Politicians and poets are promised at festival to welcome in summer

Conor Cruise O'Brien, Brid Rodgers of the SDLP and, possibly, Gerry Adams, are among the line-up so far for Feile na Bealtaine…

Conor Cruise O'Brien, Brid Rodgers of the SDLP and, possibly, Gerry Adams, are among the line-up so far for Feile na Bealtaine (May Festival) in Dingle, Co Kerry.

This celebration of an ancient tradition was revived four years ago and includes the arts, music and politics. This year the political symposium's theme is "Conflict, Diversity, Resolution".

The Russian poet, Yevgeney Yevtushenko, will be present as will writers Anthony Cronin and Gabriel Rosenstock. Maire Mac An tSaoi will be there and Bryan MacMahon's The Honey Spike will be performed by the Listowel Drama Group, formed in his native, and much-loved, home town where he was buried recently.

There will be an Indian food, a music and dance evening, poetry readings; an art and drama exhibition; an archaeological tour of the rich Dingle Peninsula and a cross-Border writers' group.

READ MORE

The Indian musicians will be joined at various times by members of the National Symphony Orchestra as well as traditional musicians.

Preferring to remain independent, the festival does not accept sponsorship from drinks companies - that is not to say it suffers from lack of conviviality. It will run from April 29th to May 4th.