Inishbofin’s cultural celebration returns

BARRY’S BACK Kevin Barry returns to host readings and conversations with fellow authors Lisa McInerney and Eimear Ryan.

‘One of the most innovative, original and downright entertaining events I’d been to in a long time’, was how writer Kevin Barry described the Inish: Island Conversations Festival, which which this year runs from this Thursday, June 1, to Sunday, June 4.
The brainchild of singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and Inishbofin native Peadar King, the festival incorporates a diverse and innovative programme of literature, music, art and film, featuring the best in Irish and international talent.
Festival highlights this year include a reading and in-conversation session with author Pat McCabe and writer Sam Miller, who will read from his memoir ‘Fathers’. Kevin Barry returns this year to host a reading and in-conversation session featuring writers Lisa McInerney and Eimear Ryan.
Actor Barry McGovern will perform a piece entitled ‘Strings in the Earth and Air’, with musical contribution by composer/musician Benjamin Dwyer.
Other writers, poets and artists to feature over the weekend include Mike McCormack, Vincent Woods, Alan McMonagle, Vahni Capildeo, Martin Dyar and Ellen Cranitch. Artists exhibiting at the festival this year include Daniel and Alan Kean, Finbar McHugh, Margaret Nolan, Nutan, Roderick Coover, Scott Rettburg and Tony Carragher, with live art performances from Crash Ensemble and Finbar McHugh.
Musical treats will include concerts by contemporary jazz group the Emil Branqvist Trio, Ye Vagabonds, Clang Sayne, John Conneely Inc. and the Jarlath Henderson Band. A session entitled Stories in Song will feature singers Maria Doyle Kennedy, Kieran Kennedy, Rebecca Collins and Rachel Sermanni. The legendary South African composer Trevor Jones will be in conversation with Vincent Woods.
Film lovers are well catered for too, with a screening of ‘What in the World?’ director Peadar King’s ‘Keeping Your Head Above Water in Tuvalu’ and Peggy Vail’s film ‘Gringo Trails’.

Full programme and details are available at www.inishfestival.com.