All exhibitions open 12pm – 6pm. June 13th – 21st

This year’s Éigse Visual Arts programme is expanding into a third major centre, Shamrock Plaza, Shamrock Square – a welcome addition to art lovers.

St. Patrick’s College hosts a major show of Eileen MacDonagh’s beautiful Icosahedrons Series and other abstract geometric sculpture from her recent show in Paris. Jackie Nickerson’s Faith series will surely seem like work specially commissioned for the corridors of the college while Sinéad Aldridge’s abstract paintings are likely to win her a lot of admirers on her first showing in the South East. Adam Bohanna’s show is keenly awaited by many fellow-artists as well as by the general public who get to see his work all too rarely outside the R.H.A. - where he continues to shine. Aidan Crotty, the young Co. Waterford artist who appeared in Éigse as an emerging artist three years ago, returns as an Invited Artist this year. Like Bohanna, he is an artist whose future career will be worth watching. Paul Carter shows both photography and painting, examining the nature of ‘place’ in its broadest sense. Marie Hanlon continues to explore music, especially jazz, as a source of inspiration, her colourful but contained work confirming the artist’s departure in new directions marked by her recent Rubicon Gallery show.

St. Patrick’s College:

• Sinéad Aldridge
• Adam Bohanna
• Paul Carter
• Aidan Crotty
• Marie Hanlon
• Eileen MacDonagh
• Stephen McKenna
• Jackie Nickerson
• Alan Clarke
• Derry Dillon
• Chris Judge
• Stephen Ledwidge

Institute of Technology:

• Eddie Kennedy
• Éigse Open Selection Exhibition
• Carlow Artists Selection Exhibition
• Artworks from the Artist-in-Residency Workshops

Shamrock Plaza:

• Joan Coen
• Nick Evans
• Chris Carter
• Sutton Taylor
• Alan Counihan
• Richard Mosse
• Anna Rackard
• Lucy Meagher
• David Withers
• Emmet Bergin
• Gypsy Ray
• Carlow Photographic Society
• Photo Klub Anton Azbe
• Irish Chairs Exhibition

Watch Carlow Come Alive with Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2009!

Show Events

The 2009 Éigse Carlow Arts Festival has an exceptional music strand this year featuring a wonderful variety of world music and top talent. Perhaps you are interested in the hotly anticipated reunion of Ireland’s most respected trad musicians or maybe you prefer the pounding rhythms of a Bhangra and Hip Hop Fusion. There will be an assortment of choral concerts, opera evenings and outdoor rock gigs bringing a host of talent to Carlow. With over thirty acts, music lovers are invited to enjoy performances, recitals and workshops at Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2009.

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The film strand of Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2009 is very exciting this year as the Éigse team have secured a Disney Director to give a talk on the new Disney film ‘The Secret of Kells’. Anyone with an interest in film, children’s movies and animation won’t miss this unique opportunity to learn trade secrets. In addition Éigse has arranged for local talent to showcase their work in a Short Film Screening event in a specially created cinema. For those who really love film, Éigse is providing an incredible chance to develop skill and creativity as an award-winning filmmaker will host film-making workshops. Don’t miss this once-off chance!

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Since Éigse’s humble beginnings in 1979, literature and poetry have played a central role in the festival. Thirty years later and Éigse is still playing host to some of Ireland’s most gifted writers. This year a multiple award winning poet will launch her latest poetry edition while local writers will introduce their work in the Emerging Writers Workshop. For a really atmospheric experience, Éigse has invited collaborations between literary artists and musicians, where beautiful music will provide the backdrop for lyrical poetry.

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Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2009 is delighted to welcome one of Ireland’s most recognised theatre actors and his recent critically acclaimed performance. The Carlow Little Theatre Society will make a welcome return to Éigse this year with two unusual shows for all the family.

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Éigse Carlow Arts Festival has invited a renowned choreographer to stage a specially commissioned stunning dance in 2009. As well as live performances, the dance will be projected onto prominent Carlow landmarks in a modern multimedia twist. Watch out Carlow because you might also see your face being projected too as the hilarious Facedance project airs in the public sphere!

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The Children’s strand of Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2009 is designed to be both educational and enjoyable. For the under 11’s there will be a variety of magical performances and events. For older children, there are a number of exciting opportunities to experience real journalism and exhibited art. Free workshops in local schools will give all children the opportunity to experience creativity under professional guidance.

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The craft selection at Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2009 features an exhibition of uniquely handcrafted chairs from Irish chairmakers as well as a talk and book signing.

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Story Telling Caravan’s and Magic Pigs! Star Wars, Stunt Masters and guys in wigs! Fire Breathers! Drum Beaters! Reels and Jigs!

Watch as the streets of Carlow come alive with a motley crew of madness and fun!

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Calling all Comedy fans, Ireland’s best loved comedian will be at Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2009 up to his usual tricks!

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