An Enchanted Land – Omagh Literary Festival Exhibition 2019

The 17^th Annual Omagh Literary Festival, honouring Benedict Kiely and co-ordinated by Omagh Arts Committee will take place this year from Friday 11 – Sunday 13 October in Strule Arts Centre, Omagh.

As in previous years, a festival exhibition will run in conjunction with the festival and will take its inspiration from the local area. This year’s exhibition, entitled ‘An Enchanted Land’ takes its name from a short story, “An Enchanted Land” taken from Kiely’s short story anthology “A Journey to the Seven Streams”.

The exhibition has been curated by local artist, Geraldine O Reilly and commenting on the exhibition, she spoke of the inspiration behind this year’s collection; “2019 is a very special year as it marks the centenary of Benedict Kiely’s birth. It also showcases the breadth and vision of his influence on the literary landscape of Ireland with a rich tapestry of paintings and artefacts.  We are delighted that much of the work will feature works from artists whose roots lie in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area given that the area influenced a significant body of his work. The exhibition features works by many celebrated visual artists such as TP Flanagan, Kathleen Bridle, William Scott, Anne Marie McCaughey and Alan Bradshaw to name but a few, as well as other renowned artists and writers that have been inspired by our local environment.”

Many of the works included in the exhibition has been loaned from the from the Fermanagh County Museums collection in Enniskillen Castle.

“An Enchanted Land” will be opened by the Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Cllr Diana Armstrong on Thursday 3 October 2019 at 7.00 pm in Strule Arts Centre and will also incorporate the opening of the 2019 Omagh Literary Festival. An open invitation is extended to anyone who wishes to attend the opening of both events.

The exhibition runs in Strule Gallery from Friday 4 October –Saturday 2 November, 9.30 am – 5pm, admission is free.