September 11th–13th, 2015
www.gerrywhelanweekend.com
Cootehill, County Cavan

The Gerry Whelan Memorial Festival will take place in Cootehill, County Cavan on the September 11th – 13th, 2015. After 10 successful years, the event now enters a new decade this year with an action packed weekend of traditional music, song and dance with lots of old and new faces coming together to share their songs and music.

The popular annual festival will see local musicians and some of the top names in the music and singing tradition taking part in events to pay tribute to the late Gerry Whelan, who was actively involved with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann since the organisation was founded in 1951.
This year, the festival welcomes some great artists who will be performing in concerts over the weekend – Zoe Conway and John McIntyre described by the BBC as “simply one of the best folk duos on the planet”, the Knockmore Céilí Band – All–Ireland Céilí Band Champions 2014, James Greenan male principal dancer Riverdance.  Other great local and visiting artists who will also be performing are: Fergus Bogues – All–Ireland Under–18 Button Accordion Champion 2011 and Senior Ulster Champion 2014), Ériu folk group from Milltown Co. Cavan; the NYAH Cavan Branch Comhaltas Group, legendary lilter and singer Seamus Fay from Drumconnick, Co. Cavan and renowned Scottish folk duo Lorna McColm & David Hunter. Workshop tutors from the Knockmore Céilí Band – Christopher Maguire (Button Accordion), Ashling McPhilips (Flute), Maggie Maguire (Fiddle), Bronagh Graham (Banjo), Lorena Maguire (Tin Whistle) and Richard Lyons from Cootehill (Bodhran). These musicians will join a host of local artists and other well known musicians who have made the annual trip to the festival for the last number of years.
Events over the weekend include the Memorial Concert and official opening with headline act Zoe Conway and John McIntyre, the Knockmore Céilí Band Concert, James Greenan Riverdance in his very own show The evolution of Irish Dance, Music workshops, fíor céili with the Duntally Céilí Band, caint agus comhrá. Also a singing / storytelling event,  oiche ceol night of music, song and dance and folk club. Street music and pub music sessions will be taking place throughout the weekend. It is a great weekend, one not to be missed, and the organisers welcome all music lovers to come and enjoy the Ceol Agus Craic in Cootehill this September.

Full details of events at the Gerry Whelan Memorial Weekend may be found on www.gerrywhelanweekend.com or follow the event on Facebook. For further information on the events, workshop bookings and concert tickets, contact: Clare Cunningham Tel: 086 3502852 or Loreto McMenamin 087 8586773.