events
Donegal Fiddle Weekend
16/09/11 20:31
Every October there is an amazing fiddle festival in Glenties, Co. Donegal, based mainly in the Highlands Hotel in the town. This year it will run from Friday through Sunday 1st - 3rd October 2011. What makes the festival special is the emphasis on the fiddle and on the Donegal style, which is quite different and distinctive compared to the relatively homogenous styles and tune traditions of the rest of the country. Add to that the dedication of those who travel to the festival and the natural warmth and character of the local Donegal musicians, and you have a recipe for a weekend of great craic and tremendous music.
The Campbell family (Vincent, Jimmy and Peter) are from out the road, so you can be sure to see them playing there. Whenever I meet them or hear them play, it feels like there is some connection back in time to the olden days of dancing in the kitchen to a pair of fiddlers and drinking tea til the small wee hours, a world which has sadly disappeared. One fiddler who we won’t see there unfortunately is the great James Byrne of Meenacross, Glencolmcille, who passed away three years ago and is greatly missed. His style was typical of the region just south of Glenties, where the fiddle is played as people speak, a little slower but with great character. Here is James playing, appropriately for this blog, The Wedding Jig:
For more information about the Donegal Fiddle Weekend in Glenties, see the website of the organisers, Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí.
The Campbell family (Vincent, Jimmy and Peter) are from out the road, so you can be sure to see them playing there. Whenever I meet them or hear them play, it feels like there is some connection back in time to the olden days of dancing in the kitchen to a pair of fiddlers and drinking tea til the small wee hours, a world which has sadly disappeared. One fiddler who we won’t see there unfortunately is the great James Byrne of Meenacross, Glencolmcille, who passed away three years ago and is greatly missed. His style was typical of the region just south of Glenties, where the fiddle is played as people speak, a little slower but with great character. Here is James playing, appropriately for this blog, The Wedding Jig:
For more information about the Donegal Fiddle Weekend in Glenties, see the website of the organisers, Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí.
North Leitrim Glens Run Results
16/09/11 12:11
The North Leitrim Glens Run 2011 was a great success last Saturday, with hundreds of people running and walking the glens of Manorhamilton in aid of Cystic Fibrosis and Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue. Despite bad forecasts the weather turned out great for the run, with no rain, light breezes and plenty of sunny spells. Joe Duffy took time out from his busy schedule to launch the event and start the race.
The Half Marathon was won by Liam Feely in a time of 1:17:33 whilst the 10K run was won by Neil Faulkner in 00:36:19. Full results can be found at the excellent official website of the North Leitrim Glens Run.
Les Misérables in Sligo
06/09/11 14:36
Tonight is the opening night of Fun Company’s production of Les Misérables (School Edition) in the Hawkswell Theatre, Sligo. The entire cast and orchestra is made up of teenagers from the local schools, so there will be a ton of talent on display! To whet your appetite, here’s the trailer from the original West End production:
It runs Tuesday 6th September 2011 through Saturday 10th September 2011 at 8pm with an extra performance on Sunday 12th September 2011 at 6pm. Tickets are €18 or €15 for concessions and can be bought online from the Hawkswell Theatre Box Office.
It runs Tuesday 6th September 2011 through Saturday 10th September 2011 at 8pm with an extra performance on Sunday 12th September 2011 at 6pm. Tickets are €18 or €15 for concessions and can be bought online from the Hawkswell Theatre Box Office.
North Leitrim Glens Run
05/09/11 21:10
This Saturday sees the second annual North Leitrim Glens Run in and around Manorhamilton. It’s for two great causes, Cystic Fibrosis and The Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team.
There is a 10km walk or run and a Half Marathon walk or run, and you can register online up until this Friday or in person on the day. For more information go to the North Leitrim Glens Run website.