Lovers of traditional entertainment will be pleased to learn that plans are being finalised for the hosting of the annual New Inn Mummers Festival which will take place on Saturday January 3 and Sunday January 4, 2015, in the local leisure centre in New Inn, Ballinasloe.
This will be the 37th annual staging of this unique festival of music, song, dance, and storytelling which is continuing to grow in popularity, and attracts competitors and patrons from across the county Galway and the Midlands.
Last year the festival was revamped to include a competition for under 13s on the Sunday afternoon, in conjunction with the Junior event for the under 18s, and this proved to be huge success. The festival committee hope to build on this further and make the Sunday afternoon a big family event which showcases the depth of young talent that is emerging in the region, that will ensure the future of the Mummers Festival.
The Senior section of the festival, as usual, will be staged on Saturday night, and the winning group will be presented with the Peter J Donohue Perpetual Trophy.
Chairman of the organising committee, Michael Mullins paid tribute to the sponsors who have supported and encouraged the event for over three decades. “Thanks to their generosity, there will be cash prizes and trophies for winning groups, and many individual awards to recognise talented musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers.”
The festival secretary, Michael Finnerty is now accepting entries and he can be contacted on (087 ) 3828281.
What better way to close the Christmas festivities, and get the New Year off to a good start, than a visit to the Mummers Festival on January 3 at 7.30pm and January 4 at 2.30pm.
