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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Mostafa Darwish

Excitement is in the air as the Kerry Festival welcomes its 1000th artist to exhibit this June Bank Holiday weekend

Over the June bank holiday weekend, the town of Killorglin, Co Kerry, transformed into a major hub of culture and creativity as K-FEST celebrated its 10th year.

The event celebrates the work of emerging artists and musicians. This year's programme incorporated over 60 events, including workshops, music performances and craft markets.

K-Fest director Tim Clifford told the Irish Mirror that the festival's idea came from turning the old buildings of town into useful spaces for artists and crafters.

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"We got to use empty retail spaces, old mills that nobody in town has been into in 30 or 40 years. A sweet shop that's been closed since the 80s. And it's nearly exactly the same as it was in the 1980s. So it not only brings these buildings back, but they made really interesting spaces for artists to put their stuff on.

He said it's beneficial for the local economy of Killorglin town too, especially in the hospitality sector.

"It's the second busiest weekend in the year for the town. In terms of tourists, restaurants, bars, and all the hospitality sector. And that's one way of measuring something, but really to measure an arts festival, it's all about how you affect the community.

The majority of events are open to the public and free to attend.

The festival's art director, Rochelle Lucey, stated that K-FEST has become a significant platform for visual artists: "After a decade of growth and evolution, K-FEST is on the verge of a remarkable milestone.

"K-FEST has become synonymous with celebrating emerging talent in Ireland. Visual artists converge on the idyllic town each June Bank holiday. There, they can exhibit, perform, and mingle with like-minded creatives. What started as a mission to reinvigorate the town's emptiness left by the recession has evolved into something much bigger. It's a truly immersive arts experience, appreciated by visitors and locals alike."

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