A packed programme of literary, music, visual arts and various performance events got underway in Carlow last night with the official opening of the 24th Éigse festival.
Started in 1979, the event has become one of the biggest arts festivals in the State.
Highlights this year include an evening with the writer John McGahern, a concert by the Vogler Quartet, the return of Co-Opera to present La Boheme, and a cabaret-style performance by the Australian poet Les Murray.
Entertainment - moved indoors because of the weather - was provided last night by the groups Heir of Insanity and the Tomorrow People. The festival was officially opened by the Hon Desmond Guinness, the founder of the Irish Georgian Society.
The importance of Éigse to the area was emphasised by the chairman of Carlow County Council, Mr Jim Townsend, who said the event had attracted large numbers of visitors to the town.
"In the past, when some people locally were saying that Carlow was 'banjaxed', it was organisations like Éigse who remained ambitious. They believed in Carlow's potential, they took chances and they delivered for Carlow," he said.
The festival includes a major visual arts programme, with artists this year including painter Gillian Ayres and sculptor Michael Quane.
The festival runs until June 23rd, and full details are available at www.carlowartsfestival.ie