Last but not least and better late then never... A massive thank you to EVERYONE who came last Saturday for the Film & Drama event of the CULTURE & ARTS FESTIVAL 16 at The Icon Factory and Icon Walk. It was a massive day with talks and impassioned speeches on Ireland and it's film industry (or lack thereof ) by film director Terry McMahon, actors Maurice Dunford, Emmett Scanlan, Johnny Elliot and Tony Murphy. A fantastic short play performed on The Icon Walk 'THE PASSING" with Shane Laird and Laura White and written by Alice Kinsella. Live painting with Tarsila Krüse and Phil Atkinson. Live music with Peter Kelly from the band Hatchlings and guided tours with our own Kevin Bohan. This was the last weekend event in a four week run that took place over the month of August that brought culture to the heart of Temple Bar with art, music, dance, film and drama.

There are so many other people to thank, far too many to name individually, but you know who you all are. I want to thank all the staff, volunteers, friends and supporters of The Icon Factory who were invaluable over the last month, Ireland may not have much in the way of natural resources, gold bullion reserve or mega-multinational corporations but we have an abundance of talent on this small isle, whether Irish by default or Irish by circumstance this talent is what will save us all or to be a little less-dramatic make it all worthwhile, so with that we would like to thank all the artists, musicians, dancers, poets, actors, playwrights, writers, singers, photographers and movie makers for joining us over the last few weeks and giving their time, energy and talent. Thank you to vegan information project, Sushi Home and the cleaners, the community Gardai from Pearse St. station and cleaning crews from Temple Bar Company. A big thanks to all the public, the tourists and the casual passer-bys who joined us and joined in with the all the festivities and provided us with much needed ego-massaging. Photographs - Stuart Pearson & Aga Szot.