ARTS Féile Iorrais – a festival celebrating diversity

BELMULLET BOXPLAYER Squeezebox maestro David Munnelly will be playing with his band on Friday, July 20, in Áras Inis Gluaire, as part of Féile Iorrais.

Féile Iorrais celebrates diversity


On its 17th anniversary, Féile Iorrais proves that its recipe for success is to host a diverse range of events to suit every taste and age group, all around the Barony of Erris.
This year’s array of music, artists and performers includes Fernanda Sanchez-Valdes from Spain playing Tango; Beoga, who give a distinctly Northern flavour to Irish Trad; International Children’s Films; Za Ucha with the finest Balkan music; Northumberland Celtic Ranters from England; Sligo-based musical powerhouse The Unwanted; and Mayo’s very own David Munnelly Band, to name but a few. 
The visual arts will be well represented by a photographic exhibition by Belmullet photographer Diarmuid O Riordan, which will be held at Áras Inis Gluaire.
Venues for the festival will be all over North West Mayo – from the four corners of Erris.  Events will be staged in Ionad Deirbhle in Eachléim, TrΡ Buí in Doohoma, Glenamoy, Ballycroy and elsewhere. The geographical spread fits with the main aim of Féile Iorrais –  to promote integration and understanding between the people of Erris and communities throughout the globe.
The first Feile Iorras was held in August 1996. The festival focused from the start on the Irish Language and on the development of indigenous arts in the Erris Region through children’s workshops and later through master-class sessions for adults.
Over the years, it has attracted people from all over the world, including Italy, Finland, France, England, Bolivia, Peru, Sweden, Wales, Poland, Romania, Greece, Estonia and Scotland. Irish artists and performers have included The Saw Doctors, Don Baker, St Laurence O Toole Pipe band, Mairtin O Connor, Frankie Gavin, Iarla O Lionaird, De Jimbre, Emer Mayock and many others.

Féile Iorrais 2012 runs from Friday, July 13, to Saturday, July 21. Admission to many of the concerts and all of the workshops is free. To find out more, visit www.feileiorrais.org, email feileiorras@eircom.net or call 097 81079.