Croithlí Distillery to host Earagail Arts Festival launch

Earagail Arts Festival will officially launch this year’s programme of events at Croithlí Distillery on Saturday, June 15 at 5pm. 

The official launch will be performed by Pearse Doherty TD and the public is invited to join the celebrations which will include musical entertainment by Síle Friel (The Friel Sisters) and Friends.

“We look forward to welcoming you to our 37th festival of world-class performances from around the globe,  from the circus arts of Catalunya to the capoeira of Bahia, from the traditions of Tory to the stories of Arranmore, from the blues of Bamako to the blues of Ballybofey,” Paul Brown, CEO / Artistic Director, said. “With an extensive two weeks of events for everyone come join us on the next stage of the journey of Donegal’s premier summer festival.”

“As proud supporters of our local culture and heritage, we are delighted to be part of an event that celebrates the rich artistic traditions of our community,” Catherine Nic Grianna, Manager of Croithlí Distillery said. “We look forward to welcoming you all in the evening.”

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.

The festival features an expanded programme of circus, street arts performances and camps as part of its annual Wild Atlantic Weekends, coming to Castlefinn for the first time and making a welcome return to Gaoth Dobhair, with three international circus acts for the price of 1 in both locations!

Earagail Arts Festival presents a stellar line-up of music, from international acts Bassekou Kouyate (Mali), Boubacar Traoré (Mali), Irish-based Kurdish/Syrian singer and Bouzouki player, Mohammad Syfkhan, Gazelleband led by Gazan oud player Reem Anbar and Irish-Mancunian music researcher Louis Brehony, Joy Dunlop (Scotland), renowned Irish artists such as Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin & Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh Trio, West Ocean String Quartet, The Henry Girls and more.

The festival line-up features a host of theatre, dance and spoken word events with highlights including The Journals Fleadh, Ireland’s first literary journal fleadh, Cosán Árainn Mhór – Siúlóid Filíochta agus Cheoil, an art and poetry walk on Arranmore Island followed by a free evening of spoken word and song, Oíche Airneáil Árainn Mhór, in Neily’s Bar, a free performance by contemporary Irish dance company Ériu/Na Mic Ua gCorra on Gola Island, the new play Boyfriends by Ultan Pringle and The Human Library® in Letterkenny.

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, An Gailearaí 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. This year’s event will run from July 13 - July 28.