Galway International Arts Festival unveils 'most ambitious' programme
Among the highlights are a production by the Abbey Theatre of 'The Cave' by writer Kevin Barry and a double-bill of plays from the Druid Theatre Company.
The fortnight-long festival begins on 14 July.
Artistic Director Paul Fahy has described the programme as "a tribute to the transformative power of the arts", expressing hope that the schedule will provoke, entertain and delight audiences.
The popular First Thought Talks series of discussions will feature contributions from Fintan O'Toole, US Congresswoman Parmila Jayapal and Palestinian photojournalist Eman Mohammed among others.
Druid will mark the fiftieth anniversary of its founding with JM Synge's Riders to the Sea and Shakespeare's Macbeth directed by Garry Hynes.
Several concerts at the festival Big Top have already sold out and new additions to the line-up include former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, iconic songwriter Richard Thompson and legendary Irish band The Blades.
The career of President Michael D Higgins will be marked in a photographic exhibition at Galway City Museum, while the programme also features extensive dance, street theatre and visual arts elements.
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