Whelan festival celebrates a decade of trad
Sean McMahon
Traditional music, song, story and dance will fill the Cootehill air as the Gerry Whelan Memorial Festival celebrates a decade of success this weekend (September 12-14).
Over the past nine years Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann-promoted Gerry Whelan Weekend has become firmly established on the annual calendar for Cavan and surrounding counties.
This year’s festivities get underway in Drumlin Theatre at 8.30pm on Friday, September 12, with the memorial concert and official opening by Minister Heather Humphreys.
Friday, September 12
Guest artists will include MacDara Ó Raghallaigh, Dave Sheridan and Padraig McGovern, Claire and Ursula Byrne, Lorna McColm and David Hunter, Finbar Magee and Breige Quinn, Ray and Fionnuala Lawlor with Mickey McDonnell and Friends, Seamus Fay and Cootehill CCÉ (adm €10). A Fíor Céilí takes place in St Michael’s Hall at 9.30pm with music by the Céilí Time Band, Omagh, while sessions will take place in local pubs.
The festival Folk Club kicks off at 10pm with renowned singer Henry McDonald, while a post-concert Tunes session, with concert guest artists, gets going in the Bellamont Arms at 10.30pm.
Saturday, September 13
Saturday’s action starts early with workshops from 10am–1pm in St Michael’s Hall. Tuition from top exponents of each instruments.
The White Star Courtyard will host the afternoon ‘Courtyard Ceol ague Craic’ entertainment from 2pm. At 3pm the popular ‘Caint agus Comhrá’ chat-and-learn event gets underway at An Leabharlann, Bridge Street.
The launch of festival stalwart Henry McDonald’s new CD ‘Taking me Home Again’ will feature at the singing and storytelling event in Bellamont Arms at 4pm on Saturday.
A major event to look forward to later on Saturday (8.30pm in Drumlin Theatre) is the ‘Riverdance Masterclass Performance’ with the acclaimed James Greenan (lead dancer in Riverdance). James is providing masterclasses in the run-up to the festival in order to prepare local participants to join him in this not-to-be-missed Riverdance performance (admission €10).
The now firmly-established Oiche Cois Tine will see more music, songs and dancing in the Bellamont Arms from 10pm, while the Folk Club hosted by singer/songwriter Finbar Magee will feature talented guests from Ireland and Scotland. Lively seisiúns will be heard in pubs from 10pm.
Sunday, September 14
Sunday starts with the 11.30am mass for deceased members of Cootehill CCÉ followed by the 12.30pm wreath laying in memory of all members at Gerry Whelan’s grave, with piper Patrick Martin.
Aoife Murray will lead the singing workshop at St Michael’s Hall at 3pm. Cavan Rugby Club male voice choir will perform at 4.30pm, followed by a singing session in the Bellamont. The festival end with sessions in various bars.