Exciting events planned for Kavanagh Weekend 2024 in Inniskeen

Parade 'Grand Marshall's and opening night performers, the Armagh Rhymers (Photo courtesy of Arts Council of Northern Ireland)

placeholder image — Parade 'Grand Marshall's and opening night performers, the Armagh Rhymers (Photo courtesy of Arts Council of Northern Ireland)

Diverse range of events taking place in The Patrick Kavanagh Centre, The Round Tower Church and Inniskeen Community Centre

Excitement is building in the village of Inniskeen, with preparations well underway for this year's Kavanagh Weekend, a weekend celebrating the life and works Patrick Kavanagh.

The Patrick Kavanagh Centre in association with the Patrick Kavanagh Society and SoFFt PRODUCTIONS say they are delighted to announce that Kavanagh Weekend 2024 will take place over three days between Friday Sept 27th and Sunday Sept 29th.

This year there is an exceptionally diverse programme and range of activities for all ages over the weekend taking place in The Patrick Kavanagh Centre, The Round Tower Church and Inniskeen Community Centre.

Special guests include comedian Jon Kenny and the acclaimed folk musician John Francis Flynn. A particular highlight last year was the Friday evening Procession of Light. This year will see the visit of the Armagh Rhymers, the legendary theatrical group, who will lead the procession and perform in the Round Tower Church.

The organisers say they are also excited about the introduction of a special Family day on Sunday for Under 12s, which will see workshops for young adults, poetry workshops and insightful panel discussions take place. Other events include music sessions in McNellos on Saturday night curated by the Cobblestone, a Guided Bus Tour on Sunday morning, the annual commemoration by Kavanaghs Grave and an exhibition of new work from Nina Ruminska entitled Inniskeen Portraits.

Tickets for all events are available here. The full schedule for the weekend is as follows:

Friday 27 September

7pm – Opening Event in Patrick Kavanagh Centre
9.45pm – Procession of Light through Inniskeen Village with Armagh Rhymers
10pm – Armagh Rhymers live at Round Tower Church

Saturday 28 September

10am Riverbank Walk & Talk: Every Blooming Thing with Nell Regan.
12pm– Kavanagh Poetry Award Readings & ‘The Monsters Back’ Book Launch
1pm Creative Workshop for Young Adults: Exploring Art and the Irish Language with Dubhán Ó Longáin
1pm – Notes From Sheepland Screening
2.30pm – Panel Discussion: Yet why not say what happened? What it means to bear witness in art Curated by Victoria Kennefick with Junior Brother, Míchaél McCann & Kelly Michels
4.15pm Poems of Woe and Wonder: A Workshop Inspired by Patrick Kavanagh with Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi
6pm – War and Peace in Northern Ireland. Looking back and Moving On with journalists Martin Doyle and Eamonn Mallie. Discussion chaired by fellow journalist Frank McNally.
8pm – John Francis Flynn

Sunday 29 September

12pm– Inniskeen Portraits. Nina Ruminska in Conversation with Kate Beagan
1pm – That They Might Face The Rising Sun with introduction from filmmaker Pat Collins.
4pm– Raglan Rogues a reading of a new play by Kevin Burns on the notorious relationship between Patrick Kavanagh and fellow writer Brendan Behan.
8pm – Jon Kenny

Family day at Inniskeen Community Centre