Tribute to Joe Burke
Friday 6th August 2021 @ 6.45pm
With special thanks to the Diocese of Elphin and to Sligo Social Services.
Sligo Trad Singers Session
Saturday 7th August 2021 @ 8pm
TG4 To Broadcast During Fleadhfest Week
Presenters Daithí Ó Sé and Doireann Ní Ghlacáin were among the TG4 team to visit Sligo recently ahead of their broadcasts during Fleadhfest week. Recording their programmes at places like Lissadell and the Clayton Hotel in Sligo, both Daithí and Doireann were really enthusiastic about Fleadhfest week.
Daithí Ó Sé of TG4 will present Fleadhfest programmes – photo Fleadhfest.ie
“Tá sé go hiontach go mbeidh Fleadhfest ar siúl,” a dúirt Daithí, who also added that while nothing will ever beat a Fleadh Cheoil, where thousands of people line the streets for music sessions and performances, Fleadhfest is the next best thing, bringing many of the Fleadh favourites to the public via live streaming.
“I think it’s a great idea,” adds Ireland’s favourite Kerryman. “The Fleadh is something I grew up with, and we all really missed it last year due to Covid. So to have Comhaltas think outside the box and come up with a virtual Fleadh is a really fantastic initiative, and I’m so looking forward to being part of it.”
Bartley Gavin being interviewed by TG4’s Daithí Ó Sé – photo Fleadhfest.ie
Fleadhfest will partner with Irish language broadcaster TG4 for the event. TG4 have for several years broadcast live from the Fleadh Cheoil and their award winning Fleadh TV programmes have been watched far and wide. This year things will be slightly different, with TG4 pre-recording programmes which will go to air on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights August 6th, 7th and 8th, while also streaming the competitions and concerts live on their social media channels.
“It’s superb to partner up with TG4 again,” said Bartley Gavin, Chair of Fleadhfest. “Our team here in Sligo will be broadcasting throughout the week by live streaming on Fleadhfest.ie. This will include evening concerts with a multitude of our greatest trad acts like Dervish and Téada, and also informal sessions with some great musicians, and Fleadhfest solo competitions. We will provide that feed to TG4 too, and they will stream throughout the week with us.”
The TG4 team will be well represented throughout Fleadhfest week. Co-hosting with Daithí Ó Sé will be Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, who is also immersed in Fleadhanna Cheoil, and she is also excited by the 9 days ahead.
Doireann Ní Ghlacáin will present TG4’s Fleadhfest programmes – photo Fleadhfest.ie
“It’s been so hard for musicians to find an outlet for their talents,” she said during the recordings. “And for Fleadhfest to offer an opportunity to musicians and fans of traditional music all around the world means that it’s going to be a really innovative festival, and I can’t wait for it to start! Táim ar bís ag fanacht leis an bhféile nua seo!”
TG4 will broadcast many different acts during their programmes, details of which can be accessed at TG4.ie.
For details on the full Fleadhfest programme of events, visit Fleadhfest.ie.
Fleadhfest Promotional Video
Fleadhfest, the virtual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann comes to Sligo in August with concerts, sessions and competitions streaming online at https://www.Fleadhfest.ie. Because we’re all having a tough time with Covid, we’ve decided to bring the themes of unity and togetherness into our Fleadhfest promotional video.
Based on the traditional song ‘The Minstrel Boy’, we’ve asked guitarist Séamie O’Dowd and keyboard player Kieran Quinn to give it a new treatment. The results are amazing, giving a positive message of playing music together, and reaching out to each other in these tough times through music.
We hope you enjoy it, and remember to share this video with your friends and to return to Fleadhfest online between August 1st – 9th 2021 for music with Dervish, Téada, Mairtín O’Connor Trio, Moxie, the Knocknashee Céilí Band, and many others, all FREE TO AIR!
Video Performers: Seamie O’Dowd – vocal and guitar Niamh Farrell – vocal Oisín Mac Diarmada – fiddle Joss Kelly – button accordion Lorraine Sweeney – flute Kieran Quinn – keyboard Produced and Directed by Micheál Ó Domhnaill of Omedia, filmed by Peter Martin and with assistance from Ollie White, on location at The Model in Sligo. Additional footage by Ciarán Carty, courtesy of Sligo Tourism.
Song Title: Music’s Harmonies Lyrics by Séamie O’Dowd • traditional arrangement by Kieran Quinn & Séamie O’Dowd Based on ‘The Minstrel Boy’ by Thomas Moore in memory of those killed in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
MUSIC’S HARMONIES (a song in the time of Covid)
For those among us and those who’ve gone.
As the ocean soothes our sorrow.
Let music’s harmonies be full of joy
As they call us toward tomorrow
Let reel and hornpipe, dance and song.
Minstrel boys and girls play long
All through the night into the dawn.
Their music, song and dance eternal.
The tide at the foot of Knocknarea
Marks time receding and advancing.
Like the soaring seagull’s morning song
And the night lights flickering and dancing.
Beart gan laigheas, foighid is fear í
Cé go mbeidhmid saor go luadh.
And we’ll drink to the minstrel boys and girls
And their music, song and dance eternal.
Though the trials of the age keep us apart
And the road seems long and fearful.
We’ll come together at the crossroads with
Our songs to the laughing and the tearful.
Beart gan laigheas, foighid is fear í
Cé go mbeidhmid saor go luadh.
And we’ll drink to the minstrel boys and girls
And their music, song and dance eternal.