Explore the sea’s allure at Kinsale Arts Weekend
By Maisie Mould
Kinsale is about to get even more colourful.
Kinsale Arts Weekend (KAW) 2024 draws on the town’s intrinsic connection to the sea with its universal theme of ‘The Allure of the Sea’ or, in Irish, ‘Mealladh na Mara’.
The festival has earned its place as a firm favourite in the arts and culture calendar, and their recently-released full programme secures that position. With over 50 events set to take place across the weekend, the festival will transform the seaside town into a stage, and connect visitors to the sea, and to Irish culture.
Anna Mulcahy, Chairperson of KAW, said: “We are so proud of this year’s programme. The artists have truly answered the call of the sea. I am excited to see the audiences' responses to this inspired and inspiring programme.”
There will be musical features welcomed, including sean-nós vocalist Iarla O Lionáird performing with Cormac McCarthy and Matthew Berril. Loah, Irish/Sierra Leonean singer-songwriter, will also perform her unique blend of Afro-folksoul on 13 July in St Catherine’s cultural centre.
Saturday afternoon will see the Irish premiere of Our Blue World followed by a discussion with Dr Tara Shine, science and policy advisor and inspiring environmental activist. For a different level of audience participation you can follow 12 dancers through the streets of Kinsale as they Dance to the Edge of the Sea.
Other experiences include Fishing for a Living, a reading from Booker Prize nominee Audrey McGee from her novel, ‘The Colony’, a pop-up Gaeltacht, a screening of ‘Song of the Sea’, theatre performances, art workshops and more. It promises to have something for everyone, catering to all interests surrounding the sea theme.
Anna added: “While the name Kinsale is known across the world, we are, at our core, a small coastal community with a global outlook. The sea inspired that world-view and it now inspires a culture of creativity.”
She highlighted the collaborative nature of KAW: “We could not achieve what we do alone, this festival is a collaboration of businesses, volunteers, artists and sponsors.”
The festival will take place from the 11-14 July. For more information, visit Kinsaleartsweekend.com.