Feile Patrick Byrne 2017

Wednesday 5th April

7.30pm

Traditional music session

Féile Patrick Byrne in association with Laragh Heritage and Aughnamullen CCÉ will hold a music session in St. Peter’s Tin Church. Constructed entirely out of corrugated iron in a Swiss-Gothic style, this session promises to be a very special event.
7:30pm – The Tin Church, Laragh, Broomfield, Co. Monaghan – adm. free – all welcome.

Thursday 6th April

8pm

Official opening and the annual Patrick Byrne Lecture

Comhaltas President Ann Finnegan will officially open the féile and this will be followed by a public lecture given by Marion Rogan. Drawing on her PhD research, Marion will talk about the second Protestant reformation in the area in the early 19th century. In particular, she will focus on the Rev. Thomas Winning of Kingscourt who recruited local hedge-schoolmasters to teach the Protestant Bible through Irish, a language still widely spoken in the area.
8pm – The Shirley Arms Hotel, Carrickmacross – adm. free

9.30pm

Singing Session – Cunningham’s Loft, Carrickmacross – adm. free

Friday 7th April

Recital with Gerry O’Connor

Master fiddler Gerry O’Connor will perform and teach at this year’s féile. Concentrating on music from the Oriel region, Gerry will give an intimate recital in the atmospheric setting of St. Finbarr’s Church. Those wishing to learn more of this local repertoire will have the opportunity to take a workshop with Gerry the following day.
8pm – St. Finbarr’s Church, Main Street, Carrickmacross – adm. €5

10pm

Music Session – McNally’s, Carrickmacross.

Saturday 8th April

10.30am – 1pm

2pm – 4.30pm

Music Workshops

The Carrickmacross Workhouse will again host the workshops. There will be classes from 10:30am to 1pm and again from 2pm to 4:30pm. Registration in the half hour before workshop and the fee is €10 except for the Fun Trad workshop which will cost €5. The Fun Trad class is aimed at younger students who would not be ready for regular workshops. The emphasis is on having fun with music.

Places for workshops are limited to 15 per class. To reserve a place, send an email to patrickbyrnefestival@gmail.com with your name, address, contact telephone and workshop you want to attend and we will contact you back shortly.

Morning classes 10:30am to 1pm
Harp (Deirdre Granville); Tunes from Oriel (Gerry O’Connor); Introduction to traditional singing (Stephanie Makem) and Fun Trad (Seán Walsh).
Afternoon classes 2pm to 4:30pm
Accordion (Damian McKee); Fiddle (Niamh Dunne); Bodhrán (Eamon Murray) and Tunes from Oriel (Gerry O’Connor).

Heritage Walk

Historian Charles Barker will guide walkers around Carrickmacross and bring alive the vibrant history of the town. The tour takes approximately 90 minutes and walkers should comfortable shoes and perhaps bring an umbrella!
11 am – meet at the front of the Courthouse / Shirley Arms Hotel.

5pm  

Trad for teens music session

The Youth Officers of both Carrickmacross Comhaltas and County Monaghan Comhaltas have organised a music session specially for teenage musicians.
5pm – McNally’s, Carrickmacross.

Beoga in concert

Fresh from their collaboration with Ed Sheeran, the critically acclaimed Beoga will headline this year’s Féile Patrick Byrne. Described as “fast, furious, frantic, fun, innovative, diverse and exciting”, Beoga will bring their joyous blend of Irish traditional and other musical genres to Carrickmacross. An evening not to be missed!
8pm – St. Louis Secondary School Hall – adm €15 adults / under 18s €5 at door.

10.30pm

Music Session

Markey’s, Carrickmacross.

12am – 2pm

Sean Nós Dance Workshop

Jonathan McCloy, who won last year’s prestigious Oireachtas na Samhna sean nós dancing competition, will give this workshop. This class is suitable for both beginners and improvers. Workshop fee €10.
Noon to 2pm – St. Louis Secondary School Hall, Carrickmacross

Click here to see video clip of Johnathon McCloy at Drumshambo – Sean nós dance workshopJohnathon McCloy at Drumshambo – Sean nós dance workshop

3pm – 6pm

Sets Céilí with the Abbey Céilí Band

The Abbey hail from Cork and are one of Ireland’s finest bands. The sets will be called and refreshments served. Adm €10.
3pm to 6pm – St. Louis Secondary School Hall, Carrickmacross

Family session
A session with one difference – tunes are played at a slower pace. Suitable for less experienced players of all ages.
6:30pm to 8pm – the Valley Lodge.

Survivors’ Session
Final session of the féile weekend, all welcome.
8pm – the Valley Lodge.