Offaly artist appointed as Artistic Director for major festival in the Midlands

An Offaly artist has been appointed as artistic director of a major midlands festival. 

Longford County Council recently announced the appointment of a new Artistic Director for Longford Lights 2024 as preparation is finalised in advance of the February festival.

Birr-based Caroline Conway, who was a lead artist in the 2023 festival, takes the helm for the 2024 event which will take place over three evenings in Connolly Barracks, Longford from February 23 - 25.

She is a self-described visual arts maker with an interest in creating and showing work out with the traditional gallery, with a particular focus on light, optical devises and visual trickery.  

Involving over 400 members of local communities as well as offering employment opportunities to many artists, Longford Lights is a partnership between Longford County Council and Mide Arts Group with funding support from Arts Council, Creative Ireland, and Fáilte Ireland.

In 2023, over 11,000 spectators came through the gates of Connolly Barracks to witness the special spectacle.

This year, the inimitable artistic expression of Artistic Director Caroline Conway will be on view again.

Longford Lights 2024 will comprise a series of indoor and outdoor illumination-based art installations centred on the theme of ‘Belonging’.

The festival will include several performances and displays over the weekend involving prominent national and international artists and groups.