Earagail Arts Festival officially launched its 2023 programme of events at Kinnegar Brewery, Letterkenny, Co Donegal on Friday 23rd June.
With a full programme of events along the Wild Atlantic Way from 8th to 23rd July, the line-up and brochure were officially launched by Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr Kevin Bradley.
This year’s official launch was open to the public and guests were entertained by music from Donegal artists George Houston and Shauna McDaid who will also be closing the festival.
With a family-orientated, participatory and engaging programme from the Gaeltacht islands off the West Donegal coast to East Donegal and the Inishowen peninsula, Earagail Arts Festival has something for all ages and backgrounds.
Marking the official opening, Cllr Bradley said the festival provided an important annual boost to the county.
“Earagail Arts Festival has a long and proud history as the county’s premier summer event, attracting visitors from across the island of Ireland and much further afield, providing an important economic and cultural boost.
“In this current economic climate, it also great to see so many free events being hosted by the festival, from performances at its Wild Atlantic Weekends in Gaoth Dobhair and Raphoe, spectacular night-time parades in Buncrana and Arranmore Island; to Nepalese group Kanta Dab Dab who will be performing on Tory Island, Letterkenny and Culdaff.
Cllr Kevin Bradley, Cathaoirleach
“I would like to extend a special thanks to our hosts, Kinnegar, today – It is great to see respected local businesses giving back to the community by supporting events such as this festival and I would encourage other members of the business community to do the same.”
Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals at Fáilte Ireland, said: “Festivals and events are a key element of the tourism offering in Ireland, and Fáilte Ireland is pleased to support this year’s Earagail Arts Festival, which will showcase the very best of Irish arts, heritage and culture to domestic and international visitors.
“Developing unique and immersive visitor experiences like Earagail Arts Festival plays an important role in the recovery of the tourism sector for the county and the wider Wild Atlantic Way region.
“Festivals like Earagail Arts Festival create new and compelling reasons for visitors to explore Ireland and experience first-hand our world-famous arts and culture.
Ciara Sugrue, Fáilte Ireland
“They have the ability to drive footfall for local businesses, which in turn generates revenue and supports jobs in communities and revenue generation.”
CEO & Artistic Director of Earagail Arts Festival, Paul Brown added: “We want to encourage access to the arts for all citizens of Donegal, with a range of events for everyone to have an opportunity to create and enjoy with participatory creative projects such as Fadó Fadó and the circus camps, all ages gigs by new curators, body movement and visual arts workshops and a special tattoo exhibition to celebrating cultural diversity and self-expression through body art.
“On top of all of this, Donegal can look forward to a stellar line-up of festival concerts and shows from Inishowen to Gaoth Dobhair, including two free night-time, outdoor events in Buncrana and Arranmore Island with renowned landscape spectacle group, Luxe.”
Paul Brown, CEO & Artistic Director
Other musical highlights include a mini tour of Donegal by Nepalese group Kanta Dab Dab, The Frank and Walters, Ger O’Donnell & Trevor Sexton, Anna Mieke, The Henry Girls, Pretty Happy, George Houston and more.
Earagail Arts Festival is delighted to be working with a number of festivals, RAMP – Rathmullan Music Project, Irish Aerial Dance Festival and Bród na Gaeltachta, which will all present an exciting line-up of events in July.
The festival line-up features a host of theatre, dance and spoken word events, as well as workshops, including Jimmy’s Winnin’ Matches, Yes and Yes, Na Mic Ua gCorra, Errigal – A Sacred Mountain, Cosan Thoraí, Telling the Whole Story: Taking Our Place, Afro-Brazilian Body Movement Workshops and much more.
As well as fantastic live events the festival also showcases an extensive visual arts programme, working with Glebe House & Gallery, Artlink Fort Dunree, Donegal County Museum and Regional Cultural Centre. The visual arts programme will showcase the work of both established and emerging artists from Ireland and beyond.
Earagail Arts Festival is kindly supported by Donegal County Council, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Wild Atlantic Way. Click here to check out our full 2023 programme!
