Ciara King launches Clifden Arts Festival 2017

Our very own 2FM Radio Presenter Ciara King is launching the Clifden Arts Festival programme 2017 along with festival chairman Des Lally, creative director Brendan Flynn and festival secretary Karen Mannion.

The Clifden Arts Festival is Ireland’s longest running arts festival. In 1977, Dr Brendan Flynn launched the festival in order to promote the arts in Clifden Community School. Currently, fourteen schools from the area take part in various aspects of the event, including hosting poets, musicians and theatre troupes

To celebrate its 40th birthday, the festival will feature over 200 events ranging from theatre and music to literature and workshops.

This year's celebration will include Grammy-nominated, Irish-American super group Cherish the Ladies along with Stockton’s Wing, who have performed with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli. Other highlights will be the Gala Concert Garda band and traditional Irish band, Kíla, 

There will be performances from the Footsbarn travelling theatre, readings from acclaimed authors including Martin Malone and Karen J. McDonnell and award-winning poets Paul Durcan, Catherine Bateson, Jane Williams and renowned poet Bernard O’ Donoghue, 

The festival will feature both international and national artists such as Mary Donnelly, Aaron Holton and Imelda Healy. For more information check out the Clifden Arts Festival website here.

This year’s festival will be held from September 13th - 24th and launched by President Michael D. Higgins.