Kilkenny kick-off

One of the country's longest established arts festivals, Kilkenny Arts Week rolls into action next Saturday with a rich selection of classical concerts, visual art shows, literary readings, jazz workshops and concerts and a young Irish film-makers showcase. BBC correspondent and author, Fergal Keane will officially open this year's arts week on Sunday, August 17th at 3 p.m. outside Kilkenny Castle. The classical music programme, which is the backbone of the entire festival, includes such luminaries as the Orchestra of St John's, Smith Square, London which will perform with the Belfast Philharmonic Society Choir tonight at 8 p.m. and again tomorrow at 8 p.m. with soloist, Jonathan Rees. Both concerts are in the magnificent St Canice's Cathedral.

The Italian Early Music ensemble, Concerto Italiano, the Mondriaan String Quartet from the Netherlands, pianist, Hugh Tinney and the RTE Concert Orchestra are among the other musical highlights over the following eight days.

Kilkenny Castle and Butler House provide excellent exhibition space - as always - for the main visual arts shows which this year focus on Cornwall-based painter, Ray Atkins (Long Gallery, Kilkenny Castle), watercolourist and painter, the late Susan Butler, who was one of the founders of Kilkenny Arts Week (Butler Gallery, Kilkenny Castle), London based sculptor, Eilis O'Connell (Butler Gallery, Kilkenny Castle) and mixed media artist, Catherina Hearne (Butler House).

The literary programme includes readings by poet, Paul Durcan, Fergal Keane and crime writer and broadcaster, Gareth O'Callaghan. Most readings take place in Bewley's Cafe at the Market Cross shopping centre. Kate Cruise O'Brien will lead a writers' workshop on Saturday, August 23rd in Butler House.

Weather permitting, visitors can also take interludes from their cultural endeavours to meander through the network of medieval streets and along the banks of the River Nore, enjoying the mood of which this festival creates: informal but deeply appreciative of art and culture.

Kilkenny Arts Week runs from August 16th to 24th. Information and bookings on tel: 056 52175.