PREVIEW: Irelands ‘best small festival’ is back
Over the years, the Stendhal Festival of Art has steadily become Northern Ireland’s brightest star on the festival calendar and was rightly acknowledged when it was voted as ‘Ireland’s Best Small Festival’ at the annual Irish Festival Awards for two years running in 2013 and 2014.
The festival has continued to grow and blossom, catching the eye and mind of music and art lovers alike throughout the country with many people returning year on year to this festival with a difference. A true community event with an emphasis on celebrating the creativity of artists and helping develop innovation, the weekend long adventure truly is a festival of art, from music to poetry, comedy to craft, every art form is celebrated and embraced.
With a history of looking to Derry for musical talent to take to the Stendhal stage, this year sees Rosborough, Lady J, Making Monsters, Paddy Nash, Tecknopeasant and Ryan Vail join the distinguished list of local artists. Last year saw The Undertones rock it out in the picturesque surroundings of Ballymully Cottage Farm.
Paddy Nash, head honcho of Paddy Nash and the Happy Enchiladas is a festival regular “it just gets better each year in terms of set-up and line-up” he said. “I would say to anyone in Derry that likes music and a bit of craic and that hasn’t been down to Limavady for Stendhal yet, you don’t know what you’re missing.”
Another regular to Stendhal is Glenn Rosborough who has appeared in some capacity every year since it began in 2011, whether it be solo shows or as part of his previous bands ‘Intermission’ or ‘Wyldling’. Now performing under the name ‘Rosborough’, Glenn will be welcomed back yet again to keep the run alive.
“Stendhal, for me, is the highlight of the year,” he said. “I have never played another festival with such a fun and friendly atmosphere. It’s a great champion of the arts, friend of the community and it holds a very special place in my heart.”
One performance in particular which will certainly go down a storm will be Stendhal debutant Ryan Vail who will be joined by Ciaran Lavery to perform their collaboration album, ‘Sea Legs’ which has been earning rave reviews across the country.
“I’m really looking forward to playing at this year’s Stendhal festival with Ciaran Lavery performing our “Sea Legs” project. We don’t do a large amount of gigs together so they are always special” said Ryan.
“The project has a close connection to the North West so it will be great to play in the area for the first time in an outdoor setting. We played last month at the Body and Soul festival in Meath and I’ve been told the forest there has a similar feel to the forest area at Stendhal, so it should be a great gig.”
Headlining Stendhal this year will be two time Hall of Fame inductee Donovan. In what will be his only Northern Irish performance during his 50th anniversary celebrations, he is really looking forward to his first Stendhal appearance.
“I’ve heard some lovely things about Stendhal,” he said, “I believe it is a very family orientated event and that it has been winning awards as it has grown over the past several years, so I’m very happy to come along and be a part of it.”
Speaking about his connection with Ireland, he said “I have Irish heritage, so I’ve always felt a kinship with the Irish. Both my grannies were Irish, my first name is an Irish surname and Irish music has played a part in influencing how I write my music, so you could say that Ireland has always been somewhat of a special place for me.”
Continuing its work with local music organisations, Stendhal welcomes Belfast’s ‘Oh Yeah’ Centre to the festival for the first time as they will join forces with The Nerve Centre in showcasing the best up-and-coming talent in the country when taking over the new Keady Corner Stage.
But the Stendhal festival doesn’t just consist of music and art. The varied list of events is incredible, from burlesque to film, from comedy to craft, Stendhal truly is a festival with a difference with something for everyone.
