The Boyle Arts Festival programme was launched in the new festival office last Thursday the 26th June and will run from Friday 25th July to Friday August 1st with something of interest for everybody. This year’s festival will also include the well-known annual art exhibition in King House and will feature the finest of contemporary Irish art that the country has to offer with the work of over 130 artists being featured throughout. There is a range of things to do and see this year as the committee have put together a programme that will capture the imagination of most. Everything from opera to traditional and from folk to pop culture there is there for music lovers. The famous Irish song writer and singer Phil Coulter will also be performing at the festival on Wednesday 30th July and will treat the audience to renditions of his collection of world renowned songs during a night which promises to be enjoyable for all. Again this year there is an excellent comedy element incorporated in the programme with funny man Kevin McAleer making an appearance during the week. There are also performances from the Boyle Drama Group as well as the Roscommon Youth theatre. For the younger people there will be a range of workshops which they can partake including a circus workshop with free admission and a performance by the Daft Antic circus on the final day of the festival which is a must-see event. However there are not only workshops for the young festival goers as there are a host of writing, painting and pottery workshops for adults on offer during the week. There is also a wealth of local talent on display throughout the week with John Carty, well-known traditional music player teaming up with poet Ann Joyce to present ‘The Queen Meabh Suite’, a concert centred on Queen Meabh of Connacht. The Grehan sisters are also performing folk singing during the festival on Friday July 25th which promises to be a night not to be missed. The sisters have been performing since the 1960s and are returning to their hometown of Boyle for one night only. Other events with local elements incorporated will see the film ‘O’Donohoe’s Opera’ being performed, a recital by local musician Thomas Cryan, writings from Moylough Writings Group and historical lectures on Roscommon taking place. For further information on Boyle Arts Festival, call (071) 96 63085 or visit the website on www.boylearts.com
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