TRAD FANS OFF TO BANNOW

Traditional music fans will be making their way to Carrig-on-Bannow from July 21 to 24 for the Phil Murphy Weekend with headline concerts including Tommy Emmanuel and Sharon Shannon. The organisers have arranged a non-stop schedule of concerts, open-air gigs, sessions and workshops.

Among the big acts are the Australian guitar maestro Tommy Emmanuel; queen of the bosca cheoil Sharon Shannon; trad legends Noel Hill, Frankie Gavin and Brian McGrath; Celtic super group Lúnasa; troubador Dónal Clancy and the Hamilton Country Ramblers from Tennessee.

The 25th festival will be officially opened in Carrig-on-Bannow community centre on Wednesday, July 20, at 8 p.m. along with the launch of the annual parish journal and an exhibition of art and photographs by local artists.

On Thursday, the Danescastle Music Group will take to the stage at 8 pm to perform the popular ‘1916 Comoradh’ following their great success in the National Opera House earlier this year.

They will be followed by a group of wellknown traditional singers who will perform new compositions based on the 1916 Rising – ‘The Song Project’ was devised and produced by Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert and features Paddy Berry and Paul O’Reilly as well as singers from Dublin, Galway and Tipperary.

Another highlight of the weekend is the O Riada Mass, in Bannow Church at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.

The finale concert will be performed by Sharon Shannon and her band in the Festival Club at Colfer’s Marquee at 7.30 pm on Sunday night, with the Temple Michael Céilí Band as special guests.

Contact the box office at 085 7740751.