleczech, she is
brimming with life and full of mischief”
BOSTON GLOBE
“…compelling work…
subtle and beautiful”
NEW YORK TIMES
Friday 7- Tuesday 11 August
8pm
70 minutes, no interval
The Watergate Theatre
Parliament Street
Admission `25/`21
Ticket Deal
Get this event (Mon or Tues) & Paula
Meehan et al (p.39) for `29.50
Post-show discussion Mon 10th
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MOVING STILL (Ireland)
KRAPP’S LAST TAPE
07
C.I.C.T/THÉÂTRE DES BOUFFES DU NORD (France)
LOVE IS MY SIN
Sonnets by William Shakespeare
By Samuel Beckett
Saturday 8 &
Sunday 9 August
Saturday 15 &
Sunday 16 August
6pm
45 minutes, no interval
Adapted by PETER BROOK
Musician FRANCK KRAWCZYK
Lighting design PHILIPPE VIALATTE
With BRUCE MYERS
NATASHA PARRY
Artistic collaboration MARIE HÉLÈNE ESTIENNE
The Parade Tower
Kilkenny Castle
Apart from his masterpieces, Shakespeare also wrote uncommonly beautiful
sonnets. Chosen by Peter Brook, they will be performed by Natasha Parry and
Bruce Myers.
Admission
`15/`13
We are delighted to welcome Peter Brook and his long-time collaborators to
Kilkenny for the first time, to present this simple and elegant staging of some of
the most extraordinary love poetry ever written.
Ticket Deal
Get this event & Love
is my Sin (Sat 15)
(see opposite) for `31
Post-show discussion
Sun 9th
Directed by ART Ó BRIAIN
Performed by FERGUS CRONIN
On the occasion of his birthday Krapp sits alone at a desk
replaying extracts from his journals, which he has gathered on old
reels. Sadness and extreme loneliness combine with extraordinary
humour to offer an emotionally powerful theatre experience.
Galway based company Moving Still presents what is often
described as one of Beckett’s most accessible works.
“This astonishing collection allows us to penetrate into Shakespeare’s own,
most secret life. It is his private diary, in which we find his intimate questions,
his jealousy, his passions, his guilt, his despair. Above all, he searches to discover
for himself the deep meaning of being attracted by a man or by a woman, even
by the act of writing itself.” (Peter Brook)
Thursday 13 - Saturday 15 August
8pm
50 minutes, no interval
The Watergate Theatre
Parliament Street
Admission
`25/`21
Ticket Deal
Get this event (Sat 15) &
Krapp’s Last Tape (see
opposite) for `31
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REX LEVITATES DANCE COMPANY (Ireland)
UNSUNG
ALEKSANDAR MADŽAR (Serbia)
A unique traditional music and
contemporary dance collaboration
piano
PROGRAMME
L.V. BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Bagatelles Opus 126
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN
(1810-1849)
Polonaise Opus 53
Nocturne Opus 62
Scherzo Opus 54, No. 4
F. CHOPIN
Ballade Opus 52, No. 4
Saturday 15 August
9.30pm
Sunday 16 August
3pm & 8pm
60 minutes, no interval
The Great Hall
Kilkenny Castle
Admission
`25/`21
Post-show discussion
Sun 16th after 3pm show
Choreography by LIZ ROCHE
Music by MÍCHEÁL Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN
Performed by GRANT McLAY, MATTHEW MORRIS,
KATHERINE O’MALLEY and LIZ ROCHE dance
MÍCHEÁL Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN piano
IARLA Ó LIONÁIRD voice
KENNETH EDGE clarinet/saxophone
KATE ELLIS cello
Housed within the performance structure of the traditional Irish “session”,
the formal and improvisational structures that form the basis of traditional
dances and music are re-interpreted, creating a new fusion between modern
bodies, traditional instruments and the audience.
This collaboration features new and existing music performed live by
Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, a cast of four world-class dancers and the voice of
sean nós maestro Iarla Ó Lionáird.
Originally co-produced by Éigse Carlow Arts Festival. Developed from the short film Unsung,
commissioned by RTÉ and the Arts Council for the dance film initiative RTÉ Dance on the Box.
09
MAURICE RAVEL
(1875-1937)
Gaspard de la Nuit
Friday 7 August
8.30pm
Serbian pianist Aleksandar
Madžar is among the most
sought-after of the younger
generation of musicians whose
pianistic skills are described as a
“flight on the wings of imagination,
sensitivity and wide horizons”.
(The Slovenia Times).
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission
`22/`19
Ticket Deal
Get this event & Roy
Foster (p.36) for `27
His programme includes Beethoven’s late Opus 126 Bagatelles, four of Chopin’s most
popular compositions and Ravel’s notoriously demanding Gaspard de la Nuit, a work
considered to be one of the most difficult solo piano pieces in the standard repertoire.
Since he first came to prominence at the Leeds Piano Competition in 1996, Madžar has
worked with a host of British orchestras. He travels extensively in Europe and Asia and is
professor at the Royal Flemish Conservatoire in Brussels and the Hochschule für Musik
und Theater in Bern.
MICHAEL O’TOOLE (Ireland)
guitar
PROGRAMME
Martin Adams said in The Irish Times that his playing was
“fluent, shapely and always apt”. Such accolades herald
(1916-1983) (Argentina)
Sonata in Four Movements a delight for Kilkenny audiences. Michael O’Toole is not
only a leading classical guitarist, he is always rising to the
NIKITA KOSHKIN
challenge of performing new work.
(b.1956) (Russia)
Usher Waltz
His commitment to contemporary music, the range of
CARLO DOMENICONI
composers with whom he has worked and his performances
(b.1947) (Italy)
with world famous pipa virtuoso Liu Fang set him apart.
Koyunbaba
ALBERTO GINASTERA
Saturday 8 August
3pm
The Black Abbey
Abbey Street
Admission
`15/`13
10
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Saturday 8 August
8pm
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LE CONCERT SPIRITUEL (France)
HERVÉ NIQUET director
PRIYA MITCHELL (UK)
Splendour of the cathedrals under
Louis XIV – The Sun King
A musical voyage from Paris to Strasbourg
POLINA LESCHENKO (Russia)
violin
piano
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission
`30/`25
PROGRAMME
MARC-ANTOINE
CHARPENTIER
(1643–1704)
De Profundis
HENRI FREMART
(1590-1646)
Motet
Harpsichordist, pianist, singer, composer,
choirmaster and conductor Hervé Niquet made
his debut as choirmaster at the Opéra National de
Paris (1980). Under his baton, Le Concert Spirituel
breathes new life into the stunning French repertoire of sacred and
instrumental music of the 17th and 18th centuries.
In this programme for twelve male voice soloists, five cellos and basso
continuo, Le Concert Spirituel performs sacred music of the French
high baroque written specifically for some of France’s most magnificent
buildings such as Sainte Chapelle in Paris and the Cathedrals of Troyes
and Strasbourg.
The chamber organ used in this concert has been kindly loaned
by the Irish Baroque Orchestra.
PIERRE HUGARD
(1726-1765)
Motet
LOUIS LE PRINCE
(c.1650)
Motet
SÉBASTIEN DE BROSSARD
(1655-1730)
Stabat Mater
PIERRE BOUTEILLER
(c.1655-1717)
Requiem
Polina Leschenko, from St Petersburg, is a brilliant young
pianist about whose performance a British critic wrote:
FELIX MENDELSSOHN “There is something exceptional and compelling about her
(1809-1847)
combination of delicacy, fluency and well-timed bursts of
Violin Sonata in F major fireworks.” She made her solo début at the age of eight
with the Leningrad Symphony Orchestra.
ALFRED SCHNITTKE
(1934-1998)
Priya Mitchell, from the other side of Europe, began
Sonata No.1
violin lessons at the age of four. Five years later she was
at the Yehudi Menuhin School. One critic described her
BÉLA BARTÓK
performance as “Tearing into its spiky atonalism and
(1881-1945)
finding exactly the right mood of glacial intensity for its
Romanian dances
lyrical interludes, this violinist was taking no prisoners”.
EDVARD GRIEG
In the splendid setting of St Canice’s Cathedral, this
(1843-1907)
promises to be an unforgettable evening.
Sonata No.3
PROGRAMME
Tuesday 11 August
8pm
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission
`22/`19
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IRISH BAROQUE ORCHESTRA
(Ireland)
MONICA HUGGETT director
SARAH McMAHON cello
Thursday 13 August
8.30pm
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission
`25/`21
Ticket Deal
Get this event & Heaney/
O’Driscoll (p.41) for `30
In 2009, music lovers around the globe commemorate the
200th anniversary of the death of Joseph Haydn. Haydn
started his career as a member of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, the
city to which he also returned after working for the Princes
Esterházy in today’s Burgenland and Hungary. In this concert
of ‘classical’ music the Irish Baroque Orchestra will move
from its familiar homeground in the world of the baroque
to the classical period of Haydn and Mozart under the
inspirational direction of Monica Huggett, who has recently
been appointed Director of Early Music at the prestigious
Juilliard School in New York. Sarah McMahon, known to
many as the cellist in the Callino String Quartet, performs
Haydn’s sparkling cello concerto in C.
EX CATHEDRA CONSORT &
BAROQUE ENSEMBLE (UK)
HIS MAJESTYS SAGBUTTS
AND CORNETTS (UK)
13
JEFFREY SKIDMORE director
PROGRAMME
JOSEPH HAYDN
(1732-1809)
Symphony in F minor
No. 49 La Passione
J. HAYDN
Cello Concerto in C
W.A. MOZART
(1756-1791)
Symphony No. 29 in A
From 1613 until his death in 1643 Monteverdi was the
‘maestro di capella’ at the famous Basilica of St. Mark
in Venice. The acclaimed Ex Cathedra will endeavour
to recreate the majesty and pomp of the religious
services of that period in the beautiful surroundings
of St Canice’s Cathedral, where the ensemble has
performed memorably at previous festivals.
PROGRAMME
CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI
(1567-1643)
Marian Vespers of 1610
From its home in Birmingham, Ex Cathedra has established
an international reputation as a leading UK choir and Early
Music ensemble. Under founder and Artistic Director, Jeffrey
Skidmore, Ex Cathedra is known for its vibrant performances
and a passion for seeking out not only the best but the
unfamiliar and the unexpected in the choral repertoire.
His Majestys Sagbutts and
Cornetts is a group of virtuoso
wind players who specialise in
playing Renaissance and Baroque
music in historically appropriate
styles on original instruments.
The noble sound of cornetts
and sackbuts was among the
most versatile instrumental
colours available to composers
of the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries.
This concert forms part of
Kilkenny’s 400th anniversary
celebrations.
KILKENNY
DESIGN
CRAFT
CENTRE
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The chamber organ used in this
concert has been kindly loaned
by the Irish Baroque Orchestra.
Friday 14 August
8pm
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission
`30/`25
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RTÉ CONCERT ORCHESTRA
(Ireland)
DAVID BROPHY conductor
CARA O’SULLIVAN soprano
(Germany)
PROGRAMME
SIR WILLIAM WALTON
Prelude and Fugue from Spitfire
JOHNNY MERCER/
HENRY MANCINI
Moon River
GEORGES BIZET
Beat Out That Rhythm
(Carmen Jones)
EDUARDO DI CAPUA
O Sole Mio
Saturday 15 August
2pm
ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN
Bill (Carousel)
VINCENT KENNEDY
Dublin - Overture to My City
St Canice’s Cathedral
JOHN WILLIAMS
ET Adventures On Earth
RON GOODWIN
Theme from 633 Squadron
ERIC COATES
The Dambusters
15
THE DRESDEN GROUP
Always one of the most popular events at the Kilkenny Arts Festival, the RTÉ
Concert Orchestra plays a lunchtime concert this year in St Canice’s Cathedral.
Bring all the family to hear this programme of tunes from well-known films and
musicals. Guest soprano Cara O’Sullivan is sure to bring the house down.
Admission
`20/`17
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PROGRAMME 1
FRANZ DANZI
PROGRAMME 1
Saturday 15 August
6pm*
Wind Quintet in D minor,
Opus 68 No. 3
The Great Hall
Kilkenny Castle
PAUL HINDEMITH
Admission
`20/`15
Kleine Kammermusik for
wind quintet Opus 24 No 2
*As another event will take
place in The Great Hall
later on Saturday night, this
performance must begin at
6pm sharp. Latecomers will
not be admitted.
(1763-1826)
(1895-1963)
GYÖRGY
SÁNDOR LIGETI
(1923 -2006)
Six Bagatelles
LUDWIG
VAN BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Quintet for Piano and
Winds in E flat Opus 16
PROGRAMME 2
MAURICE RAVEL
(1875-1937)
Le Tombeau
de Couperin
CLAUDE-PAUL
TAFFANEL
(1844-1908)
Wind Quintet
FRANCIS POULENC
(1899-1963)
Sextet for piano
and winds
BERNHARD KURY flute
VOLKER HANEMANN oboe
CHRISTIAN DOLLFUß clarinet
JULIUS RÖNNEBECK horn
ANDREAS BÖRTITZ bassoon
with
PAUL RIVINIUS piano
Kilkenny Arts Festival continues its association
with The Dresden Group who gave such
powerful performances at last year’s festival.
Five wind players from the world renowned
Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra are joined by
the celebrated German pianist Paul Rivinius for
two programmes of German and French music.
The Irish Times’ Michael Dervan described
The Dresden Group’s performance at last year’s
festival as“exquisite in its floating delicacy”.
PROGRAMME 2
Sunday 16 August
11am
The Great Hall
Kilkenny Castle
Admission
`15/`13
Ticket Deal
Get this morning event &
O’Toole/Kilroy (p.40) for `22
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AKAMOON & BLACK MACHINE
(Belgium/Mali)
GENTICORUM (Quebec) &
THE TAP ROOM TRIO (Ireland)
FABRIZIO CASSOL alto saxophone
MICHEL HATZIGEORGIOU bass
STEPHANE GALLAND drums
BABA SISSOKHO percussion
PASCAL GEMME fiddle, feet, vocals
ALEX DE GROSBOIS-GARAND flute, fiddle, bass, vocals
YANN FALQUET guitar, jews harp, vocals
“Europe’s most innovative trio.”
JAZZMAN MAGAZINE
Friday 7 August
9pm
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
Admission
`22/`19
Saxophonist Fabrizio Cassol, electric bassist Michel Hatzigeorgiou and drummer
Stephane Galland have created an enlightened and highly evolved understanding of
rhythm, an exhilarating constant in their ever-changing and unique soundworld.
In Kilkenny they unveil their latest creation, where jazz at its most rhythmically addictive
gets an infusion of West African percussion, courtesy of Black Machine, a choir of
Malian griots (sacred singers or bards) led by one of that regal culture’s most celebrated
musicians: the talking drum master Baba Sissokho.
Akamoon’s last Irish appearance was at the Dublin Dance Festival, performing with
the celebrated Brussels company Ballet C de la B. It was another landmark in the
continuous invention and renewal of this remarkable Belgian band, whose collaborative
approach has yielded 12 landmark albums with artists as diverse as Indian virtuoso U.K.
Sivaraman, The Brussels Opera and DJ collective Grazzhoppa.
“This is bracing stuff, replete with gorgeous three-part
harmony singing and powerful instrumental work”
HOT PRESS SAID OF GENTICORUM
Belfast and Montreal undergo a temporary festive twinning. It is celebrated by two
outstanding trios, shedding light on the thriving traditional music life in both cities.
Genticorum is an evolution in the Quebeqois sound of legendary groups like La
Bottine Souriante. Sure footed three-part harmony vies with wooden flute, fiddle,
acoustic guitar, jaw harp, bass and that all important foot stomping percussion to
create a rousing evocation of lost nights in Acadia.
Slightly less gregarious, but no less seductive is The Tap Room Trio. Belfast’s much
remarked resurgence in flute-playing of the highest order, is brilliantly illuminated by
the invention and drive of Harry Bradley. He is joined by fiddler Jesse Smith and
guitarist John Carthy.
HARRY BRADLEY flute
JESSE SMITH fiddle
JOHN CARTHY guitar
“There’s an astonishing lift and drive
to their music and, at times, a dazzling
degree of precision in evidence.”
fROOTS SAID OF THE TAP ROOM TRIO
Saturday 8 August
9pm
Hotel Kilkenny
Admission
`22/`19
Admission and Meal
`47
17
18
BJH>8
THE HEARTSTRING SESSIONS
THE XI’ AN SI (China )
BJH>8
19
(Ireland)
LI KAI guzheng
TANG WEI pipa
XU ZHEN erhu
Sunday 9 August
4pm
The Heritage Council/
Áras hOidhreachta
Church Lane
Admission
`15/`13
Ireland knows comparatively little of China’s great regional diversity in traditional
music but a young musician from Zhengzhou City is set to change that. Now living
in Co Clare, Li Kai is bridging the geographical divide with The Xi’ an Si, a trio
that reunites her with musicians from home and introduces us to the exquisite
instruments and provincial styles of China.
Together they will take you on a journey that starts on the Silk Road and ends a
little closer to home, with Irish airs heard on Chinese instruments. It’s as if they
were made for each other.
NOLLAIG CASEY trumpet
MAIRE NÍ CATHASAIGH tenor saxophone
ARTY McGLYNN fender rhodes
CHRIS NEWMAN guitar
ELECTRIC MILES (Ireland)
JOE O’CALLAGHAN guitar
PAUL WILLIAMSON trumpet
MICHAEL BUCKLEY tenor saxophone RONAN GUILFOYLE bass
JUSTIN CARROLL fender rhodes
SEAN CARPIO drums
Sunday 9 August
9pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Admission
`18/`15.50
“A fearsome concentration
of Irish jazz talent.”
The Heartstring Sessions, with two exceptional
guitarists and two very gifted sisters, marries two
renowned duos. Celebrated names in Irish music are
here: guitarist Arty McGlynn, fiddler Nollaig Casey
and harpist Máire Ní Chathasaigh with the UK’s
finest flat-picker Chris Newman.
THE SUNDAY TRIBUNE
Eighteen years since his passing, Miles Davis casts a long shadow into jazz’s second century.
In a 50-year career, his restless music reached peaks of creativity that few have seen since.
In his productive middle years Miles served notice that a major shift in musical aesthetics
was underway, bringing forth a series of electric albums whose impact has not yet subsided
in creative music of all persuasions.
Last heard at The Electric Picnic 08, Electric Miles convenes the elite of Irish jazz including
saxophonist Michael Buckley and drummer Sean Carpio in a workout on the vintage 1970s
Miles of the Bitches Brew and In a Silent Way period. It’s the spirit, not the letter of Miles that
matters and this will be no arid tribute of worthy reconstruction. Sparks fly.
“Traditional music at
its very best, crossing
boundaries, tapping our
own tunes alongside
bluegrass and ragtime
borrowings. Many
lifetimes’ worth of music.”
THE IRISH TIMES
It is the music they love: old airs and songs, dance
music, Irish and otherwise, originals and old time
standards, pulled from a collective trove gathered
on four journeys that have taken in all points from
Planxty to Riverdance. All that experience and kinship
has distilled into a graceful, soulful debut album that
has drawn effusive praise. Live in performance: a
session to remember.
Monday 10 August
8.30pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Admission
`20/`17
Tuesday 11 August
11.30am & 2pm
The Great Hall
Kilkenny Castle
Admission
`13/`11
Ticket Deal
Get this event (Mon) & GAA
Night (p.38) for `25.50
20
BJH>8
BJH>8
NORMA WINSTONE TRIO
MORLA &
CAOIMHÍN Ó RAGHALLAIGH
(Ireland)
“A surprising music
whose kaleidoscopic
colours, textures and
original lines constantly
confounded expectation”
THE IRISH TIMES
Tuesday 11 August
8pm
Cleere’s Pub and Theatre
Parliament Street
Admission
`15/`13
SIMON JERMYN guitar, electronics
SEAN ÓG alto saxophone, electronics
CAOIMHÍN Ó RAGHALLAIGH fiddle, hardingfele
Morla comprises two of the bolder
spirits in Irish music today, and it’s
also a product of Bottlenote, a Dublin
creative collective that mirrors the
emergence of similar coalitions
of young musicians throughout
Europe such as London’s F-IRE and
Copenhagen’s Ilk. Guitarist Simon
Jermyn has just released a debut
CD for Barcelona’s Fresh Sounds
imprint, and his beautifully textured
guitar manipulations are a talking
point in the Irish jazz scene. Similarly,
alto saxophonist Sean Óg has
foregone the instrument’s more linear
approach, opting for microtonality,
electronica and the use of DIY
instruments and objet trouvé to forge
a personal vocabulary. The contrast
of new and old, digital and acoustic,
is made bold here with an additional
solo set from that most adventurous
of traditional fiddlers Caoimhín Ó
Raghallaigh, before what promises to
be an intriguing encounter with Morla
in their own organic soundworld.
21
(UK/Italy/Germany )
“Winstone
continues to show
her juniors what
it means to be a
genuinely original
jazz singer.
Here, everything
fits together
– Winstone’s
ethereal, gently
sad tone, the
softgrained
soundworld and
the harmonic
subtlety of her comusicians.”
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
NORMA WINSTONE voice
GLAUCO VENIER piano
KLAUS GESING bass clarinet, soprano saxophone
Wednesday 12 August
8.15pm
Certainly England’s and possibly Europe’s finest ever jazz singer,
Norma Winstone has saved some of the very best work of a
40-year career until now. A first CD in 10 years for ECM and a new
partnership with two outstanding young musicians, Italian pianist
Glauco Venier and German saxophonist Klaus Gesing, has drawn
forth something special and intimate. Together they embrace an
absorbing song-focused repertoire that spans Cole Porter and Peter
Gabriel, Erik Satie and Pasolini, folk songs and Winstone’s own
evocative, often poetic lyrics.
Admission
`20/`17
In two players that are alive to a universe of musical possibilities,
Winstone has found an empathic foil for her lissome voice and
forthright delivery. It’s a style all the more affecting for its absence of
histrionics and melodrama, attesting to the power of time, experience
and a constant refining of the artist’s own voice.
St Canice’s Cathedral
Ticket Deal
Get this event and Ivor
Browne (p.40) for `25.50
22
BJH>8
HAZMAT MODINE (US )
WADE SCHUMAN harmonica, guitar, vocals
BILL BARRETT harmonica, sheng, vocals
JOSEPH DALEY tuba
PAM FLEMING trumpet
STEVE ELSON saxophones, duduk
PETE SMITH guitar
MICHAEL GOMEZ guitar, steel guitar
RICH HUNTLEY drum
If you haven’t heard Hazmat
Modine, it’s hard to describe what
they do. After you’ve heard Hazmat
Modine, it’s still hard to describe
what they do.
New York seeps out of every
musical pore of this wilfully
eccentric slice of Americana.
Hazmat Modine embraces
everything from jug bands and
Jamaican rocksteady to country
blues and klezmer.
It’s all delivered with deadpan
charm that includes harmonica,
tuba, Hawaiian steel guitar, a
bizarre Chinese reed organ and
other staples of the self-respecting
Waitsian junkyard orchestra.
Thursday 13 August
10pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Admission
`22/`19
The precarious balancing act is
orchestrated by singer and virtuoso
harmonica man Wade Schuman,
flanked by seven equally brilliant,
equally restless, musical orphans
for whom one genre was never
going to be enough.
At the heart of the beast is a serious
enough point about the melting
pot of American roots culture, but
trust us, you won’t need a degree
in ethnomusicology to have a ball in
their irrepressible company.
BJH>8
FRANCESCO TURRISI TRIO
23
(Ireland)
Turin-born Francesco Turrisi was the
harpsichordist with acclaimed baroque
ensemble l’Arpeggiata. He put the
experience to use since becoming
established in Ireland. He’s a pivotal
member of Balkan group Yurodny and
leads Tarab, a small group experimenting
with different elements of Irish traditional,
Mediterranean and medieval music.
“It’s as if 1930’s
calypso legend
Wilmouth Houdini,
Sidney Bechet and a
Haitian band all ran
into each other at a
Gypsy wedding”
METRO LONDON
FRANCESCO TURRISI piano
DAN BODWELL bass
SEAN CARPIO drums
In piano trio, these elements are
expanded and the debut CD Si Dolce È Il
Tormento was said by The Irish Times to
be ‘exquisite’.
Friday 14 August
1pm
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission
`15/`13
“Delightful, unusual,
decidedly un-Irish jazz.”
THE SUNDAY TRIBUNE
GRUPO FANTASMA (US )
“This freight train of a
Latin band could easily
hold its own in The
Bronx…they’ll knock you
down with the grooves. ”
ADRIAN QUESADA guitar
JOHNNY LOPEZ drums
JOSE GALEANO vocals, timbales
GILBERT ELORREAGA trumpet
BETO MARTINEZ guitar
KINO RODRIGUEZ vocals
GREG GONZALEZ bass
JOSHUA LEVY saxophones
MATTHEW “SWEET LOU” HOLMES congas
MARK “SPEEDY” GONZALES trombone
THE VILLAGE VOICE
These days Austin is on the map as home to SXSW, the world’s largest rock showcase. The
Texan city is also HQ to Grupo Fantasma, currently the hottest ticket on the US Latin scene.
Grammy nominated for their third album Sonidos Gold, this 11-strong orchestra has earned
a reputation as the US’s hardest working and funkiest Latin band. They regularly open for
Prince’s American shows.
Unlike salsa from Cuba, this is founded in the harder Puerto Rican sound, evoking the 70s
groove of Larry Harlow, Ray Barretto and the halcyon days of labels like Fania, whose music
still reverberates through salsa dance clubs around the world. The ingredients are insistent
grooves of timbales and congas, the percussive drive of the piano montuno, soaring brass
and rock steady bass all rebooted with a funky edge for the 21st century.
Friday 14 August
10pm
Set Theatre, John Street
Admission
`22/`19
24
BJH>8
L>G:9
JULIE FEENEY (Ireland)
JOHN SPILLANE (Ireland)
Saturday 15 August
9pm
The Parade Tower
Kilkenny Castle
Admission
`12/`10
After decades on the Irish music scene, John Spillane seems
to have become an overnight success with the launch of his
new album, So Far So Good, Like. John Spillane has become
a master of making us all relate to his songs. He is an artist
who knows how to deliver all that he has to offer to anyone of
any age, male or female, no matter the musical preference.
Place him in the genre of folk, acoustic, traditional, world
or pop - that’s fine with John. He’s a man who is very
comfortable in his skin.
IBRAHIM ELECTRIC (Denmark)
NICLAS KNUDSEN guitar
JEPPE TUXEN hammond organ
STEFAN PASBORG drums
Saturday 15 August
10pm
Set Theatre, John Street
Admission
`22/`19
Get there early and catch
The Gandini Jugglers
(p.4) at 9.30pm
25
“The tunes are fresh, the energy is
high, the chemistry perfect. ”
JAZZTIMES
If the piano trio is the heartland of the jazz romantic, then the organ trio is where its
mischievous alter ego comes out to play. It appears that way with Copenhagen’s Ibrahim
Electric, who fairly barnstormed Stradbally when they closed out the Electric Picnic jazz
stage last year.
This is a glorious swamp thing of distorted sounds from a Lesley amp’s rotating horn, guitar
riffs indebted to ’60s psychedelia and some brawny drumming that wouldn’t be out of place
in stadium rock.
This hugely enjoyable dancefloor proposition is brought to you by three outstanding Danish
musicians on a mission to excite. Organist Jeppe Tuxen is well got as pianist with the group
Endorfin but takes a robust approach to the Hammond console. Guitarist Niclas Knudsen
exploits an interest in African music to inject a vibrant Afrobeat element. Mighty drummer
Stefan Pasborg puts aside the colouristic devices for which he’s highly regarded in the
Danish contemporary scene to bring only the good groove.
As her new album, pages, continues
its meteoric rise to fame, Julie
Feeney comes to Kilkenny to perform
in St Canice’s Cathedral with a small
string ensemble. The album has been
described as a collection of songs
performed with stirring, spellbinding
elegance, yet delivered with a strange,
almost whimsical sense of fun.
Julie may be a dreamer, but she is
also one of life’s achievers. She has
three Masters degrees, plays ten
instruments and was a professional
singer for the National Chamber Choir
in Ireland for five years.
Not only did the multi-tasking
composer-performer from Galway
sing, compose and produce the
album’s songs, she even conducted
the top-flight full orchestra which
performed them all in one epic sixhour recording session at the Irish
Chamber Orchestra studio in Limerick.
Saturday 8 August
1pm
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission
`13/`11
26
L>G:9
RSAG (Ireland)
L>G:9
27
and special guests
Saturday 8 August
10.15pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Admission
`12/`10
Sunday 16 August
8pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Admission
`15/`13
RSAG is one man. RSAG is a multi-instrumentalist who records,
performs and produces all his own material. RSAG is Kilkenny’s
Jeremy Hickey.
Live on stage, RSAG plays drums/percussion and sings. His
backing tracks are pre-recorded in studio and are his support.
RSAG shares his stage with a virtual band, projected on a
screen behind him. Hickey is every member. Think of Joy
Division, Talking Heads, Fela Kuti, New York rockers ESG with
the visual impact of Gorillaz. This is so much more than just
music. It is a friendly, full-sensory virus with no known cure.
in collaboration with DONAL DINEEN &
HALFSET (Ireland) with special guests
NICK CARSWELL and the Elective Orchestra
3epkano
Since its inception in 2004, 3epkano has made a name for
itself with live silent movie shows in diverse venues in
Europe and the US. Recent shows include several multimedia
collaborations with Donal Dineen and his extraordinary film
footage.Those who discovered 3epkano last year, will rush to
experience a mix of experimental, soundtrack and rock music.
There is a sense of taking a
musical line for a walk, with
democratic improv, starting with
a structure but allowing it room
to expand and compress. The
genesis comes from an electronic
framework kicked off by
Stephen Shannon, with the other
three offering their layers and
interpretations. Hot Press said
they create mini-masterpieces.
with KATIE KIM (Ireland) &
GEPPETTO (Ireland)
Amiina
3EPKANO (Ireland)
Halfset
AMIINA (Iceland)
Nick Carswell
and the Elective
Orchestra
Nick’s unique voice echoes
John Lennon and Jeff Tweedy,
with a hint of Joe Cocker’s
soulfulness. Insightful lyrics
cover ideas of hope and
truth and span the breadth of
human emotion.
Amiina’s collaboration with Sigur Rós
started in 1999. Since then Amiina
has been on most of their tours and
collaborated with them on the albums
( ) and Takk.
The organic sounds of Amiina merge
with Kippi Kaninus´s fascinating
world of electronics. With Magnús T.
Eliassen’s dynamic percussion, it is an
intriguing programme of new as well
as recycled material.
Amiina´s members have collaborated
individually with many artists,
performed at art festivals and toured
in North America and Europe.
Magnús Trygvason Eliassen started his
music studies at the age of eight and
has been active in the Icelandic music
scene for several years. He played with
K Trio among others.
Katie Kim
Perfect swellings, sedated, distorted chaos and
sculpted slowburns somewhat describes the
music that bleeds from Katie Kim.
She left dreampop outfit Dae-Kim in early 2008 to
record songs written over five years. A computer
mishap had wiped over 50 of her works.
The collection, born from the mourning of the
loss, butterflied into Twelve. The debut vinyl-only
album provoked an overwhelming response. Her
performance here will be one of only a few live
performances this year. Her second album, being
recorded in seclusion, is out in October.
Geppetto
A visual and audio collaboration between
artists is at the core of local act Geppetto. Paul
Mahon’s idea has developed into a unique blend
of live visuals and ambient melodic tunes to
please the senses.
Artist Mick Minogue provides live projection
painting to the sounds of musicians Colm Ó
Caoimhe on piano, Jane Murphy on cello and
Paul Mahon on guitar.
Sunday 9 August
8pm
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission
`30/`25.50
28
L>G:9
L>G:9
29
J SPACEMAN (UK) &
SI SCHROEDER (Ireland)
LOW (USA)
MICK TURNER (Australia)
ADRIAN CROWLEY (Ireland)
Low
One of the top live shows of 2008 was how
The Irish Times described Spiritualized’s
end-of-festival performance last year in
St Canice’s Cathedral.
J Spaceman is renowned as the driving
creative force behind the pioneering
drone/space rock band and now he returns
to the Great Hall in Kilkenny Castle with a
solo performance.
J Spaceman has been active with a host
of free jazz players and improvisers.
He provided much of the soundtrack to
Harmony Korine’s film, Mr Lonely. He
composed the original score for an art
installation called Silent Sound by British
artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard.
He released his second solo work: a
collaboration with Matthew Shipp, entitled
SpaceShipp last year.
Si Schroeder
Thursday 13 August
8pm
The Great Hall
Kilkenny Castle
Admission
`30/`25.50
Si Schroeder is a six-foot hairy male who
makes ‘music’. It has generally sounded like
the combined contents of his record collection
(mostly classic sixties pop, scratchy old ethnic
recordings and the odd bleep or two).
On top, he layers ruminative, whispered vocals
about the tough times we all go through.
His shows create a bridge between live
electronics, guitars, drums, percussion and the
combined singing of men, women, children
and machines.
Saturday 15 August
8pm
Low creates and records interesting and unique music.
St Canice’s
Cathedral
The first album, I Could Live in Hope was pegged as “slowcore,” with minimalist
soundscapes and the beautiful harmonies of Sparhawk and Parker. That was 1994.
Admission
`30/`25.50
From Duluth, Minnesota, with Alan Sparhawk on vocals and guitar, Mimi Parker on
vocals and drums and Matt Livingston on vocals and bass, Low released a stream of
critically acclaimed albums. The trio toured the world and performed with the likes of
the Dirty Three, Radiohead and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Mick Turner
Described as “an Aussie wunderkind of meditative guitar poetry,” Dirty Three
guitarist Mick Turner has played live and on recordings with Cat Power, Nick
Cave, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Bill Callahan. It seems that only in nature can a
body find parameters worthwhile enough to describe the palpitating gorgeousness
of Turner’s compositions.
Mick is a renowed painter. An exhibition of his work forms part of the Visual Arts
Strand Two programme. (See page 51).
Adrian Crowley
He was praised in the Sunday Times as “this great Irish songwriter [who]
continues to creep under the skin and behind your defences …by stealth
and without the slightest suggestion of an imminent explosion.”
No doubt this gig combines explosive ingredients.
30
31
THE FESTIVAL HUB
You told us you wanted a place to meet other festival
visitors, so here it is!
92 High Street
Kilkenny City
056 776 1822
Bang smack in the middle of the city,
Paris Texas is a spacious bar and
has seating for over 150. It serves an
extensive daytime menu from 11am
until 6pm and in the evening there
is an early bird and à la carte menu
until 9pm.
Paul and his team are looking forward
to welcoming you.
A great place to relax from a hard day’s
festival-going or to discuss the finer
points of the event you have just been
to. You never know who you might
bump into!
CHECK OUT THE GREAT
VALUE PACKAGE DEALS
Only available from
the box office:
Telephone
056 775 2175
GAA Night (p.38) & Heartstring Sessions (p. 19)
Lucia’s Chapters (Mon or Tues) (p.05) & Paula Meehan et al (p. 39)
The Dresden Group (Lunchtime) (p.15) & O’Toole/Kilroy (p.40)
Roy Foster (p.36) & Aleksandar Madžar (p.09)
Heaney/O’Driscoll (p.41) & Irish Baroque Orchestra (p.12)
Ivor Browne (p.40) & Norma Winstone Trio (p.21)
Krapp’s Last Tape (p.06) & Love is my Sin (Sat 15) (p.07)
CHILDREN GO FREE
TO CHILDREN’S EVENTS
THANKS TO TAXBACK.COM
•
•
•
•
•
Tickets are only available at the Festival box office.
Children can attend free of charge at children’s events only.
Accompanying adults must pay for their tickets.
Free tickets are restricted to two events per family.
Each adult may bring five children to performance events and
two children to workshops and smaller events.
• Parents and guardians are requested to sign up to the
Kilkenny Arts Festival mailing list when collecting their tickets.
€25.50
€29.50
€22.00
€27.00
€30.00
€25.50
€31.00
Every year the Kilkenny Arts Festival bring so many amazing events to the city that it is almost
impossible to make sure you find what really appeals to you. So, we’ve put on our thinking caps and come
up with this guide to suggest events you may not have considered. Simply find an event that you are
interested in and chances are, there will be something else in the same column that you will also enjoy.
Or, alternatively, pick the column that is of most interest to you and explore the events listed.
MY FIRST
FESTIVAL
MY INSPIRING
FESTIVAL
This is my first time at
an arts festival. I want to
see what this festival is
all about. I haven’t
heard of a lot of these
names before and I’d
like suggestions on what
might be great to see.
I want to think. I want
to get out of my comfort
zone and confront the
world head on. I don’t
want to be spoon fed.
I want to be blown away.
I want to argue.
MY SUPRISING
FESTIVAL
I want to find those hidden
gems - things I may not
have heard of but once I’ve
experienced I will never
forget.
11 Priya Mitchell &
Polina Leschenko
10 Le Concert Spirituel
13 Ex Cathedra
45 Something Else Exhibition
12 Irish Baroque Orchestra
15 Dresden Group 2
09 Aleksander Madzar
15 Dresden Group 1
37 Kamila Shamsie &
14 RTÉCO (Lunchtime)
36 Roy Foster
35 William Trevor Film Day
(Hubert Butler)
38 GAA Night
40 Ivor Browne
41 Seamus Heaney &
16 Akamoon &
42 Garrison Keillor
25 Julie Feeney
43 Peter Murphy &
18 Miles Electric
17 Genticorum &
05 Lucia’s Chapters
Denis O’Driscoll
Colm Toibin
Tap Room Trio
19 Heartstring Sessions
22 Hazmat Modine
23 Grupo Fantasma
24 John Spillane
06 Krapp’s Last Tape
27 Amiina & Katie Kim
54 Craft exhibition
03 Other street acts
Black Machine
21 Norma Winstone Trio
Eugene McCabe
39 Paula Meehan, Don
Paterson & Susan
McKeown
45 Fintan O’Toole interviews
Thomas Kilroy
18 The Xi’ an Si
20 Morla &
Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
23 Francesco Turrisi Trio
24 Ibrahim Electric
08 Unsung
26 3epkano, Halfset
04 Gandini Jugglers
MY ALTERNATIVE
FESTIVAL
I want to see edgier,
grittier more experimental
stuff. I want to dance, have
some fun. I want to stay
up late.
09 Michael O’Toole
07 Love is My Sin
26 RSAG & special guests
28 J Spaceman &
Si Schroeder
29 Low
02 Nusquam
32
96N"7N"96N
33
33
FRIDAY 7
WATERGATE THEATRE
SATURDAY 8
05 Lucia’s Chapters 8pm
SUNDAY 9
05 Lucia’s Chapters 8pm
05 Lucia’s Chapters 8pm
STREET
(MacDONAGH JUNCTION,
STREETS OF KILKENNY,
THE CANAL WALK)
03 Turbo and Dai 1pm, 3pm 03 Price Checkers 2.30pm,
& 5pm
4pm & 5pm
KILKENNY CASTLE
02 Nusquam 9.45pm
TUESDAY 11
MONDAY 10
05 Lucia’s Chapters 8pm 05 Lucia’s Chapters 8pm
(& post-show discuss.)
WEDNESDAY 12
THURSDAY 13
07 Love is my Sin 8pm
FRIDAY 14
07 Love is my Sin 8pm
19 The Heartstring Sessions
11.30am & 2pm
28 J Spaceman & Si
Schroeder 8pm
39 Paula Meehan & Don
Paterson et al 10pm
PARADE TOWER
37 Kamila Shamsie & Eugene
McCabe 11am
06 Krapp’s Last Tape 6pm
(& post-show discuss.)
ST CANICE’S CATHEDRAL
36 Roy Foster 6pm
Aleksandar Madžar
09
8.30pm
SET THEATRE
OTHER CITY VENUES
VISUAL ART
Something Else
Rothe House
46
46
47
47
CIARAN MURPHY
CORBAN WALKER
ISABEL NOLAN
GARY COYLE
48
48
49
49
11 Priya Mitchell and
Polina Leschenko 8pm
38 GAA: Blood and Thunder
6pm-8pm
26 RSAG and special guests
10.15pm
19 The Heartstring Sessions
8.30pm
JO ANNE BUTLER
JOHN BYRNE
KEVIN ATHERTON
MICK WILSON
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
Strand 2
50
50
50
51
51
51
52
41 Seamus Heaney &
Dennis O’Driscoll 6pm
BUTLER GALLERY
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
ESTATE YARD 09
GRENNAN MILL CRAFT SCHOOL
ENDANGERED STUDIOS
MICK TURNER
DONAL DINEEN
40 Ivor Browne interviewed 22 Hazmat Modine 10pm
by Colm Tóibín 6pm
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
18 The Xi’ an Si 4pm
The Heritage Council/
Áras hOidhreachta
VISUAL ART
21 Norma Winstone Trio
8.15pm
23 Francesco Turrisi
Trio 1pm
12 Irish Baroque Orchestra 13 Ex Cathedra Consort &
8.30pm
Baroque Ensemble and
His Majestys Sagbutts
and Cornetts 8pm
35 William Trevor on Screen 18 Electric Miles 9pm
10.30am-4.30pm
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
16 Akamoon & Black
09 Michael O’Toole 3pm
The Black Abbey
Machine 9pm
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel 17 Genticorum & The Tap
Room Trio 9pm
Hotel Kilkenny
07 Love is my Sin 8pm
04 Futter’s Child 1pm,
2.30pm & 4pm
04 Gandini Jugglers 4pm
& 10.15pm
04 Edmond Tahl 2.30pm,
3.30pm & 5pm
15 The Dresden Group
Programme 1 6pm
15 The Dresden Group
Programme 2 11am
08 Unsung 9.30pm
08 Unsung 3pm & 8pm
(& post-show (3pm)
discussion
06 Krapp’s Last Tape 6pm
24 John Spillane 9pm
40 Thomas Kilroy
interviewed by Fintan
O’Toole 12.30pm
06 Krapp’s Last Tape 6pm
25 Julie Feeney 1pm
27 Amiina with Katie Kim &
Geppetto 8pm
Le Concert Spirituel 8pm
10
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
SUNDAY 16
03 Carpet Man and Lino Boy 04 Keystone Kops 1pm,
2.30pm & 5pm
2.30pm & 4.30pm
03 Jim and Dr Nick
2.30pm & 5pm
06 Krapp’s Last Tape 6pm
SATURDAY 15
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
42 Garrison Keillor 6pm
23 Grupo Fantasma 10pm
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
14 RTÉ Concert Orchestra
2pm
BLACKBIRD GALLERY
MARY LEE MURPHY
SINEAD NÍ MHAONAIGH
BLAISE SMITH
GILLIAN FREEDMAN
ALAN COUNIHAN & GYPSY RAY
Street Spectacle
Theatre/Dance
Classical Music
Music
Wired
Literature
29 Low with Mick Turner &
Adrian Crowley 8pm
Architecture
43 Peter Murphy & Colm
Tóibín 3pm
26 3epkano & Halfset
with special guests
Nick Carswell and the
04 Gandini Jugglers 9.30pm
Elective Orchestra 8pm
24 Ibrahim Electric 10pm
Visual Art
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
Craft
30 THE FESTIVAL HUB
Paris Texas
20 Morla & CaoimhÍn Ó
Raghallaigh 8pm
Cleere’s Pub and Theatre
52
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53
53
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53
COLOUR GUIDE
Visual Art Strand 2
Craft Strand 2
CRAFT
Sterling Irish
Castle Yard
Galleries
54
54
55
55
55
CLAIRE CURNEEN
CÓILÍN Ó DUBHGHAILL
GRAINNE MORTON
JENNIFER BROWNE
JAMES TOAL
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56
56
57
57
57
JOAN MacKARRELL
SADHBH McCORMACK
SUZANNE GOODWIN
VICTORIA ROTHSCHILD
CARMEL McELROY
CJ O’NEILL
CRAFT
Strand 2
58 NATIONAL CRAFT
GALLERY
58 MADE IN KILKENNY
58 WORKHOUSE
STUDIOS
ARCHITECTURE
44 THE LIVES
OF SPACES
Kilkenny Castle
34
8=>A9G:C½H96N"7N"96N
THEATRE/ PUPPETRY
SATURDAY 8
SUNDAY 9
60
A> I: G6I J G :
MUSIC/STORYTELLING/FILM
WORKSHOPS
WILLIAM TREVOR ON SCREEN
Run, Run, The Little Goat and the Wolf
(Age 3-10 yrs) 2pm & 4pm
The Watergate Theatre
60 Run, Run, The Little Goat and the Wolf
(Age 3-10 yrs) 2pm & 4pm
The Watergate Theatre
61 Sticks and Stones
(Age 8+ yrs) 12pm & 2pm
The Heritage Council/Áras na hOidhreachta
THE LIST OF HONOURS BESTOWED ON WILLIAM TREVOR
IS ALMOST AS LONG AS THE LIST OF HIS WORKS. IT IS THE
WRY HUMOUR AND ECCENTRICITY OF HIS CHARACTERS
THAT SAVES HIS WRITING FROM BEING GLOOMY IN ITS
TREATMENT OF THEMES SUCH AS ENDURANCE OF THE
INEVITABLE AND MARGINALISATION OF THOSE WHO
ARE UNHAPPY WITH THEIR LOT.
62 Creative Dance: Fantasy Journeys
Workshop 1 (4-6 yrs) 11.30am - 12.30pm
Workshop 2 (7-9 yrs) 2pm - 3.30pm
The Parade Tower
MONDAY 10
62 Creative Dance: Take Flight
(Age 10-12 yrs) 3.45pm - 5.15pm
The Parade Tower
63 The Secret of Kells
11.30am
The Parade Tower
TUESDAY 11
62 Summer Tunes
(Age 2-4 yrs with parents) 3pm - 4pm
The Parade Tower
62 Masks
(Age 2-4 yrs with parents)
4.30pm - 5.30pm
The Parade Tower
62 Flat Felt Basics
61 Liz Weir
Workshop 1 (7-9 yrs) 10.30am - 12.30pm
(Age 6-8 yrs) 11.30am - 12.20pm
Workshop 2 (10-12 yrs ) 2pm - 4pm
(Age 9-12 yrs) 2pm - 2.50pm
The Parade Tower
The Heritage Council/Áras na hOidhreachta
WEDNESDAY 12
THURSDAY 13
63 Tales from the Workshop
(Age 4+ yrs) 11.30am & 2pm
The Parade Tower
63 The Bedmaker (Age 3-5 yrs)
St Luke’s Hospital
(Not open to the public)
FRIDAY 14
63 The Bedmaker (Age 3-5 yrs)
10.30am, 11.45am, 2pm & 3.15pm
The Parade Tower
SATURDAY 15
60 Bedtime/Pa Cama
(Age 1+ yrs) 2pm & 4pm
Barnstorm Theatre
SUNDAY 16
60 Bedtime/Pa Cama
(Age 1+ yrs) 2pm & 4pm
Barnstorm Theatre
35
63 DIY Animation
(Age 7-9 yrs) 10am - 12 noon
(Age 10-12yrs) 2pm - 4pm
The Heritage Council/
Áras na hOidhreachta
63 Extreme Arts Express
(Age 10-12 yrs) 10.30am - 12.30pm
(Age 13-15 yrs) 2pm - 4pm
The Heritage Council/
Áras na hOidhreachta
CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY
AN ADULT AT ALL TIMES TO ALL PERFORMANCE EVENTS
EGD<G6BB:
10.30am Introduction by
Colm Toibin and
Prof Roy Foster
10.40am Hidden Ground
11.10am Felicia’s Journey
BREAK 1.10pm - 2.15pm
2.15pm
3.15pm
Access to the Children
The Ballroom of Romance
In Hidden Ground William Trevor
explores the landscape of his childhood
in Cork, visiting Mitchelstown, Youghal
and Skibbereen as part of a BBC
documentary first screened in 1990. It
is directed by Tom McAuley.
Felicia’s Journey (1999), stars Elaine
Cassidy and Bob Hoskins. Felicia
is an Irish teenager on a journey to
Birmingham, searching for the young
man who made her pregnant. She finds
Joe Hilditch (Hoskins). He has a darker
side than the one first perceived. The
film is directed by Canadian-Armenian
director Atom Egoyan.
Access to the Children (1985) created
a sensation when it was screened by
RTÉ as Ireland was working itself up to
the first divorce referendum. Starring
Donal McCann, it deals with middleaged Malcolmson, estranged from his
wife, Elizabeth, after an unwise episode
of infidelity. His delusional desire
to be restored to his former life as
faithful husband and father to his two
daughters serves to highlight his decline
into alcoholism and loneliness.
The Ballroom of Romance, set in Ireland
of 1959, was the very first RTÉ/BBC
co-production. It follows Bridie, who has
been going to the ballroom on Friday
nights since she was 16 years old.
Directed by Pat O’Connor, when it was
shown on television in Ireland in 1982,
the reaction was sensational in young
and old alike. With subtle and wonderful
performances by Brenda Fricker, Niall
Toibin and Cyril Cusack, the one-hour
production won a BAFTA for Best Single
Drama and the Silver Drama Award in
New York.
Saturday 8 August
10.30am to 4.30pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Admission
`16/`13 (full day)
`13/`11 (two films)
36
A > I: G6IJ G :
The Hubert Butler Annual Lecture
ROY FOSTER (Ireland)
Carroll Professor of Irish History, Hertford College, Oxford
The Shark and the Jellyfish: Nationalism,
Religion and Cosmopolitanism after Butler
Friday 7 August
6pm
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission `13/`11
Ticket Deal
Get this event & Aleksandar
Madžar (p.9) for `27
The Hubert Butler
Annual Lecture was
established in 2007 to
honour the Kilkenny
writer, historian and
broadcaster whose
remarkable consistency
of vision and clarity of
mind made him unique
among Irish essayists
and whose work
evinced an unsurpassed
moral, political and
literary integrity.
NATIONALISM AND RELIGION WERE ONCE TABOO
SUBJECTS FOR POLITE CONVERSATION. BOTH
PREOCCUPIED HUBERT BUTLER. BOTH HAVE BECOME
MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER, IN WAYS THAT HE DID
NOT ANTICIPATE.
Professor Roy Foster, who is the most distinguished and influential
historian of Ireland writing today, will look at interpretations of
nationalism in Europe and beyond. He will deal with its revival and how
it has changed since the upheavals of the late 1980s. He will discuss the
implications for individual nationalisms of the European movement and
international globalisation. The interaction of national and religious revival
will be considered, as well as the ideal of ‘cosmopolitanism’ and the
notions of ‘benign’ versus ‘toxic’ strains of nationalism.
He has written biographies of Charles Stewart Parnell and Lord Randolph
Churchill. Foster is the editor of The Oxford History of Ireland (1989) and
author of Modern Ireland: 1600-1972 (1988), as well as several books of
essays. More recently, he has produced a much-acclaimed biography of
William Butler Yeats. His most recent book is Luck and the Irish: a brief
history of change 1970-2000.
Professor Roy Foster will be introduced by
Catriona Crowe, Head of Special Projects at the
National Archives and Chairperson of the Irish
Theatre Institute.
A> I: G6I J G :
KAMILA SHAMSIE (Pakistan)
EUGENE McCABE (Ireland)
Reading from their latest works
Speaking of Burnt Shadows, Kamila Shamsie describes how the
women of Nagasaki, who were wearing white kimonos when the
atomic bomb dropped in 1945, were tattooed by the blast. While the
white material reflected the blast away, the black pattern absorbed it
and scorched it into their skin. Burnt Shadows covers five countries
and 60 years starting in Nagasaki and ending in Afghanistan after
9/11.
It is Kamila Shamsie’s fifth novel and like her other four, it has been showered
with acclaim and award, including shortlisting for this year’s Orange Prize.
Born in Pakistan in 1973, she now lives in London and besides novels, writes
book reviews for The Guardian and other publications.
Sunday 9 August
11am
“Shamsie exerts a Miltonic control, not only is she watching her characters,
she is guiding them through time, tragedy and contrasting cultures,” was
Eileen Battersby’s verdict in the Irish Times.
Admission
`13/`11
Most famous for his powerful and moving
novel Death and Nightingales, Eugene
McCabe’s new novella The Love of Sisters
follows two traumatised women in mid20th century Ireland. It has been described
as disturbing but funny in its treatment of
different kinds of love.
This latest work has delighted his readers,
waiting since his 2004 short story collection,
Heaven Lies About Us.
Born in Glasgow in 1930, McCabe was raised
in Monaghan where he still farms. Since 1964
he has written many plays, novels and stories
and scripted films.
The Parade Tower
Kilkenny Castle
37
38
A > I: G6IJ G :
GAA: BLOOD AND THUNDER
Hurling and Life in 1930s Ireland
Monday 10 August
6pm - 8pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Admission
`13/`11
Ticket Deal
Get this event &
Heartstring Sessions
(Mon) (p.19) for `25.50
IT WAS A SPECTACULAR HURLING DECADE FROM THE THREE-GAME
CORK-KILKENNY ALL-IRELANDS OF 1931 TO THE THUNDER AND
LIGHTNING FINAL OF 1939.
In 1932 five percent of households held radio licences. A year later there were 100,000
when a new transmitter opened in Athlone. Isn’t it hard to imagine that the Kilkenny AllIreland champions in ’33 went to New York and attended a white-tie-and-tails banquet
there? What did lads from rural Ireland make of New York in the jazz age? What was
their social life at home?
The stars of the day, the politics and economics, the anti-jazz crusade and the dispute
with “foreign games” all will feature.
An intriguing mosaic of film footage, audio recordings, photographs and documents will
re-tell the local, national and international story of hurling during a fascinating decade
in Ireland.
Diarmaid
Ferriter
Dr Paul
Rouse
Mark
Duncan
Regina
Fitzpatrick
The event will be introduced by Diarmaid Ferriter, Dublin author, historian and university
lecturer. He has written several books of Irish history. He went to school in Kilmacud and
follows Dublin’s footballers, at times with heavy heart, he admits.
Dr Paul Rouse is a lecturer at UCD’s School of History and Archives and an awardwinning journalist. Among other courses he teaches Sport and Society in Britain and
Ireland, 1800-1939.
Mark Duncan was central to the research project that underpinned the establishment of
the GAA Museum in Croke Park. A former co-editor of High Ball magazine, he is a regular
current affairs researcher with RTÉ.
Regina Fitzpatrick is a researcher with the GAA Oral History Project. Her research
interests include cultural and museum studies, oral history and the Irish language.
An evening of
POETRY AND MUSIC
A> I: G6I J G :
39
with
PAULA MEEHAN (Ireland)
DON PATERSON (Scotland)
SUSAN McKEOWN (Ireland)
AIDAN BRENNAN (Ireland)
From working class Dublin to Ancient Greece Paula
Meehan shares her life’s experience and knowledge with
great wisdom and authority. One critic says of her latest
volume Painting Rain, that she “makes music that is a
powerful confluence of themes: a field lost to a housing
development, a north wind that whines through the dunes,
an Irish mother whose daughters ‘taught their mother
barring orders and legal separation’”.
Don Paterson says he chooses what to read to an audience
only after he “sees the whites of their eyes”. He is an
accomplished jazz musician as well as an acclaimed poet.
His poetry reads like a score: undeniably composed, even
when deceptively colloquial. His delivery is sharp, with a
distinctive tang and in a melodious Scottish accent. His
latest volume is called Rain.
Many of the greatest songs are poems that begged to be
sung, says Susan McKeown, a Grammy winner for The
Klezmatics’ Wonder Wheel album. She will perform some
original and some traditional songs accompanied by fellow
Dubliner, guitarist Aidan Brennan.
“McKeown grabbed both song and audience by the throat,
dragged them through heaven and hell and back again, and
left the stage to the loudest applause heard all evening.”
Rolling Stone.
Tuesday 11 August
10pm
The Great Hall
Kilkenny Castle
Admission
`13/`11
Ticket Deal
Get this event and Lucia’s
Chapters (Mon or Tues) (p.5)
for `29.50
40
A > I: G6IJ G :
A> I: G6I J G :
IVOR BROWNE (Ireland)
psychiatrist, musician, author
interviewed by COLM TÓIBÍN (Ireland)
Wednesday 12 August
6pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Admission `13/`11
Ticket Deal
Get this event and Norma
Winstone Trio (p.21) for `25.50
A psychiatrist who looks to the heart as well as the head is a rare thing.
Rebellion comes easily to Ivor Browne, he has been doing it for over 50
years at the forefront of psychiatric care in Ireland.
Music and Madness is not just autobiography, it is a fascinating insight
into Ireland in the context of how it treats its mentally ill. Ivor Browne
is deeply dissatisfied with Irish psychiatry. He notes “the world-wide
pandemic of mindless prescription drug misuse by psychiatrists and
other physicians to patients who may not need them”.
interviewed by FINTAN O’TOOLE (Ireland)
The Parade Tower
Kilkenny Castle
Admission `13/`11
Ticket Deal
Get this event and The Dresden
Group (16 Aug) (p.15) for `22
SEAMUS HEANEY (Ireland)
DENNIS O’DRISCOLL (Ireland)
“WE DON’T SAY THAT SOMEONE IS BROKEN-MINDED,
WE SAY SOMEONE IS BROKEN-HEARTED; SWEETHEART,
SOFT-HEARTED, HARD-HEARTED. THE HEART IS THE ONLY
ORGAN THAT NEVER STOPS…”
THOMAS KILROY (Ireland)
Sunday 16 August
12.30pm
41
Thomas Kilroy, is a Kilkennyman whose literary achievements span 50 years.
His novel The Big Chapel has been republished by Liberties Press. It was
shortlisted for the Booker Prize and won the Guardian Fiction Prize and the
Heinemann Award when first published in 1971. His adaptations have been
lauded as much as his original works and he is the author of nine plays.
No important political or social event in Ireland in the past 20 years has
happened without Fintan O’Toole’s analysis and opinion adding to the public
debate. His literary criticism is studied and valued widely. He has written for
The Irish Times for the past 20 years as well as being author of many nonfiction works, including The Irish Times Book of the Century in 1999.
Thursday 13 August
6pm
St Canice’s Cathedral
Admission
`13/`11
Seamus Heaney came to Kilkenny Arts Festival’s debut in 1974. The
young poet spellbound an audience in the back room at Kyteler’s Inn.
He wasn’t world famous then, but he was a joy to listen to and to
observe as he read and enlightened. Some things never change and he
has been invited back regularly ever since.
Kilkenny Arts Festival is honoured that as he turns 70, Nobel Laureate
Seamus Heaney has managed a festival date. In the magnificent
setting of St Canice’s Cathedral he will read with eminent Tipperary
poet, Dennis O’Driscoll.
What Heaney is to the rural landscape and life of Ireland, O’Driscoll is
to Celtic Tiger Ireland. He is said to give expression to those feelings
that are closest to us and so go unobserved. According to Adam Kirsch
in Slate, he makes “how we feel about work and possessions and
ageing”, seem exciting.
Seamus Heaney and Dennis O’Driscoll will be introduced by television
and radio broadcaster, Olivia O’Leary, who has presented programmes
on RTÉ, the BBC and ITV for the last three decades.
Ticket Deal
Get this event and Irish
Baroque Orchestra (p.12)
for `30
42
A > I: G6IJ G :
A> I: G6I J G :
GARRISON KEILLOR (US)
Author, storyteller, humorist, columnist,
musician, satirist, and radio personality
PETER MURPHY (Ireland)
COLM TÓIBÍN (Ireland)
Peter Murphy’s first novel John the Revelator is the
story of an introverted adolescent in rural Ireland, with
a chain-smoking, bible-quoting mother. It is said to be a
novel to fall in love with.
The author is best-known as a writer and critic for Hot
Press. He is a contributor to the Anthology of American
Folk Music and it is from that genre that he found the
title for his book.
Friday 14 August
6pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Saturday 15 August
3pm
Set Theatre
John Street
Admission
`13/`11
GARRISON KEILLOR IS RENOWNED FOR HIS WRY HUMOUR
AND HIS EXTRAORDINARY VOICE.
He is best known as host of the Minnesota Public Radio show A Prairie Home
Companion which airs to over four million listeners every week on 580 US
public radio stations. He broadcasts regularly on RTÉ Choice and the BBC and
is a regular contributor to The Irish Times.
The programme features comedy sketches, music, and Garrison’s signature
monologue, “The News from Lake Wobegon”.
Imagine seeing him as well as hearing that voice. Garrison Keillor will read
from his latest book, Pontoon: A Novel of Lake Wobegon. His characters as
well as his stories meander along in the distinctive, hypnotic voice recently
employed in Honda’s Power of Dreams advertisements.
Undoubtedly one of Ireland’s
greatest living writers, Colm
Tóibín, is the curator of the
literature strand of Kilkenny Arts
Festival. Here he will read from his
acclaimed sixth novel, Brooklyn.
It is a heartbreaking and beautiful
story. Eilis Lacey is a young
Wexford woman in the early 1950s who crosses the
Atlantic to make a new life for herself. After finding a
kind of happiness in Brooklyn, she is summoned home
by tragedy and there finds she must choose between
personal freedom and duty.
Admission
`13/`11
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44
K>HJ6A6GI
6G8=>I:8IJG:
THE LIVES OF SPACES
Ireland’s participation at the
11th International Architecture
Exhibition in Venice 2008
8 August - 6 September
9.30am-5pm
COMMISSIONERS AND
CURATORS
The Irish Architecture
Foundation (IAF)
DIRECTOR
Nathalie Weadick
CO-COMMISSIONER
AND CO-CURATOR
Dr. Hugh Campbell, Professor
of Architecture at UCD
Visual Art 2009
AISLING PRIOR curator
IT IS VERY EXCITING TO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO CURATE THE
VISUAL ARTS STRAND OF KILKENNY ARTS FESTIVAL 2009.
Kilkenny Castle
PARTICIPANTS
Hassett-Ducatez
Simon Walker & Patrick Lynch
McCullough-Mulvin
Gerry Cahill Architects
Grafton Architects
dePaor architects
TAKA
O’Donnell + Tuomey
Dara McGrath
SOMETHING ELSE
Daily emails from around the globe,
announcing block-buster exhibitions,
international biennales, major survey
shows and so on, may have one believe
that everything is happening elsewhere!
The title, The Lives of Spaces, deliberately invites multiple interpretations,
suggesting that, while spaces can contain many lives, they can equally live
many lives themselves.
The story of a space can be traced through its emergent life in design,
its life in construction, its life in use and reuse, its life in individual and
collective memory and its life within a culture. For each of the nine spaces
explored in this exhibition, life is at a different stage. Some are still in
various stages of design and construction, some are only beginning to
be inhabited, while others have already accumulated long histories of
occupation and, in one case, are about to fall finally out of use.
This exhibition proceeds from the modest proposition that the designed
spaces that architects produce, play a crucial role in supporting, shaping
and framing our lives. The exhibition consists of a series of filmic
representations displayed in specially-designed armatures. Most display
film on single or multiple LCD screens; some break film down into its
constituent elements of sound, light and time.
This exhibition is presented with the kind support of the Office of Public Works.
Unlike curators in previous years,
I decided to centre the visual arts
element of the Festival in one place.
The interior rooms, courtyards and formal
gardens of Rothe House, the magnificent
17th century Irish merchant’s town house
in the centre of Kilkenny city, are the
tranquil venue for this year’s exhibition.
I want to question that assumption. With
the emergence of so many post-graduate
courses across this island, many significant
art commissions and award schemes and a Something Else is an exhibition of
host of new artist-led galleries, the Irish art surprises, with each artist showing two
scene is undergoing a renaissance.
entirely different manifestations of their
practice: live performances, sound works,
So, I decided to curate close to home, to
film and digital work, sculpture, text
celebrate what is being made right here,
or web-based work, music, paintings
right now.
and drawings. We hope it will be an
Something Else is an exhibition of work by interesting way to spend a few hours in
the afternoon or evening.
Ireland’s most interesting contemporary
artists, whose practice is not confined to a
singular mode of expression, or concerned
with a definitive point of view. It defies
expectations.
Aisling Prior
e
s
l
E
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n
i
h
t
e
m
o
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7 - 16 August
Fri 7, 5pm-10pm
Sat 8 & Sun 9, 10am-9pm
Mon 10 - Wed 12, 10am-7pm
Thurs 13 - Sat 15, 10am-9pm
Sun 16, 10am-7pm
Rothe House
Parliament Street
Visual Arts performances:
CIARAN MURPHY
Fri 7, 6pm
Sat 8 & Sun 9, 7pm
Fri 14 & Sat 15, 5pm
Sun 16, 5pm
Sarod performance
by artist Ciaran Murphy
The Sarod is a type of lute
originating in Afghanistan but
often identified with styles of
music in India.
GARY COYLE
Fri 7, 9pm
Sat 8 & Sun 9, 8pm
At Sea
A spoken word performance
based on artist Gary Coyle’s daily
swimming routine at the Forty
Foot in Dun Laoghaire.
JOHN BYRNE
Fri 14 - Sun 16, 6pm
Performance by artist
John Byrne
Byrne explores the idea of
investing belief in ‘High Culture’
and the notion that Art is
somehow a route to salvation.
46
K>HJ6A6GI
K>HJ6A6GI
47
CIARAN MURPHY
GARY COYLE
The habitual collecting of imagery forms an important part of Ciaran
Murphy’s practice. Images spanning vastly different eras taken from art
history, natural history, scientific enquiries, nature documentaries and other
more arbitrary sources, serve as a starting point for his work. His work takes
the form of large and small-scale paintings.
The finished paintings depict objects treated in isolation, tiny snippets of time
and ambiguous contexts or sites that seem to hold out the vague anticipation
of an event. As well as working as individual paintings, the grouping of the
works becomes important; meaning and interpretation in individual works
become both reliant and unhinged within the context of the larger group.
Murphy is also an accomplished musician and will give a number of live Sarod performances throughout the
Festival. The Sarod is a type of lute originating in Afghanistan but often identified with styles of music in India.
Ciaran Murphy studied at NCAD and Dun Laoghaire College of Art and is represented by Mother’s Tankstation,
Dublin. Murphy was the recipient of the Eurojets Futures Award in 2004. In 2008 he had solo exhibitions in
Philadelphia and Chicago.
CORBAN WALKER
Corban Walker has gained international recognition for his
installations, sculptures and drawings that relate to perceptions
of scale and architectural constructs. Local, cultural and specific
philosophies of scale are fundamental to how he defines and
develops his work, creating new means by which viewers can
interact with, and navigate, their surroundings. Walker will exhibit
drawings and a new installation.
Corban Walker graduated from NCAD in 1992 and has lived
in New York since 2004. He has mounted solo exhibitions
throughout Europe and America and realised numerous public
commissions including the Bank of Scotland Headquarters, Dublin
and Mitsubishi Estate, Tokyo. His work is part of numerous public
and private collections around the world. Walker is represented
by PaceWildenstein, New York, where he had a solo show in
September 2000 and again in 2007.
ISABEL NOLAN
The intimacies and distances inherent in relationships;
the ambiguity of language; desire and self-consciousness;
depictions of the natural world and symbolic abstraction are
recurring sources for both motifs and themes in the work of
Isabel Nolan.
Though there are frequent shifts in tone, between coldness,
bemusement, melancholia and yearning, a point of entry
common to much of Nolan’s work is its recognition of our
seemingly implacable need to define our relationships with
others. The artist’s hypersensitive, even neurotic, persona
is both sceptical of and empathetic to humanity’s relentless
compulsion to understand everything - from our inner lives
to the inscrutable nature of the universe. Nolan’s practice
encompasses drawings, paintings, animation, mixed media
and fibreglass sculptures and most recently, embroidery and
fabric wall-hangings.
Isabel Nolan represented Ireland at the 2005 Venice
Biennale as part of a group exhibition. Recently she has
presented new work at the Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin
and ARTSPACE, New Zealand and this summer, has shown
as part of ‘Coalesce Happenstance’, SMART, Amsterdam,
at the Doggerfisher Gallery in Edinburgh and at the Musée
d’Art Moderne de Saint Etienne Metropole, France. Her work
is represented in various collections, public and private,
in Ireland and abroad. Nolan is represented by the Kerlin
Gallery, Dublin.
Gary Coyle lives and works in Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin, a place that informs much of his
work. He works in a variety of media including
drawing, film, photography and, more
recently, performance. Over the past number
of years Coyle has photographically recorded
his daily swimming ritual at the Forty Foot in
Dublin and has recorded, in his notebooks
and diaries, the mood of the sea and the
idiosyncrasies of the characters who swim
there regularly. At Sea, commissioned by
Project, Dublin is a spoken word performance
based on his daily swimming routine.
Gary Coyle has exhibited in the Centre
Culturel Irlandais, Paris, the Tate Liverpool
and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Coyle,
who was recently elected into Aosdána, is a
member of the RHA and is represented by the
Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin. He is working
on a major solo exhibition, which will be held
in the RHA Gallery, Dublin in March 2010.
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JO ANNE BUTLER
KEVIN ATHERTON
MICK WILSON
What do we value? And how does the way in which we interact
with, build and destroy our environment encode these value
systems? Jo Anne Butler makes installations, drawings
and animations that aspire to poetry, whimsy and protest,
disregarding the conventional boundaries of art, architecture and design. Recent work, such as The Folly (2008),
evolves from the moment between unravelling and evolving, a notion derived both from current economic chaos
and personal loss. Her installation work for Kilkenny will take as its starting point a comment by RIAI president
Sean O’Laoire at the recent National Housing Conference. “After the 2008 crash we need new local and global
paradigms, developed by people who are not tied to the constructs that have collapsed”. Jo Anne Butler will also
make a work in collaboration with Gearoid Muldowney, (Superfolk Design Studio).
Kevin Atherton was a part of a generation
of artists in Britain who pioneered video and
performance art in the ’70s and early ’80s.
For Something Else Atherton will present a
new installation that develops his ongoing
interest in the relationship between the virtual
and the fictional. He will also exhibit the twoscreen video installation In Two Minds - Past
Version 1978-2006. This video installation
is also running at The Museum of Modern
Art San Francisco (SFMOMA) from June
- September 2009.
By way of an artist’s
statement, a short act of
confession: I hate making
things with other people’s
help but then I make stuff
really badly, and sloppily,
because I am lazy, fickle
and undisciplined. I’m ok
with that though. Is that
irritating? I’d just ignore it
then if I were you. Not much
of an artist’s statement, but
hey… I spend a lot of time
advising people not to use ‘I’
in formulating a sentence. By
way of controversy, I would
like to suggest that you need never bother your arse to read The
Irish Times on art, or listen to RTÉ for interesting ideas about
culture for that matter, and while I’m at it, ‘God bless all in the
holy orders’ - at least now, finally, we can think sociologically in
public together. Well, that’s the nugatory wisdom that I have for
you. God bless, best of luck and don’t squander it.
Jo Anne Butler graduated from NCAD in 2005 and began to study Architecture at UCD in 2007. Her continually
evolving art practice includes a number of curatorial and collaborative projects with Tara Kennedy under the
name Culturstruction. Gearoid Muldowney is a graduate of the Craft Design department at NCAD and is founder
of Superfolk Design Studio.
JOHN BYRNE
John Byrne’s work explores the idea of investing belief in
‘High Culture’ and the notion that art is somehow a route to
salvation. Byrne is interested in areas and instances where
‘Art’ and ‘Faith’ overlap or replace each other - a contest
perhaps between Art and God. “I believe in the visual as the
foremost articulation of meaning, mapping the ridge between
perception and conception, navigating contested spaces,
seeking the expression of a distillation of experience in and of
nature.”
John Byrne was born in Belfast and studied art in Belfast
before attending The Slade School of Art in London. Previous
work includes ‘Border Interpretative Centre’ (2000), a week
long visitor centre project on the border, ‘Would you die for
Ireland?’ (2003) and ‘Dublin’s Last Supper’ a large photowork on Blooms Lane, Dublin. Byrne is currently working
on a permanent sculptural work commissioned by Breaking
Ground. He has performed throughout Ireland, the UK,
Denmark and Poland.
Kevin Atherton teaches at NCAD and lives
and works in Dublin and Co Kilkenny. He
has exhibited at The Serpentine Gallery and
the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London
and in major survey exhibitions of British Art
such as ‘Un Certain Art Anglais’ at the Musée
d’Art Moderne, Paris in 1979, and the ‘British
Art Show’ at the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham in
1984. Forthcoming exhibitions include “Of
Art and Television: Changing Channels” at the
Museum of Modern Art, Vienna (MUMOK) in
2010. Recent performances include ‘In Two
Minds’ at Tate Britain in 2006, which he also
performed with Sarah Pierce at Four Gallery,
Dublin in January 2009.
Mick Wilson is an artist, writer and educator. He stopped
making art in the early 2000s following a series of one-person
shows and projects including: ‘Trains Made Mary Vague’, Temple
Bar Gallery (2000) and ‘The Tuileries Incident’, Hugh Lane
Gallery, Dublin (1999).
He recently returned to artmaking when invited to participate in
several group exhibition projects: ‘Float’, SSP, New York (2007)
‘Blackboxing’, Project, Dublin (2007); ‘Coalesce: Happenstance’,
Smart Project Space, Amsterdam (2009); and ‘Reach Out and
Touch Faith’ (with Isabel Nolan) Gallery For One, Dublin (2009).
Recent published work includes: Emergence, in Nought to Sixty,
ICA, London (2008) and Autonomy, Agonism, and Activist Art: An
Interview with Grant Kester, Art Journal, v.66: n.3. (2007).
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BUTLER GALLERY
DAVID GODBOLD (UK)
The end of the beginning of the beginning of the end
Godbold is described as an artist who has found a
curiously viable reason for making old master quality
drawings with an acidic relevance to the contemporary
world. Language and humour are central to his practice,
which ranges from intimate “imagetext” drawings to
mural-scale installations and recent large canvases.
They form irreverent and iconoclastic commentaries on
the philosophical struggle with daily life.
9 August - 4 October
10am-5.30pm
Opening
Saturday 8 August
3.30pm-5.30pm
Kilkenny Castle
GRENNAN MILL
CRAFT SCHOOL
Seven artists with local links exhibit their
work in the beautiful Grennan Mill Craft
School. The artists are: George Vaughan
(painter), Jock Nichol (painter), Caroline
Conway (relief printmaker), Eva Lynch
(jeweller), Cathy Dineen (illustrator),
Mary Ann Gelly (painter/sculptor),
Tania Mosse (sculptor).
ENDANGERED STUDIOS
THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN
RELATIONSHIPS
with 11 local artists working in a range
of disciplines.
Endangered Studios began in 2003
with six artists in a disused factory: the
first artists’ studios in Kilkenny to be
supported by the county council. Though
there has been a consistent founding
core, the group continues to fluctuate
in size allowing new artists to utilise
the space and opportunities, whilst
other members of the group have left to
continue study and career paths.
Romantic letters and gifts, teddy
bears and photos, are exhibited
alongside more unusual
items such as a gallstone or a
prosthetic leg donated by a war
veteran who fell in love with his
physiotherapist.
31 July - 31 August
Mon - Sat, 10am-5pm
Sun, 11am-5pm
76 John Street
Olinka Vištica and Drazen
Grubiši founded the Museum of
Broken Relationships to create
a space of secure memory,
preserving the material and
nonmaterial heritage of broken
relationships.
Individuals have donated
mementos, turning them into
museum exhibits, participating
in the creation of a preserved
collective emotional history.
Since March 2007 the group has been
housed in the old Workhouse in Callan.
The artists exhibiting here are: Andrew
Ryan, Bridget O’Gorman, Caroline
Schofield, Conor Cleary, Etaoin
Holahan, Gary Tynan, Jennifer Hughes,
Richard Coghlan and Tracy Sweeney.
ESTATE YARD 09
Six artists from the Art &
Craft studios in Castlecomer
present new work in a joint
exhibition in Kilkenny City.
Andrew Ludick (ceramics),
Maeve Coulter (textiles),
Ruairí Carroll (sculpture),
Rachel Burke (painting),
Lucy McKenna (mixed
media) and Ross Stewart
(painting) all share the same
working environment at the
Estate Yard, whilst creating
their own varied personal
artworks.
7 August - 16 August
10am-6pm
4 William Street/
Castlecomer Estate Yard
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Endangered Studios is Kilkenny-based
Born in the UK, David Godbold lives in Ireland and holds a PhD from the NCAD in Dublin.
His solo exhibitions were in Antwerp, Dublin, Hong Kong, Munich and New York. He is
represented by the Kerlin Gallery, Dublin.
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
ARTS OFFICE GALLERY
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8 - 16 August, 11am-6pm
Fennelly’s
Bridge Street, Callan
MICK TURNER (Australia)
7 August - 16 August
10am-6pm
Thomastown
Grennan
Mill Craft
School
He is best known as a
musician with Australian
instrumental combo The
Dirty Three, but he also has
a longstanding practice as
a painter.
His work deals with the
embedded psychology
and emotion of Australian
and European landscapes.
His paintings include an
array of human and animal
characters and a lyrical use
of colour and gesture.
7 - 16 August
12 noon-6pm
Opening Friday 14 August, 5pm
The Maltings
Tilbury Place, James’ Street
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BLACKBIRD GALLERY
PATRICK SCOTT Works on Paper
2002-2009 (Ireland)
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DONAL DINEEN
(Ireland)
This is the first time that Patrick Scott’s
entire body of work on paper has been shown.
He began collaborating with Stoney Road
Press in 2002. By this year he had made 13
major prints and one piece of sculpture using
his signature applied gold and palladium leaf.
Donal Dineen says he sees music
as the framework through which all
creativity passes, so pretty much
every attempt he’s made to start
a film or photographic project has
turned into a music video.
At 87, Scott feels he has freedom to draw on
the imagery of a long career, re-working many
important themes of his life’s work. He is one
of Ireland’s greatest living artists.
“Usually what happens is the track
I’ve been listening to most while
shooting Super 8 film becomes
the eventual soundtrack for the
resulting pictures. The visual
records I make and keep of these
songs are my attempts at a tribute
and more often than not simply a
labour of true love,” he says.
This exhibition will incorporate
Donal’s early photographic work
and more recent super-8 projects.
7 - 16 August,
12 noon -7pm daily
18 William Street
A mixed show of 16 acclaimed artists will also
be at the gallery during the festival, including
works by Donald Teskey, William Crozier and
Felim Egan and local artists such as Patrick
O’Connor and Kathleen Holahan.
MARY LEE MURPHY (Ireland)
Batik
Waterford artist Mary Lee Murphy
paints through the medium of wax resist
and dye, traditionally known as batik.
SINEAD NÍ MHAONAIGH
(Ireland)
Sinead Ní Mhaonaigh’s
work to date has
explored space and
non-spaces in the form
of abstract images.
She describes these
spaces and non-spaces as portraying a void. Portraying
a void on the canvas surface relates to a journey into the
unknown or the work being exiled on the edge of this
space. These concerns are central to this exhibition.
7 - 16 August , 10am-6pm
Ryan’s Electrical, High Street
BLAISE SMITH (Ireland)
Weapons obsess western society. They appear relentlessly
on television and in the media. We are martial, whether
we like it or not. As a painter, an observer, Kilkenny artist,
Blaise Smith believes we have a duty to look closely
at something that is central to society. He has done the
looking for you.
Blaise Smith was granted unprecedented access to the
Army’s weapons and made 14 paintings of different forms
of weapon, including the soldiers themselves. There will
also be a sideshow of other current work.
She has exhibited widely, both nationally
and internationally.
Her latest commission has been a series
of works for a church in Florida, USA
designed by architect Michael Graves.
7 - 16 August, 12 noon-6pm
Opening Friday 14 August, 5pm
The Maltings
Tilbury Place, James’ Street
“As an artist I am inspired by nature,
the land, the light and the colours.
Inspiration is a movement of the spirit,
and as an artist I am drawn to create
works that reflect something of the
beauty of Creation,” she says.
7-16 August, 10am-6pm daily
The Black Abbey
Abbey Street
7 - 16 August, 10am-6pm
Zavvi Store
MacDonagh Junction
GILLIAN FREEDMAN
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(Ireland) Surfacing
The aim is to address continuing
thoughts of growth and
regeneration: a life force that
drives itself through hard ground
to surface despite all odds.
Gillian Freedman has made
a strong individual statement with her eye catching
contemporary tufted art rugs and hand woven tapestries
and with an innovative use of paper, lead and silk.
7 - 16 August
Mon - Fri 10am-6pm, Sun 12 noon-5pm
Rudolf Heltzel Gallery, Patrick Street
ALAN COUNIHAN and
GYPSY RAY (Ireland)
Townland
1 explores the townlands in the
Townland
1 specifically
parish of Rathcoole, Co Kilkenny in all their resonant
complexities. The work is informed by the rural
community in which they live and Gypsy’s childhood in an
American farming community.
Alan Counihan has realised many large public sculpture
commissions in Ireland and the USA where his work is in
many collections.
Gypsy Ray’s social
documentary photography
is renowned in the US. The
Poetry of Place is her book
of landscape imagery. An
exhibition of her drawings,
Concealment is on tour.
7 - 16 August, 11am-6pm
Johnswell Community Hall
Johnswell
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STERLING IRISH:
Irish contemporary craft artists living
in England, Scotland and Wales
GRAINNE MORTON uses found objects as the main inspiration for her jewellery. Using
a diverse range of materials, she works on a miniature scale, in order to create attention and
draw the onlooker into the piece. She references traditional ornament and kitsch to create
quirky, nostalgic pieces that are evocative and entertaining. She is based in Edinburgh.
ANGELA O’KELLY curator
FOR THE FIRST TIME, KILKENNY
ARTS FESTIVAL IS HOSTING A
CRAFT STRAND TO RECOGNISE AND
CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTION
OF CRAFT TO THE CULTURAL
LANDSCAPE, BOTH IN IRELAND
AND INTERNATIONALLY. AS PART
OF THIS STRAND, STERLING IRISH
IS A CURATED EXHIBITION OF
WORK FROM LEADING IRISH CRAFT
ARTISTS BASED IN ENGLAND
SCOTLAND AND WALES. THE
DIVERSITY AND QUALITY OF
THEIR WORK DEMONSTRATES
HIGH LEVELS OF ORIGINALITY,
INNOVATION AND FINE
CRAFTSMANSHIP.
The exhibition aims to heighten awareness
and showcase exceptional talent by 11 Irish
craft artists. It features contemporary jewellery,
silversmithing, glass, ceramics and textiles
from established and new makers.
Some of the artists are concept driven, working
with themes such as personal identity, culture
and heritage, whereas others focus on design
processes and the manipulation of materials.
Contemporary jewellery, silversmithing, glass,
ceramics and textiles from established and
new makers, will feature.
Castle Yard Galleries
7 - 16 August
Mon - Sat 10am-6pm
Sun 11am-6pm
CLAIRE CURNEEN’S
trademark white porcelain
figure depicts St Sebastian
suffering the ordeal of
martyrdom yet at the same
time seeming almost unaware
of it. She emphasises that
dual nature of matter and
spirit through the depiction
of his blood, - the visceral
reality of his situation
- in gold, an indicator of
preciousness and value. She
is based in South Wales.
CÓILÍN Ó DUBHGHAILL’S
work centres around the
development of specialised
alloys and patination techniques
that explore the application of
colour on his metal vessels.
This exhibition will showcase
work resulting from his recent
time as Senior Research Fellow
at Sheffield Hallam University,
on a project examining the
production and application of
Japanese alloys and patination.
He is based in Sheffield.
JENNIFER BROWNE’S work is based
around Biomimicry, which is the study of
processes, systems, structures and behaviour
in the natural world. She is particularly
interested in the efficiency of nature’s
methods of building and growing, and in
the manner in which individual organisms
are intrinsic parts of eco systems in which
they all contribute and benefit from one
another. This model of co-operation and
multifunctionality forms the basis for her
working practice. She is based in London.
JAMES TOAL is interested in the opacity
of the colour black and how it is transformed
through the transparent qualities of glass.
When black pigment is applied to glass in
varying quantities, it absorbs and reflects light,
creating and revealing different depths of tone
and colour. This allows the true nature of the
colour black to reveal itself - to come out of
darkness and become truly luminous. He is
based in London.
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Other festival craft events:
Friday 7 August
Jack Doherty Ceramics
Workshop
Pottery School, Grennan,
Thomastown
JOAN MacKARRELL’S enamel
pieces evoke fragments of childhood
memories spent on the Atlantic coast
of Donegal. Her use of materials is
central to her practice, and in her recent
work she pushes the boundaries of her
chosen medium to the limits of fused
glass and metal. These pieces combine
unusual, talismanic stones with textured
matt-finished glass, resulting in highly
individual necklaces imbued with an
elemental and spiritual feeling. She is
based in London.
SADHBH McCORMACK’S current
jewellery pieces had their origin in her
photography of bodies in motion. These
photographs formed the basis of a
drawing series that explored the inner
workings of the bone structure and
spine, and in turn led to her jewellery
pieces. She photographs her finished
pieces on male bodies, whose strength
and form provide the perfect sculptural
backdrop for the work. She is based
in London.
SUZANNE GOODWIN’S current work is based
on her interest in the environment. In response to
her concerns about climate change and rapidly
evolving weather patterns, she has produced a range
of innovative fabrics that react to changing weather,
and are embedded in our natural behaviour. Her
responsive scarves, anoraks and dresses offer a vision
of our future daily lives. She is based in London.
VICTORIA ROTHSCHILD
investigates the possibilities of combining
hot blown work with different techniques
in kiln work and cold decoration. Her
inspiration is drawn from nature, in
particular the seashore. The inherent
qualities of glass - such as transparency,
reflection and light - work perfectly to
convey the movement and energy of
water. She is based on London.
CARMEL McELROY is a multidisciplinary designer who combines the practices
of textiles, three-dimensional, and product design in her finished pieces. Her work
is based on her passion for materials, ideas and form, and is rigorously informed
by research and development in these areas. This approach results in innovative
and ingenious work designed to enhance the relationship between the object and
the user. Her exploratory approach is combined with exquisite craftsmanship and
attention to detail in the finished and manufactured product.
CJ O’NEILL is inspired by nostalgia, captured
in discarded domestic objects and graphic
lettering. Recognising the evocative qualities
of the second-hand, she takes old and vintage
pieces, sourced in charity shops or closed
down factories, and re-interprets their use.
She converts her ideas, thoughts and drawings
to surface decoration through cutting and
juxtaposing sections, patterns and words. She
hopes to imbue these pieces with a new story,
another lifetime, to provoke conversation and
inspire new ways of seeing objects.
Saturday 8 August 4.30pm
Official opening of all
Craft exhibitions
Castle Yard Galleries and
National Craft Galleries
Saturday 8 August 6.30pm
Pecha Kucha Night
Short, stimulating
presentations around the
2009 craft strand in
20 images, 20 seconds each.
Castle Yard Galleries and
National Craft Galleries
Sunday 9 August
Sterling Irish artists’ talks
CJ O’Neill, ceramic artist, 1pm
Cóilín Ó Dubhghaill,
silversmith, 2.30pm
Castle Yard Galleries
Curators’ talk
Aisling Prior, festival visual
arts curator
Brian Kennedy, Crafts Council of
Ireland, Objects exhibition curator
4.30pm
Castle Yard Galleries
Throughout the festival
11am to 12 noon
Exhibition tours
Castle Yard Galleries
National Crafts Gallery
Daily
Craft Workshops
For children 5-12 yrs
Details at exhibitions
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NATIONAL CRAFT
GALLERY
National Craft Gallery
8 August - 27 October
10am - 6pm
National Craft Gallery
8 August - 28 October
10am - 6pm
JACK DOHERTY (Ireland) Potter
A solo exhibition celebrating the work of this internationally
reknowned potter from Derry, who was resident at the
Kilkenny Design Workshops in the 1960s.
OBJECT
An exhibition juxtaposing abstract work from the Arts Council
Collection with contemporary Irish craft, linked by shared
interests in line, form, texture and colour. Curated by Brian
Kennedy, the exhibition includes work by Siobhán Hapaska,
Fergus Martin, Michael Moore and Frances Lambe.
MADE in Kilkenny
Butler House
Patrick Street
7 - 16 August
10am - 6pm
MADE in Kilkenny launches with new innovative works
influenced by Kilkenny 400.
MADE consists of 26 professional craftspeople who work
to the highest standard of excellence using a wide range
materials including glass, clay, stone, metal, wood and
textiles. Their studios are open to visitors throughout the
county of Kilkenny.
WORKHOUSE STUDIOS
2 Rose Inn Street
7 August - 16 August
Mon - Sat, 10am-6pm
Sun, 12 noon-5pm
At Red Aesthetic
Workhouse Studios was established late in 2008. It is one
of Ireland’s newest craft groups, in a studio equipped for
several disciplines, including textiles, glass and jewellery.
This talented mix of young designers has already achieved
international success and has been selected for Origin, the
leading craft fair based at Somerset House in London.
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Children 3-10 yrs
RUN, RUN, THE LITTLE GOAT
AND THE WOLF (Italy)
(Scappa Scappa - Le Caprette e Il Lupo
presented in English)
Written by Tiziana Lucattini
Saturday 8 & Sunday
9 August
2pm & 4pm each day
The Watergate Theatre
Admission `10
Duration 60 minutes
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STICKS AND
STONES (Ireland)
Music and rhythm,
interactive performance
for families
With MARION GAYNOR
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Children 8+ yrs and
their families
It’s funny, it’s beautiful and it’s a
fairytale. You’ve got a clever wolf,
a curious child, a worried parent
and a twist in the tail when the
baddie turns out to be not so bad
after all.
Sticks and Stones is all about beat and groove and having fun with rhythm. You
bring your own sticks and stones. As well, you can bring your parents and friends,
your neighbours or anyone you want!
It is based on a Slovenian folktale
and the dancing is great. You will
never forget it!
You can make rhythm sticks from wood or plastic pipes about ¾ of an inch wide.
They should be 8 to 12 inches long. And the stones, well, stones are stones: bring
rocks or pebbles, but try them out for the sound they make first.
We are going to clap hands, bang stones together, tap sticks together and have fun
together. All you have to do is turn up with a pair of rhythm sticks or a pair of stones.
Sunday 9 August
12pm & 2pm
The Heritage Council/
Áras na hOidhreachta
Church Lane
Admission `10
Duration 60 minutes
LIZ WEIR (Ireland)
Storytelling
Children 1+ yrs
Saturday 15 & Sunday
16 August
2pm & 4pm each day
Barnstorm Theatre
Church Lane
Admission `10
Duration 45 minutes
BEDTIME/PA CAMA (Spain)
An original idea by Carolina Ramos and Kevin Stewart.
Directed by Omar Alvarez and Kevin Stewart
Everyone loves sleepovers. You get
to eat treats, to have fun and the last
thing you want to do is fall asleep even
though you have to pretend to try.
Join two friends having a sleepover,
who use their imagination to turn the
bedroom into a world of unexpected
things and daring adventures.
There is no talking but loads
of music, moving around and
puppets. You will love it.
Admission for children is free, thanks to
(see page 30 for details)
Wednesday 12 August
This woman has been all over the
world and everywhere she goes
she tells stories and listens to
people telling stories and then comes
back and tells those stories to us. And you know what?
The children in other places are really just the same as the ones here.
They all love magic, being happy, being amazed and more than anything else,
having a good laugh. Her stories will do all that with fairies, talking animals,
mermaids, ghosts and adventures.
Children 6-8 yrs
11.30am - 12.20pm
Children 9-12 yrs
2pm - 2.50pm
The Heritage Council/
Áras na hOidhreachta
Church Lane
Admission `8
Liz Weir has so many stories she had enough to fill two brilliant books called
Boom Chicka Boom and Here There and Everywhere. As well, she wrote a
book about a child whose father is in jail called When Dad Went Away.
Everyone loved her when she was here before, so come and enjoy again.
Admission for children is free, thanks to
(see page 30 for details)
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The Parade Tower
Kilkenny Castle
Monday 10 August
Fantasy Journeys
Children 4-6 yrs
11.30am - 12.30pm
Children 7-9 yrs
2pm - 3.30pm
Take Flight
Children 10-12 yrs
3.45pm - 5.15pm
Max. 30 children
Tuesday 11 August
Summer Tunes
Children 2-4 yrs with
their parents
3pm - 4pm
Masks
Children 2-4 yrs with
their parents
4.30pm - 5.30pm
Max. 15 children with
accompanying adults
Wednesday 12 August
Flat Felt Basics
Children 7-9 yrs
10.30am - 12.30pm
Children 10-12 yrs
2pm - 4pm
Max. 10 children
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Creative Dance with
JOKE VERLINDEN of MYRIAD DANCE (Ireland)
Fantasy Journeys
Forget hip hop. This is the real deal. All you need is a big imagination and to want to dance.
Through dressing up, exploring our imaginations and dancing, we will create a magical
world. We will play with time, rhythm, space and dreams. We will have the best of fun and
at the end we will have a really cool dance put together by ourselves. You can bring your
parents and if you want you can let them join in.
Take Flight
You want to take flight? Come along and learn to roll, jump, tumble, fall and recover, lift and
float and take off using each others bodies, balloons, parachutes and small trampolines.
Dancers will show you how to do really cool things with your body and at the end you will
have made up a brilliant dance using all those movements. So, if you have energy and
imagination and are the kind of boy or girl who can’t resist a dare, then this is the place to
be on Monday afternoon. Wear a tracksuit and bring a drink (not a fizzy one because you
will be jumping around). You can wear whatever shoes you like, because you will be taking
them and your socks off when you’re dancing.
Art Workshop for Toddlers and Parents with
Artist SARAH RUBIN of C3 (Ireland)
Summer Tunes
This art and craft workshop will have you humming and gazooing all your summer songs.
So, come with some cardboard toilet roll tubes and join the fun.
Masks
Come and see how you can transform yourself with a mask and explore the new you
through different bright colours and simple shapes. Children must be accompanied by a
participating adult.
Felt making with
Felter NICOLA BROWNE (Ireland)
Flat Felt Basics
In just one afternoon you can learn how to create felt. People did it in ancient times with
simple raw materials. It is not a woven fabric so it is easier to make. Now you can do it too.
When you come home after this workshop you will have a lovely piece of felt that you have
designed and made. Then you can hang it on your wall, stitch it into a bag or stick it onto
the cover of a book.
Admission for children is free, thanks to
(see page 30 for details)
FILM
DIY Animation with
Filmmaker MICHAEL FORTUNE
and artist AILEEN LAMBERT
THE SECRET
OF KELLS
Adventure, action and danger
await 12-year-old Brendan
who must fight Vikings and a
serpent god to find a crystal and
complete the legendary Book
of Kells. The film, which was
made by Cartoon Saloon here in
Kilkenny, will be followed by a
talk by its director, Tomm Moore.
Tuesday 11 August
11.30am
The Parade Tower
Kilkenny Castle
This fun and interactive
workshop gives you the chance
to make your own short
animated film. The films will be
put up on YouTube so you can
show all your friends and family.
Extreme Arts Express facilitated
by MICHAEL WAY
This exciting workshop will use drama, drawing and story
composition to challenge the imagination and give you
the opportunity to reflect on your experience of the world
around you.
MONKEYSHINE THEATRE
in partnership with TALLAGHT
COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE (Ireland)
Children 3-5 yrs
Thursday 13 August
Children’s Ward
St Luke’s Hospital
(Not open to the public)
Presented in association
with St Luke’s Art
Committee and HSE
Friday 14 August
10.30am, 11.45am,
2pm & 3.15pm
The Parade Tower
Kilkenny Castle
Duration 45 minutes
THE
BEDMAKER
The Heritage Council/
Áras na hOidhreachta
Church Lane
Thursday 13 August
DIY Animation
Children 7-9 yrs
10am - 12 noon
Children 10-12yrs
2pm - 4pm
Max. 10 children
Friday 14 August
Extreme Arts Express
Children 10-12 yrs
10.30am - 12.30pm
Children 13-15 yrs
2pm - 4pm
Max. 20 children
YOUR MAN’S PUPPETS (Ireland)
TALES FROM THE
WORKSHOP
Going to bed will never be
the same again after you’ve
seen The Bedmaker. Stories,
puppets and clowning around
in your bed turns it into a very
different place altogether.
The Bedmaker is an intimate
show with just six children
joining in the performance on
an oversized bed!
What happens when a storyteller
meets a gang of noisy puppets
by chance? A show that is full
of magic and fun. It is presented
by master puppeteer Tommy
Baker and gifted storyteller Clare
Murphy, who you will remember
from last year’s festival.
8=>A9G:C½H
:K:CIH
Family show, Children
4+ yrs
Thursday 13 August
11.30am & 2pm
The Parade Tower
Kilkenny Castle
Duration 45 minutes
Devised by Helene Hugel with
support from the Arts Council.
Admission for children is free, thanks to
63
(see page 30 for details)
65
For great deals and to book
your accommodation visit
Kilkenny City Map
www.kilkennyarts.ie
GE
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Take a bow!
The arts really matter to us in Ireland; they are a big part of people’s lives, the
country’s single most popular pursuit. Our artists interpret our past, define
who we are today, and imagine our future. We can all take pride in the
enormous reputation our artists have earned around the world.
The arts play a vital role in our economy, and smart investment of taxpayers’
money in the arts is repaid many times over. The dividends come in the form
of a high value, creative economy driven by a flexible, educated, innovative
work force, and in a cultural tourism industry worth A5 billion a year.
The Arts Council is the Irish Government agency for funding and developing
the arts. Arts Council funding from the taxpayer, through the Department of
Arts, Sport and Tourism, for 2009 is A75 million, that’s about A1 euro a week
for every household.
So, at the end of your next great festival experience, don’t forget the role you
played and take a bow yourself!
Find out what’s on at www.events.artscouncil.ie
Find out what’s on at
www.events.artscouncil.ie
You can find out more about the arts here:
www.artscouncil.ie