Cloghane/Brandon’s Féile Lughnasa promises a busy weekend of fun and entertainment

FÉILE Lughansa takes place next weekend in Cloghane/Brandon and the packed programme of events promises something for everyone.

The festival, which was revived in 1995, is linked to the pre-Christian festival of the same name and features music, children’s activities and stage dramas as well as the blessing of the boats at Brandon Pier, and a pilgrimage to the summit of Mount Brandon.

The féile will be opened this year by Toiréasa Ferris at 7pm on Friday, where the Queen of the festival, Niamh Ní Ghráinne, will be crowned. Afterwards, the Hy-Breasal theatre group will perform ‘Backwater’ and ‘The Pure of Heart’ by John B. Keane as well as ‘Desperandums Waiting for a Train’ by Frank Houlihan.

One of the highlights of this year’s Féile is the return of Eleanor Shanley to Halla le Chéile on Saturday and tickets for this are already in great demand.

A variety of events on Saturday include an Up-cycling Art Worksop with Yunjee as well activities for bookworms and adventurers alike with a range of events from book reading for children to paddle boarding at the pier (pre booking required). Cappamore is the venue for the children’s sports and sandcastle building. The villages will play a football match and to round off the day there will be an evening of music and craic in the local pubs.

The pilgrimage to the summit of Mount Brandon will take place on Sunday morning with a ramble around the new Fairy Glade Walk for younger mountaineers. Sunday also includes the traditional blessing of the boats, a soccer tournament and the adult fancy dress at 7.30pm.

For further details contact Halla le Chéile on 066 7138137 or Tabitha Overy on 087 3138687.