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Kilkenny Arts Festival Announces 2013 Highlights

May 16, 2013

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The Kilkenny Arts Festival was founded 40 years ago this August by a group of classical music enthusiasts, and has continued to grow in its draw, reach, and prestige of performances ever since. For 10 days each August, the medieval city located in the South-East of Ireland comes alive with a feast of artistic entertainment across a range of mediums, including theater, dance, … [Read more...] about Kilkenny Arts Festival Announces 2013 Highlights

Puck Fair: Ireland’s Oldest Festival

By Sheila Langan, Deputy Editor

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Every August since 1613 (or possibly earlier) the County Kerry town of Killorglin has given itself over to the idiosyncratic joys and celebration of the Puck Fair Festival, and this year was no exception. From August 10 – 12, Killorglin residents and visitors were granted the “Freedom of the Town” by the young Queen of Puck Fair and her goat companion, King Puck, and reveled in … [Read more...] about Puck Fair: Ireland’s Oldest Festival

Irish Artist of the Light Shines in New York

By Sheila Langan, Deputy Editor
October / November 2011

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Roisin Fitzpatrick to give solo exhibition at the Consulate General of Ireland in New York For Irish artist Roisin Fitzpatrick, inspiration and light came from an experience most people would count among their darkest of days. In 2004, Fitzpatrick suffered from a brain hemorrhage – a sudden pain at the back of her head quickly became a near-death experience. As she lay very … [Read more...] about Irish Artist of the Light Shines in New York

Comhaltas: Making Music for Sixty Years

By Michael Quinlin, Contributor
October / November 2011

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It was a social network phenomenon before Facebook, blogging and Twitter came along, and Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is still going strong. For sixty years, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann – Irish Musicians Association – has been spreading the gospel of traditional Irish music all over the world, setting up over 400 community-based branches, including 44 in North America. Today … [Read more...] about Comhaltas: Making Music for Sixty Years

Sláinte! Feile Na Marbh – the origins of Halloween

By Edythe Preet

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Slainte! Columnist Edythe Preet explore how "Feile Na Marbh "or "Feast of the Dead" became Halloween and includes a recipe for Irish Barm Brack, which is traditionally served in Ireland on this day. That which we know as All Hallows Eve actually began as a harvest festival several millennia ago in Ireland. Though the evening’s popular colors are black and orange, they might as … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Feile Na Marbh – the origins of Halloween