Living it up in Louisburgh

SESSION Playing at a Féile session, from left: Paddy Allen and Gerry Bird, Meath; Owen Hackett, Offaly; Hugh Grogan and Peter Farrell, Tyrone; and Padraic Maguire, Newport.

Living it up in Louisburgh

Louisburgh’s 13th annual Féile Chois Cuain, which took place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, was a resounding success. The event attracted more performers and visitors than ever before. The number of visitors from overseas, many of whom have discovered the festival through the Internet, continues to grow, providing a huge boost to the tourist trade in the area. The feedback from visitors has been tremendously positive. Many visitors return year after year and they, in turn, spread the news to others. The attendance at all the events was up on previous years and the quality of the entertainment was top class.
 On Friday nigh, the “Mol an Oige” concert, which featured home and visiting performers, got the festival off to a flying start. The high standard on display stood as proof of the very healthy state of the traditional arts among the youth. After the official opening, the town was alive with music and singing sessions in all the local pubs.
 All the classes were very well attended, as was the set-dance workshop. Visitors from many parts of Ireland, England, mainland Europe, the US and even Japan joined large numbers of locals attending.
Bhí an seisiún amhránaíochta ar an sean-nós thar barr.  Bhí scoth na n-amhránaithe ar an sean-nós ag glacadh páirt agus is annamh a chloiseann tú an méid sin amhránaíthe chlúiteach in aon áit amháin taobh amuigh den Oireachtas. Bhí Johnny Mháirtín Learaí, Máirtín Tom Sheáinín, Meaití Joe Shéamuis, Katie Sweeney, Sarah Grealish, Micheál Ó Confhaola, Traolach Ó Conghaile, Nollaig Nic Aindriú, Síle Uí Mhongáin, Tomás Ó Máille, Cathal Lynch, Micheál Ó Marranáin, Seán Mac Conmara agus go leór eile ag glacadh páirt.
 The Saturday night Grand Concert drew a bumper crowd and was a great success. With Ben Lennon, Tim Dennehy, Meabh Ní Lochlainn, Dympna O’Sullivan, John Hegarty, Sarah Jane Wods, Johnny Mháirtín Learaí, Máirtín Tom Sheáinín, Brendan and Bronagh Needham, Martin Quinn, Traolach Ó Conghaile, James Langan, Marie McHugh, Kevin Corbett, Cathal Lynch, Nollaig Nic Aindriú, Brian McNamara, Ann Marie and Hugh Grogan, Owen Hackett, Paddy Allen, Jim Connolly, Peter Farrell, Gerry Bird, Ronan Regan and many others taking part, the patrons got great value for their money.
 The special theme concert – ‘Ó Ghlúin go Glúin’ – held on Sunday afternoon created a huge buzz.  Rarely do you find so many artists of this quality on stage together. Unforgettable performances were provided by musicians the Cartys, the Hernons, the Connollys, the Carberrys, and the Hurleys and by sean-nós singers Sarah Grealish and her son Micheál Ó Confhaola. Dancers Seamus Devane and his sons Patrick and Gerard were joined by local artists, Seamus Heneghan and family in an impressive show.        
 The set-dance social on Sunday night, a lively affair under the excellent music of ‘The Swallows Tail’, was a also a great success. The pub sessions over the weekend were first class, and it is testament to the esteem the festival is held in that it continues to attract so many outstanding musicians from far and wide. 
 As with each of the previous twelve festivals, the Gardai report a trouble free weekend from Féile Chois Cuain patrons. For a weekend of friendship, good company and top quality entertainment, Féile Chois Cuain is undoubtedly the place to be.