The Burning Man festival is located in the Blackrock Desert, 15 miles outside Gerlach, Nevada in the US. It is situated on a million acres of dried lake bed and on a clear day it seems possible to see the curvature of the earth. Nothing grows here, and for eleven months of the year nothing lives here.

This is a gathering of like-minded individuals who come together in a celebration of alternative art and culture. During the day people wander around the playa looking at and interacting with the ingenious creations that people have brought with them.

The atmosphere is one of fun and openness. People bring presents to exchange with new friends. These take the form of pieces of art, jewellery, stories and even food and sweets. No money is exchanged in almost all of the camps (the only things money can be used to buy are ice, chai, tea and coffee).

What we have done in 2002 was to bring an Irish Bar to the desert. First of all I should explain the motivation behind this concept. Everywhere that my friends and I have travelled there has been an Irish bar. From the far away lands of the Northern Territories to the depths of winter in Russia, a pint of Guinness can be enjoyed in the friendly atmosphere that can only be found in a Kitty O Sheas or a Dirty Nellys. We want to bring this to the desert. To one of the most inhospitable places in the world we want to bring the Irish hospitality.

But not only this. We want to bring it back year after year. Each year using new people and different ideas. This bar should be a representation of the Irish spirit and should strive for originality, creativity and the spreading of goodwill worldwide. Each year the Irish bar and gallery will be stocked with alcohol and art. Everything will be given away for free, expecting nothing in return. No barter will take place. This is completely gift culture. The Irish all around the world are known for their artistic nature, hospitality and party attitude. What better place to demonstrate the innate artistic nature and good attitude of the Irish.

This gathering is growing every year. Documentaries can be seen each year on Channel Four and other television stations. There is also a web site that can be found at www.burningman.com. This is not a pretentious festival. Art lovers gather every year to live in the moment. Appreciate something beautiful for a week and then burn it all. Everything that is there is for the people who are present and no one else. Art, creativity and originality are celebrated daily and the people who attend this festival take their experiences with them for the rest of their lives.

When we arrived we had no idea how welcome we would be made feel. People thanked us for the effort we had made and congratulated us on the great job we had done. We count the days to next years burn and encourage everyone who likes the idea to get involved.

To find out more go to www.burntheirishbar.com

By the way Duncan isn't relly as big a lunatic as you all think (I happen to know the man personally)

By for now,

DOK