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.”

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.

A cultural exchange between choirs led by Dr. Eva Mc Mullan Glossop. One of the highlights of the 2023 festival, this event has been expanded to include four choirs; the local Bere Island Choir, Sherkin Choir, Oileán Chléire Choir, and Crosshaven Community Choir. Each choir will learn the same pieces and sing together during the festival at Mass on Sunday morning. Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Noel Spring and will be broadcast live on Bere Island Community Radio 100.1 FM. Click here to listen online.

While looking through memorabilia for a family tree of the O Neill family of Waterfall, Castletownbere, a slim book of unpublished poems written by Fr Christopher O Neill was found.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

A revival of the old tradition of dancing at the crossroads. Live music by Lorg, West Cork Musicians playing traditional Irish music.

John Coakley - Multi instrumentalist, mostly playing Button accordion

Tina McLoughlin - Whistles, Button accordion

Kate Lyons - Fiddle, Bódhran, Vocals

An informal lunch to celebrate the closing of the festival. A chance to share memories and make plans to meet again for the Bere Island Arts Festival 2025.

As part of the closing celebrations, there will be a musical and literary collaboration between Conal Creedon and Eva McMullan.