Thanks to the promoters, there will be a significant presence of Seamus Heaney's writings. Heaney attended the inaugural festival fifty years ago.

They said that this year's event would honour well-known performers from both home and abroad and that it has been planned to “thrill, delight, and inspire”.

Events span from immersive theatre to classical music, contemporary dance, and visual art.

A three-part series of talks and readings from some of the poet's renowned translations will be held to commemorate the festival's initial attendance by Seamus Heaney 50 years ago.

Kilkenny Arts Festival producer Marjie Kaley remarked, “Although it has not been without its difficulties, this year's festival represents the very best of what has put Kilkenny Arts Festival on the map for half a century.”

Festival Director Olga Barry remarked, “We're commemorating the very first literary event, which took place on August 25, 1974.”

“Seamus Heaney appeared along with a stellar line up of young poets at the time.”

“We have three special events around his translations as well as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra performing Neil Martin's new work 'Sweeney' with Iarla Ó Lionáird and Ciarán Hinds at St Canice's Cathedral.”

Ms. Barry thought back on the original Kilkenny Arts Festival, which happened fifty years ago.

The organisers “started big and we are standing on the shoulders of giants every year,” according to the 1974 schedule.