Bere Island Arts Festival invited artists from the 7 Islands of West Cork (Bere Island, Long Island, Dursey Island, Whiddy Island, Oileán Chléire, Sherkin Island and Heir Island) to submit work for this year’s arts festival. This is a jury selected exhibition.

The pinhole workshop will explore the making of pinhole cameras, creating negative images and then producing a positive black and white photographic print. Some cameras will be available as well as the opportunity and details for participants to make their own cameras.

The Fine Line, is a short film that was presented by artist Mary Sullivan as part of her exhibition From the Inside Out and the Outside In, 2023, was screened in the Irish Film Festival, Los Angeles, 2024, the Achill Island Film Festival, 2024, and will represent the Crawford Art Gallery for the Artists’ Film International (AFI) 2024 programme.

An exhibition of work by painter Bill Griffin. This exhibition is Griffin’s fifty-third solo show. Of it Griffin said “ These works, layered over time are achieved through the multiple expression of various muses, a journey where random selection of material can signpost direction, leading ultimately to a point of total completion. This point is where the work whispers ‘ I’m done’ and then goes silent on the artist and can only speak to others.”

Celebrate through poetry the world that we live in with poet Enda Wyley. Be inspired by the energetic and imaginative work of established poets and be guided in your own poetry writing. Feel part of an encouraging workshop group and be open to the creation of your own new poems. This workshop will be enjoyable, varied and interactive. You will take away with you an increased enthusiasm for poetry – the reading and writing of it, and a deeper understanding of the making of poetry. You will also feel encouraged and confident enough to keep writing and to continue to follow your own individual path as a poet.

While looking through memorabilia for a family tree of the O Neill family of Waterfall, Castletownbere, a slim book of unpublished poems written by Fr Christopher O Neill was found. His grandmother Kate Hanley was a native of Ballinakilla, Bere island. The first poem in the book is simply called Bere Island. 

In this 15 minute video presentation the poems are read by his nephew Vincent O Neill, an actor and director of Buffalo, New York and by his grandniece, the Dublin actor Ashling O’ Neill.

Rachel Harrington, Lawrence Cove Marina, Bere Island, showcases the work of the many creative artists living on Bere Island. Various different crafts will be available to buy, including home spun wool, patchwork quilts, crochet hats and scarves, wooden products, and much more. The perfect place to find that special gift or a reminder of your connection to Bere Island Arts Festival.

Take a guided tour of Lonehort Battery, which was operational during World War One. It is the largest of seven gun batteries built on Bere Island by the British Admiralty. The battery is surrounded by a deep moat and still contains two 6″ coastal artillery guns.

After a hugely successful run of 20 weeks in Cork City as part of the Eco Poet in Residency, THE BODY/THE POEM/THE BODY comes to Bere Island for one session. This workshop is open to everybody. Absolutely no previous experience is necessary, this is a workshop for all and everyone is encouraged to participate. We particularly encourage participants from underrepresented groups, people with disabilities and citizens for whom English is not a first language.

Reading and Q&A with Cork based poet Thomas McCarthy.

The event will open with a poetry reading by Bere Island poet, Seamus Harrington.

Culture night is set to be a very exciting night this year. The festival will be officially opened by renowned poet and member of Aosdána, Peter Sirr. Peter will read from his latest collection, The Swerve. After that there will be an artist talk by contemporary local artist Bill Griffin accompanied by musician Deirdre Ní Dhonnachán and poet Niall O’Sullivan. This will be followed by music by West Cork musicians Martin Kearney and Derry Kennedy. Dance the night away to all the old-time Irish favourites, which promises to be great fun. Tea, sandwiches and cakes will be served during the night as they did in days of old.

There will be a late night ferry to bring people back to the mainland after the event.