Packed programme for Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival
The programme for the highly-anticipated 2024 Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival has been officially announced.
To celebrate the 56th edition of one of Ireland’s longest-running community arts festivals, there will be in excess of 100 events taking place in over 40 locations across nine days featuring visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, workshops, exhibitions, together with a whole host of community events from August 2 to August 10 in the Offaly town.
This year’s theme is Going with the Flow and celebrates the beautiful waterways of Offaly. The multi-site Visual Arts Trail is enriched with additional river-themed events: Plein-Air Painting on the Camcor, a lecture by John Feehan, the River Witnessed by Mark Lyndon, a river float in the Vintage Sunday Parade and not forgetting the Great Ruckin’ Duck Race, organised by Birr Rugby Club.
Other much-loved traditional events are also back including the Food & Craft Market on Saturday, August 3, and Fireworks Night on Thursday, August 8.
At Birr Castle
Mobius, by ROGU Fire Arts Production, will take you on a hypnotic visual journey of fire, light and movement while the beautiful aerial circus show, Doris & Mabel’s Book Club, is perfect for children and families. The Big Beautiful Vintage Picnic is another enchanting family-friendly event.
At Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Highlights at the town’s historic arts venue include Paddy Casey, The Ennio Morricone Experience, The Classic Beatles, Paris Bubbles, The Wonderful Story of the Camcor with John Feehan and The River Witnessed by Birr native Mark Lyndon plus lots more.
Visual Arts
As always, the Visual Arts programme is full to the brim with over 20 exhibitions including the transformation of the Masonic Hall into a playful multi-sensory installation also taking inspiration from the Camcor River. The Courthouse Yard will once again be a creative hub for the Festival with visual arts workshops, music and Moonlit Movies presented by OFFline Film Festival.
The Chair and Visual Arts Coordinator of Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival is Caroline Conway. “Vintage Week is an incredibly important event for Birr. More people come home for Vintage than they do at Christmas. It’s a Festival with huge tradition, but also one that surprises with new events. We would like to thank all our sponsors and funders who make this event possible and demonstrate their commitment to the Festival through their generous donations.
“We have a fantastic team this year, but need additional volunteers during the week for a smooth running event. If you can give a few hours, please register on our website. We have a dedicated volunteer manager this year, Rachel Alexander, to make sure all our volunteers are well looked after.”
Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival merchandise will also be on sale during the festival.
The programme is online now and booking is open: www.birrvintageweek.com
For bookings over the phone, contact the Box Office at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre on 057 91 22911. Open Monday-Friday, 1pm-5.30pm.
Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival is kindly supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, Creative Ireland Creative Communities, Offaly County Council, Birr Municipal District and the business community of Birr.