John Moriarty Festival 2024
A three-day John Moriarty Festival is to be held in John’s home village of Moyvane, County Kerry from 21-23 June 2024. A rich and varied selection of events is lined up for what promises to be a memorable weekend centred on Moriarty’s writing and thought.
The evening of Friday June 21st will see a special unticketed event to mark the opening of the John Moriarty Festival weekend and officially launch a new collection of John’s writing, John Moriarty: Grounded in Story. Special guests and speakers on the night include Fr. Pat Aherne, Br. Sean Aherne, Fr. John Joe Spring, Tommy Tiernan and editors of the collection, Amanda Carmody and Mary McGillicuddy. A new website, dedicated to building a community around John Moriarty’s writing, will also be officially launched.
On the morning of Saturday 22nd, ticketholders will have a special opportunity to visit Leitrim Hill and the Moriarty homestead. Here, visitors can drink in the music of John’s language as they explore the environment that inspired so much of his thinking and writing, as well as hearing stories and reflections on John’s early life. Saturday afternoon in Marian Hall will centre on John’s book Dreamtime, thirty years in print this year. A panel of storytellers, enthusiasts, academics and others will offer contributions on the significance of Dreamtime today – debate, humour and lively conversation guaranteed!
On Saturday evening Tommy Tiernan, long an public fan of John Moriarty, will host a unique and unmissable evening of music, story and poetry in Marian Hall. Tommy will be joined by special guests including Martin Shaw, Liam O’Maonlaoí, Caterina Garcia, Manchán Magan and others.
Sunday 22nd will offer time to nourish the spirit, with a unique event combining movement and the Irish language in the morning. The Festival will be rounded out with an early afternoon of reflection, music and passages of John’s writing on the Irish Dreamtime. We will reflect on John’s vision of walking beautifully on the Earth and wish that all will walk on from Moyvane renewed and enriched in hope and purpose.
Note: With the exception of Friday night’s launch, the Festival will be a ticketed event. Tickets and more information about the festival are available here: _____________