DE DANNAN, singer-songwriter Lisa O'Neill, sean-nós legend Seosamh Ó Neachtain and fiddle player Jesse Smith, are among those who will play the seventh annual Traidphicnic festival in An Spidéal.
The volunteer run festival will take place in the grounds of the An Ceardlann craft village, from Friday July 6 to Sunday 8. The festival opens on the Friday with The Gathering Session, followed by the Community Stage and is open to anyone who wants to play a tune, whatever their age, ability, or instrument. That evening Alec and Cian Finn play a concert along with Kathleen Loughnane and Catríona Cannon, followed by Lisa O’Neill, Seosamh Ó Neachtain, and Jesse Smith.
A highlight will be the concert from De Dannan, featuring Frankie Gavin, Alec Finn, and singer Delores Keane on the Saturday evening. Harpanno, ALFI and Navá provide the music on Sunday, finishing up with a concert from the teenage group representing Ceoltóirí Cois Fharraige.
There will also be sessions, storytelling, and classes in wool-spinning, pottery classes, circus skills, jewellery making, basket-making, glass craft, t-shirt design, weaving and clay modelling. There will also be workshops in drumming and instrument; an exhibition by locally based artists; and a guided shore-walk.
The festival is also seeking to be greener this year, with families encouraged to bring picnics and recycle any waste in the recycling bins supplied by Barna Waste. Coíllte has donated 100 native saplings, which can be taken home by festival goers. Film-maker and Conamara resident Bob Quinn will give a talk about his other passion – tree planting and conservation.
There is no cover charge for festival events, but volunteer ‘bucketeers’ will be on hand to gather donations which will go towards funding the weekend's activities. For more information see www.traidphicnic.com
