Earagail Arts Festival (9th – 24th July) has an exciting programme of events in-store for West Donegal, the offshore islands and more places.
As holidaymakers continue to discover and rediscover some of the most beautiful places around the island of Ireland, Donegal ‘s premier summer event is look forward to welcoming you to places right on your doorstep that you have always wanted to visit.
Irish language literature and visual poetry are combined in virtual reality, inspired by texts from Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Pádraic Ó Conaire and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill around the theme of migration as Brú Theatre presents Ar Ais Arís, a free event, on Arranmore (Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July) and Tory Island (Wednesday 13th, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th July).
Brú’s team of performers, creators, designers and composers have come together to create three unique 180° films, immersing audiences in a fusion of movement, text, music and Connemara landscape through the use of VR headsets. Lose yourself in this evocative, contemporary take on some of the finest writing in the Irish language.
Take a seafaring trip for Cosán Ghabhla on Ghabhla (Gola Island) for a short walk of art and poetry with Scottish and Irish writers and artists on Saturday 9th or Sunday 10th July. On the walk you can see the artist’s work and listen to their poems and stories on the theme of Island Time. This is a great chance to engage with art and poetry in a relaxed outdoor setting with majestic views of the Donegal landscape and the islands around Gabhla as the perfect backdrop.
Two world class Olympian-level idiots bring to you their latest masterpiece, Ballet Poulet, for free performances on Tory Island on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July. She has prepared a poetic, delicate and tender ballet. He has prepared a bad ass display of mayhem. She loves dancing, he loves chickens. Nut-cracking and Swan Faking their way into your lives, these two will make you really question which came first…her tutu or his toupée? Fanzini Productions is one of the foremost street arts companies based in the Republic of Ireland, touring nationally and internationally.
A thrilling, funny and heart-wrenching debut play from Patrick Quinn, REVVED explores what is means to be on the cusp of adulthood in modern Donegal, while tackling themes of belonging, truth and desire. Directed by Emily Foran, REVVED will be staged at Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair on Saturday 9th July. The play will be also be staged on Ramelton and Can on later dates. See eaf.ie.
Irish music scene stalwarts, Kíla frontman Rónán Ó Snodaigh and musician/filmmaker Myles O’Reilly come to Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair on Sunday 10th July. Combining the Gaelic lyrics and acoustic instrumentation their project Tá Go Maith is a collection of works creatively inspired by gratitude, isolation and the generosity of time spent in lockdown. Support on the night comes from Trá Pháidín a group of musicians based in Connemara and Cork City blending folk structures, the absurd and the abstract through group improvisation and Spásas.
Ériu and its Donegal-based youth company Na Mic Ua gCorra, led by renowned Irish dancer, choreographer, and Gaoth Dobhair native, Breandán De Gallaí, are back.
On Friday 22nd July, Na Mic Ua gCorra presents Balor & The Village (Works In Progress) at Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair. Excerpts of Ériu’s newest work, The Village, will also be presented, the full production of which will have its Donegal première at An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny on Saturday 23rd July.
Earagail Arts Festival is kindly supported by Donegal County Council, Arts Council Ireland & Wild Atlantic Way. Visit our 2022 Events section for the full line-up.
