Your Guide to Westival 2024

Westport is set to come alive from October 23rd to 28th with the return of Westival, a celebration of creativity, culture, and community.

Now in its 49th year, Westport Music & Arts Festival will feature captivating art exhibitions, live music, theatre performances, and workshops (to name a few).

The festival promises something for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned art lover or a curious newcomer, immerse yourself in a week of artistic expression and inspiration, set against the stunning backdrop of Westport’s picturesque surroundings. Don't miss out on this cultural feast!

We've put together a handy guide to get you started, so get the diaries out! There are so many fantastic events happening throughout the festival - we couldn't possibly include them all! So be sure to visit the official Westival website or our What's On page for a full list of events taking place.

What's your poison, bluegrass or jazz? Would you rather tap your toes in a 150-year-old church or a world-famous pub? Whatever your taste, Westival has something for you.

Friday 25th October

• Achill Island Basking Sharks Fishermen - Allow the unmatched talent of these Achill musicians to take you on a musical journey through the history of Achill with this immersive performance.
• Pillow Queens take to the stage in Bar 23 following their hugely successful North American tour.

Saturday 26th October

• Ensemble Nezlamni will treat you to an eclectic mix of folk and contemporary music selections from Ukraine and Ireland.
• Kick back with some jazz at Grove House with Camilla Griehsel and Maurice Seezer. It's gonna be the cat's meow!

Sunday 27th October

• If Chamber Music is what plucks at your heartstrings, The Esposito Quartet is sure to tickle your fancy.

Monday 28th October

• Qu'est-ce que c'est? For fans of Talking Heads, Westport Town Hall Theatre must be the place for you with this special screening of 'Stop Making Sense' to mark its 40th anniversary.

Click here to view the full list of events.

"I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being." - Oscar Wilde

Thursday 24th October

• Allow Louis to take you on a powerful journey of self-discovery in Was I Not A Girl at the Clew Bay Hotel.

Saturday 26th October

• After hugely successful runs at both Edinburgh Fringe and Dublin Fringe, Westival is proud to bring the award-winning Chicken to Westport Town Hall Theatre.
  
• Film lovers can treat themselves to a screening of Woken at The W Cinema. The screening is followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Alan Friel the immensely talented Maxine Peake (Black Mirror, Shameless, The Theory Of Everything).

Sun 27th October

• Leave all your hang-ups at the door because Marie is going to get real about adulthood in The Super Secret Shameful Show. It's some one-woman show for one one-woman show!
  
  

Click here to view the full list of events.

Collections from talented artists will be on display in various locations throughout the festival.

From Wednesday 24th October

• Cailleachs is a must-see exhibition from local Mayo artists in Custom House Studios. Artists include Joanna Hopkins, Louise Butler, Jennifer Hickey and Aisling Smyth.
• Clew Bay Hotel will exhibit a collection of watercolour, print and mixed-media textiles by Genevieve King.
• The Wright Artists Collective, a group of Westport-based artists, will launch their latest works in Cornrue Bakery.
  
  

Click here to view the full list of events.

Westival has you spoiled for choice when it comes to poetry and literature events.

Wednesday 23rd October

• Join Alice Kinsella and Daniel Wade for a rehearsed reading from Wake of the Whale at The Clock Tavern.

Thursday 24th October

• Niall Williams reads from his latest novel Time of the Child, a life-affirming novel about small towns and second chances.
• The winner of Westival's International Poetry Competition will be announced at Grove House, followed by readings from the esteemed judges and a Poetry Open Mic.
  

Saturday 26th October

• Revered poet and Westport resident Tim Cunningham reads from his collection at Westport Library.

Sunday 27th October

• Easkey Britton reads from her book Ebb & Flow, a literary deep-dive into how we can channel our relationship with water to reduce stress and anxiety.
  
  

Click here to view the full list of events.

Westival has plenty to offer for little art-lovers!

Saturday 26th October

• Unleash their spooky creativity with this free Poetry Writing workshop for kids at Tertulia Bookshop!
• Illustrator Melanie Whelan will guide your budding artists as they design their very own comics in this unique workshop.
• Bust a move at the Family Disco in The Clock Tavern!

Sunday 27th October

• Boss Rob's tornado of theatre, comedy and visual arts will encourage fearless creativity with lots of laughs along the way. Boss Rob also has a workshop for adults, if you're brave enough.

Monday 28th October

• This Circus Skills Workshop is sure to put a smile on your little juggler's face!
  
  

Click here to view the full list of events.

Time to roll up the sleeves and join in on the fun by taking part in one of Westival's many workshops!

Saturday 26th October

• The One Of Many Workshop in Grove House is an intensive 4-hours of physical theatre techniques, storytelling, writing, and cultural resistance.

Sunday 27th October

• Learn a new skill with Ed Forristal in this unique butter knife carving workshop.
• Time to buy a hat? Why not try making your own with local Milliner Lina Stein at Westport Town Hall Theatre.
  
  

Click here to view the full list of events.

Did you think we were codding? We've barely scratched the surface of the amazing programme Westival has to offer. Be sure to visit Westival.ie and support the arts this October.