Kinsale set for 10th year of arts fest

A fiery spectacle in the harbour, a sweathouse by the sea, film screenings in an atmospheric amphitheatre, and traditional music in churches.

These and more will all feature at the 10th Kinsale Arts Festival, which takes place next month.

Churches, halls, castles, and harbours are just some of the places and spaces which will be transformed into temporary homes for music, theatre, literature, visual art, and film as artists perform at the festival, which runs from September 19-28.

One of the theatrical highlights on offer is a Corcadorca production, How These Desperate Men Talk, a promenade experience sited at the Graepels Metal Perforator Factory where audience members begin their journey in Kinsale town, walking up to Graepels, where they encounter two actors in a warehouse.

A number of free and family-friendly events include Sounds in the Square, where a variety of bands and acts perform on a stage in Short Quay Square.

Everything from cake competitions to a masterclass in furniture design will be on offer, as will a day-long bus tour which visits galleries and studios in Kinsale.

There is plenty in store for younger audiences, too, with a Junior Spacecamp and space workshop for children run by Blackrock Castle Observatory taking place at the Methodist Church in Kinsale and the KFEC Amphitheatre. A large inflatable dome is being placed in the Methodist Church within which children will discover the wonders of the night sky.

TV Dinners promises more fun, with audiences taken on a journey of favourite TV shows, from boxsets to 90s classics, in an evening of food, entertainment, short films, and performance.

Film buffs can enjoy screenings at the KFEC Amphitheatre and St Multose Church, while jazz enthusiasts are spoiled for choice. Many will relish an evening with Irish jazz guitar legend Louis Stewart, who makes his festival debut this year. The Chatham Saxophone Quartet, which specialises in transcribing string quartet repertoire to saxophone, will also perform.

There are laughs aplenty as well, with keyboard comedian David O’Doherty tickling more than the ivories at Acton’s Hotel.

With more comedy sketches than you can crash a cymbal at, the Dublin troupe Foil Arms and Hog will feature at the festival for one night only.