July 29th – August 1st, 2011
www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie

Frankie Gavin & De Danann to play at O’Carolan Harp and Traditional Music Festival Keadue, Co. Roscommon.The world famous traditional group De Danann is booked to play at the Keadue O’Carolan Harp Festival on Sunday night August 1st. The group led by leading fiddle player, Frankie Gavin has played to packed audiences at this venue on numerous occasions over the years. The Festival has established itself over the years as one of Ireland’s leading musical events.

The 2011 Festival which is held under the auspices of Comhaltas Ceoltorí Eireann and in memory of the great harper and composer Turlough O’Carolan who is buried in Kilronan Cemetery will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend from July 29th, to August 1st, 2011. A Summer School in Traditional Irish Music, Song, Set Dancing and Sean Nos Dancing will take place the week before the Festival from July 25th to July 30th. Now in it’s 32nd Year this very popular event promises to be even more successful than the previous Festivals. Marketing of the Festival has been intensified with inclusion of the activities on the Internet and promotion by Fáilte Ireland and Ireland West and the following magazines: The Folk Harp Journal USA. United Kingdom Harp Magazine, Sounding Strings-Scotland Aoife Magazine, Set Dancing News and Discover Ireland, together with the Irish Music Magazine, Irelands Eye, Irelands Own, Hot Press and the Irish Post.

Throughout the Festival weekend there are Concerts, Music Sessions, Door Dancing Ceilís, Lectures and of course The International Harp Competition with a prize fund of ?2,500 sponsored by local company Arigna Fuels Ltd. The winners of this prestigious competition in previous years came from the USA, France, Japan, Scotland, England, Germany and of course Ireland.

Among the Bands and Artistes appearing at the Festival are Frankie Gavin & De Danann, Fiddlers Green, Matt Cunningham, Shebeen, Liam Purcell & Friends, Swallows Tail, O’Carolan Ceilí Band, Harper Catriona McKay (Scotland) and Eamon & Orla Daly. Students attending the classes at the Summer School can avail of the following workshops-Harp, Flute, Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Banjo, Button Accordion, Piano Accordion, Concertina, Bodhran, Traditional Singing, Set Dancing and Sean Nos Dancing.

For further information visit the: Websites: www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie and www.keadue.harp.net or  Email: ocarolan@eircom.net
or Tel: 00353 71 9647247/00353 71 9647284.