Established in 1973, each year Kilkenny Arts Festival features the very best of music, visual art, theatre, literature, children's arts and outdoor events. Running over 10 action packed days, wherever you choose to visit, you may be assured of an unforgettable visit.


Kilkenny's rich medieval heritage, with cobblestoned streets and stunning ancient venues, and its friendly population, lend a special atmosphere to this festival city. Every year, more than 70 performances are offered in the various venues, catering to all tastes and ages. The narrow streets and alleys of this intimate, medieval city are unique and the festival atmosphere is felt not only in the official venues of the festival but in every nook and cranny of the city and county itself.


The festival programme balances classical and popular artforms, and offers both traditional and avant-garde performances. Amongst the glittering roll-call of events to expect in 2000 are a unique production of Bach's St Matthew's Passion using original instruments, pianist Richard Goode, Russian prodigy violinist Ilya Gringolts, New European Strings under the baton of Dmitri Sitkovetsky, a major American novelist, a retrospective of the work of theatrical giant Donal O'Kelly, a stunning outdoor theatrical production at an ancient quarry in Kilkenny county, an innovative and spellbinding lighting, sound and photographic installation, international exhibitions in the city and county, jazz, traditional and world music concerts, a colorful street spectacle and parade, and a packed children's festival featuring Horse and Bamboo Theatre.