THE CLIFDEN Traditional Music Festival takes place from tomorrow to Sunday and will see the town come alive with gigs, sessions, dances, and outdoor events.
Celebrated and well established musicians from all over the country will participate, including: Maura Walsh, Philip Duffy, Graham Guerin, Gearoid Keating, Padraic Kerins, Josie and Una Canavan, Michael Curran, Chris Maguire, Bernie Conneely, Teresa Ryan, Maud Connolly, Sacra Furey, Daithi Gormley, and a host more, who will join local and other visiting musicians.
The weekend begins on Friday 13 at 7pm in the Clifden Station House Hotel, with the official opening, which will be performed by composer Bill Whelan, followed by a free concert.
There will be pub sessions all weekend including Friday and Saturday nights, Saturday afternoon and Sunday lunchtime. Workshops in button accordion, concertina, fiddle, and general instruments and sean nós dance workshops will take place on Saturday 14 at 11am. A ceili dancing workshop takes place on the Sunday afternoon.
The highlight will be the free outdoor performance on Saturday April 14 at 7.30pm, given by All Ireland Champions, the Dartry Ceili Band. A host of local and visiting musicians, singers and dancers will also take to the stage.
On Sunday at 11.30am there will be a traditional Music Mass in St Joseph’s Church, followed by a farewell ‘One for the Road’ session in Foyle’s Hotel.
All are welcome and events are free. See www.clifdentradfest.com
