All new festival celebrating the arts in all it forms coming to Longford town

W.A.L Fest is Longford’s newest festival. It is a celebration of art, in all its forms.

One of the festival organisers Shelley Corcoran explained, “We wanted to combine as many art forms as we could, to provide the festival’s audience with a feast for the senses.”

Beginning on Sunday, May 4 and finishing up on Monday, May 5, W.A.L Fest takes place in Longford town in various locations, including the Temperance Hall, the Red Room at PV’s, the Market Square and Athena Art Gallery.

Sunday is children and family day including book readings from local authors and a children’s writing class from acclaimed national writer Gerry Boland.

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National schools from around Longford have taken part in a story writing and art competition with the winners being announced on Sunday by Longford Writers Group chair Imelda Kilmurray.

A host of Longford talent will perform in the Red Room all day on Sunday, from both children and adult performers, organised by Weronika Byrne.

Gavin Smyth will have a poi making workshop during the day with the participants using their poi to perform early evening and Gavin himself along with his colleagues will then create a spectacular fire show on the Market Square.

There is definitely something for everyone over the two days.

Shelley pointed out, “Art is for everybody, whether that be music, visual art, dance, film or poetry. We wanted to showcase as many forms as possible to expose audiences to a type of art they may not be familiar with, which may in turn spark a new interest or hobby. We want W.A.L Fest to be inspiring as well as relaxed and fun.”

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She says that having the festival right in the centre of Longford town, gives easy access for everyone to pop in and out of each venue. “We imagine a very relaxed and chilled atmosphere.”

Monday, May 5 is geared more toward an adult audience, with a poetry reading by Darragh Coady and in the Temperance Hall, a poetry and visual art anthology will be launched in the Print Exhibition Space, hosted by Shelley herself.

A music event will take place in Nathan Sheridan’s film exhibition space and Hope Feeney will facilitate a meditation event in the Mental Health and Well Being visual art exhibition space. The visual art exhibitions will run for both days and have been curated from various art open calls.

Shelley said the exhibitions will showcase wonderful Longford talent as well as national artists. “We are sure the response to this wealth of creativity will be insightful and exciting.”

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There will also be an inspiring visual art exhibition hosted by Ann D and Phil Atkinson.

This festival is for art lovers and those who want to dip their toe into something new and creative.
Shelley remarked, “We welcome young and old, creative types and those that just want to experience something new.”

Kindly supported by Longford Arts Office, Longford County Council and Longford Night Time Economy, the W.A.L Fest is completely free and you can access more information or get in touch via walfestivallongford.ie and longfordwriters.wordpress .com

A full schedule of events will also be published in next week’s Longford Leader.