Kilkenny’s Toil & Trouble presents Anakronos: The Red Book of Ossory

In 1324, the Bishop of Ossory, Richard de Ledrede, accused Dame Alice Kyteler of witchcraft. Her maid, Petronilla de Meath, was burned at the stake that November.
Ledrede also wrote poetry: sixty Latin poems, gathered in a fourteenth-century manuscript known as the Red Book of Ossory. Led by founder member of ANÚNA, Caitríona O’Leary, known for her passionate performances in early and traditional Irish music, Anakronos have set these poems to music influenced by contemporary classical, jazz and medieval music to create a brand new sound. Caitríona sings and directs, joined by Nick Roth (saxophones, percussion), Deirdre O’Leary (clarinet, bass clarinet, percussion), Greg Felton (electric keyboard, percussion) and Mel Mercier (percussion).
They perform them in St. Canice’s Cathedral, where Ledrede was bishop. Behind them hangs Peace Doves, a recently installed work by the internationally renowned British sculptor Peter Walker: 10,000 paper doves, each carrying a handwritten message from someone in Kilkenny — a prayer, a memory, a wish for peace.

Tickets are €25

Supported by Kilkenny County Council and Tourism Ireland.

Kilkenny is a Tourism Ireland Home of Halloween Destination 2024–2027.