A new festival called I.NY to take place in Limerick will explore the cultural connections between Ireland and the city of New York, through concerts, exhibitions and talks. The festival will take place 5 – 15 October, with the full programme to be announced in September. 

The festival was launched in early August by singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey, who will perform at the festival. The music programme also includes performances from songwriter Glen Hansard, Qool DJ Marv, and Gerry Leonard – best known as David Bowie’s musical director – with Limerick-based musician Eoin Devereaux, as well as a number of club events. 

I.NY was founded by David O’Donovan and Aoife Flynn of arts marketing company asquared, and is supported by Fáilte Ireland and Limerick City and County Council. In addition to the festival, the I.NY project will involve ongoing trans-Atlantic residencies, collaborations and exchanges. Flynn and O’Donovan described the motivation behind the festival:

It’s from a fascination with and love for both the history and modernity of the Ireland New York relationship that I.NY is built…I.NY creates opportunities for an audience to explore what it means to be local and global, Irish and American, emigrant and native, and to share and experience these stories.

Tickets are on sale from 18 August, with the full festival line-up being announced in September. For further details, visit www.thisisiny.com.