Welcome to Féile Patrick Byrne 2017, an Irish traditional music festival held annually on the Palm Sunday weekend in and around Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Organised by the Carrickmacross branch of Comhaltas, the event honours the Farney harper Patrick Byrne (c.1794-1863) who was the first Irish traditional musician ever photographed. The féile has been running since 2007 and aims to showcase the best of traditional music and dance with concerts, workshops, sessions, a lecture and céilí.
View Féile Patrick Byrne Promotion video here
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. |
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.
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| 9.30pm | Singing Session – Cunningham’s Loft, Carrickmacross – adm. free |
Friday 7th April | 8pm | 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.
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| 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 |
| 11am | 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! |
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. | |
| 8pm | 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! | |
10.30pm | Music Session Markey’s, Carrickmacross. | |
| Sunday 9th April | 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. 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. | |
| 6.30pm – 8pm | Family session | |
| 8pm | Survivors’ Session |
Carrickmacross Comhaltas / Féile Patrick Byrne would like to thank our funders for their generous support and making the festival possible:
the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon; Monaghan County Council Arts Office; Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Meitheal programme and Carrickmacross & Castleblayney Municipal District Council.
Further details on Facebook and
www.carrickmacross.ie/feilepatrickbyrne. Email patrickbyrnefestival@gmail.com. Text 087 2396665.
