About Drogheda Arts Festival
6th Drogheda Arts Festival
Whether a performer or an audience member, a grizzled veteran or a tentative on-looker, a Boyne Valley native or a cultural tourist, a warm welcome awaits you in Drogheda over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, when this historic and vibrant town assumes the mantle of arts capital of Ireland.
Drogheda Arts Festival is proud to present a programme of music, theatre, dance, poetry, and visual arts, showcasing the best in national and international creativity, with artists from Britain, Russia, Korea, and France. The artistic programme of the Festival is a testament to the growing reputation of the Drogheda Arts Festival, and to the skill, knowledge and hard work put into the Festival by the arts community in Drogheda. When resources are in short supply, the expertise and determination of people on the ground become even more important. This Festival has been crafted by Droichead Arts Centre and Highlanes Gallery, by Calipo Theatre and Picture Company and Upstate Theatre Project, by Louth Contemporary Music Society, External Sounds, and Sean Corcoran. It has been a pleasure for the County Arts Service to work alongside such committed and dedicated people. Production management, graphic design, e-communication management, and printing have all been supplied by Drogheda-based creative industries, and the engine for the whole undertaking, the core funding, was made available by the elected members of Drogheda Borough Council. Drogheda Arts Festival 2010 carries a proud "Made in Louth" banner.
We have introduced a few changes for 2010. The Festival has been condensed into four days, and the impressive Barbican Centre joins the list of venues utilised by the Festival. We have moved the focus of the Saturday out-door events to West Street, to encourage more of our audience to enjoy the main artery of the town, and we're delighted to be working with Scotch Hall and Louth Hospitality in support of the Spring Food Fair. In addition, we welcome the initiative shown by Nexus Arts and others in continuing the development of a parallel fringe festival, thus broadening the range of voices to be heard in Drogheda over the May Bank Holiday Weekend.
A special word of thanks to the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíonn, who saw fit to increase funding to Drogheda Arts Festival at a time when deep cuts are more the norm. Their continued support, and that of our other funders and supporters, is recognised and appreciated.
With so much going on, there is undoubtedly something for everyone. An arts festival is an opportunity to try the things you think you haven't tried yet. Grab that opportunity and dive into the Drogheda Arts Festival!
Brian Harten
Louth County Arts Officer
