Since its foundation in 1974, Kilkenny Arts Festival has brought many of the world’s finest musicians, performers, writers and artists to the heart of Ireland’s medieval city each August.
Over ten days, the city’s historic churches, castle, courtyards, townhouses and gardens offer a magical setting for magical performances and up-close artistic encounters.
From the beginning, classical music has been at the core of the programme, featuring globally acclaimed artists such as Alfred Brendel, Jordi Savall, Dawn Upshaw, Nigel Kennedy and Joshua Bell among many others. Over the decades the Festival has staged major open-air productions of Shakespeare, hosting from 2012-14 annual residencies by Shakespeare’s Globe and the epic theatre event DruidShakespeare in the historic Castle Yard, Ireland’s finest open-air theatrical space.
Poetry has also featured prominently since the early years in the 1970s, when Seamus Heaney acted as literary curator and brought some of the world’s finest poets to Kilkenny, including Robert Lowell and Sorley Maclean. Last year, former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins was the Festival’s poet-in-residence, while extraordinary performance poet Kate Tempest gave the Irish premiere of her new album.
A centrepiece of our 43rd Festival, running from 5-14 August 2016, is Mozart: Prince of Music - Ireland's largest-ever celebration of this matchless composer. Our Mozart series, and several other concert highlights featuring some of the world's leading performers, are now on sale. As our Bach series last year sold out, do book early to avoid disappointment!
In other highlights, we're delighted to announce the return of the Marble City Sessions - these unique collaborations, co-curated and hosted by the inspirational Martin Hayes, will bring together a fresh line-up of guest artists from around the world to share musical traditions which cross continents and centuries.
The city’s oldest and largest non-profit festival now draws more than 50,000 visitors annually who come and partake in all that Kilkenny has to offer. So come to Kilkenny, be part of the festival and experience the Arts in a way you will never forget!
The "Kilkenny Cats" nickname stems from the feral felines that once inhabited the Dunmore caves in the north of the county.
The architect who built the White House in Washington, D.C., James Hoban, was raised on the Earl of Desart’s estate in Cuffesgrange, near Callan in Co. Kilkenny.
Collectively, Kilkenny people are known as 'The Cats', most specifically in the arena of hurling
Nowadays, Kilkenny Castle is effectively three-sided. One of the four walls - and one of the great round drum towers - has disappeared over time.
Where did it go? Well, the Eastern wall and the North-Eastern tower were blown up during the 1650 Cromwellian siege of Ireland.
In 1650 invading Cromwellian forces mounted an attack on Kilkenny castle and although it was initially successfully defended they eventually managed to take control of the city by another route.Film star George Clooney’s great-great-grandfather was baptised Nicholas Clooney in Windgap church, Kilkenny, on July 23, 1829.
Kilkenny’s visitor experiences and attractions must be allowed re-open their doors under Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions to access the lifeline of a summer domestic tourism season.
A new festival in May will celebrate Johnstown’s 250th anniversary.
Funding’s been approved for a festival in the North KIlkenny town on the 24th of May.
Yulefest Kilkenny Christmas festival returns to celebrate its fourth year and in 2019 is offering a bumper six week festival running from 22nd November 2019 to 6th January 2020.