Date set for 2018 Knocklane festival following success of first event last weekend
THERE was huge success for Benbulben Ceoltoiri Eireann as their first Knocklane Traditional Festival brought a weekend packed with music & dancing to the North Sligo community.
Benbulben CCE was set up as the newest Sligo branch in September 2015 in an attempt to encourage and support a love of our Irish culture and heritage and to continue to build on the work that Comhaltas has already done worldwide.
The sense of belonging and being culturally connected plays a huge part in our mental wellness and Benbulben Comhaltas encompasses that importance when establishing the branch and indeed the monthly seisiún which have been greatly supported by community.
The branch “seisiún” has visited many of the surrounding villages including Rathcormac, Carney, Grange, Mullaghmore & Ballintrillick with the home of Benbulben Comhaltas being based in Ellen’s Bar Maugherow.
Ellen’s Bar set the scene for the Knocklane Festival in an old Irish traditional thatch cottage sitting on the top of a hill overlooking a headland known as Knocklane.
The Knocklane Festival commenced on Friday 23rd June with an opening concert largely supported by families, visiting friends and locals who were treated to a variety of very talented musicians, singers and dancers. The festival was officially opened on the night by Ballyconnell native and Sligo Cllr Rosaleen O Grady. M.C on the night was the five time All Ireland Bodhran winner Junior Davey. Benbulben CCE Chairperson, the accomplished musician, Kerrie Herrity composed two tunes for the event. Dancers performed from the Gallagher School, Broga Briomhar & Drumcliffe’s Aoibhin & Diarmiud Dunleavy & Taylor Family from Offaly creating a great atmosphere. Benbulben CCE also had acts from a lot of well known artists from Sligo and further afield including Carmel Gunning, John Dwyer, Tony Cunningham, Brian Leydon, Brian Mostyn, Sean Gilraine, John Henry, Drumcliffe Folk group, John Donegan, Liam Gannon, Mick Hannon, Ray Walsh, Niamh McGloinn & Eamonn Donlon.
Music workshops held in Maugherow National School on Saturday were attended by children and adults with an interest in flute and whistle - by John Dwyer, Bodhran & Bones – Junior Davey & Ceili drumming/ Fiddle –Jason McGuinness.
Saturday night hosted a Ceili by the Swallows Tail Ceili Band who put on a massive show of music and dancing, reviving old traditions in Ellen’s Bar.
Sunday saw the festival wind down with a “Seisiún” in Ellen’s by the local Benbulben CCE branch accompanied by musicians and dancers.
Irish music has certainly been revived and drew interest from the whole community and further afield, many referring to the festival as a local “Maugherow Fleadh”. Benbulben Comhaltas Committee would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all that contributed to a very successful weekend.
Knocklane Festival has set the date for 2018 as June 22nd24 th a date for the diary for music lovers everywhere.