FESTIVAL FILE

The summer months are seeing a whole host of festivals taking place, with the August Bank Holiday Weekend being the signal for en masse mayhem and madness. Music features largely in all festivals, with diverse tastes catered for, so there is something for everyone.

• Now in its third year, the Caherciveen Celtic Music Festival has become recognised internationally as a melting pot of all that is Irish, with traditional song, music and dance to entertain both the natives and visitors.

The festival begins on Friday evening, July 31st with a free open air concert featuring Sharon Shannon and her band, followed by a major fireworks display presented by ‘Theatre Of Fire’. Once the outdoor high jinks have abated, the pubs will come alive with traditional music sessions, including a Céilí Mór with Sliabh Luachra, Chris Black and Some Like It Hot playing into the small hours. On Saturday, the music experts will be giving workshops in traditional guitar, tin whistle, accordion and bagpipes.

Picture House are leading proceedings on the outdoor stage for a free evening concert, followed closely by Aslan later on that night. Once again several of the local taverns are hosting pub sessions.

• It’s festival time in West Belfast again, and this year’s Féile An Phobail is celebrating its tenth year of success as the largest community festival in Ireland. The celebrations last a staggering seven days from Sunday, August 2 to the following Sunday, August 9.

This year a fully-equipped campsite has been provided at Pairc Lamh Dhearg for all visitors to the festival, and the facilities include a marquee for nightly entertainment.

The festival opens with a special bilingual concert featuring Kila and supported by Breag in the Festival marquee at Delta Print Site, Kennedy Way Industrial Estate. On Monday, August 3rd, Celtic Rock will give a performance featuring The Boys From The County Hell; support comes from local band Easy.

Tuesday night’s specialities include a range of contemporary comedians on stage in the Irish News Comedy & Craic event.

The highlight of the festival takes place on the eve of Sunday, August 9. Feile an Phobail will present its first major outdoor concert at Beechmount Leisure Complex. They have put together a showcase of outstanding national talent featuring three of Ireland’s brightest stars: Brian Kennedy, Mary Black, Shane McGowan, to bring this year’s festival to a dramatic and unforgettable finale.

• Tralee, in the heart of the Kingdom, has a great deal to offer those visitors seeking a cultural holiday with a wealth of traditional Irish language, music, song, dance and folklore.

This year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival runs from August 21 to 27, when the town plays host to one big non-stop party with street entertainment, music, dancing, comedy and craic. Of course, it all culminates in the world-famous Rose of Tralee contest, which will be held in the Brandon Hotel this year, instead of the traditional Dome venue.

• The Sperrins, set in the heart of Ulster, have long been described as the ‘forgotten land’ due to their unspoilt and untouched nature. While tourists flock to the Mournes and the Cooleys, the Sperrins have managed to evade invasion by the masses, making them particulary attractive to local and touring hillwalkers alike.

This year’s Sperrin Festival begins on Monday, August 3 and runs until Sunday, August 9. Between two and three walks have been organised for each day. The walks range from Grade + to Grade 3, depending on your level of experience. The organisers of the event have gone to great lengths to ensure that minimum use is made of roads. As a precautionary measure the North West Mountain Rescue team will be on hand throughout the week.

The evenings will be filled with music, song and dance in the local community where you can sample some traditional fare. The walks begin at 10am, at a fee of £5.00 a day or £25 per week, but concession rates are available.