The 50th Kilkenny Arts Festival gets under way today, and will include a programme of events throughout the city until Sunday, 20 August.
There will be strong elements of works by Seamus Heaney who attended the first festival half a century ago, organisers have said.
This year's festival has been designed to "thrill, delight and inspire", they said, adding that it will celebrate renowned artists from at home and abroad.
Events range from classical music to contemporary dance; visual art to immersive theatre.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Seamus Heaney's first appearance at the festival, there will be a three-part series of discussions and readings from some of the poet’s celebrated translations.
"Although it has not been without its challenges, this year's festival represents the very best of what has put Kilkenny Arts Festival on the map for half a century," Festival Producer Marjie Kaley said.
"We're marking the very first literary event which was on 25 August 1974," Festival Director Olga Barry said.
"Seamus Heaney appeared along with a stellar line up of young poets at the time.
"... We have three special events around his translations as well as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra performing Neil Martin's new work 'Sweeney' with Iarla Ó Lionáird and Ciarán Hinds at St Canice's Cathedral."
Ms Barry reflected on the first Kilkenny Arts Festival, which took place 50 years ago.
"Looking at the programme from 1974, organisers started big and we are standing on the shoulders of giants every year."
