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Éigse Michael Hartnett
Poetry, Arts & Literary Festival
Newcastle West, Co Limerick
Dates for the 2012 Festival
Thursday April 26th – Saturday April 28th
Éigse 2012
On behalf of Limerick County Council I would like to welcome you to Newcastle West, Co. Limerick for the 13th annual Éigse Michael Hartnett Festival, County Limerick’s prestigious literary and arts weekend.
We are honoured this year to have poet, philosopher and thinker Michael D. Higgins return to Éigse as President of Ireland, to deliver a formal address and open the festival on Thursday April 26th.The forthcoming presence of our country’s first citizen at this year’s festival has created a keen excitement and anticipation and we know he will receive an enthusiastic Éigse fáilte.
Continuing in this celebratory spirit of the rich creative breath, this year’s programme assembles leading poets, writers and thinkers jostling with musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers: what Michael Hartnett termed ‘the harp side of the Irish coin’. Events that are bound to enthuse, stimulate, inspire and occasionally bemuse are spread across the town of Newcastle West, creating a trail of readings, dance, music, storytelling and of course as always in West Limerick and hallmarks of the Éigse festival, lively conversation and spirited debate. No building goes unused, with the library, schools, the community hospital, the Council area office, pubs and shops, all commandeered and revamped for the Éigse programme.
As well as the Éigse event trail, in the month leading up to festival, the County Arts Office with the support of the local businesses, places Michael Hartnett’s poetry in large poster format in the town’s shop windows. This creates an intriguing poetry trail and as one sees Hartnett’s words nestled in amongst the high fashion and the cured bacon, there is a magical sense that everyday life is colliding with poetry!
Join us for Éigse Michael Hartnett Literary & Arts Festival on Thursday April 26 and stay for a weekend of lively gatherings where the written, spoken and sung word is celebrated.
Bí linn agus fáilte.
Joan Mac Kernan
County Arts Officer
Festival News
5th May - The official Éigse Michael Hartnett 2012 Opening Speech by President Michael D. Higgins can be read here.
24th April - Clear the Pool! :an exhibition of photographs by Newcastle West-native Jurgen Leo Foley will be on exhibit throughout the festival. Read more
19th April - On Saturday 28th April at 8pm join us for an evening of poetry and song with the magical combination of actor Stephen Rea reading his favourite poems and the evocative singing vice of Rita Connolly accompanied on guitar by Desmond Moore.
18th April - NEWSFLASH
Please note that seating cannot be reserved for the opening night of Éigse 2012, Thursday April 26th. Seating is on a first come basis, doors open at 7.15 in The Arra Suite, Courtenay Lodge Hotel and seats cannot be reserved. The audience must be seated by 7.45 to await the arrival of President Michael D. Higgins at 8.00 pm. The opening will commence sharply.
Paul Durcan unveling the commemorative statue of his old friend Michal Hartnett at Éigse 2011
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Limerick County Council
County Hall, Dooradoyle
Co. Limerick
Éigse Michael Hartnett is an initiative of Limerick County Council
supported by the Arts Council