Festival mixes up virtue and vice

ENCOMPASSING all the art forms, as well as food-themed events and debate, Kinsale Arts Festival (Jul 7 to 15) really has something for everyone.

Now in her second year as guest artistic director of the festival, Gemma Tipton is keen to keep surprising the public with an eclectic choice of performances and exhibitions. Last year, Tipton, a curator and visual arts writer, gave the festival an equine theme, reflecting her passion for horses.

This year, Tipton has chosen ‘virtue and vice’ as the theme, which pretty much covers everything. “I try not to be self-centred. The festival isn’t just about things I love. With this year’s theme, it was like having a huge paint box from which to dip into,” says Tipton.