Ireland’s Edge — Welcome Here, Kind Stranger // Fáilte Romhat, A Strainséir Shéimh

Ireland’s Edge returns to Dingle as part of the Other Voices festival, bringing together artists, thinkers, makers, activists and organisers, to reflect, imagine and exchange perspectives at the edge of things.

This year’s theme, “Welcome Here, Kind Stranger // Fáilte Romhat, a Strainséir Shéimh” is a tender invocation of empathy and belonging drawn from a lyric of the great folk song The Lakes of Pontchartrain, a song that in its own journey both geographical and creative, embodies this year’s theme.

Over two days of conversation, performance, and reflection; Welcome Here, Kind Stranger will explore overlapping themes of humanity, art and place. We will hear from voices pursuing justice and peace in Palestine, from those reflecting on the profound implications of the AI boom, and from experts offering timely and constructive perspectives on climate change, housing, and gentrification. The programme will also reflect on the resurgence of the Irish language, the renewal of Irish craft, and the broader creative renaissance unfolding across Ireland today.

With a programme of exceptional speakers and performers drawn from a rich cross-section of life, origin and craft, we will ask what our role can be in charting a future of openness, understanding and common purpose​.

Featuring: Housing Campaigner, BANÚ, Adhna Ní Bhraonáin; Founder and Creative Director at J. Hill’s Standard, Anike Tyrrell; Human Rights Activist and organiser of the Global Samud Flotilla, Caoimhe Butterly; Author & Contributing Writer, The New Yorker, Ed Caesar; Creator, Broadcaster, and Writer, Emma Ferrari; Poet & Broadcaster, Dairena Ní Chinnéide; DJ and Presenter, Shampain; Founder of eco-guesthouse Native, Didi Ronan; Artist, Domino Whisker; Artist and Musician, Dove Ellis; Artist and Musician, Gemma Dunleavy; Lecturer & Housing Policy Analyst, TU Dublin, Lorcan Sirr; Co-Founder, Maharees Conservation Association CLG, Martha Farrell; Deputy Medical Coordinator of MSF's operations in Palestine, Dr. Mohammed Abu Mughaisib; Senior Reporter, Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Niamh McIntyre; Creative Director, Photographer, and Filmmaker, Peadar Ó Goill; Writer, Roisin Kiberd; Knife-maker, Hugo Byrne; Head of the Department of Environmental Science at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo, Salem Gharbia; and Writer and Journalist, Una Mullally + more to be announced.

Courtesy of our venue partner The Dingle Skellig Hotel, a specially prepared three-course lunch will be available to all Saturday attendees in the Hotel’s Coastguard Restaurant.

This year's edition of Ireland's Edge has been made possible thanks to the support of our partners, Reed.‍

This year’s Ireland’s Edge is dedicated to the memory of Manchán Magan. A light-bringer, keeper of the flame, philosopher, druid, scholar, wild rover, connector, Gael. His contribution to Irish life, culture, and language is beyond measure. We owe him so much, and we will miss him deeply. “No better star need exist by which to steer”. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.

Tickets for this year's Ireland's Edge are now available below.

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Join us // Bígí linn.