Failte Ireland - Ireland Buyers Guide 2018

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST The festivals of Ireland’s Ancient East are inspired by the landscape and coloured by its fascinating history, but offer distinct insights into the arts, crafts, and Agri-food providence of this region, strongly influenced by its millennia of warring invaders and settlers. Throughout the bustling colourful towns and villages, across the many market squares, in the gardens of stately homes and castles over afternoon teas, harvest picnics, foraging feasts or across the many walking festivals through its lush landscapes of mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes, the festival and events programme truly brings its’ past and present to life. Here your clients have the chance to try something new, while the arts and musical heritage influences of Ireland’s Ancient East are showcased through events such as Kilkenny Cat Laughs Festival (May), Cork International Choral Festival (May), Kilkenny Arts Festival (Aug), Spraoi Festival,Waterford (Aug), Guinness Cork Jazz Festival (Oct) andWexford Opera Festival (Nov). CORK INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL Cork International Choral Festival is held annually and welcomes choirs from across the world for a programme of Gala concerts, Schools Concerts, National and International Competitions, and world- class performances, as thousands of participants bring the city to life for a celebration of choral music in all its many forms. One of Europe’s premier international choral festivals, Cork is noted for its high standards, eclectic and wide-ranging programme, and the friendliness of its welcome. Festival events and performances centre around Cork’s City Hall. Contact  Sinead Dunphy Email  sinead@corkchoral.ie Website  www.corkchoral.ie WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA Wexford Festival Opera is one of the leading opera festivals in the world. Priding itself on breathing new life into unjustly neglected operas, it has succeeded in introducing both artists and audiences to forgotten masterpieces.With high quality productions, which annually delight both critics and audiences alike, it’s not to be missed. The 67thWexford Festival Opera will run for 17 days, and feature classic performances such as European Premiere, Dinner at Eight byWilliam Bolcom (1938–) and Il Bravo by Saverio Mercadante (1795–1870). Booking  Tracey Ryan Email  dml@Wexfordopera.com Website  www.wexfordopera.com For a full list of festivals and events in Ireland’s Ancient East please go to page 1 38. 135