CILL CHARTHA, KILCAR FESTIVALS AND EVENTS (CO. DONEGAL)
Three years ago the Kilcar Tourism Committee organised the first Children’s Festival, followed in July by a series of Saturday night concerts in the Parish Hall entitled ‘Ceol na gConallach – The Donegal Sessions’ featuring the cream of local traditional musicians and singers and with special guests every week. These events were very successful and this prompted the committee to revive the Kilcar Fleadh last year.
The Fleadh had previously taken place as a weekend event but had lapsed over a decade ago. The decision to revive the Fleadh received widespread support in the community and following a public meeting a committee was established to work on the task. It was decided to run the Fleadh for a whole week with a series of events including workshops, concerts, dances etc. The publicans agreed to augment the events organised by the Fleadh Committee by providing traditional music in the bars during the week.
The Fleadh was an overwhelming success and was enjoyed by locals, returned emigrants and visitors from throughout Ireland and overseas. The same formula will be followed for this years event, but it is being extended to nine days – from Saturday, 9th to Sunday, 17th August.
The Children’s Festival takes place this year on Easter Monday and Tuesday, 24th and 25th March and the ‘Ceol na gConallach’ traditional music concert will take place in the Kilcar Parish Hall every Saturday night at 8.30pm commencing on Saturday, 5th July. The 3rd annual Éigse Chill Chartha takes place this year on the weekend of 12th – 14th September on the theme of Poets and Poetry of Kilcar and of South West Donegal.
In keeping with its policy of adding to the events in the parish which not only provide entertainment for visitors but enhance the quality of live for the residents of the area the Tourism Committee have decided to run a ‘Folk, Blues and Bluegrass Festival’ on the May bank holiday weekend, 2nd – 4th May.
The long established Kilcar Street Festival takes place from Thursday, 31st July to Monday, 4th August.
For more information on these festivals and events email kilcar.tourism@donegal.net or kilcar.fleadh@gmail.com or visit the website www.cill-chartha-kilcar.com
