Art is a powerful form of expression that brings people together in a language that is beyond words, even in the most extraordinary circumstances. This year’s Boyle Arts Festival was of course a different experience but it worked very well within the limitations imposed and the Festival Committee would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to everybody who helped make it possible.
With the goalposts constantly moving, the eleven months of planning was a serious undertaking for a voluntary core committee of eight and our three voluntary sub-committee members. However, BAF 2021 featured 14 performance events, a nationally renowned Art Exhibition, a town Art Trail showcasing over twenty local artists and for the first time, 11 specially made videos, which included two songs composed as part of the Our Town project, along with the premiere of the inaugural King House Piano Commission..
We would like to pay tribute to those who have supported us in so many ways over the years and without whom, there would undoubtedly be no Boyle Arts Festival. We made a decision early on, not to seek funding from our local sponsors, who have come through the most uncertain time in living memory but we wish to acknowledge the goodwill and support we received from all of them.
We also received tremendous support from the people of Boyle – in terms of attendance of events, provision of premises for exhibition space, voluntary help and of course that wonderful hospitality that welcomed the considerable numbers of visitors to the town. We must also acknowledge The Arts Council for their financial support and belief in us.
Publicity is vital to any Festival and we would like to thank all the local websites, regional and national newspapers and also the local radio stations for the publicity and good will afforded to us, both before and during the Festival.
We are deeply indebted to all of our local volunteers and helpers who gave so freely of their time, especially Laura Tighe and Bernie Lyons for helping at the ‘door’ during events, Stephen Tighe for assisting with hanging the artwork and all our sitters at the main exhibition.
A special thank you also to Daly’s Drinks for allowing us a space for our Marquee, which held the bulk of our Festival this year and to the staff of King House for assisting with the ‘Crossings‘ exhibition and our concert recordings. Thanks also to Boyle Musical Society for the use of their lighting and their piano and to Thomas Gallagher for providing storage facilities and transport. We are very grateful to Ronan O’Conaighle and the staff of Ardcarne Garden Centre for their assistance with decorating our venue. Thanks also to Kevin Hickey and Ciaran O’Connor of Trojan IT, for projection facilities and a special word of thanks to Benny Morgan for volunteering to photograph all of our events and allowing us to use his photos.
There are a number of others we must acknowledge for their invaluable assistance including McKenna’s Buses, Rory and Pearl Anderson, Rev. Edward Yendall, Canon Gerry Hanly, Theresa Feeney, The Printworks, Boyle Enterprise Centre, David McGee, Tommy Egan, Surprises Giftware, The Bazaar and a very special word of thanks also to Marian Ahern, for her assistance with the annual Fergus Ahern Award.
We would like to acknowledge all those who travelled from near and far to attend all of the events and exhibitions at Boyle Arts Festival 2021. Once again, we have been overwhelmed at the support we received. Even under extremely difficult conditions, almost every event had capacity audiences and several were even sold out in advance! We are truly grateful to the local and wider community for all their support and we are also indebted to Professor Kingston Mills, Prof. Marina Lynch and Prof. John F.Cryan for their invaluable support of Boyle Arts Festival.
And finally, we would also like to thank all the visual artists, performers and contributors who took part in BAF 2021 and especially all the local artists, who once again made this year’s Festival so special. Without them, Boyle Arts Festival would be incomplete and it is heart-warming to think that there is so much great talent on our doorstep!
Plans are already underway for next year’s Boyle Arts Festival, which will take place in July 2022. We are constantly working to build on previous years, as it is our mission to offer a Festival that is constantly evolving. We are hoping to make it another fantastic and memorable experience.
For more information please go to www.boylearts.com or follow us of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The Boyle Arts Festival Committee.
Photo by Benny Morgan.
