Your time to shine: why Carlow’s festivals are the perfect showcase for your talent
Dancers and musicians during the Carnival of Collective Joy at last year's Carlow Arts Festival Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
IT DOESN’T matter if you want to sell your art or show off your wonderful voice to the world, Carlow’s got your back.
During festival time, the town is extremely busy delivering the goods, with musicians stealing hearts and performers so good you’d swear they’re famous. It’s the perfect spot for everyone to shine, big or small.
One standout example of how Carlow’s festivals can launch a local talent is my roommate, Rodge O’Sullivan. A full-time student at SETU Carlow, Rodge is not just doing well in sports and science but also acing it in the local music scene.
Rodge has found a way to balance his academic life with a growing musical career. While studying sports and science, Rodge has also got his name famous by teaching the flute to young lads. His journey into the music world began just a few years ago, starting with small gigs in local pubs.
“Years ago, I was just having fun and connecting with people,” he recalls. “I didn’t expect it to turn into something bigger.” The real turning point for Rodge came when he was given the opportunity to perform at the Carlow Arts Festival.
“That was huge for me,” he says. “It gave me a platform I never had before, and honestly from there things just took off’.”
But let’s not pretend it was all sunshine and rainbows. “Getting ready for the festival was tough; the pressure was real – like, am I even good enough for this?” he admits. “The rehearsals were mad, and keeping that up while doing my studies? Forget it! But the second I got up on stage and felt the energy coming from the crowd, every bit of stress was worth it.”
Since that game-changing performance, Rodge’s music career has been flying like a rocket. Not only is he performing regularly, but he’s also teaching flute to younger students.
“It’s a mad full-circle moment,” he says. “I was in their shoes not long ago, and now I’m helping them get stage-ready for the festival. Watching them go from shy beginners to proper confident performers? Unreal. Makes every bit of hard work feel worth it.”
Carlow’s festivals aren’t just a place for creativity and culture, they’re a powerful economic and community force, too. The Carlow Arts Festival alone draws over 15,000 attendees every year, with people traveling from across the country – and even from abroad – to experience the talent and creativity that the town has to offer.
In 2024, the festival celebrated its 45th anniversary. On its website, it says that over 22,000 people attended last year’s event: that’s a lot of pints poured, my friend.
The estimated revenue generated by the festival is not easy to find, but as we see people don’t give up and they participate every year, which means only one thing: it’s all worth it and it’s proper profitable craic for everyone involved.
An informal survey I conducted shows that people really enjoy this event. Over 75% of the Carlow residents surveyed say that this festival is the heart of the county; it’s all that makes this town alive and they would love to help local businesses by supporting it. Almost 30% of local business owners said that the arts festival is the best opportunity for local businesses, because it helps them to get noticed and to expand their businesses to potential new markets.
Talking about local businesses, one of the most highly-regarded bakeries in Co Carlow, Waterlilies, is known for its spectacular sourdough and organic products. It brews artisan coffee, which makes every single morning wonderful for the locals.
Last year, during the summer, Waterlilies open its little pop-up café in Carlow’s Art Festival. This lovely bakery has become a ‘star of the show’. It somehow manages to amaze us with the latest items on its menu, which the bakery specifically makes for the festival.
I had a chat with Cian Waters, co-owner of Waterlilies, and he spilled all the tea about how the festival has helped them grow.
“It’s like a family reunion for the town, except with way more pastries and a lot less awkward small talk,” he says.
And he’s right: the Carlow Arts Festival is not just an event; it’s a chance to be part of something big.
“For us, it’s all about connecting with the community, pushing our creativity, and getting our name out there,” adds Cian. “Plus, it’s super fun!”
Waterlilies has contributed more than just food to the festival. It’s used its baking to celebrate the arts, creating special desserts for festival guests.
The festival has also helped the bakery build stronger ties to the local community. “We’ve met so many great people through the festival,” Cian says. “It’s a chance for us to connect with other businesses and artists, and that’s something we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
During the interview Cian also mentions the struggles of baking during the festival days.
“For us, the festival was one of the highlights of the year, but it comes with its challenges. As a small business, it’s a lot of additional work, and there’s always pressure to do something special.”
One of the bakery’s biggest challenges is managing the logistics of participating in such large event while keeping the bakery running smoothly. “Staffing can be tricky. We need people to run the stall at the festival, but we also must make sure the bakery is staffed for our regular customers. It’s a constant balancing act,” he explains.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: that sounds like a lot of work. And yeah, it is, but it’s also totally worth it.
“Running a small business is already a huge mission,” Cian admits. “But during the festival, you’re doing extra prep, staffing your stall, and managing the bakery at the same time. But once you see those smiling faces, it makes it all worthwhile.”
And let’s not even get started on the weather. Last year, they had rain so bad it felt like the entire festival was about to turn into a swimming event, but Cian wasn’t fazed: “We just adapted. We covered the stall, added some takeaway options and kept going”.
Let’s talk taxes for a second. Yup, it’s not all fun and games when you’re dealing with VAT, corporation tax and all that lovely financial paperwork. It’s a bit of a headache, but Cian says: “What’s the point of doing something big if you’re not ready for the nitty-gritty stuff?”
But here’s the kicker: exposure; growth; new customers. If you’re a local business looking to make your mark, the festival is your chance to shine.
Cian says: “We’ve met so many new people at the festival who now pop into the bakery all the time. It’s not just about the festival weekend; it’s about everything that comes after that.”
So while taxes and logistics might feel like a pain in the neck, the rewards make it all worth it.
There are certainly challenges, but if you ask me the rewards far outweigh them. “We get to show off our creativity, meet amazing people, and, at the end of the day, make some extra dough,” says Cian.
If you’re a small business thinking about jumping in next year, take this as your sign to go for it. The festival is not just a quick event; it’s a chance to make connections, build your brand, and have a bit of craic along the way.
And if Waterlilies can fight the taxes, the rain, and the mad festival crowds, so can you. So grab that chance – and maybe throw in a couple of fresh scones while you’re at it. You won’t be sorry!
Alright, let’s get real: the Carlow Arts Festival isn’t just about painting pictures and playing music; it’s about getting your art out there and hoping you don’t trip over a scone while doing it. Whether you’re a painter, a poet or a baker who can turn sugar into art, this festival is the ultimate stage for your creativity to shine.
And it’s not just about showing off what you do; it’s about meeting people who actually get it.
For artists, it’s like a smorgasbord of opportunities: you’ve got your chance to throw your work out there, see who bites, and maybe even make a name for yourself while you’re at it. I mean, where else are you going to get a crowd full of people who are not just walking by, but stopping to look at your work like they’ve just found the hidden treasure map to Narnia?
The streets are lined with people who are ready to appreciate your talent. It’s like an artist’s dream – except it doesn’t involve being locked away in a dark studio with only your thoughts.
If you’re an artist, there’s no better time to jump in and take part: the exposure is unreal. You might even find your next huge fan, who might also be a future collaborator, or even someone who just loves your work and wants to buy it just to hang up in their kitchen.
And trust me, I’m a girl from Georgia, who has been living in Ireland only for two years and the most valuable thing I learnt and respect about Carlow people is that the crowd’s always down for some craic.
It’s all about connecting, having fun, and maybe even learning how to balance an art exhibition with a rainy day. Because let’s face it – you never know what you’ll get, but it’s always worth a shot.
