October 2nd – 5th, 2008
www.corkfolkfestival.com

The 2008 Beamish Cork Folk Festival is one of Ireland’s premier events will feature artists, musician, dancers and singers from Ireland, Britain and beyond. The programme will include a staggering range of musical traditions and styles from Salsa to Slides, from old-timey bluegrass to sean nós singing.

Some of the highlights will include a concert with the West Kerry group, BEAL TUINNE featuring Seamus Begley, button accordion and vocals; Rita Connolly, vocals and guitar; Lawrence Courtney, vocals and banjo; Eilis Kennedy, vocals and whistle; Jim Murray, guitar; Eoin Begley, concertina and button accordion; Shaun Davey, pedal harmonium and vocals with honorary member; Daithi O’Se, vocals.
A concert with Salsa Celtica, a vibrant 11 piece world music fusion band from Edinburgh.

Another highlight will be the return of two of Ireland’s finest musicians Frankie Gavin and Mairtin O’Connor to Cork for a very special concert at St FinnBarr’s Cathedral.
Also appearing at this year will be the Michael McGoldrick Trio with John Joe Kelly & Ed Boyd, Michael McGoldrick was born in Manchester to Irish parents, Mike had already won numerous All -Ireland Championships by the age of 15. A master of the flute, whistle and Uillean pipes, Mike is a founding member of Toss the Feathers and Flook, Mike currently plays with Capercaillie, Sharon Shannon as well as his own band. His most recent album ‘Wired’ won him the title of Musician of the year at the Radio 2 Folk awards 2006.John Joe Kelly like Mike,  John Joe was born and raised in Manchester to Irish parents. He began playing the bodhrán at the age of seven, and rapidly established himself as a force of nature on the instrument. He won the all-Ireland championship an astonishing six times, then turned professional in his teens.  The ‘pride of the west’ is John Wynne & John McEvoy, they will feature with the legendary Beara box player Finbarr Dwyer and Cork’s own Conal O Grada.  Throughout the festival weekend, audiences can sample everything from the very best fiddle, accordion, pipes and flute players in Ireland to a giant open-air Céilí Mór with the Kilfenora Céilí Band. As usual the festival will feature concerts from the Cork Blues, Pipes’ and singers’ clubs, plus lectures, children’s events and a music trail featuring 40 free sessions.

More details will be announced in the coming months on our website www.corkfolkfestival.com