Marble City Music Festival to launch in Kilkenny

Marble City Music Festival is coming to Kilkenny. 

The festival consists of three concerts at St John’s Priory on John’s Street.

Patrick Rafter, violinist and conductor extraordinaire is the artistic director behind the festival. 

He said that a ‘lifetime of work’ has gone into realising this festival. 

He added that he had a ‘wonderful team of supporters’ around him during the process.

“I have travelled the world as a violinist and always felt I’ve never left Kilkenny,” he said.

The festival will take place on December 2 and 3, and will feature an impressive lineup of musicians including Fiachra Garvey, RTE Con Tempo String Quartet and Rachel Factor, as well as Patrick himself performing.

“I’ve always made Kilkenny a priority to return to and perform in,” said Patrick. 

When he’s performing, Patrick wants to connect with the audience, he recalled playing in the Watergate theatre and then running from backstage to greet the audience and engage with them.

“It means a huge amount having something to give back to Kilkenny.

When reaching out to musicians, Patrick wanted people who were great communicators. 

He has known Fiachra Garvey since they were 15 years old and said he is a ‘lovely guy and an extraordinary communicator’.

Fiachra had founded the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival a few years prior and Patrick reached out to him for advice.

When asked his motivation behind putting this festival together, Patrick said he wanted to ‘unite and create a greater sense of communication between artists and audience’.

“The joy we create on stage is infectious to you, the audience member,” he said.

He added that people coming to the festival can expect to feel welcomed in an incredible atmosphere.

They can also expect to enjoy a complimentary glass of mulled wine and mince pies at the reception after every concert.

Tickets for the Marble City Music Festival are available online.