by Saoirse Anton
It’s that time of year again, programmes are landing through letter boxes, theatre companies are hunting down the holy grail of affordable accommodation in Edinburgh, sales of glitter have spiked…it’s festival season.
Given I’m working at a different festival almost every weekend of the summer, and missing out on so many more because of overlapping schedules, I know that the choice can be overwhelming. With so much to choose from, how can you ever make a decision about what to go to? Well, you’re in luck because your friendly local theatre oracle is here to share some top picks of this year’s festivals! I could write a book on all of the fantastic things in each festival’s programme but, for now, read on to find out my number one choices.
Carlow Arts Festival
7th - 11th June 2023
First up on our list is the very imminent Carlow Arts Festival, which kicks off this week. With a jam-packed programme, there really is something for everyone. However, the show that immediately caught my eye is MOS. Dance artists Ioanna Paraskevopoulou and Georgios Kotsifakis delve into the magic of foley sound as they use this classic cinematic technique as a choreographic tool, exploring the intertwined relationship between movement, sound and image. This show promises to be a captivating sensory experience playing with the physicality of sound.
Cork Midsummer Festival
14th – 25th June 2023
Though I could happily spend all of my money attempting to see every single show in the Cork Midsummer Festival programme, my top pick has to be Landmark Productions’ Happy Days, starring the inimitiable Siobhán McSweeney. I struggled to engage with a lot of online theatre over lockdown, but this production of Beckett’s iconic play had me absorbed, so I definitely recommend catching it in person.
Cruinniú na nÓg
23rd June 2023
Cruinniú na nÓg is one of my favourite arts programmes. A national day celebrating creativity for young people, it holds an important place in the calendar. Across the country, local authorities and arts organisations will be delivering free activities for young people. It’s nigh on impossible to pick one thing given the breadth and geographical spread of the programme, but I want to highlight the nationwide initiative, Circus Explored. Alongside open days with several circus organisations across the country, over 4,000 free Spinning Plates will be delivered across the island, accompanied by a postcard featuring a QR code linking to video tutorials for community members to learn how to spin a plate with young circus practitioners from the partnering organisations. A simple and engaging way of introducing children to new skills and the circus artform. Find out where you can collect your spinning plates on the Cruinniú na nÓg website.
Clonmel Junction Festival
1st – 9th July 2023
When you hear the description “Bridget Jones meets Indiana Jones, with talking fish in a joy filled night of theatre, traditional storytelling, and music,” you just can’t help but buy a ticket. A new production from Broken Crow Theatre, directed by Julie Kelleher, Found is a story of self-discovery involving, apparently, a dolphin, a celebrity folklorist and a quest. What are you waiting for? Check it out at Clonmel Junction Festival!
Galway International Arts Festival
17th – 30th July 2023
With over 75 events to choose from across the festival, sifting through the Galway International Arts Festival programme is like delving into an Aladdin’s cave, but with 30 acrobats and 30 choir members, one large-scale spectacle stands out from the rest. Taking place in the specially built Festival Theatre, Pulse promises to be a breathtaking experience that “unites audience, acrobat and choir into a single mesmerizing organism.” This promises to be a show quite unlike any I’ve seen before!
Spraoi Festival
4th – 6th August 2023
The streets of Waterford will be awash with talent for the weekend of Spraoi Festival! Our national street arts and spectacle festival, Spraoi brings together a whole host of street artists from around the world. One act that particularly caught my eye in the programme (unsurprisingly given that I am mildly obsessed with hula hooping!) is Wel(come), a duet between hula-hooper, Gracie May Marshall and acrobat, Antonio Arbues. Exploring personal space and the art of being together, this promises to be a playful and insightful collaboration.
Kilkenny Arts Festival
10th – 20th August 2023
Though the full programme has yet to be announced, this year’s Kilkenny Arts Festival is set to be a special one as the Festival celebrates its 50th year. Ahead of the programme launch, the Festival is calling on artists, audience members, and other members of its community to share their memories of the Festival over the years as part of Echoes of a Festival: Celebrating 50 Years of Kilkenny Arts Festival. If you have memories of festivals past, why not take part? The memories collected will be shared as part of a special supplement in the Kilkenny People, part of an online display available from the beginning of August and as physical installation presented as part of the Festival.
Whichever corner of the island you find yourself in this summer, there is bound to be a festival on the horizon ready to delight and transport you!
