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.

Tá lúcháir orainn a fhogairt go mbeidh imeachtaí trí mheán na Gaeilge mar chuid den Fhéile Ealaíne Oileán Bhéara i mbliana. Beidh deis agaibh bailiú le chéile le haghaidh cainte agus rince. Tá na himeachtaí oiriúnach do gach uile leibhéal labhartha. Beidh sóláistí agus lón curtha ar fáil. Táimid ag tnúth go mór le gach duine a fheiceáil ann.

We are delighted to announce that this year’s Bere Island Arts Festival will include an Irish language event. You will have an opportunity to gather for a chat and a dance. This event is suitable for all levels of Irish. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

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.

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.”

Official opening: Saturday 11:30 - 12:00

While looking through memorabilia for a family tree of the O Neill family of Waterfall, Castletownbere, a slim book of unpublished poems written by Fr Christopher O Neill was found.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.

BUILDING THE BOAT performs the creation of a Dunfanaghy curach from the Meitheal Mara boatyard, Cork, in poetry, contemporary dance and soundscape. It celebrates the community of the meitheal, the language associated with craft, and its connection with curach builders stretching back generations. Bere Island, home of traditional boats, lends itself to a transformative performance, placing the audience at the centre of the experience for a meaningful and lasting exchange.

A gentle and consistent voice on the Irish folk-roots scene, singer-songwriter Ger Wolfe has a subtle way of weaving his magical music into the heart of the listener. Creating ‘carefully crafted vignettes of song’ to all who come to listen (Irish Times), including his well-loved ode to innocence ‘The Curra Road’ – a ‘classic of grace and simplicity which should become a folk standard’ (The Boston Globe).

Readings by and Q&A with Enda Wyley and Sinead Gleeson and reading of the winning poems from the poetry competition hosted by Bere Island Writing Retreats.

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.”

Songs and stories from the hearth. Based on her work with the National Folklore Collection and her recent M.A in Irish Folklore, internationally acclaimed Irish folk singer and actor Lisa Lambe brings us her new project ‘NightVisiting’, first commissioned by The National Famine Museum in Strokestown, County Roscommon.

Support act: Torcán Jason Turk Accordion / Seaboard, Robin Turk Guitar, Anthony Cahill Bodhrán