Cigars.ie

Ché do Bheatha! Cuban cultural festival in the west of Ireland

What is the connection between Ché Guevarra and Kilkee, a small coastal town in County Clare on the west of Ireland?

In 1961, during Ché’s visit to Ireland, Jim Fitzpatrick, an Irish artist, met Ché in the bar of the Marine Hotel of Kilkee. It was then that Jim created the renowned  image of Ché which was based on a photograph taken by Alberto Gorda and can be seen in T-shirts and other paraphernalia all over the world.

50 years later, Kilkee are celebrating the anniversary of Ché’s visit to their town with a weekend festival full of Cuban culture, between September 30th and October 2nd.

So if you are looking forward to a weekend of Cuban culture, music, food and of course cigars, head over to Kilkee for a fun weekend. Being fanatic with everything about Cuba, some of the Cigars.ie gang will be there too, so make sure to keep an eye out for them and join them for a cigar!

A Cuban cigar & Rum tasting evening will be hosted in the Greyhound Bar on Saturday October 1st. Admission will be 10EUR, including a Cuban cigar and can be purchased at the venue.

For the full schedule of the event, please see the program below:

POSSIBLE RUNNING ORDER (subject to changes/confirmations/weather)

Friday, September 30, 2011:
5pm Opening ceremony performed by her excellency Ambassador, Teresita Trujillo,
6pm-8pm Fancy Dress, Coffee/Tapas/Cigars in local venues
8pm-10pm ‘Cuba Libré’ Salsa band
10pm- late, Fancy Dress, Latin-American themed local bars

Saturday, October 1, 2011:
9am-11am Latin-American style breakfasts served in selected restaurants
2pm-5pm Salsa and Tango workshops and demonstrations
5pm-6pm Talk by Jim Fitzpatrick re the origins of the Che Guevara iconic image born as a result of his meeting with Che Guevara in the Marine Hotel, Kilkee in September 1961.
Independent film crew making a ‘fly-on-the wall’ documentary on Jim Fitzpatrick during the festival.
6pm-8pm Films (’Motorcycle Diaries’ and ‘Che, Parts 1 & 2′) on the strand projected on to the alley walls (weather permitting)
6pm-8pm Cigar & Rum Tasting evening in the Greyhound Pub.
8pm-10pm ‘Havana Che’ Cuban band
10pm- Fancy Dress/Music/Coffee/Tapas/Cigars in local bars

Sunday, October 2, 2011:
Latin-American art displays in various venues throughout the town
Donkey (Burro) Derby
American Classic cars
Oscar Mascarenas, pianist and dancer
Assorted music, Salsa and Tango classes and demonstrations
Closing ‘jam’ with Salsa and Tango students