AN SPIDÉAL’S ANNUAL arts festival, Éigse an Spidéil, returns from Wednesday March 4 to Sunday 8, celebrating culture, community, development, and innovation in the area.
Among the highlights this year will be a concert from Buail Cos Faoi! led by the brilliant trad accordionist Johnny Óg Connolly, with sean-nós dancers Seosamh Ó Neachtain and Máire Áine Ní Iarnáin, and musician Garry Ó Briain in Óstán na Páirce on Saturday 7. Support is from Dublin fiddler Liam O’Connor and guitarist Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill.
Thursday March 5 will see the official launch of the festival in Stiúideó Cuan, beside Ceardlann an Spidéil, and feature performances from young musicians from An Gaelacadamh. The festival poetry event, Ardán na hÉigse, takes place on Friday 6 in Tigh Ghiblin, with readings from Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh and some Connemara poets Connemara. There will also be music from fiddler Saileog Ní Cheannabháin. On Saturday 7, the annual singing competition for young singers takes place at 12 noon in Óstán na Páirce, while Liam O’Connor gives a fiddle masterclass at Studio Cuan from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Sunday 8 is the Siúlóid na hÉigse guided walk with Timín Joe Tim Ó Curraidhin, staring at Cill Éinde at 12 noon. The festival closes with a session in An Droighneán Donn at 2pm, where the winner of this year’s Laoch an Traidisiúin will be announced.
The festival’s visual art element will be an interactive project with Coláiste Chroí Mhuire and Coláiste Cholm Cille transition year students, under the direction of Dara McGee, in Coláiste Chroí Mhuire.
For more information and a full list of events see www.eigseanspideil.ie
