Some 70 million people around the world claim to have Irish roots and many of them enjoy tracing those roots while holidaying in the home country each year. Many more of our fellow country men and women have left for pastures new in recent years and they too look forward to ‘coming home’ on holiday.
The Global Irish Festivals series offers all of our Diaspora the perfect reason to come home and visit The Wild Atlantic Way this Autumn. Throughout the month of October, Limerick and Donegal will play host to a number of unique festivals and events that will be of particular interest to friends and family who have a connection with or an interest in Ireland.
Culture is a huge part of the Irish identity and, as a nation we are renowned for our writers, actors and artists. Highlighting the best of Ireland’s traditional and contemporary culture and heritage, Donegal and Limerick invite you to come home this October to share in our festivals and events with the promise of a month-long céad mile fáilte abhaile.
Incorporating a broad ‘Welcome Home to Limerick’ theme, Limerick City with its castle, Georgian quarter and medieval history will be the backdrop for two events;
I.NY 7th – 14th October 2018
Ireland and New York are synonymous with each other – the shared history, the ever-continuing exchange, the shaping of respective identities and the impact of each place on the other. Anchored in culture and the stories of Irish diaspora, the I.NY Project explores, connects, communicates and celebrates the deep and vibrant relationship between Ireland and New York City.
The broader project includes year-round digital story exchange, collaborations and residencies, and cross-Atlantic initiatives in art, education and enterprise. However, the hub of the project is the I.NY Festival that takes place in Limerick once a year. Last year, I.NY 2017 celebrated the story of Ireland and New York with 30 events across 11 days in Limerick. Now in its second year, the festival invites artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, playwrights, politicians, educators, entrepreneurs, sports people and more to tell the story of how the Ireland New York relationship has impacted their personal, professional and creative lives. It invites as well audiences from home and abroad to share their stories and personal experiences of the Ireland New York story, and hear those shared by other locals, guests and visitors.
Do you want to share your Ireland New York story in the company of some of Ireland’s most famous artists, writers, designers, educators? Join us – we want to hear your story too!
Image: Orla Kiely in conversation at I.NY 2017
Richard Harris International Film Festival (RHIFF) 25TH – 29TH October 2018
The IFTA affiliated Richard Harris International Film Festival takes place in the home of Richard Harris to mark the life and works of Ireland’s first leading man. The festival pays homage to Limerick’s most famous and favourite actor whose career spanned over 40 years. During that time Richard Harris starred with some of the biggest names in American and British film.
The Richard Harris International Film Festival is currently the only Film Festival in Ireland which specifically encourages Irish Filmmakers living abroad to return and showcase their work here in Ireland. As an international film festival, that collaborates with Newport Beach Film Festival in California, we also have categories open to international film-makers and we welcome established, emerging and student film-makers, cinephiles and cultural tourists from all over the world.
Celebrating its 6th year, RHIFF has evolved into a forward-thinking festival. With our unique VOD platform (in association with Shift 72), live performances and the sports documentary section (in association with Mandalay Sports Media) we’d love to see you at our multi-disciplinary festival and side conference (Interactive Media & Entertainment Technology Summit - iMET).
The festival incorporates feature and short film screenings year-round; industry panels and workshops/residencies; live music events; live script readings; theatrical events; the culture trail through Georgian Limerick and of course - the live-streamed Red Carpet (black-tie) Awards Night and numerous after parties.
So, if you have film to submit, wish to network or just want to enjoy the buzz of the movies on the Wild Atlantic Way, join us this October In Limerick.
www.richardharrisfilmfestival.com
During the entire month, Limerick will be en fête with additional entertainment, street decoration and special food experiences as we welcome home friends and family – we look forward to seeing you!
Donegal, named by National Geographic Traveller as the ‘coolest place on the planet’ guarantees a very warm welcome this Autumn with unique events taking place over two weekends.
Genealogy and Traditional Music weekend 20th - 21st October
Remembering our ancestors who travelled to Scotland to work as herring-gutters in the twentieth century, West Donegal will be a hub of activity this October as we welcome home their descendants.
The event will include guided tours of West Donegal with options like island hopping to Arranmore Island, or retracing the footsteps of the herring-gutters on a heritage walking tour. Saturday evening dinner will be followed by an exclusive music performance with Scottish and Irish award winning fiddle players - a session not to be missed!
On Sunday, a special genealogy workshop will be hosted in the Maghery Community Centre right at the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way. So, if you are curious about your own connection with Donegal or Ireland generally, or you simply want to join the craic for what promises to be a very memorable weekend, we will be delighted to look after you!
Inter-generational sporting weekend 27th – 28th October:
The connections between Donegal and Football span generations and this October will see a senior and an under 12 team take on their Scottish counter-parts in a friendly soccer match in Gweedore in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Following their match on Saturday morning, the members of the under 12 team will take to the Wild Atlantic Waves on sea kayaks while the seniors take to the pitch. Medals will be presented to the victorious at a buffet dinner on Saturday evening and this will be followed by live entertainment and the appearance of a mystery celebrity guest……
Sunday morning will include a tour of Glenveagh National Park – a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains, pristine lakes, tumbling waterfalls and enchanted native oak woodland in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north west of County Donegal. At Glenveagh, a genealogist will be available to help anybody who would like to explore their roots before lunch. So, brush down the soccer boots, or just grab your supporter’s scarf for an unforgettable sporting week-end back in the old sod this October.
We hope you have found the information we have shared helpful. While you are here, we have a small favour to ask. Ireland Reaching Out is a non-profit organisation that relies on public funding and donations to ensure a completely free family history advisory service to anyone of Irish heritage who needs help connecting with their Irish place of origin. If you would like to support our mission, please click on the donate button and make a contribution. Any amount, big or small, is appreciated and makes a difference.