Battle of the Bands

Findaband.ie are running a battle of the bands tonight, Saturday 24th June, at the White Lady, Kinsale as part of the Mid Summer Music Festival. The event will be headlined by The Chapters.

Competition will kick off at 7.30ish – Each act (three acts) will play 30minute set. Judges will be judging on (our sponsors will be the judges) Overall performance, Sound Quality, Visual Appeal and Crowd Reaction

Crowd will be asked to vote on the night if they want to but the judges will have the weighted vote – process is being finalised currently – bring a crew if you can!

Competition will be done by 10pm the latest so stay and enjoy The Chapters gig with Findaband.ie.

The prize (perfect promotional package for any band) will include Brand & Website Development from ARL Design, Kinsale (www.arldesign.com), Recording Studio Time with Tribarac Recording Studios Macroom (www.tribarac.com) and Music Video Production from SWV Studios in Portarlington, Dublin (www.swvstudios.com)

Longest Running Festival Launched

By JJ Hurley, Carrigdhoun Newspaper — At Acton’s Hotel on Wednesday last, the Annual Kinsale Regatta Programme was launched by its long-serving Chairperson, Mr. Ted Mc Namara.

Addressing the large audience, including Chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. Kevin Murphy, Mayor of Kinsale, Mr. Micheal Frawley and a number of the local town councillors, Mr. Mc Namara praised his fellow committee members for their hard work in putting together such a jam-packed programme, which runs from July 25th to August 7th.
 
In addition to a number of firm favourites, this year’s Regatta will also host a Battle of the Bands Competition.
 
Running for four consecutive nights- Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday- at the local Town Plaza  at 8pm,  the event is open to any musical group, with prizes for the best Under 21 Band or Group, best Over 21 Band or Group and the Best Traditional or Ceili Band. Read more

Kinsale In Danger of Losing It’s Court

Story by Cllr. Tomas O’ Brien — Kinsale has had a court in town initially on a monthly basis, but with the arrival of Judge James Mc Nulty this has been increased to fortnightly. This did away with long waiting lists and cut down the time wasted by all concerned. The judge is doing a great job and a loss of the court would dilute his work.

Better facilities are needed by the Judge, Garda, solicitors, and the general public. Everyone deserves some privacy, rather than discussing their cases on a stairs or a car park.

The facilities in Kinsale are no longer adequate and need up-grading.
If Kinsale loses the court it will impact negatively on the town both socially and economically.

Cllr. Tomas O’ Brien
O87 2784953
tomasobrien@hotmail.com

Get Your Ticket to Ride!

That Friday feeling has taken Kinsale over with a day of wonders store! One of Ireland’s finest young guitarists Stefan Galt is set to soothe the souls of an audience in Kinsale’s Methodist Church at 1pm. There will be live music blasting out from 4-8 in The Short Quay with Sounds on the Square. Roll up for the ‘Greatest Vegetable Show on Earth’ with Cirque de Legume at Municipal Hall.

And get as close as you ever will to experiencing The Beatles live at Charles Fort this evening with The Bootleg Beatles. It’s not the Beatles but you simply won’t believe it! Re-live the sights and sounds of the sixties as the world’s premier Beatle band visit Kinsale with their spectacular stage production featuring all the classic Beatles hits, with support by local favourites David Hope and the Henchmen. What a day tripper!

Book tickets through this website or call the KAW Box Office, at : 353 (0)21 470 0877, (Open 10am – 6pm daily)

Hypnotic Day in Store!

The walls of Charles Fort are gearing up to be blasted by brass vibrations, fusing the realms of raggae, jazz, rock and hip-hop! Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are due to descend on the fort tonight and a large energetic crowd are due to follow!

There are still tickets left for this hypnotic concert . . . Anybody rolling into Kinsale in advance can spend the afternoon dipping in and out of the KAW art galleries, the highlight of which is KAW Art Hub at The Mill. Also taking place early this evening is a reading from the acclaimed Irish writer Claire Kilroy at the beautiful Carmelite Friary Centre – could make a beautiful start to a jazzed up night!

Book tickets through this website or call the KAW Box Office, at : 353 (0)21 470 0877, (Open 10am – 6pm daily)

KAW Artist Trail Exhibition

Once again woodturner Hilary Hale will be opening up her home, Rincurran Hall, in Summercove as part of the Kinsale Arts Week Trail. The exhibition will show throughout her house and gallery and will feature an unusual mix of local arts and crafts. The exhibition will run for the duration of Arts Week, that’s Saturday 10th – Sunday 18th July. The exhibition will be open from 10a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

In a new departure, Hilary will be showing her current statement pieces – highly original vessels turned from rare Irish grown robinia. Her more functional bowls, cheese knives and platters will also feature. Joanne Robey’s striking figurative ceramics will also be shown. Joannne takes much of her inspiration from the natural world. Geraldine Kieran, Crawford school of Art graduate, will be showcasing her semi-abstract, mixed media pieces. Carmel Kelly-O’Gorman’s latest collection of prints and batiks will also be on show. Read more

John Allen & Luke Lee Photographic Exhibition

Kinsale based professional photograper John Allen and landscape photographer Luke Lee take a look at the familiar in their environment and present a unique viewpoint with their Photographic Exhibition throughout Kinsale Arts Week, July 10th – 18th in the Blue Haven, KInsale.

John has long been an advocate of Clear Skies and wants to help people reconnect with the night sky. Light pollution has robbed us of the simple beauty of a sky full of stars, not just pinpricks of light but distant suns ablaze with colour and wonder.

Luke chose the element of Water, where he has worked and played for years, and captured the intimate moments that have always connected people to the sea.

Luke and/or John will be available to discuss their work on Sat 10th and Sun 11th and from Thurs 16th to Sun 18th. If for any reason we have stepped out for a moment, please feel free to call Luke 353 (0)86 173 0871 or John 353 (0)86 216 2990 and will ensure we are with you promptly.

Hope to see you there!

Kinsale Arts Week 2010: The Big List

Here is the very big list of what to do in Kinsale during Arts Week.

There is literally something for every taste and age group. Every year the historic beauty spot of Kinsale is electrified by the best in art, music, spectacle, theatre, literature and family entertainment for nine sunny days in July. Kinsale Arts Week 2010, the sixth annual festival, starts this weekend Saturday 10th July through 18 July 2010.

The list is exhaustive but for more in-depth information please visit kinsaleartsweek.com tickets can be purchased through the Arts Week website or call the KAW Box Office, at : 353 (0)21 470 0877, (Open 10am – 6pm daily). Read more

Church Celebrates its Centenary

By JJ Hurley, Carrigdhoun Newspaper — The Sacred Heart Church, Belgooly, celebrated its Centenary on Saturday last with a prayer vigil, mass and the unveiling of a Mass seat on the grounds of the local Church.

Designed by local sculptor, Mr. Patrick Barry, the seat is described as a fresco containing all the important symbols of the Belgooly Church, including the Stations of the Cross, baptismal font, altar railings, church door and front façade of the house of worship

The seat, which took six weeks to complete, and is made from Kilkenny Monumental Limestone, is inscribed in Irish at the rear with the following inscription: ‘Ceanfaimid Cochrann an chreidhimh a casa sinsir romhainn.’

Directly translated, the inscription reads: “Follow the torch of faith lit by the forefathers.” Read more

Clipper Weekend: Some Much Needed Info

Visitors to Kinsale for the weekend, 3rd-4th July, are asked to avail of public transport or the Park & Ride facilities provided due to parking restrictions and road closures in the town.
PARK & RIDE
A Park & Ride Service will operate from Jagoes Mill (Point to Point Site) from 1100 to 2200. The optimum route to Kinsale for the event will be from the N71 Bandon Road onto the R607 at the Halfway Roundabout. You will be directed to the Park & Ride site at Jagoes Mills. A charge of €5 per car will apply including parking and shuttle bus service to and from the town.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Bus Eireann will be providing additional services from Kent Station, Cork City to Kinsale for the weekend.

ROAD CLOSURES
The following roads will be closed for the entire weekend: Long Quay, Pier Road and Short Quay. A diversion of the town centre will be in place and will be operated by the Gardaí. Summer Cove Road Upper will be local access only. Forthill through Summer Cove Village will be one way only. Read more

Cork Boat Arrives First into Kinsale!

Story by yachte.com — “An ecstatic Cork crew after crossing the finish line in Kinsale, Ireland: On Sunday evening at 19:47 local time (18:47 GMT) Cork crossed the finish line in her home waters of Kinsale, County Cork in Ireland; an emotional moment as they led the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race fleet into their home port at the end of the final transatlantic crossing of the 35,000-mile contest.

Waiting on the pontoon to welcome the crew of Cork to Kinsale was the Mayor, Cllr Michael Frawley. “I am delighted to welcome the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to Kinsale. We have been working to prepare a fantastic free festival over the next ten days and we look forward to offering all the visitors to Kinsale a true cead mile failte,” he said.

Cork’s original yacht ran aground on a submerged reef in the Java Sea in January, Clipper’s first loss of a boat in 14 years and more than 2,000,000 miles of racing. Her crew were dispersed among the other nine teams until a replacement; a heavier and shorter steel-hulled Challenge 67 arrived in Panama. Read more

Kinsale Pub Named Ireland’s Best Tourist Bar

The Bulman Bar in Summercove, Kinsale, Co Cork, was named Ireland’s leading Tourist Bar at the Licensing World Bar Awards.

Chosen by an expert industry panel, The Bulman Bar emerged from hundreds of entries in the Licensing World Bar Awards to claim the coveted Fáilte Ireland Tourist Bar Award 2010 at a gala banquet in The Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Mary O’Sullivan, proprietor of The Bulman Bar accepted the title of Ireland’s top tourist bar from Dr Tony Lenehan, head of Industry Standards and Quality at Fáilte Ireland.

Steeped in tradition and full of character, The Bulman Bar is located on the outskirts of Kinsale in the scenic village of Summercove next to Charles Fort and a mere 10 metres from the Atlantic Ocean.

Visit day or night and you are likely to find this busy premises catering to tourists from all walks of life, enjoying a drink, a bite to eat – from the award winning kitchen of Toddies Restaurant – or perhaps listening to an impromptu traditional music session. Read more

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

“Kinsale will be the first port of call in Europe for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and the town is hosting a Kinsale Clipper Stopover Carnival to extend a fantastic welcome to participants. The Carnival will take place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th July with a whole host of free entertainment for all the family. The fleet of 10 Clipper Round the World yachts is expected to arrive sometime during Friday/Saturday.

Highlights of the Carnival Weekend include “Ebb-Tide-Flow” an audio-guided walk distributed on mp3 players. Designed by artist Fiona Hallinan and composer Alex Synge, the tour is accompanied by an original map and comprises a score and original text written for the Scilly walk. During the weekend children and adults will be invited to come to the Methodist Church and make a page for “The Clipper Adventure Book”. The book will follow the journey of the clippers around the world and will then be exhibited for the year at the local library.
Read more

Kinsale Hosting Unique Wedding Showcase

Kinsale, County Cork, will host an exclusive 1-stop Wedding Showcase on Sunday June 13.

Couples planning their nuptials can visit every type of wedding supplier in & around the picturesque town of Kinsale – from florists, cake makers, limousines and bus transfers to photographers, milliners, Bridal Shop… plus any style of musician you could imagine! And of course a wide selection of reception venues will open their doors, with each offering superb prizes totaling in excess of €10,000 in value!

So to plan your perfect wedding day visit Kinsale on Sunday 13th June between 2pm and 6pm. Register on the Kinsale Land Train situated on the Pier Road to collect your information bag and map.

Flight-Free Festival at Kinsale Arts Week 2010

We all know that ‘The Volcanic Ash’ has caused havoc with holiday plans this year. So Kinsale Arts Week has an idea: Invite everyone to Kinsale for a festival-full, flight-free holiday!

Between 10 & 18 July Kinsale Arts Week invites you to one of the most picturesque seaside towns in Ireland, a mere 40 minute drive from Cork City, and only three and a half hours from Dublin. There will be lots to enjoy, with music in a breathtaking historic fortress, classical concerts, children’s events, dance, theatre, artists trails, workshops in everything from tiny book making to Commedia Dell’ Arte and a brand new art gallery space housing work by some of Ireland’s finest artists, all squeezed in to a town blessed with stunning scenery and mouthwatering cuisine.

Now in its 6th year, Kinsale Arts Week annually transforms the town of Kinsale in to an artistic hub of activity for nine event-packed days and nights. Shop windows become exhibition spaces, historic forts become music venues and old mills are given a new lease of life as art galleries.

Here are some of the 2010 highlights: Read more

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