NEW BARDIC FESTIVAL FOR BALLYDONOGHUE

A MAJOR literary revival is underway in North Kerry as Lisselton brings its famous Bardic Court back to life in a new festival celebrating the life and times of the founder of the famous court.

Hedge school master, poet and renowned academic Pádraig Liath Ó Conchubhair (1745 - c1820) has long been seen as the unsung literary giant of his native Lisselton, where he established the Lisselton Bardic Court in his heyday. He’s finally getting the recognition he deserves as his latter-day admirers effectively re-establish the Court - with the Ballydonoghue Bardic Festival.

It was an account of his life in the Ballydonoghue Parish Magazine by Tony O’Shea that got the ball rolling last year. It inspired a group to get together a year ago to explore the possibility of initiating an annual weekend festival in his honour. A committee was formed resulting in this week’s – March 22 to March 25 – inaugural Ballydonoghue Bardic Festival.

“The festival will focus on the themes of poetry, music and song,” according to chairman John McGrath. “We’re aiming for a subtle blend of culture and fun,” he added.

It kicks off on Thursday, March 22 with a sung Mass in Irish at 7.30pm in St Teresa’s Parish Church, Ballydonoghue.

The Thatch, Lisselton will be the venue for the Festival Launch on Friday in an event to include a re-enactment of a Hedge School by children from Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail. Writing, story-telling and Music workshops on Saturday will be followed by a free Variety Concert on Saturday night at 8 pm in Tomáisín’s Function Room at Lisselton Cross, featuring all local talent. Kerry County Council has also provided financial assistance.

The festival will come to a close on Sunday at The Thatch with Caife agus Comhrá, hosted by Joe Murphy, and running from 12 until 2 pm.