MUSIC Enniscrone set for country and céilí festival

Enniscrone set for country and céilí festival


Michael Commins

BEAUTIFUL Enniscrone of the magical sunsets is all ready to host its third festival featuring country and Irish music as well as céilí dancing. The Diamond Coast Hotel will host the Country and Céilí Welcome Home Festival from Sunday, June 12 to Thursday, June 16. Hundreds of revellers are expected to descend on the small Sligo coastal town from home and abroad.
The five-day festival will gets under way with Dermot Hegarty on stage from 3pm to 5pm on the Sunday. Dancing on the Sunday night will be to Patsy and Majella and Lisa Stanley and the Enjoy Travel Band while Triogue play for the céilí.
Kieran White plays the afternoon session on Monday with Safire and TR Dallas on stage for the dancing later in the night. Céilí Time provide the music for the céilí and set dancers on both Monday and Tuesday nights.
A new feature this year is the concert with Ray Lynam on Tuesday night, followed by dancing to the Ger Long duo and Pat Jordan and the resident band. Ally Harron and Marian Curry will perform at the afternoon session.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dermot Hegarty and Seamus Shannon will provide the entertainment. Country dancing that night will feature Valerie Seale, Mary B and Paul Gallagher, and the Showband Sounds. The Annalee from Longford will entertain the céilí dancers on both Wednesday and Thursday nights.
The festival will draw to a close on Thursday with Pat Jordan on stage in the afternoon and dancing that night to Dermot Hegarty, Seamus Shannon, Shunie Crampsey and Johnny Carroll.
Apart from the nightly dancing, which starts at 9pm and goes on ’til 1am, there are sessions hosted by Mick Mackey from Clonmel; all are welcome to drop by and sing a song, play a tune, perform a recitation, or whatever tickles their fancy.
Various events are held throughout the day, including workshops for jiving, set dancing and other dances. The all-day pass is €20 while the night-time pass is excellent value at just €10. Looks like Enniscrone will be really buzzing next week!