CELEBRATING A LEGEND AT BROSNA’S FESTIVAL

CON Curtin was a legend of the Sliabh Luachra musical tradition, famed for his varied repertoire and the platform he offered musical talent at his bars, both at home and in London.

With that in mind, the Brosna-based festival that has held his name since 2001 serves as a perfect tribute to the man himself. Held each June, this year’s edition again provided a heady mix of music, song, dance storytelling, workshops and performances, as Festival Chairperson Mairead Corridan explained to The Kerryman.

“We had a whole heap of events around Brosna in honour of Con, from workshops to concerts, and from open-air music to nightly seisiúns in the pubs from Friday through to Sunday,” she said.

“We began on Friday with a concert at Brosna’s Parish Hall, which served as a hub over the course of the weekend, with the likes of Dara, Suzanne and Gearoid Curtin performing, as well as the much-loved Raw Bar Collective.” The weekend came to a close with a well-attended Céilí at the parish hall and an evening of singing at Flanagan’s Bar, and looking back at the packed, memorable roster, Mairead had no trouble picking out highlights.

“You had all the traditional disciplines on show over the three days,” she said. “I think the Sunday was very much family-oriented, and it was nice to see talented young musicians embracing our open-air busking competition. Providing a platform for young talents is befitting of a festival named after Con Curtin, who hosted so much live music at both home and abroad.

“It’s 16 years on from the first festival, but we’re not losing pace.”

All photos by Sheila Fitzgerald. The Horan and Courtney-Howe families from Listry (Long Den’s Group), who played at the Con Curtin Traditional Music Festival in Brosna.

Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald. Eoin, Timmy and Sheila O’ Sullivan, Michael O’ Connor, Pa, Batt, Kate, Eileen, and Katie Cotter enjoying the Con Curtin Traditional Music Festival in Brosna.

Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald. Sisters Lily and Hannah Cox playing their hearts out in the busking competition at the Con Curtin Traditional Music Festival in Brosna.

Ciarán Murphy, Mark Lane, and David Lane entertaining the crowds at the Square as part of all the great Con Curtin Festival music.

Young Brosna talents Amy O’ Sullivan, Eimear Murphy, Katie Cotter, Cormac Murphy and Shane O’Sullivan in action.

Ciara Horgan, Brosna, and her cousin Robyn Flynn, Dublin, fuelling up for fun.