Festival of music for North Sligo

BENBULBEN Comhaltas will host the First Knocklane Traditional Festival at Ellen’s Pub, Maugherow from the 23rd to the 25th of June.

Only a year ago Benbulben Comhaltas officially launched the 8th Branch of Comhaltas in the County at Ellen’s and building on that launch the committee, led by All Ireland musician Kerrie Herrity decided to forge ahead with plans to host a family friendly weekend which would encompass the aims of Comhaltas; to promote music, song and dance in all its forms and the Irish language.

The Branch decided to add an educational element by providing workshops to encourage and revitalise traditional music in the North Sligo area. For younger children an art competition will run in the lead up to the weekend with prizes awarded on our opening night. The festival has been named after Knocklane Hill which is located on the peninsula of Maugherow overlooking Ballyconnell and Raughley and which has featured in many stories and compositions to date including that of JP Lenehan who sang, ‘ the hill of sweet knocklane’.

The weekend will be officially launched by cllr Rosaleen O’Grady with a Fundraising concert on Friday 23rd June at 8pm. It will feature some of Irelands top musician’s singers and dancers from the area and further afield. Workshops will take place at St. Patricks National School ( Maugherow) from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday 24th June. Tutors for this year include: Five times All- Ireland champion Junior Davey ( Bodhran / Bones), John Dwyer, ( Flute / whistle) and Jason McGuinness, ( Ceili Drumming). Workshops are suitable for both adults and children. No pre booking is required.

Saturday evening will see a visit from the Sligo/ Mayo based, ‘ Swallows Tail Ceili Band’, ( 9pm led by Flute player Michael Hurley.

A closing session will conclude the weekend on Sunday 25th June from 3 to 5pm.

All events take place at Ellen’s Pub, apart from the workshops which will be held in the local school. On site catering will be provided throughout the weekend.