The city of Kilkenny makes a stunning backdrop to its annual international arts festival. Kilkenny Arts Festival takes place over 10 days in August from the 8th to the 17th, and plays host to some of the world's leading artists and performers in a range of art forms. The festival is committed to the presentation of a unique, distinctive and inspiring programme in a range of artistic disciplines to as wide an audience as possible. Now in its 35th year, the festival was originally founded by a group of classical music enthusiasts. In recent years the festival has broadened its programming remit and now programmes the following art forms; theatre & dance, classical music, jazz/new world and traditional, visual art, film, literature, street and a young people's programme. Underpinning the presentation of events is the commitment to bring work to Kilkenny that would not be seen outside the festival context, and a desire to commission and produce new work from Ireland and abroad. The city's oldest and largest non profit festival now draws more than 80,000 visitors annually who come and partake in all that Kilkenny has to offer. For more info see www.kilkennyarts.ie
