ENTERTAINMENT: Louisburgh all set for Féile Chois Cuain this weekend

One of Ireland’s premier traditional music, song and dance festivals, Féile Chois Cuain, takes place in Louisburgh over the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend, May 3 to May 6. It is a magical weekend where an extraordinary atmosphere prevails as old friends get together and new friendships are forged.
This year the festival celebrates its 29th renewal and a warm welcome awaits for all, many of whom are old friends who make it an annual trip, and many who may be venturing west for the first time.
Féile started out on 1995 with a small, ambitious and enthusiastic committee and from its inception the emphasis has been on quality. The festival has flourished over the years and continues to attract the cream of traditional artists, gaining it an enviable reputation at home and abroad.
The festival is renowned for the quality of the line up for workshops, concerts and sessions and the now legendary atmosphere that is generated by the event. For many, recognising the quality of the festival, Féile Chois Cuain, has become an essential annual event in their lives and they are now familiar faces in Louisburgh.
Being one of the most scenic areas in Ireland, Louisburgh is a renowned destination for hosting visitors and has a homely and welcoming atmosphere which is particularly apparent for the Feile weekend. Performers and visitors have remarked on the friendliness of the people and the respect shown to the performers. The absence of competitions adds to the relaxed atmosphere and the mix of concerts, classes, céilí and sessions have proved a popular format.

Outstanding line-up
THIS year the committee has again invited an outstanding line-up of traditional musicians, singers and dancers to teach classes and play in concerts and sessions over the weekend. Apart from those listed on the programme (see News, page 7 for full details), the committee has also engaged numerous other artists.
The festival begins on Friday evening at 7pm in The Parochial Hall with the ‘Mol an Óige’ youth concert, featuring local and visiting musicians. This is a wonderful event which encourages and gives a platform to young musicians. Through the years, the festival has inspired and encouraged many of the young locals to keep playing music with the result that the area now boasts a strong wealth of young musicians.
At 9pm Féile Chois Cuain welcomes one and all to lively music sessions in An Bhun Abhainn, and McNamara’s Bar while Staunton’s Lecanvey is the venue for a memorable singing session. At 10pm a wonderful group of Pádraic Keane, Aidan Connolly, Fergus McGorman and Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill will be in P Dan’s, Killadoon, for a CD launch of their newest album.
Saturday morning sees workshops and master classes kick off at 11 am, with registration from 10.30am. Online registration is available at www.feilechoiscuain.com for those who prefer to avoid the queue. The classes break for lunch from 1pm to 2pm and finish up for the day at 4pm.
The Set Dance Workshop will take place in the Parochial Hall with tutors Róisín and Pádraic McEneany.
All singing, music and sean-nós dance master classes will take place in Sancta Maria College and tutors for each are as follows; Accordion: Anne Conroy Burke/Fiachna Ó Mongáin; Fiddle: Eilleen O’Brien/Aidan Connolly; Flute: Sarah Jane Woods/Barry Conaty; Tin Whistle: Deidre Hurley; Concertina: Conor O’Loughlin/Paul Clesham; Banjo: Tom Cussen; Group Performance: Maggie MaGuire; Ballads: Eoin O’Donnell; Amhránaíocht ar an Sean-Nós: Colm Jimmy Ó Curraoin and Damhsa ar an Sean-Nós: Gearóid Ó Droighneáin.
The Sean-nós singing session takes place in the Parochial Hall from 4.15pm to 6pm on Saturday afternoon, the Fear an Tí this year will be Colm Jimmy Ó Curraoin, current holder of the Corn Ui Riada. The Grand Concert takes place in the Parochial Hall on Saturday night at 8pm, featuring music, song and dance from the tutors of the day among others and again informal sessions will be the order of the evening in all the local bars with a singing session in P Dan’s yoga room.

Special Mass
SUNDAY morning Mass takes place at 11.30am with delicate traditional music to lift the spirits and get set up for the day ahead. If weather permits, there is always a lovely session on the square after Mass, which is the highlight of the Féile for many. The Sunday concert at 4pm in the Parochial Hall always takes a theme and this years it is entitled ‘Ceol agus Cairdeas/Musical Friendships’ and features artists from the various Gaeltacht regions of Ireland. Among those taking part will be Anne Conroy Burke, Eileen O’Brien, Mary Conroy, Jillian O’Malley, Mickey Kerr, Tomás Quinn, Maggie MaGuire and Gabriel McCardle.
The Céilí takes place in the Parochial Hall on Sunday night from 9pm until midnight, and returning to provide the music will be the legendary Dartry Céilí Band. Again on Sunday night there will be sessions to be found throughout the town.
The ‘Slán Abhaile’ sessions start at 12.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday in all the pubs. This is a lovely wind-down after the shenanigans of the weekend. Often tired, but extremely relaxed after the weekend in good company, these sessions are often the sweetest. This is a lovely way to conclude the festival with heads reeling with tunes, songs, dance-taps, laughter and good thoughts after a weekend with old and new friends, friends of Féile, friends of Cluain Cearbán.
The organising committee would like to express huge thanks to all who help out with the festival and particularly the generous sponsors.

For more on the upcoming festival, contact the Féile Committee on 086 2459113 or at feilechoiscuain@gmail.com, or visit the festival website, feilechoiscuain.com.