Kinnegar Brewery to host Earagail Arts Festival launch event

The official launch of the 35th annual Earagail Arts Festival at K2 Kinnegar Brewery in Letterkenny will take place this Friday, June 23, at 5.30pm and the public is invited to join the celebration.

The new Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr Kevin Bradley will officially unveil this year’s festival programme, followed by music with Donegal artists George Houston and Shauna McDaid on the Kinnegar production floor from 6pm onwards.

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Eclectic pop artist, Donegal singer/songwriter George Houston released his second solo album, Undesired, to outstanding reviews in March of this year. Shauna McDaid is a folk singer from Letterkenny. Her latest single, Keep The Lights Burning, was released in December 2022. Both artists will also be performing on the free closing night of the festival in Teach Hiúdaí Beag, Gaoth Dobhair, on Sunday, July 23.

Earagail Arts Festival is grateful to the support of Kinnegar Brewing and invites you come and enjoy an evening of original and live music and help the festival celebrate its upcoming 35th annual programme. 

The festival line-up this year is as exciting as ever 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 event, the Wild Atlantic Weekend, which comes to two new locations this year, Raphoe and Gaoth Dobhair.

From Thursday July 13 to Saturday, July 15, the first Wild Atlantic Weekend will take place at the Royal and Prior School in Raphoe and then it will move to Machaire Gathlán, Gaoth Dobhair from Thursday July 20 to Sunday, July 23r. Both weekends will feature exciting Circus Camps for children aged 7-10 and over 10s.

Aniar TV is returning to film the second season of the TG4 series, Féíle Ealaine an Earagail, at An Grianán Theatre Letterkenny during the festival.

The line-up of concerts begins with a tribute to The Campbells on Friday, July 14, a dynasty steeped in Donegal fiddle music, featuring Peter Campbell, Tara Connaghan, Aidan O’Donnell, Denise Boyle Martin McGinley, Fiona Gavin, Ronan Galvin and Dermot McLaughlin joined by dancers Anne Connaghan and Connie McKelvey.

Also performing on this special evening will be BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Winner, Skye piper Brìghde Chaimbeul, along with Lau’s award-winning fiddler Aidan O’Rourke, and Ireland’s Saileog Ní Cheannabháin on vocals.

Other performances include Flook, with Brian Finnegan, Sarah Allen, Ed Boyd, and John Joe Kelly, performing with Donegal trio Fidil on Saturday, July 15, while Na Casaidigh will perform classic Irish songs from their repertoire at an early 1pm show on Sunday, July 16.

On Sunday night, July 16 at 8pm Usher’s Island, featuring Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, Mike McGoldrick, and John Doyle, will share the stage with unique folk artist Lisa O’Neill’s completing the line-up.

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 and more.

Earagail Arts Festival is also 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.

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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, Cosán 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. For more visit www.eaf.ie

Earagail Arts Festival is kindly supported by Donegal County Council, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Wild Atlantic Way.