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Inishbofin festival puts the spotlight on island culture

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Inishbofin Island is the venue for a new festival of literature, poetry, film and music taking place between Thursday May 28 and Sunday, May 31.

The inaugural Inish Festival – subtitled Island Conversations – will see international musicians, writers and artists gather for performances, talks, and conversations based around themes of insularity, isolation and the role of the arts in society.

There will be readings from novelist and short-story writer Kevin Barry, and poets Bernard O’Donoghue and Moya Cannon, with concerts from Declan O’Rourke, The Voice Squad, Paris-based double bass player Renaud Garcia-Fons, and fiddle-and-guitar duo Zoe Conway and John McIntyre

Directors Pat Collins, Kieran Concannon and Alec Moore will host screenings of their films, while academics Professor Lee Morrissey, Professor Daniel Carey, Dr Adrian Paterson and Dr Rebecca Barr will address subjects such as Literary Islands and the concept of Citizenship, Identity and the Irish Archipelago.

A highlight of the festival will be an examination of the poetry of Richard Murphy, whose Sailing to an Island is the poem most people associate with Inishbofin. Murphy, now 88, currently lives in Sri Lanka, but a recorded interview with him by festival organiser, filmmaker and Inishbofin native, Peadar King will offer a rare opportunity to hear the poet talk about his work, and the inspiration behind it.

Richard Murphy is just one of the many writers who were inspired by Inishbofin – others include Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath and Theodore Roethke. That and its own strong musical and cultural traditions make it an ideal venue in which to examine what makes islands such special places, and explore what it’s like to live on, or be inspired by, Ireland’s offshore islands

For the full programme go to inishfestival.com or email inishfestival@gmail.com Accommodation on the island is limited, so early booking is advisable.

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