By Cliona Connolly
cliona@monaghanpost.com

HOLLYWOOD could be coming to the Flat Lake Literary & Arts Festival at Hilton Park this August, festival sources have revealed.

With the visit of the Neath Welsh Male Voice Choir singing at this unique arts festival this year, Catherine Zeta-Jones is said to be keen to catch up with two of her cousins from back home, who are members of the sixty strong choir. Combined with her husband, Michael Douglas’s love of Pike fishing, their trip to County Monaghan will be just the ticket before jetting over to South Wales for their annual family holiday.

Although festival organisers, Kevin Allen and Pat McCabe, are thrilled at the prospect of the A-lister’s visit, they are also concerned that the Hollywood star’s security entourage doesn’t affect the convivial atmosphere of the festival.

“The absence of VIP enclosures last year really contributed to the relaxed atmosphere and we don’t want to spoil that, so their bodyguards will have to wear casual gear”

remarked Butcher Boy writer, Mr McCabe.

“Catherine is a real trooper when it comes to mucking in”

Mr Allen said with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.

“I’m sure she’ll do her best to keep a low profile and Mike is welcome to borrow my rod if he fancies his chances against the big boys lurking in the Hilton Lake. I know how much Welsh Choir music means to them both and we’ll do our best to make them feel at home.”

However, landing access at the beautiful Hilton woodland estate in Clones could prove a problem again this year and the showbiz couple may have to land as far away as the Monaghan Army Barracks. “I don’t have a problem with a helicopter landing in the grounds” said Hilton Park owner Johnny Madden, “but the well being of our sheep herd has to be taken into account, it’s really in the hands of the aviation authorities!”

The visit of the Neath Male Voice Choir is one of many jewels in the Flat Lake crown this year. Along with Poet-Laureate, Seamus Heaney, and a host of amazing festival surprises, the massed voices from the Swansea Valley will surely make many a festival hair stand on end when they perform on the Hilton lawn.

“Having a choir of this caliber coming from the area in which I was brought up means so much to me” said Allen “ it’s a dream come true”. Festival organisers are also negotiating the possibility of the choir singing at Mass in the Scotshouse church, adjacent to Hilton Park during the festival weekend.

The Flat Lake Festival will be held at Hilton Park on 23-24 August. For further information visit www.theflatlakefstival.com.