Photos: jbsphotoskilkenny
At the time of the opening of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, I sat in the majestic gardens of Rothe House, and was treated to some beautiful music complements of Lucia Mac Partlin and Maria Ryan. This event was one of many performances under the umbrella of the ever-popular ‘Secret Garden Music Series’. The series consisted of musicians performing short pop-up concerts in some of the city’s most iconic spaces.
And it didn’t stop there. From the house originally owned by Richard de Clare on the Castle Road, to the beautiful St Canice’s Cathedral, music, song, dance and art became part and parcel of everyday life in Kilkenny. That the sun shone throughout, multiplied the good feel factor. An impromptu session by six musicians, (part of AKA) in the space between The Fig Tree restaurant and O’Mahony’s chemist was heaven on earth, as a Jazz band from Norway entertained. I doubt that many of the audience were well versed in Jazz music, but as the great Duke Ellington said, “If it sounds good and it feels good, then it is good”.
It was with a certain amount of irony that I noted the close proximity of this ‘session’ to where The Market Cross was erected in 1335, and where the famous mystery plays were performed regularly.
The Arts Festival and the AKA did themselves and the county proud with their eclectic mix from the Arts. Apart from the established venues, coffee shops, hotel foyers, lane way steps and streets became performance and exhibition spaces. We at The Kilkenny Observer were delighted to be out and about during the festival and offer our congratulations to all involved in the promotion of Kilkenny through the Arts. We include some photos as a reminder of the happiness that was created.
