August 13th to 17th 2014 – A feast of Music, Theatre, Visual Art and Children’s Entertainment on the Shores of Lough Derg
Celebrating its sixteenth year, the Terryglass Arts Festival offers an exciting programme of arts, theatre, music, visual arts and performance for five days from 13th – 17th August.
A true community project, the festival is organised by a 15 member local voluntary committee who take pride in seeing the population of Terryglass significantly increase in numbers for the duration of the festival.
Announcing this year’s programme Festival Chairperson, Andrea Egan, said she was “justly proud of Terryglass village in hosting such an event. As a small tightly knit community we are delighted to be able to offer a programme of this calibre for our 16th festival.”
Headline acts performing during this year’s festival include singer/songwriter Jimmy MacCarthy who performs his “Prophecy/ Conspiracy?” concert in Terryglass Church on Friday 15th August at 8pm. One of Ireland’s foremost songwriters, MacCarthy has penned most well known songs in the Irish contemporary repertoire including ’No Frontiers’, ‘Ride On’, ‘Katie’ and ‘The Contender’. (Admission €25)
Other musical highlights include, 4 In a Bar, Ireland’s leading male-voice harmony group, singing traditional, classical, pop and barbershop music on Wednesday 13th August at 8.30pm(Admission adults €10, children €5). Jazz singer Ursula Connolly, formerly of the Fallen Angels, an all female acapella foursome, will perform a lively set of Jazz and Swing tunes as part of a new lunch time fringe element to the festival “Mixum Gatherum” (Saturday 16th August in Riverrun Cottages at 1pm, Admission €8)
This year’s festival celebrates the visual arts and features Irish born artists who have achieved international success. Renowned contemporary artist John Gerrard will exhibit ‘Daylight Fan (Orbital Camera) 2009’ a small-scale virtual sculpture. John has exhibited at La Biennale di Venezia, Italy (2009) and most recently at Borusan Contemporary, Istanbul.
John’s sister, Joy Gerrard will launch the festival on Wednesday 13th August. A visual artist of critical acclaim, Joy will make an actual artwork; ‘Permanent Rainbow’ on the lake. This will be accompanied by a publication about making the rainbow and the ideas behind the imaginary works.
Also at Terryglass Quay will be a series of rush work sculptures titled “Elemental” from local sculptor Gerardine Wisdom. Winner of the RDS National Craft Competition, Gerardine works with rushes from the lake creating floating sculptors on aquatic themes. (Terryglass Quay, 13th- 17th August).
An exhibition from Irish born artist Ruth Castle entitled “Lost Pastures: A Series of Paintings and Drawings of Horses” reflects the determination and struggles of the artist to capture and draw out the spirit of these magnificent animals. Based in the north of England, Castle’s current body of work explores the detailed complexity of the art of painting and drawing horses. (Terryglass Primary School, 13th- 17th August, admission free).
It’s not all music and visual arts at the 16th Terryglass Arts Festival however. Satirising the nation’s tendency towards religious hysteria is “The Year of the Moving Statues” performed by the Rural Vernacular Company. Presented to excited acclaim at the Mick Lally Theatre and at The Town Hall Theatre in Galway, the play is wildly funny and wickedly surreal. (Thursday 14th August in Village Hall at 8pm, Admission €10)
As part of “Mixum Gatherum”, local published poet, founding member and Programme Curator for the Dromineer Literary Festival, Eleanor Hooker will read some of her poetry and discuss her love of words and how she began her career as a poet. (Friday 15th August in Riverrun Cottages at 1pm , Admission €5).
The festival moves outside on Saturday 16th August with musical entertainment at Terryglass Quay by 2nd Brigade Army Band followed by monster after dark fireworks display.
Sunday is family fun day featuring The Gingerbreadman puppet show from Miriam Lambert puppets, The Exploration Dome with short colourful 3D films in a dome tent and a street performance from Buí Bolg. (Sunday 17th August from 2pm in Terryglass Village Square)
Local food producers and craftspeople will showcase their produce with tastings and demonstrations from the best Co. Tipperary artisan producers. Providing jaw dropping musical entertainment is the Red Blood Mountain Band followed by Galway band Mikey and the Scallywags.
Providing fun and entertainment for the family, the festival organisers have planned a bumper 55 workshops held over 3 days. Highlights include a series of drama master classes with respected UK theatre director Roland Jaquarello.
Tickets for all events are available to purchase now from The Derg Inn Shop, Terryglass or phone 087-2181663. Tickets will also be available from mid July on-line at www.terryglassartsfestival.ie For further information please contact Terryglass Arts Festival by email at info@terryglassartsfestival.ie.
Terryglass Arts Festival Committee