Carlow Arts Festival celebrated international and local talent
One of the highlights of Carlow Arts Festival is always the Carnival of Collective Joy, which starts in the grounds of Carlow College. More pictures in next week's edition
CARLOW Arts Festival wrapped up another successful year this past weekend, drawing enthusiastic audiences despite changeable weather conditions. Running from last Wednesday to Sunday, the festival showcased an impressive line-up of international performers alongside celebrated local artists, creating memorable experiences that resonated deeply with attendees.
Executive director Andy Currums praised the remarkable connection between performers and audiences throughout the five-day event. “The artists have been really happy and something that a lot of, especially the international ones, have said is that they found that Carlow audiences were the most generous and the most open and inquisitive that they’ve had in a while.”
This warmth was particularly evident during Wednesday’s performance by Syrian refugees, who presented . The performers told Andy afterwards that “it felt like they were performing to a Syrian audience, that the audience were really engaged. They really felt a kinship with them.”
Similarly, Belgian act Simple Machines, who delivered four shows over the weekend, echoed these sentiments about the receptive Carlow crowds.
The festival’s commitment to family-friendly programming shone through with shows like Simple Machines, which Andy describes as truly multigenerational entertainment. “It’s not a children’s show in any way. It doesn’t dumb down anything about robotics. It really is for everyone aged seven to 70,” he said, emphasising the importance of giving young people opportunities to engage with challenging, thought-provoking art.
Local talent received equal celebration, with homecoming performances from established acts like Ye Vagabonds and rising stars, including SexyTadhg and Sitting Room. The impact of showcasing diverse local artists wasn’t lost on festival-goers. “Someone came up to me after SexyTadhg and they said it’s so important for queer kids in Carlow to see someone who’s the hero but who’s like them,” said Andy.
The festival’s poetry night proved another highlight, featuring both curated readings and an open-mic session that gave first-time poets a platform to share their work. This blend of established and emerging voices exemplifies Andy’s mission to create spaces where “people have the opportunity to present their thoughts and ideas and views, be they international or national, or local.”
Despite weekend showers, festival-goers proved resilient. “The audiences are pretty hardy – lots of people still came out,” noted Andy, adding that bar staff reported excellent spirits throughout the event.
The festival concluded on a high note with Zeitgeist Jukebox by Little Johnny Nee, an improv theatre experience that left team members “in tears” and others with “beaming smiles”.
