Fermoy is to have a brand new arts festival. The idea is the brainchild of Mayor Olive Corcoran who has gathered a committee round her and is busy laying plans to bring it to fruition.

The festival of arts, music, poetry and culture will be held on the weekend of February 1st next year with the Community Youth Centre on Ashe Quay as the hub. It was felt the festival date, early in the new year, will give the town a welcome pick-me-up at what is usually a quiet time of year.

Speaking about it this week, Cllr Corcoran said the idea for the festival mushroomed from a poetry competition she organised for primary school children in the town hall last year. The festival is being planned to include all age groups. “Our committee envisages as many groups of artists of all age groups be included in this venture and that, not only will it be beneficial to artists but will also help the wider community of Fermoy,” she explained.

Activities for children will take place all weekend in the youth centre and also in local bookshops. There’ll be concerts for adults featuring as many as possible local choirs, singers and musicians. “We even have a seanachai!” the Mayor told The Avondhu. Night time activities will include poetry readings from local poets and sessions from local musicians in the Elbow Lane Bar, home of the ‘Market Place Poets’.

She says business people have been most helpful in allowing them the use of their windows as galleries to display the works of local artists, offering them an ideal opportunity to showcase their work to the public.

The committee don’t intend seeking sponsorship from local retailers or businesses. “They have been so badly hit in the last year,” the Mayor explained. What they are looking for is voluntary, practical help from all quarters. They are also soliciting ideas for, and opinions on, what will make it a successful and enjoyable community based venture.

They have a Facebook page – Fermoy Arts Festival – where people can submit their ideas and give their views and also a Twitter page to keep in touch with the public between now and February.