Could they be related? This is one of the burning questions at the lively launch of the Kilkenny Arts Festival programme. "I'd say we're cousins," says Brendan Kennelly of himself and Maureen Kennelly, festival manager. They size each other up. "We're from the one parish in Ballylongford," the poet and playwright adds. More digging will have to be done.
At the party, the poet Kennelly is feted by many as the man who has given the festival its most exciting event. Judas, the adaptation of his book of poems, will be performed at the Watergate Theatre over 10 days. The Book of Judas comprises 400 poems, written over two years and divided into 12 books, he explains. Adrian Dunbar will play Judas, and the play's producer is Vinnie O'Shea, who chats to Kennelly and to Felim Drew, who is to play Jesus. This particular Jesus lives just outside Clonmel, they say. It's all about roots, really.
Hundreds of Kilkenny-folk attend the launch, including the newly-elected mayor, Paul Cuddihy. He was voted unanimously into office last week, and is a teacher at Kilkenny College.
One committed art-lover is Margaret Phelan, a social worker, who is looking forward to the performance of Judas and also to the reading by US Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Ford. Kathleen Moran, who runs and owns the city's Kilkenny Design Centre, is equally delighted about the line-up. Donal O'Kelly's play, Bat the Father, Rabbit the Son, another must see for many, will be performed in the Parade Tower of Kilkenny Castle itself. Coo-ool.
Dancer-in-residence at UCD, Finola Cronin and her daughter Anna Boxberger (3) are checking out the programme, as are artist Darlene Garr and Thomastown gallery-owner, Canice Hogan. It all starts on Friday, August 11th and runs till the 20th.