The sixteenth Gap Arts Festival took place in the townland of Ballythomas, north Wexford, from Thursday August 6th to Saturday/early Sunday 9th. Many said it was the most successful ever.
It would not have been possible without the help of all our many volunteers, and our local business and individual donors.
We are grateful for the support of the Department of Arts and Culture under the Small-Scale Local Festival Grant Scheme, Wexford Country Council’s Small Arts Festival Scheme, Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, and especially Kilanerin Ballyfad Community Development Association.
There were full houses and standing ovations for Luke Griffin’s superb performance in Jimmy Murphy’s play The Kiss.
The festival’s policy of supporting local artists continued this year with the development of a new play, Lover, by Gorey-born Joy Redmond. The rehearsed reading performed by Tara Quirke and directed by Garrett Keogh also drew a packed house.
The Drop-In Family Fun and Art Day in the Community Field was blessed with beautiful weather. The Dog Show, the facepainting, the Karaoke, the Craft Stalls, and the walkabout performances of the giant heron, Long Legs Sheila, drew large crowds, many of whom joined in the art workshops and went to other festival events.
There were Gap Talks: plant knowledge with Nikki Darrell, and bees with Paul Handrick. There were the short films The Final Chapter, and Titania’s Palace. The late-night movie under the stars was the original 1967 The Jungle Book.
At five o’clock on a balmy Saturday evening the Gig@The Gap kicked off. With Ashley Hayden, Frankie Fingers, Robin James Hurt, Maeve Tallon, Oscar Judge, Louis Judge, and the new Ballythomas band GAPHEAD, it carried on late. Then the DJs spun the decks until closing time.
On Thursday evening in the Gap pub, playwright Jimmy Murphy officially opened the festival and the Camera Club’s exhibition, Portraits, which will be on display till the end of August. Jimmy complimented the photographers and praised their courage in showing their work publicly. ‘The Gap Festival not only brings art to this community,’ he said, ‘it makes art a part of the community.’
With your continued support we look forward to carrying on again next year.
Are There Any Events, Gigs, Plays, Films etc that YOU would like to see? Let Us know email: gapartsfest@gmail.com
WHO ARE WE
Awarded the EFFE Label as ‘a unique festival’ by the European Festivals Association, with particular reference to the festival’s successful arts participation elements, and nominated for European Rural Inspiration Award 2019 for its Community Portrait Photographic Project, the Gap Arts Festival ‘brings the arts to parts they wouldn’t otherwise reach’.
No village, no crossroads, no theatre, since 2011 the Festival has adapted spaces indoors and out, bringing professional performances and art to this community of place in the hills of north Wexford at Ballythomas, halfway between Gorey and Tinahely.
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