Traditional Irish Music – Ceol traidisiúnta na hÉireann

If your interests lie in the traditional Irish music then the Lough Allen region hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year celebrating the rich tradition of music and an appreciation of this unique landscape.

For music lovers there is:

Joe Mooney Summer School 

Every summer in the third week of July, Drumshanbo plays host to this award winning week-long traditional festival of music, song and dance which is named after the man who did so much to promote the cause of Leitrim and his beloved town. This year it falls on the 19th – 26th July 2014.

Drumshanbo is also home to the Packie Duignan Weekend. Musicians gather from across the country every January to celebrate the work of this highly acclaimed local flute player.

Traditional Music

The Hup! Festival is an exciting new, week long celebration of all that is good about traditional Irish music, song, dance and drama, with its culmination being Connacht Fleadh Weekend. Usually held last weekend in June into first week of July.

Traditional and varying music can be found in pubs on a weekly/monthly basis depending on the season. We can offer more information here at Pink Apple Orchard. 

Other music festivals include the John Mc Kenna Traditional Festival in Drumkeeran, which falls on the 2nd weekend of June and lasts from Thursday – Sunday. Workshops are held throughout the weekend and there is always a feast of music throughout from all ages in the pubs and the Community Centre.

Traditional Irish Cultural Event

An Tostal is a traditional festival that was inaugurated in 1953 to depict the varied aspects of Irish life and culture throughout the country, Drumshanbo is now the only centre where An Tostal has survived in its original format. Generally falls towards the end of May/beginning June.

Festivals, Exhibitions and Concerts

The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon offers a monthly family fun day, workshops for children and holds an array of art exhibitions, both Irish & International artists. This is a centre for the arts, theatre, music & classes.

There is also The Glens Centre (previously mentioned) in Manorhamilton which hosts many evenings of entertainment from theatre, concerts, comedy, poetry and also leisurely traditional music sessions every Sunday for all ages.

Dromahair offers two very exciting action packed festivals every year along with other activities not so well known. They hold charity fun runs, races both for adults and children. The two festivals held are The St.Patricks Weekend Celebrations, held from Friday 15th – Monday 17th March. The Dromahair Demons Festival which this year is being held the last weekend in June.

Balinaglera offers 2 festivals throughout the year. Links to follow where updates are continual are at Mulveys Bar, Balinaglera Summer GAA Festival, they also host an Annual Traditional Music Weekend end of September beginning October.

There is a Green door Weekend which now runs annually. Also another annual festival celebrating North Leitrim Glens Walking Festival. This year it falls at the end of March. 

Balinaglera also runs a walking festival annually.

Alternatively sample some of the delights of local producers at the Drumshanbo Harvest Feast held every September to promote Irish produce locally, regionally and nationally. This festival aims to emphasise all that is great about regional food specialities, heritage, eco-tourism and the environment.

More locally, Drumkeeran often has both theatre and music performances from both the local children and the local adults drama class in The Resource Centre. Balinagleera Church Hall also has a variety of performances throughout the year of acclaimed artists and local artists.

Further a field, there are many Theatres worth a visit in Sligo, Enniskillen & Carrick-on-Shannon (previously mentioned).

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