Ceol na Locha celebrating a quarter of a century

Seoladh Féile Ceol na Locha go hoifigiúil ag ocáid Tí Mháire Luke ar an Domhnach seo caite Bealtaine 12ú.

Beidh Féile Ceol na Locha ar siúl i nGaeltacht Thuar Mhic Éadaigh, Co Mhaigh Eo ón Lúnasa 12ú-16ú. I mbliana beidh an féile ag céiliúradh 25 bliain ar an bhfód.

An príomh aidhm atá ag an bhFéile ná an Ghaeilge, cultúr traidisiúnta ceol agus amhráin ceantar Thuar Mhic Éadaigh a chaomhnú, a fhorbairt agus a chuir chun cinn.

Bíonn ranganna ar siúl ins na uirlisí ceoil seo a leanas: Bosca Ceoil, Feadóg Stáín, Fidil, Cruit, Feadóg Mór, Bodhrán, Consairtín agus Giotár. Beidh Ranganna Ealaíon, Amhráin Gaeilge agus Damhsa ar an Sean Nós ar siúl freisin chomh maith le Óige na Locha do gasúir san aois grúpa 5-9 mbliana.

Bíonn seisiún ceol ar siúl ins na tithe tabhairne áitiúl chuile oíche den tseachtain i rith na féile agus míle fáilte roimh chuile dhuine páirt a ghlacadh ins na seisiúin seo. Beidh siúlóid, Lá Teaghlaigh agus ceolchoirm ag céiliuradh 25 Bliain don féile le Clann Úí hIarnáín agus Don Stiffe ar siúl chomh maith le Céilí mór na féíle le Matt Cunningham agus a banna ceoil.

Ar an Aoine críochnaíonn an féile le Ceol Choirm ag na daltaí uilig a ghlac páirt ins na ranganna. An tráthnóna sin bíonn barbaiciú ar siúl Tí Phaidí agus críochnaíonn sé suas le seisiún ceoil.

Tá cáil ar an bhFéile seo thar na blianta agus meallainn sé daltaí as Sasana, Meiriceá agus tírthe eile thar lear, chomh maith le chuile páirt don tír seo.

The 2024 Ceol na Locha festival was officially launched at a function held in Máire Lukes on Sunday, May 12. This years festival takes place from August 12 to 16. Comhaltas Dhúiche Sheoigheach and friends provided plenty of musical entertainment during the evening.

Morning classes

Classes take place each morning of the festival from 10am to 1.30pm in Coláiste Muire. The following instruments are taught during the week, Accordion, Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Harp, Flute, Bodhran, Guitar and Concertina. Amhranaíocht as Gaeilge also take place as well as Art Classes for Adults and Children and a Óige na Locha camp for the younger children aged 5-9 years.

This festival has something for everyone, with sessions taking place every evening in the local pubs, where everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun. As well as the daily classes, a festival céilí with Matt Cunningham and his band will take place in Máire Lukes. A guided walk to Tourmakeady Waterfall, a Family Fun Day and Barbeque takes place in the Halla carpark in the village.

During the festival week, there will also be a launch of a book Ceann Scríbe Baile Ghib/Destination Gibbstown which has a collection of stories from the people who transferred from the West to Gibbstown Co Meath in 1937/1939.

This year the festival is celebrating 25 years and the organisers are delighted that the talented Hernon Family from Carna in Connemara will be on stage in Halla Tuar Mhic Éadaigh on the first night of the festival. They will be joined by singer Don Stiffe.

Tá muid thar a bheith buíoch as urraithe na Féile Ealáin na Gaeltachta, Roinn Oideachais, Roinn Ealaín Co Co Mhaigh Eo agus South West Mayo Development.

Tá muid buíoch don Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga Stiofán Seoighe agus don Coiste Stiúrtha Pleanála Teanga as an scoláireachtaí a chuireann siad ar fáil don féíle do daltaí atá ag freatal sna scoileanna san LPT.

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Bookings for classes this year are online only at www.ceolnalocha.com. Programme of classes and events can also be viewed online and brochures will also be available at local outlets. Further information from 094 9544295 or email ceolnalocha@gmail.com.