42nd Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, 13 – 20 August 2010

Denis Hoctor, Annabelle Haslam, Anne O'Meara at the launch of the 42nd Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival

The 42^nd Annual Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival, one of the longest running and most successful Festivals in the country will take place from Friday 13^th to Friday 20^th

August.  During that week the town of Birr will welcome locals and visitors, old friends and new to enjoy the historic atmosphere of this beautiful Georgian Heritage town.  Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival is one of Ireland’s longest running and most successful festivals and is the highlight in Birr and Offaly’s calendar of cultural events.  Its all-inclusive programme of entertainment appeals to a wide audience – visitors and locals are invited to step back in time by enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Birr; its history and heritage, and to revel in its contemporary culture with a dynamic range of vintage and modern events throughout the Festival Week.

The Opening Weekend sees a number exciting events taking place including the Official Opening of the Visual Arts Trail 2010, the Olde Time Traditional Fair, the Ormond Flying Club’s Annual Fly-In and the Artisan and Craft Market.

One of the Festival highlights, the Vintage Parade promises fantastic family entertainment, transforming sleepy Sunday streets into a carnival of vintage cars, engines and bikes, horses and carriages, floats, a wonderful array of music and street theatre for all ages to enjoy.

Birr is delighted to welcome the Middle-Lands Circus Festival for their inaugural visit to Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival; this promises 3 days of non-stop action with workshops and performances from some of Ireland’s and Europe’s finest Circus and Performance Artists.

The 41^st Annual Antique & Fine Art Fair has been a central part of the Festival since its launch in 1969. Furniture, silver, porcelain, clocks, garden furniture, jewelry, linen and pictures will be on display and for sale for three days during the Festival.

Since the Festival began the Arts have played a central role.  This year’s Visual Arts Trail 2010 features a number of artists who have exhibited both nationally and internationally including Roesy.  A number of other exhibitions are housed across the town.

A number of Free Children’s Events will take place whilst Sporting enthusiasts are also well catered for.  Music lovers have a wide and varied programme of events ranging from the classical to modern including Baroque Delight with Karin Leitner, Fiachra Garvey and Kerstin Doelle.  Another highlight is the return of virtuoso violinist Vladimir Jablokov and the Slovak Festival Orchestra with special guest Sean Costello.   There is also a great selection of lunchtime concerts along with nightly entertainment in local pubs throughout the Festival Week.  “Bed Among the Lentils” is the Lunchtime play and for those interested in matters historical there is a Lecture by Ian Lowe, Military Historian presented by the Friends of the Leinster Regiment Association.  Family entertainment also includes the Donkey Derby, the Gig Rig with live music and entertainment and of course the spectacular Fireworks Display which lights up the skies above the town.

With annual favorites and new events, vintage flavour and modern entertainment throughout, the 42^nd Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival promises to be an exciting and vibrant festival celebrating Birr’s remarkable heritage and culture, inspiring participation & enjoyment in everyone who makes the effort to come out & sample the events.  For further information on the Festival please contact info@birrvintageweek.com or 087-9226961 or check out www.birrvintageweek.com.