Sunday Miscellany: RTE Radio 1
My first festival

Sunday Miscellany: RTE Radio 1

Join Clíodhna Ní Anluain and a terrific selection of writers and musicians for a special recording of Sunday Miscellany Live from the Watergate Theatre

Sold Out

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The Arts Are A Luxury We Can’t Afford Right Now! - Panel Discussion
My inspiring festival

The Arts Are A Luxury We Can’t Afford Right Now! - Panel Discussion

Sat 6th Aug
The Pembroke Hotel

A panel discussion on the position of the arts in a time of recession.  Come along and have your say!

Sold Out

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Dermot Healy & Patrick McCabe
My inspiring festival

Dermot Healy & Patrick McCabe

Sat 6th Aug
Set Theatre

Two acclaimed Irish writers share their latest work in the Set

Sold Out

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Hubert Butler Lecture Professor Morgan Kelly
My inspiring festival

Hubert Butler Lecture Professor Morgan Kelly

A rare chance to hear, and question, one of Ireland's most forthright and prescient economists

Sold Out

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Gerard Smyth and Leanne O’Sullivan
My surprising festival

Gerard Smyth and Leanne O’Sullivan

Sun 7th Aug
The Parade Tower

Dubliner Gerard Smyth and Leanne O’Sullivan, from the Beara peninsula, have more in common than you might think: both were teenage prodigies. 

Sold Out

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Kilkenny 100 Years Ago
My first festival

Kilkenny 100 Years Ago

Mon 8th Aug
Newpark Hotel

A distinguished panel of speakers reveal what the 1911 Census can tell us about the world of our great-grandparents

Sold Out

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Belinda McKeon, Kevin Barry & Paul Murray, Introduced by Cormac Kinsella
My inspiring festival

Belinda McKeon, Kevin Barry & Paul Murray, Introduced by Cormac Kinsella

Tue 9th Aug
The Parade Tower

The future of Irish fiction comes to Kilkenny in the form of three fresh and exciting new voices

Sold Out

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Fintan O’Toole: The Power of the Object

Fintan O’Toole: The Power of the Object

Tue 9th Aug
The Parade Tower

Explore our continuing fascination for objects with Fintan O'Toole and Prof. Daniel Miller

Sold Out

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The Great Natural Resources Debate
My inspiring festival

The Great Natural Resources Debate

Wed 10th Aug
The Parade Tower

Join a distinguished panel of speakers to debate the pros and cons of Ireland's energy policy.

Sold Out

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TC Boyle, Introduced by Colm Toibin
My alternative festival

TC Boyle, Introduced by Colm Toibin

Wed 10th Aug
The Parade Tower

The charismatic American author brings his unforgettable characters and corruscating satire to Kilkenny

Sold Out

event details

Tobias Wolff & David Vann
My inspiring festival

Tobias Wolff & David Vann

David Vann makes a welcome return to the festival in the company of one of the greatest of contemporary American writers, Tobias Wolff

Sold Out

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John Banville writing as Benjamin Black
My inspiring festival

John Banville writing as Benjamin Black

Fri 12th Aug
The Parade Tower

The acclaimed crime writer discusses literature, crime and alter egos with literary critic Michael Wood

Sold Out

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Paul Muldoon & Michael Longley, Introduced by Olivia O’Leary
My first festival

Paul Muldoon & Michael Longley, Introduced by Olivia O’Leary

A rare chance to hear these two great Northern Irish poets as they share the stage at St Canice's. This will be a memorable night.

Book

event details

Francisco Goldman
My surprising festival

Francisco Goldman

Sat 13th Aug
The Parade Tower

The acclaimed American writer reads from Say Her Name, his most personal and moving work to date

Sold Out

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Claire Keegan & Janice Galloway
My surprising festival

Claire Keegan & Janice Galloway

Sun 14th Aug
The Parade Tower

Two acknowledged masters of the short story reveal the secrets of the form

Sold Out

event details

Sunday Miscellany: RTE Radio 1
My first festival

Sunday Miscellany: RTE Radio 1

Join Clíodhna Ní Anluain and a terrific selection of writers and musicians for a special recording of Sunday Miscellany Live from the Watergate Theatre

Sold Out

event details

The Arts Are A Luxury We Can’t Afford Right Now! - Panel Discussion
My inspiring festival

The Arts Are A Luxury We Can’t Afford Right Now! - Panel Discussion

Sat 6th Aug
The Pembroke Hotel

A panel discussion on the position of the arts in a time of recession.  Come along and have your say!

Sold Out

event details

Dermot Healy & Patrick McCabe
My inspiring festival

Dermot Healy & Patrick McCabe

Sat 6th Aug
Set Theatre

Two acclaimed Irish writers share their latest work in the Set

Sold Out

event details

Hubert Butler Lecture Professor Morgan Kelly
My inspiring festival

Hubert Butler Lecture Professor Morgan Kelly

A rare chance to hear, and question, one of Ireland's most forthright and prescient economists

Sold Out

event details

Gerard Smyth and Leanne O’Sullivan
My surprising festival

Gerard Smyth and Leanne O’Sullivan

Sun 7th Aug
The Parade Tower

Dubliner Gerard Smyth and Leanne O’Sullivan, from the Beara peninsula, have more in common than you might think: both were teenage prodigies. 

Sold Out

event details

Kilkenny 100 Years Ago
My first festival

Kilkenny 100 Years Ago

Mon 8th Aug
Newpark Hotel

A distinguished panel of speakers reveal what the 1911 Census can tell us about the world of our great-grandparents

Sold Out

event details

Belinda McKeon, Kevin Barry & Paul Murray, Introduced by Cormac Kinsella
My inspiring festival

Belinda McKeon, Kevin Barry & Paul Murray, Introduced by Cormac Kinsella

Tue 9th Aug
The Parade Tower

The future of Irish fiction comes to Kilkenny in the form of three fresh and exciting new voices

Sold Out

event details

Fintan O’Toole: The Power of the Object

Fintan O’Toole: The Power of the Object

Tue 9th Aug
The Parade Tower

Explore our continuing fascination for objects with Fintan O'Toole and Prof. Daniel Miller

Sold Out

event details

The Great Natural Resources Debate
My inspiring festival

The Great Natural Resources Debate

Wed 10th Aug
The Parade Tower

Join a distinguished panel of speakers to debate the pros and cons of Ireland's energy policy.

Sold Out

event details

TC Boyle, Introduced by Colm Toibin
My alternative festival

TC Boyle, Introduced by Colm Toibin

Wed 10th Aug
The Parade Tower

The charismatic American author brings his unforgettable characters and corruscating satire to Kilkenny

Sold Out

event details

Tobias Wolff & David Vann
My inspiring festival

Tobias Wolff & David Vann

David Vann makes a welcome return to the festival in the company of one of the greatest of contemporary American writers, Tobias Wolff

Sold Out

event details

John Banville writing as Benjamin Black
My inspiring festival

John Banville writing as Benjamin Black

Fri 12th Aug
The Parade Tower

The acclaimed crime writer discusses literature, crime and alter egos with literary critic Michael Wood

Sold Out

event details

Paul Muldoon & Michael Longley, Introduced by Olivia O’Leary
My first festival

Paul Muldoon & Michael Longley, Introduced by Olivia O’Leary

A rare chance to hear these two great Northern Irish poets as they share the stage at St Canice's. This will be a memorable night.

Book

event details

Francisco Goldman
My surprising festival

Francisco Goldman

Sat 13th Aug
The Parade Tower

The acclaimed American writer reads from Say Her Name, his most personal and moving work to date

Sold Out

event details

Claire Keegan & Janice Galloway
My surprising festival

Claire Keegan & Janice Galloway

Sun 14th Aug
The Parade Tower

Two acknowledged masters of the short story reveal the secrets of the form

Sold Out

event details

Belinda McKeon, Kevin Barry & Paul Murray, Introduced by Cormac Kinsella
My inspiring festival

Belinda McKeon, Kevin Barry & Paul Murray, Introduced by Cormac Kinsella

Tue 9th Aug
The Parade Tower

The future of Irish fiction comes to Kilkenny in the form of three fresh and exciting new voices

Sold Out

event details

Claire Keegan & Janice Galloway
My surprising festival

Claire Keegan & Janice Galloway

Sun 14th Aug
The Parade Tower

Two acknowledged masters of the short story reveal the secrets of the form

Sold Out

event details

Dermot Healy & Patrick McCabe
My inspiring festival

Dermot Healy & Patrick McCabe

Sat 6th Aug
Set Theatre

Two acclaimed Irish writers share their latest work in the Set

Sold Out

event details

Fintan O’Toole: The Power of the Object

Fintan O’Toole: The Power of the Object

Tue 9th Aug
The Parade Tower

Explore our continuing fascination for objects with Fintan O'Toole and Prof. Daniel Miller

Sold Out

event details

Francisco Goldman
My surprising festival

Francisco Goldman

Sat 13th Aug
The Parade Tower

The acclaimed American writer reads from Say Her Name, his most personal and moving work to date

Sold Out

event details

Gerard Smyth and Leanne O’Sullivan
My surprising festival

Gerard Smyth and Leanne O’Sullivan

Sun 7th Aug
The Parade Tower

Dubliner Gerard Smyth and Leanne O’Sullivan, from the Beara peninsula, have more in common than you might think: both were teenage prodigies. 

Sold Out

event details

Hubert Butler Lecture Professor Morgan Kelly
My inspiring festival

Hubert Butler Lecture Professor Morgan Kelly

A rare chance to hear, and question, one of Ireland's most forthright and prescient economists

Sold Out

event details

John Banville writing as Benjamin Black
My inspiring festival

John Banville writing as Benjamin Black

Fri 12th Aug
The Parade Tower

The acclaimed crime writer discusses literature, crime and alter egos with literary critic Michael Wood

Sold Out

event details

Kilkenny 100 Years Ago
My first festival

Kilkenny 100 Years Ago

Mon 8th Aug
Newpark Hotel

A distinguished panel of speakers reveal what the 1911 Census can tell us about the world of our great-grandparents

Sold Out

event details

Paul Muldoon & Michael Longley, Introduced by Olivia O’Leary
My first festival

Paul Muldoon & Michael Longley, Introduced by Olivia O’Leary

A rare chance to hear these two great Northern Irish poets as they share the stage at St Canice's. This will be a memorable night.

Book

event details

Sunday Miscellany: RTE Radio 1
My first festival

Sunday Miscellany: RTE Radio 1

Join Clíodhna Ní Anluain and a terrific selection of writers and musicians for a special recording of Sunday Miscellany Live from the Watergate Theatre

Sold Out

event details

TC Boyle, Introduced by Colm Toibin
My alternative festival

TC Boyle, Introduced by Colm Toibin

Wed 10th Aug
The Parade Tower

The charismatic American author brings his unforgettable characters and corruscating satire to Kilkenny

Sold Out

event details

The Arts Are A Luxury We Can’t Afford Right Now! - Panel Discussion
My inspiring festival

The Arts Are A Luxury We Can’t Afford Right Now! - Panel Discussion

Sat 6th Aug
The Pembroke Hotel

A panel discussion on the position of the arts in a time of recession.  Come along and have your say!

Sold Out

event details

The Great Natural Resources Debate
My inspiring festival

The Great Natural Resources Debate

Wed 10th Aug
The Parade Tower

Join a distinguished panel of speakers to debate the pros and cons of Ireland's energy policy.

Sold Out

event details

Tobias Wolff & David Vann
My inspiring festival

Tobias Wolff & David Vann

David Vann makes a welcome return to the festival in the company of one of the greatest of contemporary American writers, Tobias Wolff

Sold Out

event details

Help me Choose

Every year the Kilkenny Arts Festival brings so many amazing events to our city that its almost impossible to make sure you find all the events that may appeal to you. So we've put on our thinking caps and come up with this simple reference to suggest events you may not have considered.

My First Festival

My First Festival

This is my first time at an arts festival. I want to see what this festival is all about. I haven't heard of a lot of these names before and I'd like suggestions on what might be great to see.

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My Inspiring Festival

My Inspiring Festival

I want to think. I want to get out of my comfort zone and confront the world head on. I don't want to be spoon fed. I want to be blown away. I want to argue.

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My Surprising Festival

My Surprising Festival

I want to find those hidden gems - things I may not have heard of but once I've experienced I will never forget.

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My Alternative Festival

My Alternative Festival

I want to see edgier, grittier more experimental stuff. I want to dance, have some fun. I want to stay up late.

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