Festivals rooted in community that ‘embrace the outside’
Two of the county’s finest arts events, separated by distance but united in approach, enlivened Portumna and Clifden at the weekend.
Portumna’s 11th shorelines Arts Festival ran from Thursday to Sunday with a series of exhibitions, drama, film, readings and music in venues from the library to the mart. The opening event, at the Irish Workhouse Centre, was packed to the rafters, as guests were entertained by the Omna Singers directed by Marie Power, who was honoured for a decade of work with the group as she announced her retirement.
Niall Teague and the Fast Company also played, with a winning fusion of folk, country, Irish and bluegrass, while young dancers from the Sarah Killeen School of Dance charmed guests as they entered the building. Poetry was celebrated too, with pupils James Kelly and Aaron Pierce reading their excellent compositions. Writer and broadcaster Vincent Woods was due to open the event, but was indisposed so County Arts Officer Sharon O’Grady did the honours while Vincent’s words were read to the guests as he praised festivals such as Shorelines “which centre themselves in their place and community and embrace the outside to create an inspiring mix”.
The passion that drives Shorelines was evident too in Clifden, in a festival that’s three decades older and which retains a wonderful community ethos. It runs until this Sunday, September 23, with a grand parade, The River of Light, this Saturday at 7.30pm, for all the family.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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