Irish Arts Invasion For NYC Festival

Ireland's Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan was in New York over the weekend, as over 70 Irish artists arrived in the city to take part in the APAP showcase.

It's the fourth year in a row that Culture Ireland has organized a mission to APAP - the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference - which is the largest and most competitive performing arts market in the world.

More than 4,000 buyers and promoters attend the event, which is held in New York in early January every year.

Some of those taking part in the 10 Irish showcases over the weekend are the country's finest musicians, performers and contemporary choreographers.

They include acclaimed singer Camille O'Sullivan, sean-nos singer Iarla O'Lionaird, Frankie Gavin and De Dannan, Luke Murphy, fiddle-master Martin Hayes, and fiddler Caoimhin O'Raghallaigh.

There was the US premier of a new exploration-through-dance of the work of artist Louis Le Brocquay by a group called Arcane Collective - featuring original music by The Edge from U2.

New work from dance Jean Butler, and the Irish Modern Dance Theater were also included.

In addition to showcasing at APAP and the Under The Radar festival, COIL festival and La MaMa, Irish artists are also performing for the first time in other major venues this year including GlobalFEST at Webster Hall, the magnificently restored City Center and the Alvin Ailey theatre.

"Now, more than ever, culture is the means by which most Americans encounter Ireland," said Minister Deenihan.

"This huge territory and cultural market is a vital part of the growth strategy for many Irish artists and companies.

"I have no doubt that the quality and range of work being showcased by Irish artists this weekend will lead to further opportunities, co-productions and collaborations for future seasons".

This year's mission to New York builds on the success of Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland's year of Irish arts in America in 2011.

At a very challenging time for Ireland, the Imagine Ireland initiative showcased over 1,200 artists in more than 500 events to audiences across more than 40 US states, breaking new ground, finding new audiences and building long-term partnerships with key US institutions, festivals and venues.

CEO of Culture Ireland Mr. Eugene Downes said: "Imagine Ireland was a huge success story for Irish artists and for the Government's investment in Culture Ireland and the promotion of Irish arts abroad."

"It opened many doors for Ireland throughout the US and the APAP Conference gives us the chance to build on that momentum by showcasing some of our leading artists to this unique gathering of international presenters and promoters from around the world."