Launch of Kinsale Arts Festival 2012

‘Vice & Virtue’ was celebrated in Ballincurra House on 25th May for the launch of 2012 Kinsale Arts Festival, which runs from 7th–15th July this year.

15,000 people are expected to attend the festival which provides a tasty look at the Vice & Virtue of Irish society this summer as its theme is explored through music, art, literature, drama, poetry, film, family events  and…… food! Visitors to Kinsale will discuss, debate and delight in the lighter and darker sides of life across a diverse and eclectic menu of cultural events that aim to get to the heart of the ‘Vice & Virtue’ matter. Among the attending guests are former UCC President Gerry Wrixon, Festival Chair and Sotheby’s Consultant Mareta Doyle, actress and theatre director Cal Duggan and Mayor of Kinsale Fred Treacy.
 
Guest Festival Director, Gemma Tipton said “Against the background of political, economic, ecclesiastical and social scandals virtue and vice suddenly seem like less old fashioned concepts, and more central points around which to map out new ways of thinking about the world. The festival is a laboratory for one enormous experiment into thinking about these ideas and also … who doesn’t like eating and drinking, and dabbling in a little vice?”
 
The streets of Kinsale themselves are being programmed for the festival alongside other unique venues including a boat, a cave, Charles Fort and Ireland’s only inflatable arts venue, the Pop-Up Playhouse. Visitors to the festival this year can become part of the festival as a range of programme events are interactive and require audience participation and creative input from visitors.
 
The nine day programme includes Frisky & Mannish, Lord David and Sacha Puttnam, Dragon’s Den Sean O’Sullivan, Mark Patrick Hederman Abbot of Glenstal Abbey and local foodie Martin Shanahan from Fishy Fishy.

The Festival Box office is now open:

Upstairs in Eurospar (formerly Londis), Pearse St, Kinsale

Opening Hours:
From May 25th – June 29th: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am – 3pm
From June 30th to July 15th: Daily, 10am – 6pm

021 470 0877
www.kinsaleartsweek.com