61st Wexford Fringe Festival to include 300 events over 17 days

Wexford Fringe Festival, now in its 61st year, takes place from October 18 to November 3 this year. Wexford Fringe literally takes over the entirety of Wexford town with an eclectic mix of over 300 events staged in pop up venues as well as established venues such as theatres, hotels art galleries, cafes and civic buildings throughout 17 days, the annual open-access arts festival is not to be missed.

Artists from around Ireland and further afield participate alongside home-grown talent in forms spanning music, film, comedy, cabaret, theatre, dance, circus, puppetry, guided walks and visual art, with many of these events free to attend.

The festival runs parallel to 62nd annual world famous Wexford Festival Opera running from October 23 to November 3.

The Fringe and Wexford Festival Opera officially open with a giant free fireworks display, which will light up the Wexford Quayside on October 23 at 7pm. Wexfordian and internationally best selling author Eoin Colfer, will be on hand to officially open the ceremony.

Some of the Fringe highlights include, a debut performance at the Wexford fringe festival from Republic of Telly’s, Bernard O’Shea on October 18. The RTE funny man will perform in the Wexford Arts Centre for one night only. Anyone who has seen Bernard at The Cat Laughs in Kilkenny knows this is a performance not to be missed.

Wexford’s own, Larry Kirwan, will perform a welcome home concert supported by The Gathering on October 19. Larry is an expatriate Irish writer and musician, best known as lead singer for New York based Irish rock band ‘Black 47’.

For over 50 years The Guinness Singing & Swinging Pubs Competition has been an integral part of the Fringe Festival with this year being no different. The contest involves most of Wexford’s pubs and bars and provides a stage for many of the area’s most talented singers, comedians and musicians as well as visiting opera singers.

For younger members of the family at the Wexford fringe there is a variety of fun filled activities on offer including Carnival Adventures with LEGO, Dance Workshops, Ghost Tours with wexford Walking Tours, an Art Club and Wexford Model Railway Club Annual Exhibition and more.

For full programme details of the Wexford Fringe Fest click here.