The Kilkenny Arts Festival with its schedule of theatre, classical and Irish music, puppet shows and art exhibitions was open to everyone, even children. The Adoration of the Magi, one of the works by controversial Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein, draped on the walls of Kilkenny Castle for the duration of the city's arts festival. Photograph: Joe St Leger No better way was this shown than with the giant canvasses draped along the castle and around the streets of the city. For those who didn't know the work of Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein, his huge pictures of local children were a delight. The canvasses showing images from the Nazi era just left them confused, but the throngs who visited Kilkenny during the weekend snapped away with their cameras all the same. Ms Anne Quiggle who was on a tour from Minnesota wasn't impressed, however. "It doesn't belong on the castle. It's ruining the view," she said. Ms Joni Delaney O'Connell, the tour organiser, said the Nazi images were just "too political" for an arts festival. Mr Seamus Raben from Celbridge came to see Helnwein's work. "The craftsmanship is outstanding, and it's great how he involves himself with the local community," he said.