Bluestacks Festival 2011
View/Download the full Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival programme.
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Big event info
The Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival, funded by Donegal County Council, begins on Saturday 1st October at 7.30pm. Featuring a host of shows events and exhibitions the festival promises to have something for all. We have a great programme of events at the Abbey Arts Centre including; Ballyshannon - Bridging the Past and Present by renowned Kerry artist Michael Flaherty.
The front cover image of the programme features one of Mr Flaherty's paintings being exhibited in the Abbey Arts Centre foyer. This is the first art exhibition by a nationally renowned artist at the Abbey Arts Centre Gallery. Mr Flaherty revisited Ballyshannon after an absence of many years and captured the moods from spring to winter and the beauty and the heritage of Ireland's oldest town. This stunning, bold, richly layered and locally themed oil paintings exhibition is the featured art exhibition of the festival 2011 and will be launched in Abbey Arts Centre foyer gallery on Saturday 1st at 7.30pm by Minister Dinny McGinley This will form part of the official launch of the Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks festival. We invite all to join us at the launch of the festival and festival art exhibition on Saturday 1st October at 7.30pm at Abbey Arts Centre Ballyshannon.
Also on Saturday 1st October at 8.30pm there will be a relaunch of Glenveagh Suite composed by the late Margaret McGinley, arranged by pianist Marie Askin, featuring the best of South Donegal musicians and singers including Shauna Mullin, Senan Brennan, James McNamee among others. Tracy Ferguson will deliver the narrative scripted by Soinbhe Lally. It will be launched at 8.30pm in theatre one in the Abbey Arts Centre, and after the Glenveagh Suite there will be an unveiling of a portrait of the late Margaret McGinley as arranged by 'The Friends of Margaret McGinley.'
See also the Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival play. An Grianan / Workhouse Productions present Aristocrats by Brian Friel, directed by Iarla McGowan and featuring local actress Maura Logue in the role of Judith. The play will be at the Abbey Arts Centre on Thursday 6th October. Call 071-9851375 to make your booking.
Carnival Day is on 8th October at 7.30pm. Cirque Du Saimer is the theme this year. The carnival parade will take place on the streets of Ballyshannon with a special finale circus ring arena and performers at Slevin's.
Deathwish by Fanzini bros, a Carnival day matinee for Kids at the Abbey Arts Centre on Saturday 8th October at 3pm. Adults free, kids €5 with family rates available. RTE's Sunday Miscellany will be recorded live from Abbey Arts Centre on Sunday 9th October at 3pm. This event is free and will feature much Donegal-based or Donegal-themed music, poetry and stories, but please remember to book your seat on 071-9851375
The programme details other events shows and gigs. Hope you can join us for some or all of the featured events. The festival runs from 1st October to Sun 9th October.
Below are pictures from the festival opening night at the Abbey Centre where there was a performance of The Glenveagh Suite and the unveiling of a portrait of the composer, the late Margaret McGinley, painted by artist Barry Sweeney, by Frankie McGinley.
Last modified: Monday, 1 June 2020 at 12:12pm