Dance, music, art celebrated at Dublin culture festival

Culture Date with Dublin 8, now in its eighth year, kicked off today and will run until Sunday with more than 150 events happening across different neighbourhoods.

One of many creative artists whose work will be on display at the annual festival is poet Paula Meehan from the inner city.

"The whole of Dublin 8 comes out," she said.

Her latest poetry, which she said reflects "the different Dublins" that she has lived through, will be sung by the Guinness choir at St Patrick's Cathedral later this week.

"I know both sides of the coin. I lived for a very crucial few years in Fatima Mansions, which has been demolished now, and Herbert Simms' beautiful art-deco inner-city housing."

She explains the significance of her poem about Dublin 8 titled 'The City of Our Dreaming'.

"For me, it was a great chance, without sugarcoating anything, to put language on a part of the city that I absolutely adore," she explained.

The organiser of the festival said the event has been "snowballing" in recent years, with more events taking place due to demand.

Events range from dance to drama, with many workshops and walking tours organised throughout the week

"This year we have two main important themes," said Grace McEvoy.

"One of them is the publication of the 300th anniversary of the publication of Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. Johathan has a huge connection to the Dublin 8 area.

"The second theme is the songlines of the city, which is really exploring the city as a living archive, where the city is alive through story and song and myth and human connection as well."

Dublin 8 stretches across a wide area and the Liberties is one of several neighbourhoods at the heart of this event.

There are walking tours to learn about the crafts and businesses that thrived during Victorian Dublin, but it is also an opportunity to explore the creativity among local artists today.

Paul Duane, a film maker and curator, describes how a derelict bookstore on Meath Street was converted within weeks into a space that could become an art gallery. This week it is showcasing the work of local artist Valerie Gannon and her connection to the community.

"Valerie's work was on display in fruit and veg shops and butcher shops and charity shops up and down Meath Street in the 90s, so it is fantastic to see her work shown in a gallery on Meath Street for the first time," he said.

He also described how Valerie reflected the world she lived in through her art, from her fear of dogs to the death of Veronica Guerin.

"It really is a picture of the world through Valerie's eyes and it is fascianting to look at."

The festival will also showcase well known and new musicians as they perform across many venues.

Niamh Ní Charra, an acclaimed musician from Killarney, has lived in the Liberties for the last 16 years.

"It is wonderful to be part of a festival that is so proud of its own setting," she said.

"It is also so creative the way in which is mixes and matches, so I will be performing for the very first time in a boxing ring. So I will be performing alongside people like Bobby Kerr, Terry O Neill, and people I would not normally be on the same billing as.

"Very different, arts and sport, but it's a lovely blend and I am looking forward to it."

That event, which will held at the National Stadium on Saturday, will explore the life of Dan Donnelly, Ireland's first heavyweight boxing champion. Damien Dempsey will be performing as the special guest.

There is also an incentive for children to take part in this week long festival, with events from storytelling to workshops specifically designed for children to learn about the history and culture of the capital in an interactive way.

Many of the events are free and more information can be found at www.culturedatewithdublin8.ie