2011 Westport Arts Festival |
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This year, the lengthy line-up includes dance, music, visual arts, circus, family-friendly activities, poetry readings, street theatre, puppet shows, interactive theatre and much more. The schedule is so full that pre-festival events have already kicked off with a week-long series of classic movies in a purpose-built Drive-in theatre in the unique setting of Westport House, and post-festival events run up to an intimate performance by Glen Hansard on October 11th which has already sold out in a record 18 minutes. Other highlights this year include, singer-songwriter Cathy Davey in a strictly limited intimate gig; a theatrical aerial circus performance in the woods around Westport House by Fidget Feet, six hours of mayhem with the cream of contemporary Irish heavy metal bands, the sketch comedy of Foil, Arms and Hog, fresh from a run at the Edinburgh festival, Cork alternative rock band Fred, storyteller, actor and musician Little John Nee telling a tale of emigration. Ham Sandwich bringing a night of indie rock to the town, an exploration of how globalisation affects indigenous peoples by award-winning photographer Jackie Nickerson, music from the Kerry tradition with Brendan Begley and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Philomena Lynott reading from her new book about Phil, the list is as long as it is varied. Organised entirely by volunteers, the annual Westport Arts Festival has been a fixture in the Irish arts calendar since 1976, making it one of the longest-running festivals in the country. It has proved itself time and again to be a beacon in Clew Bay for both aspiring and internationally famous artists, performers, writers and musicians, giving them an opportunity to showcase their talents to a passionate West coast audience. If you are interested in attending the Westport Arts Festival, for more information, click here or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
The 2011 Westport Arts Festival – an annual celebration of the arts lasting ten full days runs from October 1st - 9th, which brings an eclectic range of events to suit all ages and tastes to the seaside town.
