02/11/17

Minister of State McHugh announces significant developments relating to the GIS Language Planning System

Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh T.D., announced at Oireachtas na Samhna in Killarney that a new version of the Geographic Information System (GIS) has been issued by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. This is the third iteration of the GIS and, for the first time, it includes Census statistics as they relate to the language planning areas as units. In addition, the 2016 Census figures have also been included.

GIS is a map viewer which provides information, in collaboration with the CSO, on the use of Irish in the various areas related to the language planning process. Before now, the information available on the GIS was based on the 2006 and 2011 Censuses and presented according to electoral division. With this new version, information as it relates to the 2016 Census is provided and presented according to Language Planning Area, Gaeltacht Service Town or Irish Language Network.

“The GIS is a remarkable facility for those involved in language planning and indeed anyone interested in the status of the Irish language around the country,” said Minister of State McHugh as he announced the third iteration of the GIS. “Not only will the significant developments to the system help those preparing and implementing language plans, but the general public will also be interested in the GIS as it relates to their own area. This latest version is easy to use and the information in relation to Irish is presented very clearly.”

ENDS

Note for Editors:

The Geographic Information System (GIS) is a facility which provides information, using a map viewer, in relation to the use of Irish as it relates to

the definition of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas;
towns which may be recognised as Irish Language Service Towns under the language planning process; and
the use of Irish in the Irish Language Networks recognised under the process.

In the new version of the map viewer information is provided – in collaboration with the CSO – according to Gaeltacht language planning areas as they relate to the results of the 2011 and 2016 Censuses as well as details on the use of Irish in towns which might be recognised under the process as Gaeltacht Service Towns, together with details on the use of Irish in the Irish Language Networks recognised under the process.

In addition to details relating to the use of Irish in these areas, information is also provided, in collaboration with the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs respectively, on the location and rolls of primary and post-primary schools for the 2016/17 school year, as well as details pertaining to the early education sector in the Gaeltacht.

The map viewer (GIS) can be accessed via this link.

24/10/17

Minister of State McHugh launches Corpas Stairiúil na Gaeilge 1600-1926

At an event in Dublin this afternoon, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh T.D., announced that Corpas na Gaeilge 1600-1926, a historical corpus of the Irish language from that period, has been launched online.

Corpas na Gaeilge is a Royal Irish Academy initiative and the launch was held in the Academy itself. The Corpus is a step towards the publication of Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge (The Historical Dictionary of the Irish Language). The Historical Corpus being launched today includes over 3 thousand texts and up to 19 million words, which are searchable online. The Royal Irish Academy in Dublin has been working on the project for some years and their staff members based in An Charraig in Co. Donegal digitise the material.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of State McHugh said:

“I am delighted to be here in your company this afternoon for this extremely important and interesting event, the official launch of Corpas Stairiúil na Gaeilge 1600-1926. The Corpas covers a huge breadth of material and Irish history, from the Flight of the Earls in 1607 to the writings of An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire and Pádraig Mac Piarais in An Claidheamh Soluis, during the golden age of the language revival.

“Every aspect of this project is challenging and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the staff working on it. You are doing fantastic work in various areas including Irish history, archaeology, the Irish language, culture and science.

“I am very proud that the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is part of this valuable project. I’m pleased that my Department was in a position to provide assistance of over €1.62m for the work being done by the Academy on this dictionary over the years. As promised in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, the development and support will continue, in order to ensure that Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge is completed and that the modern needs of the language are met.”

Ends

Note for editors:

Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge https://www.ria.ie/research-projects/focloir-stairiuil-na-gaeilge

This research project is preparing a historical dictionary of the Irish language in the period 1600-2000. The comprehensive dictionary will be based on written and oral sources from that time. The project receives support from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, via the Department’s Irish Language Support Schemes. Through these schemes, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht provides financial assistance to a range of organisations and activities that support the promotion of the Irish language outside of the Gaeltacht.

18/10/17

Minister Humphreys launches Centenary at the GPO and announces public consultation process for the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries

Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht launched a new publication Centenary, a book she commissioned to document the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme at home and abroad. Centenary was edited by Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times journalist and author.

Centenary documents how 1916 was remembered last year at home and abroad and includes significant commemorative events in chronological order. Each chapter includes testimonies from some of those involved in the events. The publication shows the breadth of events right across Ireland which took place to mark this pivotal moment in our history. It also includes insights into the commemoration of WW1 and in particular the Battle of the Somme. In particular it captures how the commemorative events last year really tapped into the public imagination with over 3,500 events taking place across the country and abroad.

Speaking at the event Minister Humphreys said: “I was determined from the outset that 2016 would be a year for everyone – I wanted to encourage and facilitate commemorative events which were inclusive and respectful of all narratives. ‘Centenary’ is a great snapshot of 2016. It shows how people really engaged with our history and got involved at every level, whether it was community based events, the wonderful exhibitions in our National Cultural Institutions or the many State commemorative events over Easter Weekend.”

She continued: “I would like to thank Ronan McGreevy for taking on such a mammoth task, my own Department and the Royal Irish Academy who worked so hard to produce this publication and indeed the Editorial Advisory Board led by Dr. Maurice Manning who helped steer the publication.”

Also speaking at the event, Ronan McGreevy said: “Last year’s commemorations demonstrated that Irish people are proud of this country’s status as an independent nation. All of us involved in this book were conscious of the honour and the responsibility to produce something worthy of a wonderful year. We were fortunate in having at our disposal the work of so many talented photographers and artists. They told the story. The words supply the context. Artists and local communities were trusted to deliver the appropriate response and the results are evident in this book.”

Minister Humphreys also took the opportunity to introduce the Second Statement of Principles by the Expert Advisory Group to the Government on Commemorations and launched a Public Consultation Process to assist in framing the Government’s commemorative programme over the coming years. This process includes how the events which led to the foundation of the State and Civil War, might be meaningfully and appropriately commemorated.

She said: “The Advisory Group’s Second Statement of Principles will be a key support to the Government as it frames the State commemorative programme over the next five years. It will also be a highly significant document for all interested parties currently reflecting on how the challenging historical events, which led to the Foundation of the State, might be meaningfully and sensitively commemorated”.

Dr Maurice Manning, Chairman of the Expert Advisory Group, added:

“It is important that the sense of inclusiveness and historical authenticity, which characterized the first phase of the Decade of Centenaries and which ensured the credibility of the commemorations, be continued into the arguably more sensitive and potentially divisive second phase. To that end, the Expert Advisory Group is initiating public consultations to ensure that all points of view and all traditions are recognised and respected.”

ENDS

Note to Editors:

A copy of Centenary is being provided to each public library (333) in the State.

Centenary will be available to purchase for €25 in bookshops nation-wide from 19/10/2017

Information on the Second Statement of Principles and the Public Consultation Process will be accessible on http://www.chg.gov.ie/

15/10/17

NOTICE: CLOSURE OF DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES MONDAY 16 OCTOBER 2017

In light of guidance from the National Emergency Co-Ordination Group on the Status Red National Wind Warning, that Government Departments should suspend all non-essential activities for the entirety of Monday across all parts of the country, the Department’s Offices will be CLOSED on Monday 16 October.

12/10/17

Minister of State McHugh sanctions €33,042 for Tuar Mhic Éadaigh GAA

Joe McHugh T.D., Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, announced today (Thursday) that he has sanctioned a grant of up to €33,042 for Tuar Mhic Éadaigh GAA Club, Co. Mayo to help them upgrade the floor of the local sports hall.

Making the announcement, the Minister of State said that he was very pleased to provide this grant. “Over the years Tuar Mhic Éadaigh GAA have provided wonderful facilities to people of all ages in the local community, with the assistance of the Department. There is no doubt that the sports hall will be a first-class facility when the work has been completed,”

This grant is being sanctioned under the action area: The Gaeltacht as part of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.

ENDS

10/10/17

Minister of State McHugh welcomes budget allocations for the Irish language, Gaeltacht and Islands for 2018

Statement by Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh TD

As Minister of State for our native language, our Gaeltacht areas and our islands, I know all too well my duty to protect and enhance the use of Irish throughout the country and the communities at the heart of this.

I welcome additional funding to my department in Budget 2018 announced today with another increase of €2.5M being provided – taking additional funding to more than €5M over two years.

There is a dedication in this Government to match the dedication to our culture across so many hard-working organisations across the State inside and outside the Gaeltacht.

This hard work has been recognised in the Budget with a total sum next year of €62.595 million for the language, the gaeltacht and the islands.

Included in my plans for next year are:

An additional €1.4m to support the Language Planning Process under the 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language;
€400,000 in additional funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta to invest in its capital programmes and to increase supports for Gaeltacht co-operatives and community development organisations, bringing capital funding for An tÚdarás up to €7m;
An additional allocation of €687,000 for the Department’s Language Support Schemes outside the Gaeltacht.

Included in next year’s Budget is a substantial sum of €14.028m to be provided for An Foras Teanga, comprising Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency. These are indicative figures which are subject to the Estimates being approved in due course and subject to the agreement of the North South Ministerial Council in the case of An Foras Teanga.

Support for the Irish language and the sustainable development of our island communities will remain key priorities for me in 2018. There is a growing love for our language and our culture; it is what sets us apart. The incredible work in Gaeltacht areas to preserve and grow use of our language goes on alongside the work in our education sector throughout the country with demand growing every year for places in Gaelscoileanna and in secondary and third level Irish institutions.

The delivery of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language is a key priority for Government, and I am pleased to see an increase in funding for the Irish language, in line with a commitment given in the Programme for Government.

I am particularly pleased with the additional €1.4m which has been provided to support the language planning process. Last month, I announced that the first three Gaeltacht language plans had been approved, allowing those plans to move on to the most important phase of the language planning process, that being the implementation of the language plans. This additional funding will be vital as more language plans are approved and move into the implementation phase over the coming year.

I am also pleased to have secured over €400,000 in additional funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta to invest in its capital programmes and to increase supports for Gaeltacht co-operatives and community development organisations. This increase in funding will bring the organisation’s capital baseline figure up to €7m while also increasing the allocation to Gaeltacht co-operatives and community development organisations. An tÚdarás has a key role to play in the language planning process, in retaining jobs in their client companies and in attracting further investment to Gaeltacht areas and I am confident that their overall allocation will enable them to fulfil their remit over the coming year.

An additional allocation of €687,000 has also been provided for the Department’s Language Support Schemes outside the Gaeltacht. These schemes have contributed greatly to some of the most innovative work being done in relation to the language in recent years, and I look forward to further progress in these areas in 2018. The extra funding being made available this year will also be used to fund various Irish language learning programmes both within and outside the Gaeltacht, thus aiming to increase the number of daily speakers of the language.

Ends

30/09/17

Taoiseach and Minister Humphreys officiate at National Famine Commemoration Ceremony at the Famine Warhouse 1848 Ballingarry

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is today (Saturday) officiating at the National Famine Commemoration at the Famine Warhouse 1848 in Ballingarry Co. Tipperary. He will be accompanied by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD.

Today’s formal State ceremony will include military honours and a wreath laying ceremony by Ambassadors to Ireland in remembrance of all those who suffered or perished during the Famine. The community programme for this year’s event will include performances by Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, the Cecilian Choir of the Ursuline School, Thurles and Banna Cluain Meala as well as readings by poet Michael Coady, Carmel O’Brien and pupils from the Presentation Secondary School Ballingarry. Local artists including Katy Goodhue and David Quin have also produced new works as part of the supporting programme of events and these, together with over 200 artworks produced by children from local primary schools, will be on display at the Commemoration.

In his speech, the Taoiseach reflected on the impact of the famine on Irish society as well as the intense awareness of and engagement with developments in the wider European context that inspired the development of political philosophy among the Young Ireland movement in Ireland during the mid-19^th century;-

“Today we are gathered here to remember those who perished in the Great Famine and those who sought to respond to that disaster by creating a new future through the Rebellion of 1848. One was a natural catastrophe, the other a military disaster – both however shaped us as a people – and Ballingarry is a fitting location to acknowledge and remember all those who suffered and died and honour their legacy. One positive legacy of the effects of An Gorta Mór is the compassion we have shown as a country for other peoples and nations undergoing humanitarian crises whether through famine, natural disasters or war. Just as our people found assistance and opportunity when they needed it, we now work to support those who need our assistance to escape from hunger.”

Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:

“The home of Margaret McCormack and her family is a fitting venue for this year’s commemoration. While each community has had its own unique story to tell of the Famine, the common thread that unites each host community has been the memory of the human and societal cost of the destruction wrought by An Gorta Mór. Not only were individual lives lost but families and indeed whole villages were destroyed through death, disease and emigration.”

The Minister also welcomed the visit to Ireland next year of Coming Home: Art and the Great Hunger, saying

“I am pleased to announce that next year the Great Hunger Museum of Quinnipiac University will be bringing an exhibition entitled Coming Home: Art and the Great Hunger to Dublin and Skibbereen. This will afford an opportunity for us in Ireland to experience the world’s finest collection of Famine-related art at first hand.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The Famine Warhouse 1848

During the Great Famine the Warhouse was the scene of the 1848 Rebellion. The house which is a National Monument under the care of the OPW exhibits the history of the Famine and mass emigration, the rebellion, high treason trials and penal exile of the Young Ireland leaders in Australia and their escapes to the U.S.A.

Here rebels under the leadership of the Protestant aristocrat, William Smith O’Brien, M.P., besieged 47 police officers who had barricaded themselves into the McCormack farmhouse taking five children hostage. The exhibition places the Famine Rebellion in the context of 1848 as Europe’s Year of Revolutions in France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Hungary.

Further detail on the ceremony:

The programme begins with a recital from Banna Chluain Meala which was founded in 1971 and is one of the largest and most successful marching and concert bands in Ireland. It is estimated that as many as 2000 members have passed through the band in its 40+ years, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in music. The band has been crowned All Ireland Marching Band Champions on ten occasions and has represented Clonmel and Ireland by travelling widely in Ireland and Europe and has forged links with other band organisations, especially in Holland.

Music throughout the ceremony will be provided by the Cecilian Choir from the Ursuline School in Thurles. Formed over 30 years ago, earlier this year the choir was awarded first prize in the Post Primary School Equal Voice Competition, at the Limerick Choral Festival.

The ceremony will also feature performances from Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin. A native of Clonmel, he is acknowledged as having developed a unique Irish piano style exploring the sounds of traditional and classical music with occasional incursions into jazz and other world music forms.

Poet Michael Coady, a member of Aosdána and native of Carrick-On-Suir and Carmel O’Brien will also read Amhrán na bPrátaí Dubha, written during the Famine by Máire Ní Dhroma of Ring, Co. Waterford. It will be read in the original Irish by Carmel O’Brien and in his own English translation by Michael Coady.

James Clarence Mangan’s poem Siberia will now be read by Aidan Mullally and Abaigeal Maher from the Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry.

Local musicians The Mangled Badgers will also perform before and after the ceremony.

The Great Silence, a short film commissioned for today’s occasion written and directed by David Quin who lives in the Commons, will be presented during the ceremony?

A series of box relief collages created by local artist Katy Goodhue will also be on display as well as artworks prepared by 250 children from the six local primary schools as part of the Tipperary Famine Landscape Project. An exhibition of these works was opened in the Village Hall in Ballingarry on Thursday 28^th September.

27/09/17

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, announces major acquisitions of Yeats archive

Following the conclusion of the auction by Sotheby’s in London of material from the Yeats family collection, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, has today (Wednesday, 27 September) announced that the State, through the National Library of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland, has acquired significant elements of the collection with financial support from the Minister.

“Over the past 9 months, I have been working with the National Library and the National Museum to ensure the purchase for the State of significant items, as identified by both institutions, which were due to be auctioned in London today. These items will now form part of the national collections of our cultural institutions. In particular, the correspondence acquired by the National Library will significantly enhance what is already the largest collection of Yeats material in the world – a collection which began, as far back as 1936,” stated Minister Humphreys.

“In total, over the past two years the State has acquired material from the Yeats family collection amounting to a value of over €4m through direct purchase and donation using the tax relief system provided for under Section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act.”

In July this year the Minister provided €650,000 to the National Library and National Museum as follows:

€500,000 was provided to the National Library for the purchase of a collection of letters between WB Yeats and his wife George (purchase price of €725,000);

€150,000 was provided to the National Museum for the purchase of furniture and other artefacts (purchase price of €170,800).

Towards the end of 2016, the Minister provided the National Library with two tranches of funding for elements of the collection as follows:

€118,000 towards the purchase of 10 letters between James Joyce and Yeats and the Yeats Dream diary (purchase price €293,256);

€400,000 to enable the Library to purchase the Yeats Family library – which will complement Yeats’s own library, which is already in the possession of the National Library (purchase price €436,349).

In addition to these purchases, the donation by the family of Yeats’s Nobel medal and certificate in 2016, and a further donation of material which is currently being finalised under Section 1003 this year, will have a total value of almost €2.5m.

The acquisition of additional sets of letters and items of furniture adds substantially to the State’s archive of Yeats material. The co-operative approach in managing the acquisition between the Museum and Library will also allow for major exhibitions to be held using the collections of both institutions.

The Minister also noted that the National Library had also purchased a number of additional artefacts at today’s auction to the value of over €72,000.

Ends //

Note for Editors

The objects that have been acquired by the National Museum include:

A walnut writing table that fitted over the side of WB Yeats’s bed, which he used while convalescing towards the end of his life.
A Burmese giltwood coffer used to store manuscripts.
A chest of drawers decorated on the inside with paintings by his brother, Jack.
A collection of ‘occult’ artefacts which show the influence of occultism and spiritualism on his work.
A series of Japanese masks. Yeats incorporated elements of Noh Theatre into his own playwriting.
The collection includes W.B Yeats’s presentation set of the first issue of the Irish Free State coinage, given to him by the Minister for Finance in 1928. Yeats was the head of the advisory committee that selected the design of the first Irish Free State coinage. Seven artist’s entries were considered, the winner being the English sculptor and designer Percy Metcalfe.

Over the years the National Library has built up a major collection of Yeats material including:

Original manuscripts of the poems ‘Oisin’ and the ‘Wanderings of Usheen’ by WB Yeats;
Manuscripts, typescripts, corrected proofs and other notes of 19 plays by WB Yeats;
Four volumes of cuttings of reviews of the earlier work of WB Yeats and some articles by him; WB Yeats correspondence re Abbey Theatre;
Extensive manuscript materials, drafts, revisions, etc. of the poems of WB Yeats;
Papers of WB Yeats and Jack B Yeats;
Collection of papers of WB Yeats, mainly relating to spiritualism and the occult, consisting of 100 notebooks and copybooks and 130 files of loose papers, in 9 archival boxes;
The personal library of William Butler Yeats;
WB Yeats’s Nobel medal and diploma plus correspondence relating to the award of the Nobel Prize;
Correspondence between James Joyce and WB Yeats and Dream Diary of George Yeats and
The Yeats family library.

Much of this was acquired with the assistance of the Government of the day, through the use of tax incentives as well as through generous donations from the family.

24/09/17

Grant of €38,620 sanctioned by Minister of State McHugh for Coiste Forbartha Chnoc Fola, Co Donegal to renovate the car park

Joe McHugh T.D., Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, announced today (Sunday) that he has approved a grant of €38,760 for Coiste Forbartha Chnoc Fola to enable them to renovate the car park at Ionad Pobail Chnoc Fola.

Announcing the grant, the Minister of State said that he was pleased to be in a position to assist Coiste Forbartha Chnoc Fola in carrying out these works. “Practical work is planned in this case which will benefit the local community and visitors alike,” he said.

This grant is being sanctioned under the action area: The Gaeltacht as part of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.

ENDS

14/09/17

From Ploughing to Poetry: Minister Humphreys announces new mini arts-festival at the National Ploughing Championships

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, and Sheila Pratschke, Chair of the Arts Council, today (Thursday) announced details of a special showcase of the very best of Irish culture which will take place at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore from 19^th to 21^st September.

This year for the first time, a host of performers, artists, writers and some very special guests will perform at Ardán, a special artist stage, at this year’s National Ploughing Championships. The mini arts festival is a joint initiative of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Arts Council and Creative Ireland.

Artists and guests performing over the three days include author Kevin Barry, dual Camogie and ladies football player Briege Corkery, Laureate for Irish Fiction Anne Enright, Laureate na nÓg PJ Lynch, singers Maighread and Triona Ní Dhomhnaill and singer songwriter Lisa O’Neill. All events are free and run for 25-30 mins, with admission on a first come first served basis.

Minister Humphreys said:

“The National Ploughing Championships are one of the most important events in our national calendar where children, families and people of all ages can experience and enjoy a range of activities at what has become one of the largest outdoor events in Europe.

“Creativity is a vital part of our culture and engagement with the arts enriches our lives and our local communities. As part of Creative Ireland, every county in Ireland has produced a special Culture and Creativity Plan which showcases opportunities for everyone to get involved in the arts in their local area. I am particularly delighted that we have artists from ten counties performing on the new Ardán stage at this year’s Championships.

“From traditional music to readings and theatre performances for young audiences, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this special mini-festival. I would encourage everyone who is attending this year’s Championships to drop by and enjoy a special treat in the place where ploughing meets poetry.”

Sheila Pratschke, Chair of the Arts Council added:

“The Arts Council is very pleased to be part of the National Ploughing Championships this year. This is one of the most significant events to happen in Ireland annually in terms of public engagement, audience participation and reaching a broad demographic. It is therefore important that the arts are central to this unique Irish event given the significant impact they have on the lives of people across Ireland, reaching into our local communities and connecting with people in their everyday lives.

“Artists from Belfast, Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Donegal, Galway, Limerick, Offaly, Sligo and Waterford will perform short 20-25 minute sets across the three days of the Championships, including a special programme of events for children and younger audiences. This will be the first time that a dedicated arts space will present work at this hugely significant national event.”

Ardán is located at Block 3, Row No. 13, Stand No 296.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Creative Ireland is an all of Government five-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy. It is built around five pillars: Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child; Enabling Creativity in Every Community; Investing in our Creative and Cultural Infrastructure; Ireland as a Centre of Excellence in Media Production; Unifying our Global Reputation. Full details available at www.creative.ireland.ie or on Facebook and Twitter @creativeirl.

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. www.artscouncil.ie

Ardán (Schedule)

19 September

10:30 – 12:30 The Big Picture with Laureate na nÓg PJ Lynch

1:00 – 1:30 The Humours of Bandon by Margaret McAuliffe, produced by Fishamble Theatre Company

2:00 – 2:30 Readings from Everything to Play For (edited by John McAuliffe) with Briege Corkery and John Mullane, in association with Poetry Ireland

3:00 – 3:30 Singer songwriter Lisa O’Neill

20 September

12:00 – 12:30 The Gardener by Mike Kenny, produced by Graffiti Theatre Company (ages 6-8)

1:00 – 1:30 Tall Tales and Musical Stories with Len Graham

1:45 – 2:15 Music with Uileann Piper Maitiú Ó Casaide

3:00 – 3:30 Reading with Anne Enright, Laureate for Irish Fiction

4:00 – 4:30 Music Maighread and Triona Ní Dhomhnaill

21 September

12:00– 12:30 Spraoi by Branar Téatar do Pháistí (ages 3-6)

1:00 – 1:30 Sean-nós singing with Eoin Warner

2:00 – 2:30 Reading with Kevin Barry

3:00 – 3:30 Céile with local artists including fiddle player Attracta Brady