Cork immunologist Luke O’Neill is set to headline Kinsale Arts Weekend alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon and renowned jazz and blues singer Mary Coughlan.

The programme for the much-anticipated festival that brings art in all its forms to life for residents and visitors to the town is bursting with events from July 7 to July 10.

Kinsale Arts Weekend brings art to the streets, the pubs, the park, the shop, the café and in doing so makes it accessible to new audiences. St Catherine’s Church which has been recently restored by its trustees will provide a stand- out location for the conversation with Professor O’Neill and a poetry reading by Paul Muldoon.

Theatre fans will also be spoilt for choice with no less than 14 events to choose from, as well as comedy, improv, and dance.

This year’s visual arts programme is being curated by Kinsale-local and artist, Audrey Cantillon, who launched her full-time art career on the back of the festival six years ago, with highlights including a live painting showcase by Tony O’Connor, a large-scale mural installation by Shane O’Driscoll and an arts trail with almost 40 businesses transforming their windows into exhibition spaces for national and international artists for visitors to explore.

Kinsale Arts Weekend is also hosting Ubuntu (from the Zulu word for interconnectedness), who will be presenting film and dance. The Cork Migrant Centre is also supporting a craft project inspired by the Mother Tongue concept, offering unique interpretations of ‘maternal wisdoms’ shared across generations and the globe.

The festival is also providing a platform for ‘Through Ukrainian Eyes’, a photography exhibition from newly arrived visitors from Ukraine where they share first impressions of their time in Ireland as well as memories of the homeland they have left.

The festival also continues to support youth and emerging artists with its collaborations with community groups, Kinsale College and Kinsale Community School.

Speaking about this year’s programme, chairperson Anna Mulcahy, said she is thrilled to welcome new audiences with a programme that has so much to choose from.

“Our focus on making our whole town a stage, means that you will find art in churches, on walls and in windows, breathing life into spaces that may have been previously unseen.”

www.kinsaleartsweekend.com