THE PLACE – DINGLE

Located at the edge of Europe, the Dingle Peninsula stretches into the Atlantic Ocean from the Southwest of Ireland. Once cited as ‘the most beautiful place on earth’ by the National Geographic, Dingle was also voted among the top 100 destinations in the world by Trip Advisor and CNN recently recommended it as a very favourable winter destination.

And it’s easy to see why it has received all these accolades. Surrounded by the sea, it is a place that is rich in every aspect – it has a thriving Irish language community, a rich and authentic musical and literary tradition, fabulous food, warm and welcoming local people and a thriving tourism business built around coastal activities. Set against a stunningly beautiful backdrop, it has a creative spirit that is palpable.

Through Other Voices, the beauty of the Dingle peninsula is exposed and transmitted to the world. Visitors and artists are drawn to the magic of the place and once they visit, they find it difficult to leave and always want to return. Artists have a sense of arriving home when they come to Dingle, they find it energising, restorative and a source of great inspiration.

Other Voices has transformed Dingle into an international creative musical hub, a musical melting pot where musicians and artists, local, national and international sing and play together in a creative context which serves to validate Ireland’s positioning as a land of creativity, innovation and inspiration.

For further information on Dingle and the surrounding area or to find great holiday packages in the region, visit www.discoverireland.ie.

THE VENUE – ST JAMES CHURCH

There is something special about St. James Church in Dingle. For a start, it’s 200 years old. It’s small, it’s intimate, there is a certain spirit about it. Traditional music has been played in the Church over the years so there’s a real sense that there is music in the walls.

At first, some musicians find it a little strange performing in a Church. But it is a really interesting, creative and inspiring space and sets a rich context for Other Voices. Something unique happens in the room when people walk in and this results in truly amazing performances. Unlike many venues, it has no backstage area and there are no backstage passes. In between acts, the small audience moves between the venue and Benners Hotel across the road. It is a truly unique experience for both artist and audience.