In pictures: Ballyshannon's Allingham Arts Festival opening night

This year's Allingham Arts Festival took place in Ballyshannon from November 4 to November 8.

The community festival honours Ballyshannon’s nineteenth-century poet, William Allingham, best known for the poem The Fairies, and his wife, the artist Helen. The festival is rooted in Ballyshannon, and supports and promotes local and national artists, managed by volunteers, and sustained by a genuine love of the arts.

The annual festival held over 30 events in nine venues this year.

Events were centred around the Abbey Arts Centre, with additional sessions hosted at Dorrian's Imperial Hotel, the Kilbarron Centre, McIntyre's Bar, Bridgend Bar, and St. Anne's.

Musical highlights ranged from Jack L. and Johnny Gallagher to Ár Séisiún Mór, a trad concert celebrating the Donegal sound, with Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Martin McGinley, Seamie O’Dowd and friends.

Literary headliners included Michael Harding, Róisín Ingle, Paul Howard, Elaine Feeney, and Orange Prize winner Téa Obreht. Ballyshannon’s own talent is out in force too, with director Garry Keane bringing home his new film, “A Quiet Love”, and Triona O’Neill returning from Los Angeles to open for Jack L.