The annual Swift and Vanessa festival is taking place from Tuesday May 27th to Monday June 2nd 2025, in Celbridge.
The full programme, and information on the festival, is available at www.swiftandvanessa.com. Tickets are available on TicketTailor.
The festival will be launched on Tuesday evening 27th with a beautiful exhibition of paintings of Celbridge Abbey by the Abbey Art Group.
This is followed by a a history talk about Celbridge Abbey on Thursday evening by local historian Eamon Burke. On Friday morning join a wonderful writer’s workshop, An Imagined Response, in the Acre Project with writer in residence Krystal Sweedman. That’s followed Friday evening, by the screening of a new documentary about Swift’s ‘Drapier’s Letters’ in Tea Lane Church.
Saturday will provide a wonderful opportunity to join a discussion between with Booker Prize winner Paul Lynch and author Martina Reilly-Murphy followed by a book-signing. This event will be preceded by a series of Stories about Vanessa of Celbridge Abbey by the Full Stops and Comments writers group. The afternoon will host a Swift’s Salon sharing new writing interspersed with beautiful music by the Arietta Trio.
On Saturday evening, be prepared to be riveted by the dramatic story of Swift and Vanessa’s intense and passionate relationship in the drama ‘Jonathan Swift: Savage Indignation’.
Sunday brings great weather for the annual family fun day at the Slip in Celbridge. Music, dancing and children’s entertainment for all. The Purple Lama market will be open Sunday and Monday this year with beautiful crafts, stalls and food. The Dara Community Hub will also be hosting a Summer Market with fresh vegetables, cakes, jewellery, tea & coffee.
On Monday morning, children will be enthralled by Gulliver’s Travels story-telling in Tea Lane. In the Slip Hall, young artists will hold an art exhibition so make sure to drop by and see their amazing work. An exhibition will also be held there by the Intercultural Women’s Network.
More events are still being included so check the festival website regularly to come along to these exciting events in Celbridge!
Contact: Vanessa Liston, 086 1408681, info@swiftandvanessa.com, www.swiftandvanessa.com