This year’s festival also celebrates the centenary of James Joyce’s Ulysses, with a focus on Joyce’s Galwegian wife and muse Nora Barnicle; Nuala O’Connor will discuss her best-selling novel Nora with Ray Burke, author of Joyce County, while Curlew Theatre Company present NORAMOLLYANNALIVIALUCIA: The Muse & Mister Joyce and filmmaker Tristan Heanue will premiere a new film installation that combines Joyce, the Connemara landscape, and acclaimed actor Olwen Fouéré.
Writer and cultural historian Manchán Magan will give the annual John Moriarty Memorial Lecture, while broadcaster John Creedon brings his treasury of knowledge about Irish folklore and placenames to a special event at Clidfen’s Staton House Theatre, and celebrated wildlife filmmaker Doug Allen presents his illustrated lecture An Eye Below Zero.
Renowned for its eclectic music programme, 2022 brings America’s ‘First Family’ of gospel music The Legendary Ingramettes to the West, as well as the RTÉ Concert Big Band’s tribute to jazz icons Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington and a rousing homegrown lineup that includes Galway songwriting trio The Whileaways, much-loved accordionist Máirtín O’Connor, and duo Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre.
Elsewhere, you’ll find popular CAF favourites like the art trail, and elf and fairy trail for children and the Grand Parade through the heart of Clifden.
The Clifden Arts Festival runs from September 15th – 25th 2022 – find out more here.