Living legends of Irish music and culture will join a treasure trove of local, national and international talent for Iúr Cinn Fleadh – Newry’s flourishing festival brought to you by visionary group Newry 2020.
Paul Brady, Kilfenora Céilí Band – and four of Ireland’s most enduring comedy acts – will take part in the Fleadh from 5th-8th September 2019. The impressive line-up for the biggest fleadh yet was highlighted at last weeks Iúr Cinn Fleadh press launch when it was announced that the city will host over 90 events over the weekend.
‘I’m really looking forward to this year’s Fleadh,’ said Councillor Charlie Casey, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. ‘In just six short years the organising committee have created a major festival for Newry city.’
In a landmark moment for this feast of sounds, popular artist Paul Brady will delight festivalgoers with material from a stunning repertoire. The 13-piece Kilfenora Céilí Band will represent the richness of a golden age of Irish music – their current line-up is the latest expression of a 110-year-old phenomenon from County Clare. A tour de force of comedy will open the Fleadh with a smile. George Jones, May McFettridge, Jimmy Cricket and Gene Fitzpatrick will present You Must Be Joking.
A special event is Call The Musician: Healing People & Communities, with local singer-songwriters Tommy Sands and Finbar Magee with San Francisco’s Noctambule – Bruce Victor and Marla Fibish. Join them at Newry Library for an afternoon reflection on the healing power of music.
The Pop Up Gaeltacht on a double decker bus in Marcus Square offers a chance to brush up on Irish language with Linda Ervine and Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail tutors. In two other events, Linda will give Irish tuition to children and speak on the hidden history of Protestants and the Irish language. The Old Newry Society will perform time-travel with an evening of reminiscing and seeing the city as it was in the 1920s and beyond.
Warrenpoint Comhaltas are the recipients of this years Musical Icon Award,with an amazing night of music and nostalgia in store.
Regular treats include – numerous trad sessions, Coffee Bar Crawl, family events, trad cruises, trad train – and much more. Also featured are – Dundalk’s Gerry O’Connor presenting the backstory to the Gaelic cultural revival of the early 20th Century; Manchester poet Tony Walsh whose work came to global attention in May 2017 from the vigil for victims of the arena bomb outrage; and Moon and Sixpence Puppet Theatre, Ireland’s only travelling marionette (string puppet) theatre.
Committee member Columba O’Hare said, ‘We want to give a big “thank-you” to all our sponsors – including Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Newry BID, Enterprise, Newry.ie, Buttercrane, Canal Court, SocialClix.Biz, NetCare and Bellinis. We also very much appreciate all the city venues hosting the Fleadh artists’. Many events are free, but some require a purchased ticket from Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Buttercrane or http://www.iurcinnfleadh.com. Pick up an Event Guide from coffee houses, shops, cafes and restaurants around the city.
Download the Iúr Cinn Fleadh 2019 Event Guide below