ARTS Inishbofin gears up for annual arts festival

ISLAND BOUND Gemma Hayes and her band will headline on the Saturday night of  the three-day Inishbofin Community Arts Festival.

Inishbofin gears up for annual arts festival


Ciara Moynihan

Inishbofin Community Arts Festival 2011 promises to be a colourful collection of cultural events, fun activities and worthwhile workshops. The line-up includes top local and national musicians, talented actors, an aclaimmed poet and lots more.
Running from May 6-8, the festival will be opened by much-loved traditional music stalwarts De Danann on the Friday night. Founding members Alec Finn (bouzouki/guitar) and Johnny ‘Ringo’ McDonagh (bodhrΡn/bones) will be joined by luminaries of Irish music who have played with the band over the years – Eleanor Shanley (vocals), Mick Conneely (fiddle/viola/whistle/bouzouki), Derek Hickey (accordion) and Brian McGrath (banjo/piano).
Gemma Hayes and her band will headline on the Saturday night, May 7. Hailing from Tipperary, Hayes has long established herself as one of Ireland’s best-loved top musical talents. She has written songs with Adam Duritz of Counting Crows and Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine. Her music has been featured on a multitude of films and television shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, ER, and Mr And Mrs Smith. Her much anticipated fourth studio album, due out in May, is an evolution of Gemma’s unique style of music, combining prog rock, folk and electronica.
Sunday will feature Inishbofin native Peadar King and his band. The folk and roots singer/composer’s lyrically adroit and melodic compositions have gained a strong fan base over the past number of years. Coincidentally, King’s forthcoming album ‘The Shadowlands’ will be officially and fittingly launched at the festival. Recorded in the world-renowned Grouse Lodge studios in the Westmeath countryside, the new musical offering is said to be ‘a rich and wide-ranging kaleidoscope of song, brimming with eloquence and warmth’.
Other events to hit a cultural chord during the weekend include an art, photography, bog oak exhibitions; an archaeological walk with Michael Gibbons; sean nós dancing,  percussion and bone carving workshops; library readings and a ‘Mad Science’ show on energy for kids.

For more details on the Inishbofin Community Arts Festival 2011, visit www.inishbofin.com.