From Aug. 5–14, the 43rd Annual Kilkenny Arts Festival will bring visual artists, musicians, writers and performers to the green spaces of Ireland’s heritage capital. The city’s medieval streets and riverside provide an evocative backdrop for a wide-ranging program that celebrates music, theatre, poetry and visual art.
Highlights this year include actor Stephen Rea reading Seamus Heaney’s Aeneid: Book VI and a lively theatre lineup featuring The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean. Poet in Residence Paul Muldoon will give readings and lead events, while a strong musical focus under the theme Mozart: Prince of Music will present an ambitious series of performances. Pianist Christian Blackshaw will play the complete piano sonatas, the Irish Chamber Orchestra under Gábor Takács-Nagy will perform Mozart’s late symphonies, and tenor John Mark Ainsley will appear in selections from Idomeneo. Malcolm Proud offers a distinctive program, Music for Clockwork & Glass, showcasing Mozart’s pieces written for glass organ and mechanical clockwork organ.
The festival program is broad, with poetry workshops, folk music sessions, jazz concerts and lecture-discussions spread across venues in the city. Scholarly and conversational events include In Search of the Irish Dreamtime, in which Professor J.P. Mallory explores Irish myths and traditions. Singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III brings a special one-man show and his European debut of Surviving Twin. Visual art is visible throughout the festival, from live painting sessions to large-scale installations: artist Mick O’Dea will work in public at the James Stephens Barracks, creating portraits of festival performers as events unfold.
Family-friendly and experiential events add variety. At Castle Park the inflatable installation Katena by Architects of Air creates an immersive environment for visitors. The surrounding woodlands host a torch-lit evening performance of Behind the Dark, a fusion of dance and acrobatics by Loosysmokes. Secret Garden Music offers surprise performances and pop-up concerts in historic green spaces across the city, including Castle Yard, Rothe House Garden, Black Abbey Garden and Castle Rose Garden.
The festival’s mix of established artists and emerging talent, along with site-specific performances and hands-on activities, makes Kilkenny Arts Festival a lively celebration of contemporary culture set against centuries of history. With events staged in historic buildings, public squares and gardens, audiences can experience a rich program tailored to many tastes.
For a complete schedule and venue details, consult the festival’s program listing to plan which performances and events you wish to attend.