The inaugural Laois Arts Festival, set to take place from October 24th to 31st, aims to put Co Laois firmly on the national arts scene. With just three weeks to go there is a varied line-up of music, visual arts, literature and theatre.
Timed to coincide with the October bank holiday, midterm break and Hallowe'en, the week-long programme strives for access and offers a curious sample of film, dance, children's events and an innovative "prison programme".
Highlights include seven major concerts, seven art exhibitions, four theatrical productions and two major literary events.
The opening and closing events indicate the variety on offer, with art critic and jazz aficionado George Melly, in his first appearance in Ireland in over five years, opening proceedings, and the Two from Texas - Kinky Friedman and Billy Joe Shavers - providing the shocking and hilarious grand finale.
Mary Coughlan is to appear at the Dunamaise Theatre in Portlaoise, and Belfast rockers Snow Patrol, fresh from the Witnness festival and a three-week tour in the US, will keep the younger generations entertained.
Traditional music fans are catered for with a show by Dervish, praised recently for their performance at the Rock in Rio festival, and a seven-day, traditional music trail around rural pubs in the county.
Classical music events include a performance by the Callino Quartet who were formed in June following a performance at the West Cork International Chamber Music festival.
The theatre line-up for the arts festival includes a new play written and directed by Declan Gorman entitled Epic, a story of a new and nervous Ireland following the prophesied demise of the computer industry. More curious drama is promised from Car Show in Portlaoise.
A newly commissioned play from Ursula Aspill de Br·n entitled On Track is to be performed by the emerging Laois Youth Theatre company with a plot exploring the often conflicting pressures exerted on young people by peers and parents.
The Storytellers Theatre Company are bringing The Star Child and Other Stories to the festival as part of a full programme for children.
The Dunamaise Arts Centre will play host to the Welsh dance company Cwmni Ballet Gwent, whose adaptation of Romeo and Juliet promises to reclaim the most moving tale in literature for a new generation.
Festival literary highlights will include readings by the acclaimed Jamie O'Neill and by the Booker- and Irish Times-nominated Eoin McNamee, along with Philip Casey, Joe O'Connor, Claire Keegan, Mary O'Donnell, James Ryan and Martin Malone.
Cinematic features include a showing of Paddy Breathnach's films Blow Dry, Ailsa and I Went Down following a talk by the director himself. Audiences will also have the chance to preview three documentaries by Irish film maker Jennifer Keegan, all of which are to be shown by RT╔.
The Portlaoise and Midlands Prisons are included in the programme, with readings, workshops, story-telling, theatre and music performances to be given over the week by selected artists.
The full programme is available locally or may be had by sending an e-mail to laoisartsfestival@ireland.com