Venues
Contemporary Arts in Heritage Sites
- The Rock of Cashel
- The Plaza, Main Street
- The Cathedral Church of St. John the Baptist
- Dominic’s Abbey
- Cashel Library, Friar Street
- Brú Ború
- Halla na Féile
- Spafield FRC
The Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel has been undergoing restoration works since 1974. The continuing works have been ongoing since the 1970s. Between the previous works on the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral and the works on Cormac's Chapel, the Rock of Cashel has effectively remained covered in scaffolding for 22 of the past 40 years. Scaffolding is coming down from the site in 2017 and for the first time in 40 years the Rock of Cashel will be seen in its full glory from all sides. To mark this important occasion of the ‘unveiling’ of The Rock of Cashel, we will open and close the festival at The Rock of Cashel, and centre our Culture Night events around the newly revealed walls of The Rock.
OPW is set to start work in late 2017 on a new extension to The Rock of Cashel to incorporate a new glass structure visitor centre.
The Festival Opening will be on Thursday, 21st September in the Vicar’s Choral. A piper on the steps of The Rock will welcome guests and then pipe dignitaries into the Vicar’s Choral. OPW have been very supportive to us in our programming and we really appreciate working with them to bring exciting and memorable events to The Rock of Cashel.
Cashel native Diarmuid O’Leary will officially open this year’s Festival and Pat Looby’s exhibition. Diarmuid is uniquely positioned to speak on our theme of Home as he has worked and lived abroad for many years in his role as a diplomat in the Civil Service. Diarmuid has served in Ireland’s overseas missions to the EU (Brussels), Saudia Arabia, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Japan and also in the Departments of Agriculture, Foreign affairs and Housing. His current posting is in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Diarmuid returned to live in Cashel in 2016 and is married to Emma. They have 3 children.
The Auditorium
Venue for Diarmuid O’Leary talk on Thursday, 21st September, Staid film showing and Q&A with screenwriter Paul O’Brien on Friday, 22nd September and Coda Concert on Sunday, 24th September.
The Ruins of the Rock of Cashel
Usually OPW do not give permits for artists to draw, paint or photograph up at The Rock of Cashel, but we have applied for 20 permits for artists through OPW for Tipperary artists to apply through Cashel Arts Festival to draw, paint, photograph or film, on Saturday, 23rd September. This is also aimed to highlight to tourists visiting The Rock of Cashel that the festival is taking place and to entice them to attend other events during their time in Cashel.
The Rock Walls
The Rock of Cashel will be the dramatic backdrop for events on Culture Night (22nd September). We are scheduling a Fire Sculpture by Daniel Doyle made from pallets, cotton and other recycled materials. Daniel has made Fire Sculptures in Finland and Duncannon, Wexford and he believes he is the only artist in Ireland working in this medium.
Rather than fireworks, we have opted for a collaborative piece with Paper Panther Productions who will work with three community groups to produce short animations to be projected onto the walls of The Rock of Cashel. Paper Panther animators will use sand and drawn animations, which will work best on this surface. They will also show some of their own work - they are really looking forward to seeing it projected onto such an iconic building.
To add drama to the evening, we are engaging fire breathers and drummers from Ember Agency. Following on from the drumming we will have live music with up and coming band, Cedartowns. There will be plenty to keep families and the general public entertained and amazed with visuals and fire.
The Plaza
Venue for Lynn Kirkham’s Willow Sculpture and workshops and Manchán Magan’s Gaeilge Tamagotchi. Shops surrounding The Plaza will be part of French and Mottershead’s Shops Project.
The Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist, John Street
The Yellow Stripe Marquee, venue for Manchán Magan’s talk, Yoga workshops and arts and crafts workshops will be located in the grounds of The Cathedral. PigNut’s Flea Circus will also be sited here.
The Chapterhouse, formerly The Bolton Library
The Chapterhouse will be the venue for Patricia Looby’s installation for the duration of the festival and for open workshops for all on Friday, 22nd September.
Dominic’s Abbey
Dominic’s Abbey is not usually open to the public and therefore is a very exclusive venue, which we are very fortunate OPW allow us to use under strict terms of use. We intend to bring live music to the abbey again this year. In 2016, events at Dominic’s Abbey were over-subscribed and it is expected to create a similar buzz this year.
Cashel Library
Venue for Brendan Ó Sé’s Smartphone Photograph Exhibition, Talk and Workshop. Brendan’s workshops will include a photo walk of Cashel, and at the end of the day we will project an images exhibition of people's photos post workshop/walk. Shout Out for Poetry event will also take place here for Culture Night to encourage local school children to learn off and recite poetry of significance to them. For the first time we will also offer a Children’s Gallery, inviting under 16's to respond to the idea of Home Place and submit one framed/mounted piece for inclusion. Those submitting a piece will then be offered a place on an art workshop with a Tipperary artist.
Brú Ború
Venue for The Walls, headline act and the 'My Real Life' Play, The Firebreathers & Drumming Show
Halla na Féile
Venue for Musical Theatre Weekend workshops with Kaeylea B. VanKeith (Vocal Coach) and Danna Davis (Drama Director) followed by a Concert by all the participants. Venue for Concert for those learning an instrument, building on the highly successful Dance Show and workshop in 2016. The concert will be a platform for those learning an instrument to have the experience of playing in a concert. It will be followed by a Drumming Workshop for all with David Day of Jabba Jabba Jembe – a chance for all to learn together, celebrate Culture Night and their achievements.
Spafield FRC
This venue offers a good range of rooms for workshops. We have good links with Spafield including The Men’s Shed and Spafield Toddler Group, which are both based here.