Flying cows, spiralling elves and spicy feet among Baboró festival events in Galway

Ireland's international commitment to the importance of culture and creativity for the very young is a theme of this year's Baboró International Arts Festival in Galway next month. To mark its 18th birthday, the festival for children is exhibiting 18 illustrated panels depicting 18 cultural rights in five languages, inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Ireland is a signatory.The panels, which "underpin the very foundation of Baboró", according to its organisers, aim to raise awareness about every child's right to participate in the arts.

A “Small Size Big Citizens” programme of performance for “early years” audiences will also run as part of the festival, which promises flying cows, spiralling elves and a singing monkey among a myriad events.

Galway City Museum and NUI Galway's Ryan Institute will host a Sea Science Exploration Zone while Galway's Blue Teapot Theatre Company will share its knowledge on young children with learning disabilities. Baboró runs from October 11th to 19th.

Clifden Arts Festival

Music for Galway published its 34th season programme yesterday and the Clifden Arts Festival opens next Thursday (September 18) with a special segment for secondary school students. Clifden festival's director Brendan Flynn has booked musicians Micheál Ó Súilleabháin and Mel Mercier, who will perform a tribute concert to Seán Ó Riada, while poet and critic Anthony Cronin will be interviewed by Des Lally.

The Henry Girls will sing with The Voice Squad and the Druid Theatre company will stage Tom Murphy's Bailegangaire in Clifden. The town will also provide a canvas for its visual arts trail. Priest and poet Pat O'Brien will deliver this year's annual John Moriarty memorial lecture and poets Paula Meehan, Theo Dorgan, Louis de Paor, Gabriel Fitzmaurice, Tony Curtis and Michael Coady are among the artists who will give readings in Clifden.

Music for Galway's 34th season has been programmed with artistic director Finghin Collins. See baboro.ie, clifdenartsweek.ie, musicforgalway.ie