THE LINE UP for this year's Gorey Market House Craft and Design Festival has been unveiled. The festival will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and will include a craft exhibit, photograph exhibitions, live music, a farmer's market and family fun.

It's hoped that, through the festival, Gorey can develop the Market House as a brand for quality craft and design. The festival aims to celebrate Gorey's rich heritage as a market town, where people came to sell their wares.

The organising committee, chaired by Councillor Robert Ireton, have put together a full programme of activities from Thursday, July 29 to Sunday, August 1.

As well as celebrating Gorey's heritage, the festival will have strong contemporary theme, with a craft and design showcase taking place in the magnificent new Gorey Court building, at the Civic Square.

The craft element of the festival will continue with the craft trail hosted by local businesses on The Avenue, Main Street and Esmonde Street, which will also showcase the work of well established artists.

The nominated charity for the festival is St. Aidan's Services.

The Craft and Design Showcase Exhibition will open at the new Gorey Court House in the Civic Square from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 29. Artist and curator Kathleen Delaney has brought together a range of exhibitors from Wexford and further afield. The show will feature work from artists in different disciplines from glass to textile, furniture design to jewellery, and ceramics.

On Friday, the Press Photographers of Ireland Exhibition will open at Gorey Shopping Centre at 6 p.m

Gorey Art Circle will open its exhibition at 8 p.m. in Christ Church, and the exhibit will remain open for the week.

A photographic exhibition 'Gorey Then and Now' will open in the Market House at 8 p.m.

Local bands and artists are performing on the Festival Stage on Main Street over the three nights of the festival, with a mix of music and styles that will have the street rocking.

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, the Drinagh Mummers will perform on Gorey's Main Street. An Irish night with traditional music and dance will begin at 8 p.m. Ceol Amore will perform on the Main Street from 9 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

On Saturday, July 31, there's the children's fun afternoon in the Civic Square from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a magic mix of entertainment including a fancy dress parade, face painting, Giggles The Clown, storytelling, and much, much more. The afternoon will finish off with 'Your Tea At The Square' from 5 to 7 p.m.

There's music on the Main Street on Saturday, with Lynda Cullen and her band on stage from 7 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.; Cathal 'Elvis' Byrne is on stage from 8.30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and the Tasmanian Dust Devils are on stage from 10.15 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.

On Sunday, August 1, there's a Farmer's Market on Main Street, with a mini farm and farm machinery, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m and music with Tommy Carroll. In Gorey Skate Park, the Boarderco Goodtimes Tour will pay a visit from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a skate session, music and a barbeque.

On Sunday evening, new North Wexford band Rumours of a Rift will play from 6 p.m. to 7.15 p.m.; Jimi Cullen and The Jobless are on stage from 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and an Imelda May Tribute Act is on stage from 9.15 p.m.