The stage is set for Gap Arts Festival

THE final touches are being put to the The Gap Arts Festival programme which runs in Ballythomas from Friday, August 11, to Sunday, August 13. The festival was launched at Gorey Municipal District offices recently, and festival director Garrett Keogh thanked Wexford County Council and district manager Amanda Byrne for their support, saying the festival has become an established event in the community and beyond.

‘Part of our policy is the engagement of local people with art and artists,’ said Garrett.

Among the highlights this year are two workshops and a reading by Paula Meehan, the internationally renowned poet. Artist Caoimhe Dunn, supported by Wexford County Council’s Artist in the Community Scheme, has made giant puppets which will be displayed at the festival.

A drop-in play and make workshop for children will be held in the marquee. Children’s drama workshops will be hosted by Paula D’Arcy. Artist Dara McGee will return to do another mural. This year’s theatre piece is ‘Charolais’, written and performed by Noni Stapleton in Ballythomas NS on Friday and Saturday night. The play will be preceded by ‘Hunter’, the new short film made by Terence White and the Kilanerin workshop.

A late-night outdoor family friendly film will be shown on Friday, August 11, while an indoor showing of ET takes place on Saturday afternoon. Later that night there’s live music by the Stonecutters. On Sunday, there‘s the March of the Giants, a display of the giant dragon and puppets, and there’s a lunchtime classical concert with the Quaid Quartet. Béile na Féile, the Festival Feast, sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge, is a fiesta-style celebration meal to finish on Sunday afternoon.