David Beattie
St. Mary’s Hall
An artist who encourages a sense of curiosity and exploration in his act of displacing quotidian objects.
Ann Craven
Castle Yard Gallery
Ann Craven is a compelling New York-based artist whose work focuses on recurring subject matter such as flowers, birds and the moon.
Nick Miller
The Heritage Council
In this multimedia piece Nick Miller draws our attention to the tradition of the reclining nude in art.
Jacco Olivier
The Courthouse
Jacco Olivier fuses painting and filmmaking, continually reworking his paintings with generous, casual brushstrokes and photographing each stage of their development
Michael Thomas Murphy
Kenealy’s Art Shop
Michael Thomas Murphy’s work is multidimensional and multi-layered incorporating many materials.
Maria McKinney
Rothe House
Maria McKinney is concerned with ideas of boredom and escapism and works with familiar objects and materials.
Liam O’Callaghan
Muniments Room, Kilkenny Castle
Playful – even satirical – installations, sculptures and photographs exposing the methods or mechanics in their construction.
Strand 2 - Rachel Dickson & Alison Lowry
Kilkenny County Council Arts Office
Kilkenny County Council Arts Office presents this joint exhibition of ceramics and glass from two emerging Irish makers: Rachel Dickson and Alison Lowry.
Strand 2 - We Are All in This Together
The Watergate Theatre
Exhibiting artists: Maeve Coulter, Sylvia Hemmingway, Emma Hogan, Alé Mercado and Aiseling Noone.
Strand 2 - Ian Burns
Butler Gallery
Ian Burns’s sculptures and installations investigate the expectations of art viewing with wry humor and audience engaging invention.
Brunch with the Artists
Cleere’s - Festival Hub
Join the artists for a free, informal brunch with special guests including curator Hugh Mulholland, art critic Gemma Tipton and journalist John Waters.
This event is free but ticketed.
Living Colour: Film Screening
Set Theatre
Living Colour is a documentary film exploring the world of an extraordinary artists' collective in Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
Other Selections - Commonage
Commonage
Situated in historic locations in Callan, COMMONAGE 2011 includes temporary built structures by artists, designers and architects.
Other Selections - The Workhouse Test
Dunnes Bakery
The Workhouse Test presents a collaborative exhibition that aims to establish links with international art spaces
Other Selections - Jerpoint Studio
Jerpoint Glass Studio
This group exhibition showcases the work of several 'hot glass divas', both up-and-coming artists and internationally-renowned names
Other Selections - Ross Stewart & Andrew Ludick
Castle Yard Gallery
An exhibition of work by ceramicist Andrew Ludick and painter Ross Stewart
Other Selections - KCAT - The Empty Heat of Neanderthal Man
The Workhouse
An exhibition of recent sculpture work by five studio artists, comprising a range of materials such as stone, clay, wood, and mixed media
Other Selections - Made in Kilkenny
Butler House
This year’s exhibition - A Maker’s Journey: from inspiration to creation - traces the process of design, exploring the different elements each craftsperson takes into consideration to produce a finished piece
Other Selections - Ceann
Shankill Castle
Ceann 2011 offers a visual feast in the historic setting of Shankill Castle
Other Selections - Lucy McKenna
Kilkenny Castle Park
This installation in Kilkenny Castle Park explores the darker side of the human psyche
Other Selections - KCAT - Mary Cody
L’Arche Cafe
Sky, Stones, Sea features work inspired by famous beauty spots in the Irish landscape
![Other Selections - Daithi O hUallachain [David Holohan]](/content/images/sized/daithi_ohuallachain_02-220x120.jpg)
Other Selections - Daithi O hUallachain [David Holohan]
Kitchen Corridor - Kilkenny Castle
An exhibition of Daithi's recent paintings, full of light and vibrancy
Other Selections - On the Surface
The Courtyard Bar and Grill
A joint exhibition by artists Bernadette Kiely and Paul Mosse. While Kiely’s and Mosse’s work appears very different on the surface, there is a slowly emerging resonance at play.
Other Selections - Niall Harkin
Berkley Gallery
This exhibition, Votive Offerings, presents the fruits of two years’ work with sheet bronze
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Brendan Brennan
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Clive Nunn
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Kirsty O’Keeffe
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Nicola Brown
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Trini Kenny
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Maire Gartland
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Blackbird Gallery
Blackbird Gallery
The Blackbird Gallery presents a selection of works by three emerging artists
David Beattie
St. Mary’s Hall
An artist who encourages a sense of curiosity and exploration in his act of displacing quotidian objects.
Ann Craven
Castle Yard Gallery
Ann Craven is a compelling New York-based artist whose work focuses on recurring subject matter such as flowers, birds and the moon.
Nick Miller
The Heritage Council
In this multimedia piece Nick Miller draws our attention to the tradition of the reclining nude in art.
Jacco Olivier
The Courthouse
Jacco Olivier fuses painting and filmmaking, continually reworking his paintings with generous, casual brushstrokes and photographing each stage of their development
Michael Thomas Murphy
Kenealy’s Art Shop
Michael Thomas Murphy’s work is multidimensional and multi-layered incorporating many materials.
Maria McKinney
Rothe House
Maria McKinney is concerned with ideas of boredom and escapism and works with familiar objects and materials.
Liam O’Callaghan
Muniments Room, Kilkenny Castle
Playful – even satirical – installations, sculptures and photographs exposing the methods or mechanics in their construction.
Strand 2 - Rachel Dickson & Alison Lowry
Kilkenny County Council Arts Office
Kilkenny County Council Arts Office presents this joint exhibition of ceramics and glass from two emerging Irish makers: Rachel Dickson and Alison Lowry.
Strand 2 - We Are All in This Together
The Watergate Theatre
Exhibiting artists: Maeve Coulter, Sylvia Hemmingway, Emma Hogan, Alé Mercado and Aiseling Noone.
Strand 2 - Ian Burns
Butler Gallery
Ian Burns’s sculptures and installations investigate the expectations of art viewing with wry humor and audience engaging invention.
Brunch with the Artists
Cleere’s - Festival Hub
Join the artists for a free, informal brunch with special guests including curator Hugh Mulholland, art critic Gemma Tipton and journalist John Waters.
This event is free but ticketed.
Living Colour: Film Screening
Set Theatre
Living Colour is a documentary film exploring the world of an extraordinary artists' collective in Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
Other Selections - Commonage
Commonage
Situated in historic locations in Callan, COMMONAGE 2011 includes temporary built structures by artists, designers and architects.
Other Selections - The Workhouse Test
Dunnes Bakery
The Workhouse Test presents a collaborative exhibition that aims to establish links with international art spaces
Other Selections - Jerpoint Studio
Jerpoint Glass Studio
This group exhibition showcases the work of several 'hot glass divas', both up-and-coming artists and internationally-renowned names
Other Selections - Ross Stewart & Andrew Ludick
Castle Yard Gallery
An exhibition of work by ceramicist Andrew Ludick and painter Ross Stewart
Other Selections - KCAT - The Empty Heat of Neanderthal Man
The Workhouse
An exhibition of recent sculpture work by five studio artists, comprising a range of materials such as stone, clay, wood, and mixed media
Other Selections - Made in Kilkenny
Butler House
This year’s exhibition - A Maker’s Journey: from inspiration to creation - traces the process of design, exploring the different elements each craftsperson takes into consideration to produce a finished piece
Other Selections - Ceann
Shankill Castle
Ceann 2011 offers a visual feast in the historic setting of Shankill Castle
Other Selections - Lucy McKenna
Kilkenny Castle Park
This installation in Kilkenny Castle Park explores the darker side of the human psyche
Other Selections - KCAT - Mary Cody
L’Arche Cafe
Sky, Stones, Sea features work inspired by famous beauty spots in the Irish landscape
Other Selections - Daithi O hUallachain [David Holohan]
Kitchen Corridor - Kilkenny Castle
An exhibition of Daithi's recent paintings, full of light and vibrancy
Other Selections - On the Surface
The Courtyard Bar and Grill
A joint exhibition by artists Bernadette Kiely and Paul Mosse. While Kiely’s and Mosse’s work appears very different on the surface, there is a slowly emerging resonance at play.
Other Selections - Niall Harkin
Berkley Gallery
This exhibition, Votive Offerings, presents the fruits of two years’ work with sheet bronze
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Brendan Brennan
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Clive Nunn
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Kirsty O’Keeffe
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Nicola Brown
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Trini Kenny
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Maire Gartland
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Blackbird Gallery
Blackbird Gallery
The Blackbird Gallery presents a selection of works by three emerging artists
Ann Craven
Castle Yard Gallery
Ann Craven is a compelling New York-based artist whose work focuses on recurring subject matter such as flowers, birds and the moon.
Brunch with the Artists
Cleere’s - Festival Hub
Join the artists for a free, informal brunch with special guests including curator Hugh Mulholland, art critic Gemma Tipton and journalist John Waters.
This event is free but ticketed.
David Beattie
St. Mary’s Hall
An artist who encourages a sense of curiosity and exploration in his act of displacing quotidian objects.
Jacco Olivier
The Courthouse
Jacco Olivier fuses painting and filmmaking, continually reworking his paintings with generous, casual brushstrokes and photographing each stage of their development
Liam O’Callaghan
Muniments Room, Kilkenny Castle
Playful – even satirical – installations, sculptures and photographs exposing the methods or mechanics in their construction.
Living Colour: Film Screening
Set Theatre
Living Colour is a documentary film exploring the world of an extraordinary artists' collective in Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
Maria McKinney
Rothe House
Maria McKinney is concerned with ideas of boredom and escapism and works with familiar objects and materials.
Michael Thomas Murphy
Kenealy’s Art Shop
Michael Thomas Murphy’s work is multidimensional and multi-layered incorporating many materials.
Nick Miller
The Heritage Council
In this multimedia piece Nick Miller draws our attention to the tradition of the reclining nude in art.
Other Selections - Blackbird Gallery
Blackbird Gallery
The Blackbird Gallery presents a selection of works by three emerging artists
Other Selections - Ceann
Shankill Castle
Ceann 2011 offers a visual feast in the historic setting of Shankill Castle
Other Selections - Commonage
Commonage
Situated in historic locations in Callan, COMMONAGE 2011 includes temporary built structures by artists, designers and architects.
Other Selections - Daithi O hUallachain [David Holohan]
Kitchen Corridor - Kilkenny Castle
An exhibition of Daithi's recent paintings, full of light and vibrancy
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Brendan Brennan
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Clive Nunn
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Kirsty O’Keeffe
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Maire Gartland
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Nicola Brown
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Grennan Mill Craft School - Trini Kenny
Grennan Mill
Grennan Mill Craft School welcomes six Irish artists/crafts people showing an exciting new range of work in a wide variety of media
Other Selections - Jerpoint Studio
Jerpoint Glass Studio
This group exhibition showcases the work of several 'hot glass divas', both up-and-coming artists and internationally-renowned names
Other Selections - KCAT - Mary Cody
L’Arche Cafe
Sky, Stones, Sea features work inspired by famous beauty spots in the Irish landscape
Other Selections - KCAT - The Empty Heat of Neanderthal Man
The Workhouse
An exhibition of recent sculpture work by five studio artists, comprising a range of materials such as stone, clay, wood, and mixed media
Other Selections - Lucy McKenna
Kilkenny Castle Park
This installation in Kilkenny Castle Park explores the darker side of the human psyche
Other Selections - Made in Kilkenny
Butler House
This year’s exhibition - A Maker’s Journey: from inspiration to creation - traces the process of design, exploring the different elements each craftsperson takes into consideration to produce a finished piece
Other Selections - Niall Harkin
Berkley Gallery
This exhibition, Votive Offerings, presents the fruits of two years’ work with sheet bronze
Other Selections - On the Surface
The Courtyard Bar and Grill
A joint exhibition by artists Bernadette Kiely and Paul Mosse. While Kiely’s and Mosse’s work appears very different on the surface, there is a slowly emerging resonance at play.
Other Selections - Ross Stewart & Andrew Ludick
Castle Yard Gallery
An exhibition of work by ceramicist Andrew Ludick and painter Ross Stewart
Other Selections - The Workhouse Test
Dunnes Bakery
The Workhouse Test presents a collaborative exhibition that aims to establish links with international art spaces
Strand 2 - Ian Burns
Butler Gallery
Ian Burns’s sculptures and installations investigate the expectations of art viewing with wry humor and audience engaging invention.
Strand 2 - Rachel Dickson & Alison Lowry
Kilkenny County Council Arts Office
Kilkenny County Council Arts Office presents this joint exhibition of ceramics and glass from two emerging Irish makers: Rachel Dickson and Alison Lowry.
Strand 2 - We Are All in This Together
The Watergate Theatre
Exhibiting artists: Maeve Coulter, Sylvia Hemmingway, Emma Hogan, Alé Mercado and Aiseling Noone.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stay Updated
Join the festival mailing list
Members Get More
Make the most of this year's Festival with our special ticket deals. Now you can afford to squeeze in more events while you're here.
We're Social