Liberties Festival aims to celebrate area’s vibrant past

THE award-winning annual Liberties Festival will feature the best of theatre, spoken word, music, performance, family-friendly fun and workshops when it returns from Monday, July 18 to Saturday 23.

With 80 per cent of events free – from pop-up poetry to puppets, indie to opera, and cabaret to comedy – the festival’s exciting 46th programme acknowledges the vibrant past of the area while embracing its future.

The festival launches on July 18 with the opening of a fascinating exhibition, The Liberties 1980-1986, featuring the photographs of former news photographer, Tom Hankey, in Teeling Distillery.

Highlights this year also include Liberties local and legendary singer, Frances Black, who will be performing in the majestic John’s Lane Church, while there will be a celebration of another Liberties native, Jimmy O’Dea, with The Life & Times in the Tivoli Theatre.

The iconic avante-garde cabaret artist David Hoyle, with his provocative, breathtaking wit, returns for the second year; while the final of Miss Burlesque Ireland will also sizzle with glitz, glamour and glory.

Traditional community favourtites have lots of glory and glamour too, such as Liberties Got Talent, the annual talent show for children and young people, which in 2016 welcomes special guest judge, Voice of Ireland winner, Patrick James.

Dublin’s favourite arts night, Nighthawks, presents comedy with Foil, Arms & Hog, John Colleary and Alison Spittle, poet Paul Timoney and music including Pearse McGloughlin & Nocturnes.

A stunning Opera in the Open production at St Audeon’s Church featuring Sandra Oman and Amica Voice Hungarian Chamber Choir will perform favourite classics.

With over 1,000 participants, the annual Liberties Fun Run in aid of St James’s Hospital on Thursday, July 21 starts at 7.45pm in the beautiful grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Details on www.supportstjames.ie,

 Festival Director Ger O’Donnell said: “The Liberties Festival was honoured to be awarded Festival of the Year at the nationwide LAMA Community & Council Awards 2016,

“We have a strong vision. And we’re building on that success with even more fantastic local venues involved this year, investment in even higher production values, and a diverse programme carefully curated to showcase all that the Liberties has to offer. 

“While holding to its proud traditions, the festival also highlights the progression and evolution of the area and its creativity.

“We’re offering an experience that everyone who attends will not just enjoy, but be part of, so that wonderful memories can be created.”

Angela Smith, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Diageo Ireland, said they were delighted to support the Liberties Festival 2016. 

“The festival continues to go from strength to strength and this year’s programme truly re-flects the unique and vibrant spirit of the Liberties,” she said.

“Diageo at St James’s Gate has a long history in the heart of Dublin 8 and a long legacy of giving back to the local community.

“We are very proud to be part of this wonderful event.”

The full festival programme is on www.libertiesfestival.ie.