Ballinasloe will be alive with traditional Irish music, culture, and heritage from Friday, September 9, to Sunday, September 11, for Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds.
Larry Reynolds was native of a townland close to Ballinasloe who, like so many of his time, emigrated to Boston in 1953. After some time he became known as a highly influential fiddle player, not only for his East Galway style but also because of the contribution he made to Irish culture in Boston and all over North America.
To commemorate Larry, the festival was established in 2014. Now in its third year, it has grown and is fast becoming an important event on the trad calendar.
The Alan Kelly Gang with Eddi Reader will open the festival with a concert in Ballinasloe Town Hall on Friday, September 9. A blend of Scottish and traditional Irish vocalists and musicians, they have left audiences spellbound, and so it promises to be a spectacular night of the best of Celtic music and song.
The rest of the weekend has a packed itinerary including trad music, song, sean nós dance workshops, a tutors recital, an Irish music pub trail, a lecture on 'The East Galway Style of Music', craft exhibitions, an historic walking tour of Ballinasloe, plus schools art and poetry competitions - and that is just on Saturday!
Sunday will see one of the weekend’s highlights – the first Larry Reynolds All-Ireland U18 fiddle competition. With a prize fund of €250 and a perpetual cup for the winner, the competition is certain to be fierce.
Other events on that day include Mass with local trad musicians, a singers circle event in The Pillar House, a céilí in Hayden’s Hotel with the Glenside, a junior seisiún in The Dunlo Tavern, a concert by the newly formed trad group, Gatehouse, and there will no doubt be many an open seisúin during the day and throughout the weekend all over the town.
Further details and tickets can be found at www.larryreynoldsweekend.com Alternatively, email [email protected] or call (087 ) 9046140.
