August 8th – 13th, 2012
www.feaklefestival.ie

The Feakle festival of Irish Traditional Music is celebrating its 25th year this August. Commencing on Wednesday 8th, the Festival will run for six days and nights with a programme reflecting the best of Irish music and musicians.

As ever the festival opening night will be special as they present a DVD of the history of the festival and the opening of an art exhibition by local artist Tom Moloney. All are welcome. Thursday 9th sees the first of 3 days of workshops, in the afternoon, student sessions, the Festival’s ever popular Festival Walk through the scenic beauty of East Clare.

That evening the Festival pays tribute to it’s most famous local musician Martin Hayes with the presentation of the Irish Premiere of Natural Grace – Irish Music and Martin Hayes. Two years in the making, this film captures Martin Hayes in a variety of settings, at home in East Clare, in Tokyo, Japan, Bantry in West Cork amongst others, and films him in concert with Dennis Cahill in Ballymaloe Grainstore in East Cork and in full flow at the National Concert Hall in Dublin with the RTE Concert Orchestra. Art Ó Briain’s film allows Martin tell his own story, play his music and reveals his profound conviction of the centrality and importance of melody in Irish music. The film is laced throughout with images of Irish nature, which when accompanied by the unique tone and timbre of Martin’s fiddle playing, created an appropriate the title for this portrait. This will be followed by a concert in Caher House of Triúr featuring Martin with Peadar O’Riada and Caoimhín O’Raghlaigh. Friday night’s concert in the local church sees the return of Festival favourites, singer Tommy Fleming, Martin Hayes and Dennis.

Saturday after the final workshop is Poetry Reading with Tony Curtis and Noel Harrington and followed by the Feakle Festival Singers Session, considered one of the highlights of all the sessions. There are many other events happening so best to check out our web site for full details. Saturday’s Gala concert will be a mix of local Clare musicians and festival friends from north to south. Sunday’s special Festival mass will see the return of the Cul Aodha Choir, their legendry status well–deserved for their spiritual singing of the Mass. Then its fun for the entire family, puppet shows, open-air concert and sessions everywhere!

“We are so delighted to be going for 25 years”, says Chairman and Programme Director, Gary Pepper, “it gives us such pleasure to see people enjoy not only the music but the dancing and singing and other activities we organise. As a voluntary committee we have remained in place almost unchanged from the first year. Every year we try to bring something new to the programme and yet stay true to our original concept to keep alive the wonderful music of East Clare and share it with the world. Our reward is the pure joy and happiness to be seen throughout the festival and the return of many fans each year and the arrival of new ones.”

For further information www.feaklefestival.ie