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Tune your guitar, warm up your voice, tighten your bodhrán and rosin your bow – the countdown begins to Newry’s citywide music festival Iúr Cinn Fleadh from 21-25 August.
O'Hare with Iúr Cinn Fleadh Chair Teresa O'Brien.
Supported by Newry BID, Newry Mourne and District Council and Narrow Water Events, the five-day fest is made up of nearly 100 shows and activities at venues across Newry.
The holiday spectacular starts with Poetry And Pancakes at Newry Library on 21 August - when budding and seasoned poets will meet to share stanzas and help launch a new anthology of local writers.
fuss about this year’s Fleadh. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
Trad Trail sessions will then kick off, involving musicians from around the locality and beyond, trending Irish tunes throughout the Bank Holiday weekend at local cafes and bars. And of course not forgetting the unforgettable daily trad cruises down Newry Ship Canal.
Some places such as Canal Court Hotel, Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Nan Rice’s, Railway Bar and Bellini’s will be staging weekend-long programmes.
Daytime sessions will be held at such venues as Finegan and Son, Caring Coins, Synge and Byrne, Grounded, The Oliver, Snaub’s, Cozy Corner and The Phoenix.
Evening sessions will run at locations like The Bridge, St John Bosco, Brass Monkey, McCoys, Larkins, Magee’s, Courtney’s Steakhouse, Catholic Working Men’s Club and McSwiggans.
There are other dimensions to the Fleadh. Some events involve walking into other worlds - such as the Ghost Walk through our spooky city - and Old Newry Society’s walking quiz through historic Newry.
Heralded as one of Ireland’s most exciting bands, Kíla will fill Newry Town Hall with trad and world sounds on 23 August. Sharing the bill is Rostrevor-born singer-songwriter Matt Benson - a member of George Ezra’s band who’s performed on some of the world’s biggest stages.
Sponsor and Eamonn Connolly, Manager, Newry BID, Main Sponsor. Looking on
are Iúr Cinn Fleadh committee members Clive Price and Suzanne Marner.
Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
Event volunteer and ‘face of the Fleadh’ Aoibh Ní Thiománaí said, ‘I hope Iúr Cinn Fleadh brings people into Newry to see there’s so much going on in the arts, that there are so many talented people and that it’s a vibrant place to grow up and be a musician’.
Iúr Cinn Fleadh has been running for ten years, hosting a number of top Irish bands and artists including Horslips, Hothouse Flowers, Altan, Paul Brady, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black.
Newry BID, Newry Mourne and District Council and Narrow Water Events are supporting this year's Fleadh with the backing of local volunteers. For tickets and information, visit www.iurcinnfleadh.com
