Which festivals or events would you all recommend? I'm thinking of going to the Inishowen song seminar in March, if it's on, (info, anybody?) but would love to know about any recommendations you all might have. Willie Clancy week is already in my diary, but it's a long time off.
I especially like fiddles and pipes, if that makes any difference, and I'm not big on crowds...
Helen,
For me it has to be the Fleadh Nua down in Ennis around the end of May each year. It has something for everyone including workshops on fiddles and pipes which you mentioned plus lots of other traditional instruments. Apart from the Sunday parade, crowds are not a problem and you'll have little difficulty in getting into whichever session appeals to you. There are also concerts, ceili dance classes and lots of traditional singing - in fact if you visit the site at http://fleadhnua.ennis.ie/ you'll find some live concert material archived after the 2002 event plus other information which will give you a flavour of the festival.
even the smallest and best festivals can get pretty packed, fact of life I'm afraid. I personally love the cuckoo fleah in kinvara and the feakle festival in clare- they are smaller festivals, but both really top notch on the music/ musician side of things. Can remember when they are - but I was at the cuckoo fleadh recently. Does anyone know when they are on? Cant believe I forgot!
The Ennis Trad Festival in November is one of my favorite. The festival web site is http://www.ennistradfestival.com/ . This is a musician?s festival with great music every where is town.
The Patrick O?Keefe Traditional Music Festival is another favorite. Held on the October Bank Holiday Weekend, it is the source of great Sliabh Luachra music. Up the Kingdom! Their web site is http://patrickokeeffe.itgo.com/IndexPOK.htm .
The Cuckoo Fleadh ran this year from the 3rd-5th May but like all other good sessions, it ran on a bit longer than that and we didn't want to come home!
Kinvara is a lovely spot and if anyone gets a chance next year, they should try it out.
The Eddie Duffy Memorial Festival in Derrygonnelly 11-13 October is a great wee festival. There are about 50 invited musicians and usually another 100 or so turn up for non stop sessions in the pubs. There are only four or five venues but with a couple if rooms in each. Very few non musicians about the place and the standard of tunes is excellent.
Dungarvan Festival over the May bank holiday weekend is also superb and run on similar lines to the Edie Duffy festival.
If you are in Scotland at the begininf of May then check out the Girvan Folk Festival.
Favourite festivals in Ireland
Favourite festivals in Ireland
Which festivals or events would you all recommend? I'm thinking of going to the Inishowen song seminar in March, if it's on, (info, anybody?) but would love to know about any recommendations you all might have. Willie Clancy week is already in my diary, but it's a long time off.
I especially like fiddles and pipes, if that makes any difference, and I'm not big on crowds...
# Posted on September 19th 2002 by Nell
Re: Favourite festivals in Ireland
Helen,
For me it has to be the Fleadh Nua down in Ennis around the end of May each year. It has something for everyone including workshops on fiddles and pipes which you mentioned plus lots of other traditional instruments. Apart from the Sunday parade, crowds are not a problem and you'll have little difficulty in getting into whichever session appeals to you. There are also concerts, ceili dance classes and lots of traditional singing - in fact if you visit the site at http://fleadhnua.ennis.ie/ you'll find some live concert material archived after the 2002 event plus other information which will give you a flavour of the festival.
# Posted on September 19th 2002 by Bannerman
Re: Favourite festivals in Ireland
even the smallest and best festivals can get pretty packed, fact of life I'm afraid. I personally love the cuckoo fleah in kinvara and the feakle festival in clare- they are smaller festivals, but both really top notch on the music/ musician side of things. Can remember when they are - but I was at the cuckoo fleadh recently. Does anyone know when they are on? Cant believe I forgot!
# Posted on September 20th 2002 by bb
Re: Favourite festivals in Ireland
The Ennis Trad Festival in November is one of my favorite. The festival web site is http://www.ennistradfestival.com/ . This is a musician?s festival with great music every where is town.
The Patrick O?Keefe Traditional Music Festival is another favorite. Held on the October Bank Holiday Weekend, it is the source of great Sliabh Luachra music. Up the Kingdom! Their web site is http://patrickokeeffe.itgo.com/IndexPOK.htm .
Slán agus beannacht,
Manny
# Posted on September 22nd 2002 by Manny
Re: Favourite festivals in Ireland
Hi there.
The Cuckoo Fleadh ran this year from the 3rd-5th May but like all other good sessions, it ran on a bit longer than that and we didn't want to come home!
Kinvara is a lovely spot and if anyone gets a chance next year, they should try it out.
Michele
# Posted on September 22nd 2002 by Michele Q
Re: Favourite festivals in Ireland
The Eddie Duffy Memorial Festival in Derrygonnelly 11-13 October is a great wee festival. There are about 50 invited musicians and usually another 100 or so turn up for non stop sessions in the pubs. There are only four or five venues but with a couple if rooms in each. Very few non musicians about the place and the standard of tunes is excellent.
Dungarvan Festival over the May bank holiday weekend is also superb and run on similar lines to the Edie Duffy festival.
If you are in Scotland at the begininf of May then check out the Girvan Folk Festival.
# Posted on September 22nd 2002 by breandan