Thousands of audience members across the Edinburgh International, Fringe and International Book Festivals will be able to enjoy more than 150 performances of Irish theatre, ballet and contemporary dance and appearances by Irish writers.

This year’s delegation of Irish work- the largest ever - is a key part of Culture Ireland GB18, a yearlong initiative promoting Irish arts in Britain.

Josepha Madigan T. D., Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht sent best wishes to this year’s delegation saying: “Irish writers, artists and performers have established a strong reputation in Edinburgh for high-quality productions, and this year’s programme at Edinburgh forms an important part of the Culture Ireland GB18 programme, focusing on building our cultural connections. The delegation, with the support of Culture Ireland, once again showcases the very best of Irish theatre, dance and literature. I wish them all the best and hope that their visit to Edinburgh is a springboard for further international opportunities.”

Since 2005, Culture Ireland has presented the works of more than 80 Irish companies and 120 Irish writers at the Edinburgh Festivals. The Festivals are a key cultural marketplace for new and emerging artists and in recent years, Irish work supported in Edinburgh by Culture Ireland has led to several Irish companies touring their work overseas. Highlights of the past few years include Fishamble touring both the Olivier-award- winning Silent and Fringe First-winning Underneath around the world; Corn Exchange’s production A Girl is a Half-formed Thing being invited to London and New York and Dublin Oldschool by Emmet Kirwan invited to London’s National Theatre with a movie version of the play currently on general release.

Irish Work at the Edinburgh International Festival 2018 includes:

• Druid’s production of Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett at The Lyceum for 11 Performances from 3 – 12 August 2018

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

• Landmark Productions’sThe Approach by Mark O’Rowe at Rainy Hall, Assembly Hall for 22 performances between 2-26 August, 2018
• Class written and produced by Iseult Golden and David Horan, in association with The Abbey Theatre at the Traverse Theatre for 22 performances from 2-26 August, 2018
• Maz and Bricks by Eva O’Connor produced by Fishamble: The New Play Company at Cairns Lecture Theatre, Summerhall for 22 performances from 1-26 August, 2018
• My Left Nut written by Michael Patrick and Oisín Kearney, a co-production by Pan Narrans Theatre and Prime Cut Productions, at Red Lecture Theatre, Summerhall for 24 performances from 1-26 August, 2018
• Everything Not Saved by MALAPROP collective at the Old Lab, Summerhall for 23 performances  from 1-26 August, 2018
• Ballet Ireland’s production of Giselle at Dance Base for 15 performances from 3-19 August, 2019
• WRoNGHEADED by Liz Roche Company at Dance Base for 15 performances from 3–19 August, 2018

Edinburgh International Book Festival (11-27 August, 2018)
Nine Irish writers - both established and emerging - will be featured at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (which runs August 11-27, 2018). The writers appearing with the support of Culture Ireland include:  Eileen Battersby, John Boyne, Helena Duggan, Derek Landy, Paul Lynch, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Malachi O’Doherty, Donal Ryan and Darren Shan.

In addition to these works, Culture Ireland hosted its annual Networking Reception where Irish artists met and interacted with international promoters and presenters. This year’s event was held in The Hub, the headquarters of the Edinburgh International Festival, on Monday 6 August. This key moment in the Showcase programme and has an excellent track record of developing international contacts for the Showcase artists.

About Culture Ireland GB18: Promoting Irish Artists in Britain
Culture Ireland’s special focus of Irish artistic activity in Britain in 2018. GB18 is a a vibrant, contemporary and high quality programme that includes a range of work from all artistic disciplines including architecture, dance, film, literature, music, theatre, opera and visual art in high-profile venues, institutions and festivals in Britain. GB18 builds on Ireland's special history and relationship with its nearest neighbour and follows the successes of previous programme strands (Imagine Ireland in 2011, Culture Connects across the EU in 2013, I Am Ireland as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme).  Culture Ireland GB18 is creating unique opportunities for artists and companies in all art forms to perform across Britain and is developing new audiences and networks of contacts. GB18 works are being seen in more than two dozen cities around Britain including, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Channel Islands, Cheltenham, Chester, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fishguard, Glasgow, St. Helen’s, Ipswich, Liverpool, London, Ludlow, Manchester, Paisley, Southampton, Reading, Rye, St. Andrews and Warwick.

About Culture Ireland
Founded in 2005, Culture Ireland - a division of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht - works to generate international opportunities for Irish artists and supports Irish artists as they gain global contracts and develop their careers. In 2017, Culture Ireland reached 3.5 million live audience members and 7 million online viewers through the 450 Culture Ireland supported events presented in over 50 countries by Irish artists.