West Cork arts festival programme a 'grassroots celebration' of creativity   

The Bere Island Arts Festival has launched its 2025 programme of events.

The festival, now in its third year, will take place from September 18 to 21, and will see a range of artists, musicians, and writers flock to the island for four days of performance.

Highlights include legends of Irish music band Stockton’s Wing; local writer Carina McNally’s debut of her new play; an event honouring the poetic legacy of the late John O’Leary, featuring Paula Meehan, Theo Dorgan, Annette Skade, and Paddy O’Conor; and a participatory workshop and the presentation of new work by acclaimed performance artist Amanda Coogan.

Mary Sullivan, of Bere Island Arts Festival, said that the event is “made possible by the hands and hearts of the local community”.

“As with every great festival, there’s a heartbeat beneath the schedule, a spirit of generosity, creativity, and welcome,” said Ms Sullivan.

“It’s a grassroots celebration of what happens when people gather in a beautiful place with open minds and a shared purpose.”