First West Wicklow Festival next month

A talented local pianist will bring the first West Wicklow Festival to the shores of the Blessington lakes next month.

Fiachra Garvey from Ballyknockan has travelled the world performing at iconic venues and famous festivals.

While loving the experience, he longed to see a similar festival take place in his native Co Wicklow and, it seems, there’s no time like the present.

The inaugural West Wicklow Festival will take place at Russborough House from May 19 to 21. The weekend will feature the work of 12 composers, including Mozart, Schumann, Brahms and Debussy. Each night will feature a chamber music concert, featuring the likes of the inspiring Quatuor Zaide, Ducasse trio, mezzo-soprano Rachel Kelly and pianist Fiachra Garvey.

Minister Simon Harris is due to attend the Saturday night concert.

The concerts on Friday and Saturday will begin at 8 p.m., with the Sunday performance beginning at 4 p.m.

Fiachra is delighted to see his dream become a reality that the festival will take place in such an iconic venue.

‘Russborough House has historically had a great tradition of music and I am delighted that we are reconnecting the house with this passion for the arts and bringing much needed live music performance to the west Wicklow area,’ he said.

Tickets, costing €38 for each night, are on sale now via the National Concert Hall website, www.nch.ie, or by calling 01 4170000. For more information on the festival and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.westwicklowfestival.com.