The Arts in Ireland

By Dipika Kohli

County Cork, on the southwesternmost tip of Ireland, greets only a fraction of those who visit Ireland each year. If you've already seen Europe's cities and done the well-toured routes, for a change of pace this summer try Bantry by the Bay.

Chamber Music

Mr. Francis Humphrys, a longtime resident of Bantry, began organizing a series of chamber music concerts in the Bantry House in 1992. The manor, with its commanding views of Bantry Bay and the Caha Mountains of the Beara Peninsula, was the first in Ireland opened full-time for public viewing.

Today the concerts, culminating each summer in the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, are sponsored by RTE and broadcast throughout Europe. The charm of the festival is enhanced by the handsome candle-lit chandeliers and sumptious decor. Visit: www.westcorkmusic.ie.

Short Story Workshop

Bantry Literary Fringe Festival provides a platform to launch the Annual Fish Anthology. Visit: www.fishpublishing.com.

Writers Retreat

Anam Cara Writer's Retreat overlooks the Coulagh Bay and Ring of Kerry from the north coast of the Beara Peninsula. Writing courses are scheduled for the summer. A payment covers single-room B and B accommodations, with a week of Irish breakfasts and dinners, in addition to writing sessions and evening activities. Visit: www.anamcararetreat.com.