August 7th–12th, 2013
www.feaklefestival.ie

In this the year of The Gathering, the Feakle Festival is delighted to host traditional music players from Italy. This is no ordinary gathering as the Festival is also hosting a special conference on Irish Dancing and Parkinson’s Disease in the days leading up to the Festival.

The opening ceremony will be presented by Doctor Daniele Volpe an Italian neurologist and musician who is a frequent visitor to Feakle, where he was inspired to do research on the benefits of Irish set dancing and Parkinson’s. The results of his research will be presented to the conference. The conference is open to all, full details are on the website www.feaklefestival.ie

The programme as ever has something for all traditional music fans, from workshops with master tutors, concerts featuring Ireland’s finest, sessions, from noon till late, poetry, and so much more. On Thursday as part of the Festival collaboration with Dr. Volpe and his dance group and musicians, the Festival is hosting a special Gathering. This will be a café style evening of music featuring musicians from Italy and the best of East Clare. Wine, Italian and local cuisine will be served on the night.

Friday night’s concert will be with The Voice Squad and The Clare Memory Orchestra. Feakle are honoured to have the first full presentation of the Clare Memory Orchestra. Founded by composer David Flynn the orchestra comprises of traditional and classically trained musicians, who unlike a symphony or chamber orchestra, perform from memory. Guest musicians for this concert are Máirtín O’Connor, Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill. Saturday’s Gala concert features two of this year’s TG4‘Gradam Ceoil award winners. Seamus Begley and Dermot Byrne as well as Sean Garvey, Benny McCarthy and Florianne Blancke. Advance booking for the concerts will commence in July.

Award–winning poet Rita Ann Higgins makes her Feakle debut for Saturday’s poetry reading and on Sunday the Singers Session will be a tribute to the great Robbie McMahon. These are some of the many free events which also include a puppet show for children, outdoor concert, east Clare Young Musicians concert and more.

Despite the weather, the financial cuts etc. the Feakle Festival now in its 26th year continues to set the standard of great of music, dance, fun and friendship. Become a Friend of Feakle to help ensure its continued survival, details on the website.

For more information visit the website www.feaklefestival.ie