Mini West Wicklow Festival to take place in November

THE West Wicklow Festival has been cancelled due to Covid-19, however, a smaller version of the event will take place in November.

The festival had been scheduled to take place from May 20 to 24 at Russborough House and St Mary’s Church in Blessington. However, the board of the festival announced recently that this year’s event would not be proceeding due to the current emergency.

Speaking to this paper, festival founder and artistic director Fiachra Garvey said, ‘we had been hoping that it might be able to go ahead, however, like most people we are presuming that the restrictions will continue past Easter Sunday. Similar festivals due to be held over the summer have also been cancelled so we felt this was the wisest thing to do.’

The 2020 festival was to feature performances of works by Bach, Beethoven, Clara Schumann and other composers by a range of international musicians. This year’s event was also to include première of a new composition for flute and piano by Gerald Barry to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the sinking of the Blessington Lakes. This has been postponed and the work will be premièred at a later date.

Mr Garvey said the board is hoping as far as possible to invite as many artists back to perform at a later stage. Cancellation fees have also been paid to the artists who were due to perform.

Meanwhile, there are also plans for a mini West Wicklow Festival in November with a weekend of concerts set to take place at Russborough House from November 13 to 15.

In a statement confirming the festival had been called off, organisers said that refunds would be offered to anyone who had already bought tickets for the 2020 festival. Those who wish to support the festival’s work can make a donation at www.westwicklowfestival.com.