On the Town: The long arm of the Kilkenny Arts Festival will stretch farther than ever this year. For the first time, events are scheduled to take place as far afield as Kells, Freshford and Paulstown.
Weaving classes, performance and percussion workshops and puppet showswill tempt young people to get involved in the 10-day event in August, as its administrator, Teenagh Cunningham, pointed out at the launch of this year's programme in Dublin.
Claudia Woolgar, the festival director, is particularly pleased with the outdoor weekend, which is set in the Woodstock estate in Inistioge. The Georgian house there was burnt down by the Black and Tans but the facade remains.
This year, "it's about taking the festival up a notch and expanding the programme," says Woolgar. There will be something for everybody, she adds.
She's delighted there will be a sound and light installation by the artist and composer Daniel Figgis, taking place in "a hidden glen", which is Kilfane Gardens.
The new logo and fresh design of the programme are "very reflective of the way the festival has moved over the last few years," says Marion Gowran, the festival manager. This year it is about "summer, energy, accessibility, vibrant colour and young people," she says.
The Ambassador of Italy, Alberto Schèpisi, and his wife, Maria Sofia, both came to the party in Dublin this week, as they are planning to visit "the most artistic town" they've discovered in Ireland.
Maureen Kennelly, former director of the festival, will be co-producing (with Kilkenny Arts Festival) the new play by Tom Swift, Dr Ledbetter's Experiment. According to Jo Mangan, its director, this is "a gothic piece of lunacy with lots of top hats and make-up".
Woolgar promises "some real surprises", including artists from 11 countries, three world premières, a Cuban film season and Rodrigo y Gabriela from Mexico will also be playing.
The Kilkenny Arts Festival runs from Friday, August 6th, until Sunday, August 15th.Full programme details at www.kilkennyarts.ie