It’s not just about the music you know.

The second edition of Quiet Lights will see a new wave of Irish and international folk, traditional, and experimental talent take to the stages of Cork’s more intimate venues later this month, but this year they’re clearing some space for a good old chin wag too.

From Thursday, November 21st to Sunday, November 24th, 2019, the festival will welcome Lankum, Rozi Plain, Peter Broderick and Ye Vagabonds, to name but a few musical acts.

A free Conversations programme will run throughout the four-day event, with Quiet Lights Featured Artist, filmmaker and director Myles O’Reilly of Arbutus Yarns kicking off the weekender with the public premiere of his 25-minute piece ‘Tenore Cuncordu Orosei in collaboration with Ernst Reijseger’, followed by live music from Irish traditional/old-time trio Alfi, at The Kino, Washington Street, 7pm, Thursday, November 21st.

Culture Vultures at Plugd

On Saturday, the free Conversation series continues with Culture Vultures hosted by Tony Clayton-Lea (The Irish Times) – featuring guests Myles O’Reilly, Galway singer and writer Maija Sofia, and Cork poet Michelle Delea, at Plugd Records (12 midday).

Later, at 3pm at Bobo’s café at The Glucksman, visual artist and CEO of Crash Ensemble Neva Elliott will host a workshop on “How to Access Funding as an Independent Artist of Any Discipline.”

From 5.30pm at Plugd, Rebel Matters will host a live podcast discussing “Cultural and Social Entrepreneurship – It’s Challenges, Rewards, and Future” – chaired by Ainle Ó’Cairealláin and featuring Síobhra Quinlan (Creative Producer) Aisling O’Riordan (Quarter Block Party) and Emmet Condon (Homebeat / Another Love Story).

Head for Winthrop Avenue at 7pm, when Red FM presents Red on Red Live: Mike McGrath Bryan in conversation with Quiet Lights’ Featured Artist Myles O’Reilly.

Free Film at The Kino

On the final day of the festival, (12 midday Sunday 24th) at The Kino, put your feet up and enjoy two free screenings of Myles O’Reilly’s work: ‘Backwards to Go Forwards’ – a one-hour documentary showcasing the future of Irish traditional music, and a screening of selected works from Arbutus Yarns at Plugd from 4pm.

Eoghan O’Sullivan from The Point of Everything Live Podcast will also sit down for a chat with alternative folk singer Junior Brother, at The Kino at 1.30pm.

Sounds like an excellent invitation to swan around drinking craft beer and fancy coffees to us.

Check out the full schedule here. Handy guide to the Conversations below…