Full Schedule Thursday 18th - Sunday 21st July

Thursday 18th July 2024

10am

Art Trail

Art Trail with local Fine Artists at various venues

  • All Day

    Free

    Venues to be announced.


10am

Workshop

Novel Writing Workshop with Pat Sheedy

  • Thursday 10am - 1pm at The Bunker

    €20

    Writing in diverse and inclusive environments

    Pat will demonstrate the techniques and styles that were implemented in his winning entries for the Listowel Writers’ Festival, where he was a two-time winner, and also for the writing of his memoir, A Hundred to One.

    The workshop will focus on the construction of both short story and memoir, how to develop concepts and demonstrate how to engage a reader immediately.

    Pat will also discuss the publishing process, how he sought, sourced and negotiated with publishers without the use of a literary agent.

    Pat Sheedy is a two-time winner of the short-story section at the Listowel writers festival, and proud author of A Hundred to One. Prior to 2020 Pat had never written, but when he found himself in prison due to a chronic gambling addiction, he discovered writing and his life transformed.

    A native of Limerick City, Pat is a Limerick hurling, Munster Rugby and Manchester United fanatic and recovering compulsive gambler.


12pm

Talk

'Folklore of the Sea' Talk with Tom Dillon

  • Folklore of the Sea - Tom Dillon

    FREE

    Thursday, 12-1 at the Castle Green

    Historian Tom Dillon will explore the folklore and legends associated with the sea around Ballybunion and the wider North Kerry area.

    From tales of mystic islands, sea horses and mermaids to place names and the role of the sea in telling the weather, this fascinating talk will unlock a greater appreciation of the majestic Atlantic coast right here on our doorstep.

    Tom Dillon has researched many aspects of Kerry history from the county's Big House families to the First World War and 1916 Rising. Throughout the recent Decade of Centenaries, he delivered numerous public lectures, published articles and spoke on TV and local radio on these subjects and more. In 2020 and 2021, he served as the Kerry County Council historian-in-residence.

    A graduate of the University of Limerick, he holds an MA in History of the Family and a Certificate in Local History. Tom is a tutor with Kerry ETB at An Tóchar Further Education Centre in Causeway delivering courses in Local History, Genealogy, Folklore and History & Heritage.


5pm

Exhibition

Private View Exhibition Opening at Tony’s Bar


2pm

Workshop

Biodiversity & Nature Journaling with Susan Browne

  • Creative Biodiversity and Nature Journaling with Susan Browne

    FREE

    Booking essential, limited spaces.

    2pm - 4pm

    Susan Browne, writer and wellness coach, is passionate about connecting with the natural world and biodiversity and how this benefits our creativity and wellbeing.

    In this two hour workshop, learn about simple ways to support biodiversity and connect more deeply with nature. Enjoy creative writing and nature journaling. Will incorporate a walk/time outdoors, weather permitting.


7pm

Social

Opening Night Entertainment & Awards for Competitions

  • Friday 7pm at the Cliff House Hotel

    Free Event

    We will be opening the festival with special guests, the Poetry & Photography prizes & showcasing local artists. We look forward to seeing you in person. Limited tickets.


9.30pm

Entertainment

Drum Dance Ireland drumming circle

  • Thursday 9.30pm, Women’s Strand, Beach

    Plan B venue (if raining):

    Cliff House Hotel, Ballroom

    FREE

    Drum Dance Ireland & a Fire performance by Kate Mitchell

    This Drum Circle for grown-ups is open to everyone wishing to share a night of rhythm and song around the fire with likeminded people.

    Drum and release worries and stress whilst being surrounded by beautiful nature at Ballybunion Beach.

    50 drums of all sorts of shapes and kinds will be provided and all you will need to bring along is a folding chair for your own comfort.

    You are welcome to join no matter what level of experience with drumming you have and you can drop in and out as you please.

    Hosted by Urs Wenk of Drum Dance Ireland, drum circle facilitator, passionate about drums and people.


9.30pm

Entertainment

Fire Performance by Kate Mitchell

  • Thursday, Women’s Strand, Beach

    Plan B venue (if raining):

    Cliff House Hotel, Ballroom

    FREE


 

Friday 19th July 2024

8am

Social

Yoga, Swim, Cake with cathy Healy on Men’s Strand

  • Friday 8am at the Men’s Beach

    €15

    Join the amazing Cathy Healy to ease your mind and nurture your body as you flow on your mat to the sound of the sea. Followed by optional splashing and joyous screams in the Atlantic. We have created the ultimate morning routine to have you skipping into your day. Start every morning with these festival essentials; Yoga, wild waves and a cupCAKE!

    Bring a mat, togs and a towel. We will bring the magic (and the cake).


10am

Art Trail

Art Trail with local Fine Artists at various venues


10am

Workshop

Lighten up! Adding Humour To Your Writing with Seán Lyons

  • Friday 10am - 1pm at The Bunker

    €20

    10am - 1pm: (3 hrs)

    Humorous writer and speaker Seán will present strategies of how writers can add lighter notes to their material. Participants will explore their own unique style of humour and present prepared and impromptu examples of it. Tips for effective spoken delivery of humorous content will be offered.

    Seán Lyons describes himself as a child of the sixties who cannot remember the seventies. He is an award winning writer of short stories and has published a novel that rose into obscurity. He has published two volumes of humorous verse and has featured in the Strokestown International Poetry Festival where he twice won the Percy French Award for humorous poetry. He has also featured at the Bard of Armagh. Seán has read his poetry at the Los Gatos Listowel Writers’ Week in California and on Ellis Island. He regularly broadcasts on Radio Kerry and is a former Chair of Listowel Writers’ Week.


11am

Workshop

Stand & Deliver: Using Your Voice. Workshop with Priscilla Donovan

  • Friday 11am at the Railway Bar

    €20

    10 places only

    This is a workshop about vocal communication.

    In this workshop you will be given the tools to help you communicate clearly and effectively, be it in your everyday life or in readings and/or performances. This workshop will cover:

     Breathing

     Pronunciation

     Interpretation

     Health

     Stage fright

     Care/health of the voice

    Priscilla Donovan has been an actress and singer for over 50 years, performing in plays, musicals, opera and improvisation. She moved to Ireland from New York City 25 years ago and has taught singing, acting and speech ever since while continuing her performing career.


11am

Family

Hula Hooping with Kate Mitchell ALL AGES (6- 106yrs) (1hr)

  • Friday 11am at the Beach

    FREE

    From 6-106 this hula hoop workshop is for everyone, receive tips and tricks to master all your hula hoop goals or maybe just learn a trick for your next party piece. We can't guarantee that you will leave a hula hoop master but we know you will leave this workshop filled with joy and laughs. Don't worry about bringing your own hula hoop, we have you covered in. Bring yourself, some water and a little sense of adventure.

    Kate Mitchell is a highly skilled and multifaceted circus artist, whose work engages and inspires audiences across the world. She specializes in fire performance, hula hoop, aerial sling and silks. Kate first ran away with the circus in 2013 and has travelled far and wide to learn from some of the greats; she has undertaken mentorship with Marianna de Santis, Lisa Lottie, Aisling Ní Cheallaigh and Loosysmokes. Artistic work, that she created and performed in, has been seen as part of Cork Midsummer Festival, Derry Halloween and Pitch’d Circus Festival. She has performed in productions of varying sizes including large scale installations with La Fura dels Baus. Kate worked as Circus Education Director at In Your Space Circus in Derry until June 2023 and most recently she has been tutoring and delivering choreography for Fidget Feet as part of their production of House.


12pm

Historical Talk

Ballybunion's Historical Ruins talk by Martin Moore (1hr)

  • Friday 12pm at the Castle Green

    €12

    Local historian, Martin Moore, will discuss the historical ruins of the Ballybunion district and the associated stories in what promises to be a most interesting presentation.

    In this, Martin will look at how the historical build record provides an insight into the social development of modern North Kerry.


2pm

Wildflower Walk in English

Wildflower Walk with Aedín Ní Thiarnagh (1 hr) in English

  • Friday 2pm at the Cliff Walk Steps (time might change - weather permitting)

    €15

    Bilingual Wildflower Walk with Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh

    Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh is a television presenter, folklorist and wildflower blogger, known for her series 'Faoi Bhláth' on RTÉ One and for the popular Instagram account @BlathannaFiaine.

    Following the success of these projects, 'Bláthanna Fiáine Wildflower Walks' were established this summer; guided wildflower tours which celebrate the rich link between Ireland's wildflowers, language and heritage.


2pm

Workshop

Elementary: A Movement Workshop with Hannah Emroy

  • Friday 2pm at the Community Centre

    €15

    In this contemporary movement workshop, we will be exploring improvisation with inspiration taken from nature and the elements. Improvisation is a fantastic way to enjoy movement in a group and move deeper into your own creativity. There is no previous dance experience needed to participate and movers of all different backgrounds are welcome. Please come and enjoy dancing with us!


3pm

 

Social

Brilliant Ballybunion: Creativity & Climate Action with special guests

  • Friday 3pm at the Cliff House Hotel, Ballroom

    Free

    Booking suggested

    3hours


8pm

Artist


 

Artist TBA

  • Friday 8pm

Saturday 20th July

8am

Social

Yoga, Swim, Cake with Cathy Healy on Men’s Strand

  • Saturday 8am at the Men’s Beach

    €15

    Join the amazing Cathy Healy to ease your mind and nurture your body as you flow on your mat to the sound of the sea. Followed by optional splashing and joyous screams in the Atlantic. We have created the ultimate morning routine to have you skipping into your day. Start every morning with these festival essentials; Yoga, wild waves and a cupCAKE!

    Bring a mat, togs and a towel. We will bring the magic (and the cake).


10am

Art Trail

Art Trail with local Fine Artists at various venues

  • Saturday 10am


10am

Workshop

Poetry Workshop with Eileen Sheehan

  • From Cloud Cuckoo Land to Derrycarin

    Saturday 10am-1pm at the Bunker

    €20

    In this workshop we will explore the mythology and superstitions associated with various bird species, as well as looking at some current ecological concerns. We will use close reading of touchstone poems, group discussion and writing exercises, as springboards towards the creation of new poems.

    Eileen Sheehan: Her most recent collection is The Narrow Way of Souls (Salmon Poetry). Anthology publications include Blackjack, with translations by Oana Lungu (editors Dorina Șișu and Viorel Ploeșteanu / Singur Publishing); Best Loved Poems: Favourite Poems from the South of Ireland (editor Gabriel Fitzmaurice with photographs by John Reidy/ Curragh Press) and The Deep Heart's Core: Irish Poets Revisit a Touchstone Poem (editors Eugene O'Connell & Pat Boran/ Dedalus Press). A selection of her work appears on Poetry International Web. She has read at festivals in Ireland and abroad and was Bealtaine Writer in Residence at The Seanchaí Kerry Writers' Museum, Listowel.


10am

Theatre Workshop

Theatre through Irish Workshop with Richard Walsh & Timmy Creed


11am

Family

A Family Storytelling Playshop for All Ages with Godfrey Coppinger

  • Saturday 11am at the Community Centre

    €5 per child

    Parents go for free

    Godfrey likes to tell, write, sing and make up stories and has done so forever. She is a five-year-old cleverly disguised as a little old lady.

    Come play with her!

    Godfrey Coppinger is a five-year-old cleverly disguised as a little old lady. Although she was born a long, long time ago in a land far, far away, she absolutely refuses to grow up.

    There is nothing she likes better than telling stories, singing stories, and listening to stories.

    Well, maybe there is something she likes better – making up stories, especially making up stories with her friends.

    In this workshop (maybe we should call it a playshop?) Godfrey will tell some stories, read some stories (she LOVES books) and make up some stories. It’s like magic when a brand new story appears out of nowhere, a story that no one has ever heard before.

    Will you please come and help her? We can have so much fun together.


12pm

Workshop

Carve and Print Lino Workshop with Darragh Kinch

  • Saturday 12pm at Community Centre

    FREE

    Carve and Print with Lino

    This print-making workshop is hosted by Darragh, of Kinch Design Studio, and will focus on a traditional printing method known as “lino printing”. The workshop will teach beginners how to design, transfer and carve a unique coastal image into lino block. Once the carving process is complete, each participant will take turns printing their very own handmade artwork onto paper. No previous experience is required and all are welcome (16+). All materials needed to complete this workshop will be supplied at the venue (lino block, tools, inks, paper). Limited spaces available, please book now to avoid disappointment.

    Darragh Kinch is a printmaker and digital artist focused on the convergence of traditional and contemporary methods, combining hand-crafted images within digital art processes. The relating artwork is then carried back into traditional practice and printed using conventional screenprint, cyanotype and lino printing methods. The inspiration for his work is heavily influenced by cultural prestige and the compositional forms exhibit a deliberate interplay of scattered yet bold and elaborate elements.

    Darragh currently delivers a variety of creative school projects across the county (BLAST initiative), as well as delivering adult print workshops and kids art camps within Tralee and Killorglin.


1pm

Pop Up Gaeltacht

A Cup of Focals with Áine Gallagher (pop up Gaeltacht)

  • Saturday 1pm at the Railway Bar

    Free

    FESTIVAL COMMUNITY POP-UP GAELTACHT


2pm

Wildflower Walk in English

Wildflower Walk with Aedín Ní Thiarnagh in English

  • Saturday 2pm at the Cliff Walk Steps (time might change - weather permitting)

    €15

    Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh is a broadcaster, writer and folklorist known for presenting ‘Faoi Bhláth’ on RTÉ and for the popular Instagram account @BlathannaFiaine.

    Her guided ‘Bláthanna Fiáine Wildflower Walks’ celebrate the rich link between Ireland’s wildflowers, language and heritage and share practical tips about how wild Irish plants can be used in cooking, medicine and craft.


2pm

Workshop

Micro to Macro Photography Workshop with Rena Blake

  • Saturday 2pm at The Bunker Bar

    FREE

    This workshop will focus on your local environment from, micro, macro and Landscape'.

    With practical basic techniques for photography outdoors including macro photography and the use of filters for landscapes. You are invited to slow down and observe the beauty around you, through the camera lens. Bring your camera, tripod and clothes for all weather as I take you outside to practice what you have learnt in the workshop.


4pm

Kids Workshop

Kids Workshop with Marie Brennan

  • Art Workshop with Marie Brennan

    €5.00

    The Cottage Studio


 

8pm

Music

Artist TBA


Sunday 21st July

9am

Social

Yoga, Swim, Cake with Cathy Healy on the Men’s strand

  • Sunday 9am at the Men’s Beach

    €15

    Join the amazing Cathy Healy to ease your mind and nurture your body as you flow on your mat to the sound of the sea. Followed by optional splashing and joyous screams in the Atlantic. We have created the ultimate morning routine to have you skipping into your day. Start every morning with these festival essentials; Yoga, wild waves and a cupCAKE!

    Bring a mat, togs and a towel. We will bring the magic (and the cake).


10am

Art Trail

Art & Craft Market at Community Centre

  • All Day

    Free

    Community Centre Tony's Bar, Main Street, V31EY09 (next to entrance to SuperValu Car park.Next to Tony’s Bar is the Former AIB Main street, V31 VF88


11am

Wildflower Walk in Irish

Wildflower Walk with Áedin Ní Thiarnaigh in Irish

  • Sunday 11am at the Cliff Walk Steps (time might change - weather permitting)

    €15

    Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh is a broadcaster, writer and folklorist known for presenting ‘Faoi Bhláth’ on RTÉ and for the popular Instagram account @BlathannaFiaine.

    Her guided ‘Bláthanna Fiáine Wildflower Walks’ celebrate the rich link between Ireland’s wildflowers, language and heritage and share practical tips about how wild Irish plants can be used in cooking, medicine and craft.


12pm

Workshop

Pottery Workshop with
Marjorie Cunningham

  • Sunday 12pm at The Cottage Studio, Cinema Lane.

    Marjorie Cunningham studied Fine Art Sculpture at the Crawford School of Art.

    She lives and works in North Kerry.

    Although Marjorie creates in very many disciplines, her favourites are Ceramics and Woodcarving.

    She produced Windmill Pottery for eighteen years and is now, along with her daughter Emma, making Grounded Pottery travel cups from her studio which is located between Tralee and Castleisland. Marjorie has been a tutor with Kerry ETB for many years.

    This workshop will teach the participants two techniques for making pottery, how to join parts and will also give the opportunity to paint and decorate a piece of pottery.


12pm

Open Mic

Open Mic hosted by Marian Relihan (1hr)

  • Sunday 12pm at the Railway Bar

    FREE

    Share your poems in public if you dare. This year’s open mic will be hosted by Marian Relihan, poet and BAF Team super star (Managing Director). Arrive early to get your name on the list.


2pm

Imeacht

Comhrá agus Ceol: Irish language practice, Cúpla Focal?

  • Dé Domhnaigh 2i.n. ag an Railway Bar

    Ócáid saor in aisce

    Calling all Cainteoirí Gaeilge!

    Tá imeacht saor in aisce againn chun deis a thabhairt do chainteoirí Gaeilge a bheith ag caint le chéile agus taitneamh a bhaint as ceol ar an Domhnach. Fáilte roimh chách, fiú nach bhfuil ach cúpla focal agat.

    We are hosting a free event for Irish speakers to chat and enjoy music on Sunday. All welcome, even if you only have cúpla focal.


5pm

Film Screening

Róise & Frank (pg)

  • A widow who has given up on life becomes convinced that a stray dog is the reincarnation of her Hurling-loving husband.


 

8pm

Main Act

Main Act TBA

  • Saturday 12pm at