Exciting new additions lined up for Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival in 2024

THERE are a number of exciting new additions lined up for this year's 56th Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, last week's AGM of the organising committee was told.
In her Chairperson's Address Caroline Conway said the committee was “thrilled” to share with the general public that the festival has again increased its Arts Council funding. “It was a long wait as the announcement only came last week, but it was worth the wait. I was not hopeful as I knew there was a lot of pressure on this funding stream, but Birr Vintage Week ticks a lot of boxes, with its mix of arts and community.”
This year's festival takes place from August 2nd to 10th and will see some great Street Theatre coming to the week for the first time, including a Family Aerial Show and a Fire Show.
Another new feature will be a Local Rivers theme – Going with the Flow – which will include an underwater transformation of the old cinema on Brendan Street with UV light, The Call of the Shannon at the Castle Gallery, The Flow of Fun at the Masonic Hall, which is an exhibition/ playscape for a younger audience, based on the flora and fauna of the Camcor, a talk by John Feehan and a river float for the Parade.
“While we are on rivers,” continued Caroline, “it is with thanks to Birr Rugby Club that the Duck Race is returning, together with the Tug o War in an extended Family Fun Day.
“Crinkle Soapbox Derby are also upping the game with extra events.”
The meeting was told that the call for sponsorship is live, and as ever, the festival committee is always in need of more volunteers.
The festival media launch will be on the first Friday of July.
“The Parade Route change was discussed at the last meeting, publicised and residents who will be impacted informed,” the Chairperson commented, adding that the committee is “looking forward to a sunny summer and lots of Vintage fun!”
Treasurer Suzanne O'Reilly told the AGM that the committee's accounts are in a healthy state. “Our income last year was €102,066.53. Our expenditure was €101,674.77. Our current bank balance is €43,567.35. This is a healthy balance but it must be pointed out that this bank account is shared by two other festivals in the town, the Festival of Music and OFFline.”
In her report the Chairperson also looked back over the 2023 festival. “2023 saw the introduction of a new Vintage logo and branding suite, to give the festival a more contemporary look. Highlights of the festival included the Vintage Sunday Parade, with over 8,000 spectators, the many Children’s events, outdoor evening performances at Birr Castle, a very full visual arts trail including the Longford Light on tour exhibit in the Old Cinema. The festival is more than the sum of its parts, from Dancing at the Cottages, to the Birr Garden Trail, from Historical Walks to the Car Treasure Hunt, from Belly Dancing to Vintage Tennis. Whether you want to run, meditate, visit exhibitions, listen to music, speak Irish, watch fireworks, play Rugby, swim, lay a wreath, go to gigs, join in with a workshop learning how to juggle, watch a fire show, browse in the market, eat, drink and be merry there is something for everyone. And for the daredevils, the Crinkle Soapbox Derby is a fine way to round off the week.”
2023 saw the return of the Vintage Market on Green Street and the continued use of the Courthouse Yard as an Arts Hub. The funding from the Arts Council increased to €32,300, and the festival is now in Band C, the top band for funding. Additional funding from Offaly Local Development Company and the Arts Council Capacity funding, secured through the Birr Festivals Collective, enabled the committee to have paid roles for a Festival Support Officer, and PR and Marketing.
In 2023 there was also a bucket collection permit for the entire week, with branded buckets which could accept online payments. These raised €1,180. There was also branded merchandise. This was less successful due to not having a dedicated point of sale. The merchandise will be sold again in 2024, without any more being bought.
“We are absolutely thrilled to continue this long tradition,” continued the Chairperson, “with a jam-packed week celebrating our culture featuring a town-wide programme of visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, workshops, exhibitions, and a whole host of community events.
“Vintage Week is a team effort, including the committee, community organisers, volunteers, participants and thousands of spectators. Our special thanks in particular goes to the businesses and people of Birr, whose generous sponsorship and support make this Festival possible. As always, we ask you to support those who support the festival.
“We acknowledge and thank our public funders, The Arts Council, Offaly County Council, Birr Municipal District, Creative Ireland and Offaly Local Development Company
“We acknowledge and thank our sponsors, Birr Publicans, Grants Engineering, Birr Lion’s Club, Hollywood's Garage, European Tech Hub, Birr Castle Demesne, EJ, Memory Lane Antiques and all our Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors. Special thanks to all the in kind sponsors including Hassetts, Central Plant and Tool Hire.
“We would like to thank our committee and Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is Janine Wilson, Cyril Stanley, Emma Nee Haslam, Cailin Keaveny. We give special thanks to Jamie Dooley McCormack, who is stepping down from organising the Children’s Events, and Rowena Keaveny, who has co-ordinated the Open Submission Exhibition for so many years and is stepping down. We would also like to thank our two Vintage Interns Annabel Haslam and Grace Dooley, who brought such young energy last year. The call for 2024 interns is open now.”
The following officers were elected for the coming year: Chair: Caroline Conway. Vice Chair: Dickie Donnelly. Secretary: Garrett Kelly. Treasurer: Susanne O'Reilly.