Write a comment
A season of exciting musical experiences is about to get underway at Cafe Mon-Abri in Camloch. Organised by local men Des Murphy and Tommy Fegan the musical evenings aim to cater for the wide variety of musical tastes in the village and wider South Armagh community. Located in the warm and friendly environment of Cafe Mon-Abri these performances are guaranteed to sell out quickly, so early booking is advised.
Award winning sean nós singer Piaras Ó Lorcáin who has just achieved the #RTE Radio 1 Folk award kicks off the season on Friday 26 April at 8.00pm. Piaras has quickly gained a reputation far beyond his native South Armagh with his recent television and radio experience’s that has given him recognition of being a hugely talented singer in both Irish and English.
The cultural heritage of Camloch South Armagh is a rich tapestry woven from ancient history, language, sports, political struggles and rural life and Cafe Mon-Abri musical moments is the latest initiative in this proud tradition.
Write a comment
National Drawing Day has become a major annual event for Museums north and south focusing on a range of drawing activities that invite participants to engage with museum collections or current exhibitions. Newry and Mourne Museum will be taking part this year with a workshop for inspired by our collection and displays. Local artist Dwyer McKerr will host two workshops, which will help children with their drawing and sketching. The first session will start at 10.30am until 12pm and the second session will start at 1.30pm until 3pm on Saturday 18 May. This activity is suitable for ages 5 – 11, and an adult must accompany all children. There is a cost of £2 per child and pre-booking of places is advisable. An adult must accompany children.
The Museum will be open to the public 27 May, Bank Holiday Monday from 10.00am until 4.30pm. For our younger guests they will host a ‘Spring into Summer’ arts and craft workshop for children aged 5 - 11 from 10.30am until 12pm. The session is free of charge, but numbers are limited and pre-booking of places is advisable. This workshop will be free. Again an adult must accompany children.
In the afternoon the museum will be playing “Memories of Newry,” a video of Newry throughout the years, donated to the Museum by Newry local, Mickey Mallon.
For visitors who wish to take a stroll through the galleries, the Museum provides FREE audio guides in English, Irish, French German which provide more information on the Castle and the exhibits. A tour aimed at children in the age range 7-12 is now available in English and Irish.
Currently on display are the temporary exhibitions “Slices of History: Memories of McCann’s Bakery” and “Newry Artists: Past and Present”.
If you wish to book for any of the above events or you require more information, please email Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org
For opening hours, information on events, upcoming exhibitions and other services please telephone 0330 137 4422.
Write a comment
The well known SOMA Festival will be returning to Castlewellan, County Down later this month with a whole host of musical performances, exciting activities and holistic experiences.
Running from July 19-21, the ever-popular SOMA Festival will feature a variety of performances, offering audiences the chance to embrace the alternative festival vibe that can’t be found anywhere else.
The three-day event has been specially curated by the SOMA volunteer team to ensure that the best artists from across the island of Ireland and beyond will be in attendance.
Tíona McSherry, SOMA Festival Director, said she was delighted to develop another fantastic line-up for this year’s event along with the wider team.
She said: “Our team has come up with another stellar programme for festival goers to enjoy this year.
“We’re so excited for the incredible acts we have coming to perform. We hope Castlewellan is as buzzing for it as we are.”
With funding from Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, Foras na Gaeilge, and sponsors and partners Whitewater Brewing Co., Glór Uachtar Tíre, Excalibur Press, Dolmes Climate Action Network, and Cumann Phobail Garbhdhoire, SOMA Festival 2024 tickets are already available and can be purchased for individual events or as a weekend access pass to all concerts.
With a full line-up set to be released in due course there will be a number of festival hubs scattered around the town with SOMA on the Square, Little Gems and Mind, Body & Soul also making a return.
Tíona added: “It takes a dedicated group of people to attempt to pull any festival off, not to mention doing it for the love alone.
“A big thank you to all of our funders and sponsors, in particular Whitewater Brewing Co. and Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, and the wonderful volunteers who help make the SOMA Festival a reality.”
SOMA Festival 2024 is set to offer a welcome space for everyone regardless of what they’re interested in, including everything from live music and family entertainment to nature walks and meditation sessions.
The SOMA Festival runs between 19th-21st July and full details including tickets can be found at www.linktr.ee/thesomafestival
Write a comment
Ever since Iur Cinn Fleadh started in 2014 the festival's Trad Cruise has been very much one of the highlights, over the years taking hundreds of people up and down Newry Ship Canal on a two hour cruise on a tall ship with live music and a few glasses of wine. It has been one of the aims of the festival committee to make use of Newry's unique canal with the knowledge that most people that live in Newry have never been on it!
This year Iur Cinn Fleadh runs on the Bank Holiday weekend from 22 to 26 August and at least 2 trips will run each day, leaving from the Albert Basin, just outside The Quays Shopping Centre before heading south to Victoria Lock. For the second year the Brian Boru will be making the journeys. Trips run at 2pm and 7.30pm each day with an additional 5pm sailing on the Saturday and Sunday. Already 2 trips are fully booked with others filling up rapidly.
Sailings take place both in daylight and darkness. The 7.30pm sailing comes back to Newry in darkness with the ship sailing towards the lights of the city, a magical experience.
Tickets are £22.50 plus booking fee. Get your tickets before they are all gone at www.iurcinnfleadh.com and be sure to follow the Fleadh Facebook page at iurcinnfleadh
Write a comment
It’s just over two weeks till Fionn Mac Cumhaill returns to oversee festivities at the Wake the Giant Festival in Warrenpoint this year with the theme, ‘The Land of Giants’.
Taking place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August, this year’s festival promises even more excitement with the arrival of two new Giant Guardians, Wee Binnian and Carley who will make their grand debut in The Giants Parade.
Festival goers can meet and follow Fionn, Wee Binnian and Carley as they lead The Giant Parade through Warrenpoint town. Starting at 1pm on Church Street, the procession will continue to Queen Street before turning right at Seaview and then weaving its way to Osborne Terrace. The three magnificent giants will create awe-inspiring moments and unforgettable photo opportunities before reaching the sleepy giant Fionn’s resting place for the weekend on Warrenpoint Pier.
Mischievous newcomers, Wee Binnian and Carley, will make several pop-up visits to keep crowds entertained during the festival weekend.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “This brilliantly curated event is the perfect way for families to spend their summer holidays in Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion.
“It offers everything from giants, stories, theatre and musical performances to lots of family activities and delicious food. It will be a gigantic feast for the senses, so pick your spot along the procession route or find a pitch in front of the bandstand and soak up all the wonderful things this festival has to offer.
“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is especially proud this year, that the landscape underpinning our Giant Adventures is part of the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Geopark."
The Chairperson continued “Complementing our Giant Adventure series this year will be the return of the 2024 Amgen Irish Open, which will take place from Wednesday 11 September to Sunday 15 September in Newcastle. We look forward to watching our favourite stars compete throughout the week at Royal County Down. Together, these events increase our tourism offering, providing unique opportunities to connect with our community, celebrate our heritage, and create lasting memories. Please join us this summer for another season of unforgettable adventures across Newry, Mourne and Down and south Armagh.”
During the festival weekend Warrenpoint Municipal Park will be transformed into ‘The Land of Giants’, featuring Family Garden Games, Green Crafts Workshops, a Bemusement Arcade, and a Food Village. While at Warrenpoint Municipal Park, check out the fantastic line up of musicians billed across the two days performing on the Park’s bandstand stage.
On Saturday, Niamh Noade kicks off the musical line-up at 11am. The Casino Dixieland Jazz Band follow bringing their signature popular jazz style followed by Stonewall Music and The New Leaves in the afternoon. Wrapping up the live music sessions for the day will be, No Oil Paintings with their alternative-folk band sounds.
Kicking off the lineup on Sunday at 11.45am will be Mayobridge native Sophie Lennon, known for her appearances on America’s Got Talent, representing Ireland in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and winning the BBC School Soloist of the Year Award in 2022. Next on stage, Yew Tree Ukes followed by NI Soul Troop. Sunday’s set continues with the Uplifted Choir before The Vibes take to the stage at 4.45pm with their signature soulful reggae band style.
At 4pm the Trio of Giants start their exit from the town for another year leading a final procession around the town. ‘The Giants Leaving Parade’ starts on Osborne Street before turning left onto Seaview. Continuing to Queen Street and finally on to Church Street before the spectacular giants bid farewell.
During the festival weekend there'll be a diverse food experience, perfect for food enthusiasts of all tastes and preferences. Explore the Food Village in Warrenpoint Municipal Park and join the unique Food Trail through the town, featuring giant food offerings all weekend long. The Giant Funfair on Warrenpoint Promenade will entertain with thrilling rides and classic carnival games for all to enjoy.
Families and visitors can also enjoy a new Sensory Hub located in Warrenpoint Town Hall which will provide a safe and relaxing space for children and adults to enjoy over the weekend, with changing places located nearby on Great Georges Street (South).
Don't miss this chance to watch the facade of the former Osborne Hotel be transformed into a vibrant canvas as nature street artist ‘Faunagraphic’ creates a Giant Art Mural depicting the unique aspects of Mourne Gullion and Strangford Global Geopark.
With so much on offer throughout the weekend, visitors are encouraged to make a break of it and explore more of what the destination has to offer. For the full festival line-up and further information on where to stay, eat, and for even more things to do during a stay here in the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion, please visit www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
The popular Footsteps in the Forest festival will also make a welcome return to Slieve Gullion Forest Park from Monday 21 to Tuesday 29 October. Families and thrill-seekers will encounter enchanting characters, spine-tingling surprises, and immersive storytelling.
In addition to the Giant Adventures festivals there will be an exciting programme of summer events that will also celebrate the district’s culture and heritage. These events will add to the fantastic offering already in place for both locals and visitors enjoying their summer in Visit Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion.
Write a comment
Newry Pride is finally back on the city event calendar under the new management of LGBTQ+ Women's Group Newry. It has been 5 years since the streets of Newry saw a pride parade and organisers are super excited as preparations are finalised for the big return.
The LGBTQ+ Women's group received a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to revive the festival and have spent the last few months drawing up plans. Event schedules are starting to trickle out now and after-party tickets have now gone on sale via Ticketsource. Organisers have a brand new location for the main event on August 31st and a confirmed line-up with a few exciting names in there. It is exclusively LGBTQ+ artists on the main stage this year, and throughout most of the festival.
The parade itself will line-up outside the Quays at Albert Basin and march at 1pm down to Needham Bridge at Grounded, turning then towards Hill St for dispersal at Marcus Square where the free concert begins in the heart of the city. This will be a change from previous years where it had been held in St Christopher's or McClelland Park.
Council Chairperson Cllr Pete Byrne will lead the parade as Grand Marshall along with Deputy Chairperson Cllr David Lee-Surginor and Cllr Byrne will deliver the opening speech in Marcus Square at 2pm. Omagh pop star Janet Devlin is kicking off the music, followed by Dublin performance art sensation Sexy Tadhg. The stage will then be headlined by queer-punk Belfast feminist four-piece Problem Patterns.
There will be face-painting and family fun at both The Quays and Marcus Square events. Festivities close at Marcus Square at 5pm and after-parties begin at 7.30pm. The Official Pride After-party is taking place this year in the Whistling Donkey bar at Bellinis with comedy, burlesque, drag stars and live music, followed by a gay disco into the early hours.
Member's of Newry's Burlesque Belles, Drag star Auntie Marie and Comedy Duo Brian Reavey and Daryll Galloghly are among the first performers confirmed for the event.
There will also for the first time be an alternative after-party for queer punk bands in the INF headlined by Belfast up and coming punk group Genderchores. Also on the bill are local bands Amended and Rose Fatale, as well as Dundalk punk six-piece Messy Avocado.
There are several events happening in the lead up to the event. On 18 August at 11am there will be a Pride 5k starting from Newry TowPath at WIN, organised by Coffee Running Club.
On Friday the 23 August there will be a night of music featuring Zoe Fegan, followed by lesbian-centric literature read by members of LGBTQ+ Women's Group. This will take place in Finegan & Sons coffee shop starting at 7.30pm.
A spokesperson for the organising team has said plans are still developing and there may be a few more surprises on the way and more events to announce so keeping an eye on the socials is recommended. As for the parade they have said, "We've had a lot of groups signed up to march now and registration remains open until the 24th' August. We would encourage any last minute groups wanting to participate to get signed up soon. There is still time"
The organisers encourage members of the LGBTQ+ Community as well as allies to come out and enjoy the event, get on board with the festivities and embrace the chance to celebrate and support queer culture and diversity. The organisers also extend thanks to all the sponsors and businesses who have supported the festival so far. It is hoped the event will bring a boost of tourism to the area and be a big fun day out for all. Please enjoy safely and get in touch with the organisers at newrylgbtwomen@gmail.com with any queries.
Write a comment
As part in Iúr Cinn Fleadh, the annual traditional Irish music and community festival in Newry, Newry and Mourne Museum will host guest musicians over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Their first guest is singer, songwriter Briege Murphy who will play on 24 August, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Hailing from Forkhill, Briege grew up in a family steeped in traditional music. Her first album, ‘The Longest Road' was released to critical acclaim, followed by 'The Sea and other Songs', a Folk Roots album of the year. Other albums include 'From Now On' in which she sings songs that she grew up with, combining her love of Irish traditional and American folk. Briege has performed at festivals from Cambridge to Cork and Oslo to Ballyshannon. Her songs have been recorded by artists like Niamh Parsons and Frances Black.
On 26 August, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm the Qua family who live in Markethill and comprise of husband and wife, Kenny and Tammie and their three daughters will play in the Museum.
Tammie, originally from Sydney, Australia is a high school music teacher while Kenny has been involved in various bands throughout the years and now primarily plays with Stonewall wedding band and function group. The girls have been raised on a healthy collective of classical and traditional genres and have been inspired by the rich variety of outstanding musicians and songwriters from their surrounding County Armagh area. They have availed of instrument tuition at their schools and attend trad lessons at Armagh Pipers Club and Traditional Arts Partnership in South Armagh.
These are free events, but booking is required. To book email Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org
For visitors who wish to take a stroll through the galleries, the Museum provides FREE audio guides in English, Irish, French German which provide more information on the Castle and the exhibits. A tour aimed at children in the age range 7-12 is now available in English and Irish. Currently on display are the temporary exhibitions “Slices of History: Memories of McCann’s Bakery”, and “Newry Artists: Past and Present.”
Write a comment
Causeway Coast singer-songwriter Andy Rogers composes music, records it and performs it in bars, nightclubs, churches, people’s houses – and even caves.
Andy will perform at St Mary’s Church Of Ireland in John Mitchell Place on Bank Holiday Monday 26 August at 8pm as part of Iúr Cinn Fleadh that takes place in Newry from 22 to 26 August.
Highly Musical
Accompanying him will be popular local musician Fra Sands – who is part of the wider Sands family, a highly musical household from Newry.
Andy Rogers was one of the artists on a pioneering album of contemporary Irish folk music called New Celts – along with other Northern Ireland musicians including Robin Mark, Brian Houston and Joanne Hogg.
New Celts came out at a time when there was a massive surge of interest in Irish and Scottish music. The recording featured songs that reflected journeys of faith, and became popular among churches across these islands – and beyond.
More recently, Andy has created The Cave Sessions – which are live recordings in an Irish cave. His style has been described as ‘Ethno-Celt’ – a mix of acoustic ethnic sounds fused with contemporary musical sensibilities.
Open Source
Andy’s music has taken him throughout Ireland and beyond to such diverse venues as bars, churches, prisons and conferences to the nightclubs of Eastern Europe – and to the intimacy of people’s homes with his House Concert Tours.
He has also created OpenSourceSongs.com, a global songwriting collective where songwriters can collaborate freely on an ‘open source’ basis with their ideas.
There is no charge to attend what will be a most satisfying musical experience.
For a full list of all the events taking place check out or download the Iur Event Guide at Iúr Cinn Fleadh Event Guide 2024
Write a comment
Newry’s annual music festival Iúr Cinn Fleadh marks ten years of helping the city tap into trad as it launches a packed programme for next weeks August Bank Holiday weekend.
More than 80 events are planned to run from 22-26 August by Iúr Cinn Fleadh, which started in 2014 with gigs hosted across 30 venues around the city.
Apart from during the Pandemic – which silenced most music venues and events – Iúr Cinn Fleadh has faithfully filled Newry with the sound of trad throughout most of its ten-year history.
Headlining this year’s festival are Irish trad legends Altan, who will perform their first ever Newry gig on 25 August at the Town Hall.
Another performer making their first appearance at Iúr Cinn Fleadh is Belfast singer-songwriter Anthony Toner – with an acoustic show at St John Bosco Social Club on 23 August.
Music is on the move wherever people go. When visitors and locals go out for a pint, they’ll find musicians and singers playing a few tunes at pubs and cafes around Newry.
That’s not all. Festivalgoers will be able to not only sing – but also sail – into the heart of Newry thanks to Iúr Cinn Fleadh’s unique two-hour Trad Cruise.
With glass of wine in hand, punters will enjoy some of our best local folk singers and musicians as they play Irish tunes on sailings down the Newry Ship Canal.
Others will stop all motorised traffic in the heart of Newry and celebrate total freedom for cyclists – with a dance music soundtrack – for Bikes And Beats On The Streets.
Andy Rogers and Fra Sands will present an evening of ‘Ethno-Celt’ sounds at St Mary’s Church on 26 August. The Downeys join forces with ‘the girl with the harp’ Niamh Noade for an afternoon of music at Newry Methodist Church on 25 August.
Other attractions include – Poetry And Pancakes at Newry City Library, tenx9 storytelling sessions at St John Bosco Social Club, Newry City Runners 5k at WIN Business Park, and for children – an African drum workshop at Newry Baptist Centre and Barnacle Bill’s Crafty Adventure at The Quays.
Food and photography tours and a flotilla from Carlingford all add up to a summer spectacular!
Iúr Cinn Fleadh is kindly supported by Newry BID, the National Lottery Community Fund, Community Foundation NI and Narrow Water Promotions.
Pick up your event guide at many venues locally or download it at Iúr Cinn Fleadh 2024 Event Guide
Find out more about Iúr Cinn Fleadh at www.iurcinnfleadh.com
You can also email organisers at iurcinnfleadh@gmail.com
 |
 |
 |