Festival frolics

Almost naked men with red netting covering the important parts waved their magic wands. We went in to meet the Galway crew

Almost naked men with red netting covering the important parts waved their magic wands. We went in to meet the Galway crew. Meet the mad men of Macnas: Robert Smith and Gary McSweeney, who sprinkled magic dust on the guests as they passed.

It was time to hear what's in store for the public at this year's 25th Galway Arts Festival. The gathering met at the Guinness Storehouse.

From Carndonagh, John Crumlish, who is the newly appointed festival manager, was there to shadow Fergal McGrath, who takes up his new job as managing director of the Druid Theatre in September. McGrath's older brother, Finian McGrath TD, one of the newly-elected Independents, watched from the wings. He will leave his teaching career of 20 years, and his job as principal of St Mary's Boys School on Dorset Street, next Friday, to begin his new life in the Dáil.

Rose Parkinson, artistic director, was pleased as punch. "It's all come together. What excites me most is all the collaborative work that's happening . . . Putting people together to see what happens." She listed gigs such as the collaboration of Seamus Heaney and Liam O'Flynn - the poet and the piper, as examples of this.

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Mary Mulvey, director of the Cashel Cultural Festival, which takes place in July, could only be "inspired" by the Galwegians and their summer fest line-up.

Shane O'Donoghue, from Clonmel, a sports presenter on RTÉ Radio One, and former employee at Galway Bay FM, was there with his girlfriend, Clare Louise Fitzpatrick, soaking up the vibes.

Declan Gibbons, of Macnas, says the planned performance of Gráinne Mhaol, will be "a very visual show with over 70 people". Looking tall and regal, like the pirate queen herself, actor Mairéad Ní Chonghaile explained she is to play Grace O'Malley in the final part of her life. Rehearsals have already begun, 'cos down in the west, they're already counting the days to party time. The festival runs from July 15th to July 28th.