A Midnight Court: Brendan Kennelly @ Carrigafoyle 30|09|25
A Midnight Court will take place tonight.
It will be damp and cold, so please wear warm clothes and rain gear.
Look forward to seeing you in Carrigafoyle!
Bus leaves St. Michael’s Church, Ballylongford at 11:30 pm.
Jimmy Deenihan and Joe Murphy created the Rivers of Words documentary series on North Kerry writers in 1992 and RTÉ screened it in 1994.
Deenihan collected all the original recordings and donated them to Kerry Writers’ Museum in May 2025. The museum’s curator of film and video digitised over one hundred of these tapes in a studio at Kerry College | Monavalley Campus with funding provided by the Heritage Council.
The result is a rich archive of recordings that celebrate film and literary traditions in North Kerry. Most of this material has never been shown in public. It includes a poetry reading by Brendan Kennelly (1936-2021) shot at Carrigafoyle Castle.
On 30 September a midnight court will be convened in the castle in partnership with the OPW. A short film will be screened of Kennelly reading his poetry. Info/booking: curator.ie@gmail.com
Access
This is a ticket only event.
A bus transfer will operate between the carpark at St Michael’s Church Ballylongford and Carrigafoyle Castle (no parking is available at the castle or on access roads from Ballylongford and Ballybunion):
11.30 Bus departs St Michael’s Church, Ballylongford.
12.00 The Midnight Court convenes at Carrigafoyle Castle.
12.30 Bus transfer from Carrigafoyle to Ballylongford.
Seating
To maximise numbers, this is a standing event. Seats will be provided on request. Please let us know in advance if you require one.
Weather
Although we will be inside the castle, this is an outdoor event.
The current forecast is for drizzle tapering off with an evening temperature of 15ºC.
Warm clothing and raingear are essential. Umbrellas are not an option.
Should rain be heavier than forecast, the event will be cancelled by 8pm on 30/09 at the latest. Notice will be posted on this page.
Valeriia Matiakh lights up Carrigafoyle Castle in prep for a Midnight Court
in association with
