An island festival offering a wide range of events in breathtakingly beautiful scenic locations. This festival celebrates the local as well as the national and brings you a hugely talented field of creative people with a chance to have your own amazing voice heard also.
Thursday 21st sees the ‘soft’ opening of the festival and offers you the chance to view the local exhibition of the Hold in collaboration with award winning visual artist Mary Sullivan. Renowned visual artist Sarah Walker exhibits new work as well as local islanders’ art exhibition. The Peninsula Players offer two comedies by David Tristram. Finish the day listening to some local musicians.
Friday 22nd Culture night, begins with the chance to be part of a writing workshop with award winning poet Molly Twomey. Molly will also read from her latest collection. Local Transition yearstudents from Scoil Phobail Bhéara will take part in a pinhole photography workshop with the amazing Harry Moore. If you are interested in military history there is a tour of Lonehort Battery and all writers are invited to an open mic session at
the bronze age Gallán which marks the center of the island. The official opening of the festival will be performed by the great Conal Creedon, followed by the book launch of Mary Sullivan’s The Hold, by Majella O’ Neill Collins and a much anticipated concert by the Starlings.
Saturday 23rd begins with a workshop with the very talented Adam Wyeth and Moore’s pinhole photography workshop is open to all. The fabulous Annemarie Ni Churreáin will offer a workshop and reading followed by a musical reading of Wyeth’s about: blank in conjunction with Brigid Leman and Frieda Freytag. Local island poet Seamus Harrington will read from his award winning work. Donal Ryan author of the Queen of Dirt Island will give a talk on this story of four generations of women, followed by and Q and A. Three of the country’s finest musicians Máirtín O Connor, Zoe Conway and Dónal Lunny will perform at Wild Atlantic Glamping.
On Sunday 24th join the Bere Island and Crosshaven Choirs at St Michael’s Church. Mass will be celebrated by Fr Noel Spring and the choirs will be directed by Dr Eva McMullan. This will be broadcast on Bere Island Radio 100.1 FM. Come dance at the crossroads with Lorg. West Cork musicians John Coakley, Tina McLoughlin and Kate Lyons. Finish the weekend with a long table lunch, music and storytelling. All of the art exhibitions will run for the duration of the festival.
All information, travel, accommodation and bookings for events can be found at www.bereislandartsfestival.ie
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We look forward to welcoming you to Bere Island
