EntertainingSligo
O’CAROLAN HARP FESTIVAL
Yes – the big 40...The O’Carolan Harp Festival, Keadue, Co Roscommon has commemorated the Harper and Composer Turlough O’Carolan every August since 1978 – with a break of one year in 2003 when the village was representing Ireland in the Entente Florale Europe competition.
The final resting place of the last of the Irish Bards overlooks Lough Meelagh just outside the village. His influence through the repertoire he left behind is appreciated nationally and internationally. His music has been drawn upon in all kinds of musical genres – as diverse as National Anthems (The Star Spangled Banner), movie sound tracks and even latterly sampled.
The annual event is now one of the leading Harp and Traditional Music Festivals in Ireland, especially promoting harp music and the music of O’Carolan. It attracts harpers from Ireland and overseas who attend the Harp School Classes and compete in the International Harp Competitions. Participants have an opportunity to participate in the many traditional music events and sessions throughout the Festival & Summer School. Overseas visitors especially enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in the scenic surrounds of unspoilt north Roscommon.
But for those not taking part in classes, there is still much to do. For the landmark 40 th year, organisers have attracted more concerts- with both the local Church and the imposing St. Ronan’s Hall in the centre of the village playing host to quality music and song.
A new Concert on Saturday night for the 2018 programme features SHASKEEN on stage from 9.30pm in St. Ronan’s Hall.
There is plenty of street entertainment throughout the weekend. Fresh from appearing on Fleadh TVon TG4 from the successful Connacht Fleadh in Ballinamore, we are being joined from the GigRig at St. Ronan’s Hall with Tom Doherty, David Doocey & Pat Coyne at 4:30pm on Bank Holiday Sunday in an open-air event in front of St. Ronan’s Hall.
Other events include a wreath laying ceremony at O’Carolan’s grave, followed by a lecture: From Aghabehy to Tullytawen: The place-names of Kilronan
Music at the Heritage Park begins on Bank Holiday Monday @3pm with the multi-award winning local CCE group-a number of whom are headed for the All-Ireland Fleadh in Drogheda later in August.
The O’Carolan Summer School features some of the very best tutors in traditional music instruments, set & sean-nos dance & traditional singing. Classes will be hosted throughout the village in Harp, Flute, Tin Whistle, Banjo, Button Accordion, Bodhran, Fiddle & Concertina. Singing classes move to the afternoon to facilitate those who would like to play & sing and our Set dancing tales place each morning, with Sean-Nos in the afternoons.
Tickets will sell fast and are available from the festival website or by ringing 087 2559269.
Ceili Nights , Music & Song Sessions , A Tutor’s Concert , Harp Recitals and more… Keadue deserves a visit from Monday30th July to August 6 th
See www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie or follow on Facebook – Brochures available from local tourist information offices, theatres, hotel & B&B lobbies, shops or any committee members.
CHORAL FESTIVAL
The closing date for late entries: School and Youth Choirs: Receipt of Sheet Music:
Friday 21st September 2018 Please note that it will not be possible to make changes to music scores after 21st September 2018.
The 2018 Festival Adjudicators are Dr Roisin Blunnie, Cherry Hartshorn, Veronica McCarron and Dr Joseph Ryan. Competitions & Workshops Primary School Choir workshop Secondary School Choir Workshop Senior Choir Workshop COMPETITION A
Grand Prix -Prize Winners Competition & Gala Concert COMPETITION B
The Mayor of Sligo Perpetual Trophy for four-part Choirs any combination of voices COMPETITION C
Canon Desmond McLoughlin Perpetual Cup for 4 part choirs S.A.T.B. COMPETITION D
The Cat & The Moon Trophy for Equal Voices Female COMPETITION E:
The Joe Harte Memorial Trophy for Equal Voices Male COMPETITION F
Rev. Michael O’Connor Memorial Trophy for Sacred Music COMPETITION H
The Doreen Mitchell Shield for Gospel Choirs
COMPETITION I
The Sligo Park Hotel Trophy for Barbershop Choruses COMPETITION J
The Alfies Barbershop Trophy for Barbershop Quartets Competition K:
Youth Choirs COMPETITION L Workplace Choirs COMPETITION O
The Tony McConnell Memorial Trophy for Secondary School Choirs COMPETITION P
The Maura Butler Perpetual Trophy for Secondary School Choirs.