The man who brought us the toe tapping soundtrack to Riverdance announces a stellar line-up of national and international talents at Ireland;'s longest running community arts festival. Renowned Irish musician, composer, producer and arranger Bill Whelan officially launched the programme of events for the 36th Clifden Community Arts Festival this week. Boasting another amazing line up of enigmatic, colourful performances, literary readings, artistic expression and visual exploration the annual festival returns with a bang from 19th - 29th September 2013.

The 2013 programme looks set to be an even bigger success with music, theatre, film, comedy, literary talks, readings and a dedicated schools programme each playing an integral part of the festival, promising an event to suit all tastes. The festival will be officially opened on Thursday 19th September by Internationally renowned and innovative theatre director with Druid theatre company, Garry Hynes. Kicking off the festival will be the legendary Mary Coughlan, as well as music from Galway’s newest live party band, Crossfire.

Friday 20th September will offer performances from the “Gyp-Hop” kings, The Latchiko’s and button accordion master Mairtin O’Connor with fiddle player Zoe Conway and guitar and bouzouki maestro Donal Lunny as well as an evening with poet, publisher and novelist Dermot Bolger and internationally renowned playwright, Bernard Farrell.

On Saturday 21st, 4 times Jacob Award winner and RTÉ veteran Mike Murphy will conduct a public interview with musician, composer, producer, and arranger Bill Whelan. The Guinness Choir will perform Handels’ Messiah, while poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy will intrigue with musician and actor John Sampson and author and journalist, Kevin Myers will lecture on Commemorations: Ireland’s Fatal Addictions. Fishamble: The New Theatre Company presents their performances of Silent (24th September) and Forgotten (25th September), one man plays written and performed by Pat Kinevane.

Throughout the week, visitors will see a wide array of talents, including concert performances from Sharon Shannon (21st Septmeber) Declan Sinnott (26th September), the Callino Quartet with Tom Dunn (23rd September), Cherish the Ladies (24th September), Kaleidoscope Camino (26th September), comedy from Kevin McAleer (26th September) and readings from Mary O’Rourke (28.09.13) and Diarmuid Ferriter (28th September).

The full programme of events can be found on www.clifdenartsweek.ie and you can follow them on Facebook or Twitter

To book tickets call 091 442730 / email [email protected]