It is almost forty years since a young, tousle-haired Seamus Heaney took to the stage in the back room of Kyteler's Inn for a reading at the very first Kilkenny Arts Festival in 1974. The poet was virtually unknown, but he held the audience spellbound, and artists have been doing just that every year in Kilkenny since.
The festival has built up an enviable reputation at home and abroad for the presentation of both familiar and more esoteric art programming, slicing up styles and genres and serving them up, side by side, to eager audiences. This year is no different with a programme of world premieres, international theatre, specially commissioned shows and world class music in Kilkenny from 9th - 18th August 2013.
Highlights include:
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Company - The Taming Of the Shrew
Four-time Grammy Award winner Dawn Upshaw in concert Gilbert Kalish
Camerata Ireland - Benjamin Britten Centerary programme
Crash Ensemble - a world premiere by Michael Gordon
Junk Ensemble’s - Dusk Ahead
The Kilkenny Arts festival Choir - 40th birthday concert
For more information on times, venues and tickets click here.
