Friday 27th December
OFFICIAL OPENING
Official opening by Gary Hastings of the 30th Scoil Gheimhridh in
Teach Hiúdaí Beag, An Bun Beag, 7pm.
With music from An Crann Óg & many more.
The night will continue with an almighty open session thereafter.
All are welcome!
Saturday 28th December
SINGING CONCERT:
‘Ailleog an Oireachtais‘
Venue: The Social Live,
Saturday Dec. 28th – 20:30
‘Throw us a big shout of song’
Celebrating the many song traditions of County Donegal
Featuring: Máire Ní Choilm, Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, Naoise Mac Cathmhaoil, Patricia Nic Ruairí and many more.
Host: Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
EVENING DANCE
Venue: The Social Live, Thurs. Dec. 28th – 8.30pm
Two-Hand Dance featuring musicians: Tara Connaghan, Rónán Galvin & special guests
Dance instructors: Connie Mc Kelvey & Ann Connaghan
A highlight event for many regulars at Scoil Gheimhridh! Here you will get to experience this wonderful and unique Donegal dance tradition with music from some of our finest Donegal fiddle players. Expect a song or two from surprise guests in between dances while you catch your breath.
Sunday 29th December
AFTERNOON LECTURE:
‘Tarlach Mac Suibhne: An Píobaire Mór’
Venue: An Chrannóg, Fri. 29th – 2.30pm
Presented by: Síle Friel and Cathal Ó Curráin, with special guest Ciarán Mac Fheidhlimidh
In this presentation, we get an insight into the life, and times of master piper Tarlach Mac Suibhne, and his great influence on the tradition of his homeplace, Gaoth Dobhair, and beyond.
Sunday 29th December
EVENING CONCERT
Altan & Crann Óg
Venue: Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair, Sunday 29th – 20.30
Altan is one of the most iconic bands in Irish music. The band delivers on their reputation as among Ireland’s most important cultural ambassadors with their new release DONEGAL. No Irish traditional band in the last thirty years has had a wider impact on audiences throughout the world than Altan. Formed in County Donegal in 1987 by lead vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her late husband Frankie Kennedy, the group’s music is influenced by traditional Irish language songs and tunes from Donegal. Over the course of their career, Altan has sold over a million records.
This is a night not to be missed!
An Crann Óg is a group of young musicians from the Donegal Gaeltacht that attend music classes in Scoil Cheoil na Crannóige. They play traditional music and sing songs in the Irish language all of which they learnt from local musicians. An Crann Óg have produced some of the most sought after Irish musicians and gave all young musicians who attend their classes a love of language and music since its inception in 2008. This is now the 5th generation of young musicians to come through An Crann Óg.
Monday 30th December
AFTERNOON CONCERT:
Belfast TradFest presents ‘FLUTOPIA‘
Venue: The Social, Fri. 30th – 15:00 -16:30.
Featuring: Gary Hastings, Christine agus Martin Dowling, Tara agus Dermy Diamond, Desi Wilkinson, Anna Friel, Etáin Murphy, Jude Scott & Piaras MacMaoláin.
Belfast TradFest presents ‘Flutopia’ in association with Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair where on the 30th anniversary we remember one of the founders of Altan, the late Frankie Kennedy, who inspired young musicians and in particular flute players all over the world. We will be celebrating the strong connection between Belfast and Gaoth Dobhair through our language, our culture and our music.
Belfast is synonymous with the sound of the flute. Energy and creativity are very much the hallmarks of the Belfast style. The music of this city invariably has a persistent and hypnotic pulse which draws the listener into a trance-like state. This concert features some of the world’s best traditional flute and whistle players and it promises to be a spectacle of brilliant solo and collaborative performances.
EVENING CONCERT
The Friel Sisters & Frances Morton
Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair.
Venue: Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair, Monday 30th – 8.30pm
The Friel Sisters
The Friel Sisters, Anna, Sheila and Clare Friel are traditional musicians from Donegal in the Northwest of Ireland. Brought up in the Donegal diaspora of Glasgow, the girls have remained deeply connected to their Donegal roots, playing a mixture of music interspersed with songs in English and Irish, many from their family repertoire. They have released 2 albums thus far and will be launching their 3rd on the night. They have played all over the world in various venues and festivals and have appeared on stage and toured with acts such as Altan, The Chieftains, Lúnasa and Sharon Shannon. The girls have won many prestigious titles and competitions over the years, including Trophée Loïc Raison at Festival Interceltique de Lorient and most recently Clare receiving the huge honour of TG4 Young Musician of the Year/Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana. The Friel Sisters are joined by Marty Barry, guitar player and singer from Banbridge, Co Down and Cathal Ó Curráin, bouzouki player and singer from Gaoth Dobhair, near the girls family home in Donegal who was recently awarded Best Emerging Artist for 2022 at the RTÉ Folk Awards in Dublin.
“Exquisite, beautiful and intuitive. An impressive young bunch with fabulous taste and impeccable chops” – Irish Echo, New York
“Fresh and invigorating” – Boston Irish Reporter
Frances Morton is a highly acclaimed flute player from Glasgow. At this Scoil Gheimhridh concert she will launch her debut and long-awaited solo album, ‘Sliocht’;. Frances, who has strong Irish roots, grew up learning traditional music in her home city of Glasgow, went on to win several All-Ireland medals, perform at home and abroad at festivals with many Irish and Scottish musicians, and to develop her academic research into traditional music and place. Frances will be joined at this gig with the musicians who also perform on her album, including Eamon McElholm (Solas, Stockton’s Wing), Ciarán Tourish (Altan) and special guest, sean-nós singer Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, renowned musician from Gaoth Dobhair, will launch Sliocht for Frances.
Tuesday 31st December
NEW YEARS EVE CONCERT
Joe Jack Attack & Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich le Kyle MacAuley & go leor eile!
Sponsored By Maddens Bar Belfast
Venue: The Social, Na Doirí Beaga, Sun 1st – 21:30 – 01:00
Introducing Joe Jack Attack, a powerhouse ensemble fueled by the rich musical heritage of its members:
Cathal Ó Curráin and Megan Nic Fhionnghaile were raised amidst the wealth of tunes and songs of their family, the Joe Jack’s of Gaoth Dobhair, Donegal. Their upbringing steeped in tradition shaped them into exceptional fiddle players and singers, captivating audiences with their fiery performances. Joining them is Marty Barry, a multifaceted musician hailing from Banbridge, County Down, whose musical roots trace back generations.