Kenmare’s new Irish Music Festival

April 5th – 7th, 2013

www.kenmareirishmusicfestival.com

The town of Kenmare, Co. Kerry is gearing itself up for the first ever Féile Neidín; Kenmare’s new annual Irish Music Festival during the weekend after Easter, April 5th, 6th & 7th.

The Festival programme is now firmly in place and it looks like we can all look forward a really exciting weekend this year and for many more years to come. Events during the weekend include Concert performances, frequent sessions from lunch–time every day, workshops, instrument–making demonstrations, “Seafari session” boat trips, Céilís and other activities.

Friday night kicks–off in the Carnegie Arts Centre with the really excellent Caladh Nua who are no strangers to Kenmare and are presently working on their third album. On Saturday there are two great shows. Firstly the Generations concert which is a new concept that has been brewing among the festival committee for the last year or more. This concert will consist of a series of duets by players who have a close family connection; this year will be all Father/ Daughter duets and concert goers will be treated to performances by Brendan/Cliodhna Begley, Donal/Melanie Murphy, Peter/ Angelina Carberry and Connie/Aine O’Connell. In future years this Generations concept will hopefully see other interesting combinations of Fathers, Mothers, Sons and Daughters. The intimate and atmospheric setting of St.Patricks Church will be the venue.

The Band appearing at the late gig on Saturday in the Carnegie needs no introduction; De Danann have been back on the road since the launch of their recent album  Wonderwaltz, this exciting line–up is a must see so book your tickets early!

The big event on Sunday is an afternoon Céilí in the Kenmare Bay Hotel with the Kilfenora Céilí Band, a real treat indeed for all you Céilí heads out there! The Kilfenora has visited Kenmare before and having headlined at last year’s Gathering in Killarney are well known to the set dancers of Kerry and West Cork. The Céilí is scheduled for 3–6pm and there will also be a Saturday night Céilí with the “Ui Bhriain” the evening before for those keen set dancers who want to make a weekend of it.

The closing gig of the weekend is the fabulous Tin Sandwich Band featuring John and Pip Murphy accompanied by Benny Mc Carthy and Donal Clancy – a potent combination indeed!

This project has been co-funded under the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme Ireland (2007 – 2013), administered in this area by the South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd.

All tickets for all events are available to book online so why not just check out the website at www.kenmareirishmusicfestival.com  For more information visit www.kenmareirishmusicfestival.com