Is anyone going to, or familiar with, the Cup of Tae festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal? I've visited the website http://www.cupoftaefestival.com/ , but I can't get their contact page to work.
What I would like to know is:
1. Do all classes, sessions and other festival events take place in the town, or are they spread over a wider area?
2. Are there camping facilities within walking distance of the town? (Can I expect 'camping weather' in Donegal in early May? Of course, wind are to be assumed, but is it likely to freeze at night?)
3. What other accommodation is there? - a rough idea of prices would be good.
I am a non-driver, so the closer I am to where the action is, the better... and I'm a musician, so the cheaper, the better.
All the events take place in Ardara or within a short walking distance (e.g. Woodhill House). There's plenty of decent pubs in the town and a great cafe, Charlie's West End.
I believe that Ardara's hostel has closed. As for B&Bs, here's a link showing all the places registered with Fáilte Ireland - http://bit.ly/jVu21. I can recommend Brae House which is very comfortable and central. If you're travelling by yourself, then the going rate for a single B&B occupancy is €40-€50 (or €70-€90 if there's two of you), though you may be able to negotiate a discount if you're going to be staying three nights. I checked on the Gulliver site - http:/www.gulliver.ie - and the going rate for the two upmarket options, the Nesbitt Arms hotel and Woodhill house, was €240 and €270 for three nights' single occupancy respectively - not cheap.
Have you thought how you're going to get to Ardara? There are buses from Donegal town, but they ain't particularly frequent and, if you're going to leave on the Monday, a public holiday in Ireland, you're going to be enjoying a very early breakfast!
7.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. in Ardara Heritage Centre
Registration for Summer School of Music
Fidil, Feadóg Mór, Giotáir, Feadóg Stáin, Bosca Ceoil, Piáno agus Amhránaíocht.
Fee:
Adult €60.00
Children: €30.00
Family rates available
Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Students catered for.
All Star Opening Concert
Honouring our Special Guest the late great James Byrne
Organised in conjunction with his family and friends.
This is a most special event as we honour one of Donegal's greatest who has been
a key factor in the success of the “Cup of Tae” Festival since its inception.
Friends from all over Ireland will come and join in a great night in James’s memory
and in support of his family. We hope this Concert gets the support it deserves. Come early.
Doors open 8.00 p.m. (Performance starts 8.30 p.m.)
Traditional Music free in all Pubs every night (see Posters).
9.00 a.m. - 10.00 a.m. - Final Registration
Flute, Whistle, Accordian, Concertina in Community Centre
Guitar and Fiddle in St Mary's National School
Piano in Woodhill House
Singing in Heritage Centre
Class Times: 10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
at above mentioned Venues
Expected Teachers and Guests include: Tara Connaghan, Teresa Kavanagh, Trudy O Donnell, Veronica Keyes, Jenna Reed, Ian Smith, Donna Harkin, Shane Bracken, Deirdre Bonner, The Campbells, The O’Rourkes, Trevor Hunter, Edel McLaughlin, Tom Byrne, Michael Carey, Michael Gallanagh, Martin Tourish, Mattie McGranaghan and Edel McLaughlin.
We are pleased to welcome the All Ireland Accordian Champion Edel McLaughlin
Upstairs in the Corner House 12 noon to 2.00 p.m.
Breezy Willow - Storytelling and Cooking Session for children up to 12 years.
A Show highly popular and not to be missed
Heritage Centre at 1.00 p.m.
Free Recital with top musicians
Open Air Recitals - 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Weather permitting)
Open Air Musical Recitals with top Musicians in Ireland
Recitals at: The Diamond/Heritage Centre (Packie Manus Byrne Corner)
The Green House (Josie "The Post" Corner)
Teagues West End (John "The Tae" Corner)
Teagues Bar
Family & friends in the company of the man himself John “the tae” Gallagher will be in residence in Teagues during Saturday..
Musical Town Trail – 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Famous local Musicians will visit each Venue in town to allow visitors hear an indigenous group perform.
Heritage Centre at 6.00 p.m.
A top fiddler will show how to blend music and song
Suitable for fiddle players wishing to be part of a singing group
Upstairs in the Corner House
The Packie Manus Byrne Concert.
An evening of story, song, dance, recitation and craic.
The famous 91 year old Packie is joined by friends from home and abroad for a wonderful evening.
Free Irish Music in all Pubs in Town (see Posters)
10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m Music Classes continue
2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Music Classes complete
Open Air Recitals - 3.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m. (Weather permitting)
Open Air Musical Recitals with top Musicians in Ireland
Recitals at: The Diamond/Heritage Centre (Packie Manus Byrne Spot)
The Green House (Josie "The Post" Corner)
Teagues West End (John "The Tae" Corner)
Upstairs in the Corner House at 6.00 p.m.
The Breezie Willow Concert
At this special Concert Breezie will launch her tribute to Percy French and Delia Murphy.
These are people special to her. A Show not to be missed. Come early. Limited Seating.
Finale Concert in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel at 8.30 p.m.
The John “the tae” Concert is always a special event.
This year Matt McGranaghan will call on his many friends to partake in this wonderful Concert. A must for lovers of great music. Come early.
The Concert will also feature an array of young talent from the Community. A special feature this year will be the performance of the top visiting musicians and teachers from the Schools of Music. The highlight will be the attendance of John "the tae" Gallagher. Friends from home and abroad will join Packie Manus Byrne as they bring our Concert to a close.
The "Cup of Tae" is the name of an Irish Reel. Our Festival is in honour of a renowned Player John "the tae" Gallagher (generations of his family before him made 'taes' on Fair Days and other days of local importance) hence the name of the Festival.
Free Irish Music in all Pubs in Town (see Posters)
Monday 4th May, 2009.
A selection of Sessions will take place at all key venues at 12 Noon
Thanks Floss. I wondered about the camping, because it's not really in the camping season - there probably wouldn't be a lot of takers. I have an acquaintance living not too far away (who also goes to the festival) , so that might solve the accommodation problem. Three nights at €40-€50/night is a bit beyond my usual budget.
As regards getting there, I have always found thumbing lifts a fairly reliable, if sometimes slow, way of travelling across Ireland - carrying a couple of instruments often helps. I had considered cycling over from Dublin (as I have done many times to Milltown), but it turns out that to obtain the cheapest ferry tickets from Holyhead, I have to get a bus part of the way - unlike Bus Eireann, National Express buses do not take bikes. Perhaps I could buy the ticket and just skip the bus part of the journey - a bike would overcome the problem of camping being 5km away.
I think the hostel (right in the middle of Ardara) is still functioning. I met a few musicians who were staying in it in February.
People used to camp on Drumbarron hill just outside the town. A few of the Cup of Tae festivals have been in glorious weather when camping wouldn't have been a problem. It's May for goodness sake
I reckon when you get there you will be able to find B&B which is a bit cheaper than the figures Floss quoted.
Cup of Tae
Cup of Tae
Is anyone going to, or familiar with, the Cup of Tae festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal? I've visited the website http://www.cupoftaefestival.com/ , but I can't get their contact page to work.
What I would like to know is:
1. Do all classes, sessions and other festival events take place in the town, or are they spread over a wider area?
2. Are there camping facilities within walking distance of the town? (Can I expect 'camping weather' in Donegal in early May? Of course, wind are to be assumed, but is it likely to freeze at night?)
3. What other accommodation is there? - a rough idea of prices would be good.
I am a non-driver, so the closer I am to where the action is, the better... and I'm a musician, so the cheaper, the better.
# Posted on March 9th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Cup of Tae
I've copied the festival programme below.
All the events take place in Ardara or within a short walking distance (e.g. Woodhill House). There's plenty of decent pubs in the town and a great cafe, Charlie's West End.
The nearest campsite is a good 5km away - http://www.caravancampingsites.co.uk/eire/tramore.htm - and, as it's by the sea, it's going to be pretty chilly at night.
I believe that Ardara's hostel has closed. As for B&Bs, here's a link showing all the places registered with Fáilte Ireland - http://bit.ly/jVu21. I can recommend Brae House which is very comfortable and central. If you're travelling by yourself, then the going rate for a single B&B occupancy is €40-€50 (or €70-€90 if there's two of you), though you may be able to negotiate a discount if you're going to be staying three nights. I checked on the Gulliver site - http:/www.gulliver.ie - and the going rate for the two upmarket options, the Nesbitt Arms hotel and Woodhill house, was €240 and €270 for three nights' single occupancy respectively - not cheap.
Have you thought how you're going to get to Ardara? There are buses from Donegal town, but they ain't particularly frequent and, if you're going to leave on the Monday, a public holiday in Ireland, you're going to be enjoying a very early breakfast!
Hope all this helps.
_______________________________________________________________________
Friday 1st May, 2009.
7.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. in Ardara Heritage Centre
Registration for Summer School of Music
Fidil, Feadóg Mór, Giotáir, Feadóg Stáin, Bosca Ceoil, Piáno agus Amhránaíocht.
Fee:
Adult €60.00
Children: €30.00
Family rates available
Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Students catered for.
All Star Opening Concert
Honouring our Special Guest the late great James Byrne
Organised in conjunction with his family and friends.
This is a most special event as we honour one of Donegal's greatest who has been
a key factor in the success of the “Cup of Tae” Festival since its inception.
Friends from all over Ireland will come and join in a great night in James’s memory
and in support of his family. We hope this Concert gets the support it deserves. Come early.
Doors open 8.00 p.m. (Performance starts 8.30 p.m.)
Traditional Music free in all Pubs every night (see Posters).
________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 2nd May, 2009.
9.00 a.m. - 10.00 a.m. - Final Registration
Flute, Whistle, Accordian, Concertina in Community Centre
Guitar and Fiddle in St Mary's National School
Piano in Woodhill House
Singing in Heritage Centre
Class Times: 10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
at above mentioned Venues
Expected Teachers and Guests include: Tara Connaghan, Teresa Kavanagh, Trudy O Donnell, Veronica Keyes, Jenna Reed, Ian Smith, Donna Harkin, Shane Bracken, Deirdre Bonner, The Campbells, The O’Rourkes, Trevor Hunter, Edel McLaughlin, Tom Byrne, Michael Carey, Michael Gallanagh, Martin Tourish, Mattie McGranaghan and Edel McLaughlin.
We are pleased to welcome the All Ireland Accordian Champion Edel McLaughlin
Upstairs in the Corner House 12 noon to 2.00 p.m.
Breezy Willow - Storytelling and Cooking Session for children up to 12 years.
A Show highly popular and not to be missed
Heritage Centre at 1.00 p.m.
Free Recital with top musicians
Open Air Recitals - 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Weather permitting)
Open Air Musical Recitals with top Musicians in Ireland
Recitals at: The Diamond/Heritage Centre (Packie Manus Byrne Corner)
The Green House (Josie "The Post" Corner)
Teagues West End (John "The Tae" Corner)
Teagues Bar
Family & friends in the company of the man himself John “the tae” Gallagher will be in residence in Teagues during Saturday..
Musical Town Trail – 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Famous local Musicians will visit each Venue in town to allow visitors hear an indigenous group perform.
Heritage Centre at 6.00 p.m.
A top fiddler will show how to blend music and song
Suitable for fiddle players wishing to be part of a singing group
Upstairs in the Corner House
The Packie Manus Byrne Concert.
An evening of story, song, dance, recitation and craic.
The famous 91 year old Packie is joined by friends from home and abroad for a wonderful evening.
Free Irish Music in all Pubs in Town (see Posters)
________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday 3rd May, 2009.
10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m Music Classes continue
2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Music Classes complete
Open Air Recitals - 3.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m. (Weather permitting)
Open Air Musical Recitals with top Musicians in Ireland
Recitals at: The Diamond/Heritage Centre (Packie Manus Byrne Spot)
The Green House (Josie "The Post" Corner)
Teagues West End (John "The Tae" Corner)
Upstairs in the Corner House at 6.00 p.m.
The Breezie Willow Concert
At this special Concert Breezie will launch her tribute to Percy French and Delia Murphy.
These are people special to her. A Show not to be missed. Come early. Limited Seating.
Finale Concert in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel at 8.30 p.m.
The John “the tae” Concert is always a special event.
This year Matt McGranaghan will call on his many friends to partake in this wonderful Concert. A must for lovers of great music. Come early.
The Concert will also feature an array of young talent from the Community. A special feature this year will be the performance of the top visiting musicians and teachers from the Schools of Music. The highlight will be the attendance of John "the tae" Gallagher. Friends from home and abroad will join Packie Manus Byrne as they bring our Concert to a close.
The "Cup of Tae" is the name of an Irish Reel. Our Festival is in honour of a renowned Player John "the tae" Gallagher (generations of his family before him made 'taes' on Fair Days and other days of local importance) hence the name of the Festival.
Free Irish Music in all Pubs in Town (see Posters)
Monday 4th May, 2009.
A selection of Sessions will take place at all key venues at 12 Noon
_______________________________________________________________________
# Posted on March 9th 2009 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Cup of Tae
Thanks Floss. I wondered about the camping, because it's not really in the camping season - there probably wouldn't be a lot of takers. I have an acquaintance living not too far away (who also goes to the festival) , so that might solve the accommodation problem. Three nights at €40-€50/night is a bit beyond my usual budget.
As regards getting there, I have always found thumbing lifts a fairly reliable, if sometimes slow, way of travelling across Ireland - carrying a couple of instruments often helps. I had considered cycling over from Dublin (as I have done many times to Milltown), but it turns out that to obtain the cheapest ferry tickets from Holyhead, I have to get a bus part of the way - unlike Bus Eireann, National Express buses do not take bikes. Perhaps I could buy the ticket and just skip the bus part of the journey - a bike would overcome the problem of camping being 5km away.
Thanks again.
# Posted on March 9th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Cup of Tae
I think the hostel (right in the middle of Ardara) is still functioning. I met a few musicians who were staying in it in February.
People used to camp on Drumbarron hill just outside the town. A few of the Cup of Tae festivals have been in glorious weather when camping wouldn't have been a problem. It's May for goodness sake
I reckon when you get there you will be able to find B&B which is a bit cheaper than the figures Floss quoted.
# Posted on March 10th 2009 by deeor
Re: Cup of Tae
"A few of the Cup of Tae festivals have been in glorious weather when camping wouldn't have been a problem. It's May for goodness sake"
Fair enough. But round where I live (Mid Wales), I've heard people complaining of losing runner beans to the frost in June.
# Posted on March 10th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig