It is because your editor has been a lifetime patron of Newry Drama Festival and has continually afforded free advertising space on this site, that I feel justified in expressing a few serious reservations in advance of this year’s festival launch.
Festivals
In Search of the Calliagh Berra
A comprehensive programme of events has been organised this weekend (10-12 September) to amuse and entertain native dwellers and visitors alike ranging from Viking Ship re-enactments, to Camlough Mummers and coach and walking tours. Spoilt for choice but you’ve just got to choose, since the full programme runs at different venues at the same time.
Your editor has opted to join Anthony Cranney’s intrepid walking group, setting out in determined search for the elusive Calliagh Berra in her cairn or souterrain or lake on top of Slieve Gullion. Just back from scaling Babbadag in Turkey, and then Slieve League in Donegal, our own wee hill may seem a cakewalk but I must confess it is some decades since I completed it all by foot.
Climber
Groping fingertips search slowly up the wall
Grateful fingers grip firmly to the hold
Curled toes of feet help balance on the rock’s fold
To lose one’s self-belief is mentally to fall.
So hand to hand, strained foot and back and knee
Up slope, then face and crack, and chimney bold
Till triumphant on the summit he’ll behold
A land of broken rock and scattered scree
Gazing o’er mountain, Fews and sea
The surface of a molten earth grown cold
And breathing air Cuchullain breathed of old
He relishes the heady taste of victory.
And though he climbs, he conquers not the hill
It is himself he conquers with his will.
Anyway, it’s the folk-tales, the craic and the company of the erudite and accomplished Anthony Cranney that I’m after. And of course the exclusive interview with the Calliagh herself, should we corner her.
If we make it back on time, I’ll see Pat Maginn’s Mummers. Watch out for a report.
Where are the Sessions?
It is now Sunday afternoon and after dinner my wife and I will go to Rostrevor for the opening of the Fiddler’s Green Festival. I shall avoid the Derry self-publicist and listen to Burn the Whins. This is a highly-talented local (Mayobridge) folk group that includes mandolin player Robbie Dinsmore and multi-instrumental singer/songwriter Loretta Phillips. This pair also play with many others, every Tuesday night at The Cove, Derrylacka. I asked Loretta to name the local ‘sessions’ for visiting tourists, who might not be so lucky as to have the Fiddlers when they visit us.
‘Our Tuesday nights out at Gerry and Coleen Guest’s pub is normally a quiet, self-indulgent session, but ideal for tourists and locals alike, who enjoy the music but like to converse among themselves at the same time.
It’s not always that quiet! Among the musicians who regularly attend are Willie O’Hare on fiddle, Benny Sands (vocals, banjo etc) and wife Barbara (bohran), Charlie McGeown (fiddle) Benny McKay, Eddie McIntyre (accordion) Eddie Ruddy (whistle) and of course, ourselves. Ten till one. Come!
There’s another great session on Tuesdays in Forkhill. Famous guest artist featured weekly, then over to the regulars. You might get an aul’ story too from Michael Quinn!
A few miles away Bernard O’Hanlon has a regular weekend session in Mullaghbane, I’m not sure now whether it’s Friday, Saturday or Sunday but give him a ring!
Rostrevor has two mid-week sessions, on Tuesday nights in the Corner House and the Kilbroney Arms on Wednesday nights.
Tuesday nights seem the most popular. P J O’Hare’s in Carlingford (where I’d be attending the Four Pennies al capella jazz session at this minute if I wasn’t preparing to go to Rostrevor) usually has Deidre Rodgers, Gerry O’Connor, Gerry Donnan and M Farrell playing. Now, there’s a line-up!
There are also Friday night sessions (once a month) in Bryansford and Maghera (the Co Down one!).
I’ll not mention the Thursday night Railway Bar, Newry session for you’ve advertised it already.
Do you think that will be enough to keep your visitors busy?’
Well, Loretta, what with the recently-completed and highly-successful Warrenpoint Ulster Fleadh, the Maid of Mournes, Fiddler’s, Lislea Summer Drama and all the rest, I think so.
Must hurry. Can’t miss Loretta in Rostrevor.
P.S. She’s gorgeous and charming as well. Oh to be youthful again!
Fiddler’s Green Festival
So inured have we grown to the hyperbolic cant of advertisers that we might welcome as a refreshing breeze the opposite attitude of deliberate understatement. The Fiddler’s Green Festival in Rostrevor was introduced so; you might say with a whisper rather than a fanfare. No matter. Anything so good would sell itself.
Still I believe it ought to be shouted from the rooftops that this is far-and-away our most impressive Music and Arts Festival, organised like an Aiken Promotion and featuring artists of true international standard.
Quite apart from the household names – and I shouldn’t start for I’ll err by omission, but here goes! Christie Hennessy, Paddy Maloney and Chieftians, Finbar Furey, Micheal O’Suilleabhain (search above!) Four Men and a Dog (unbelievable!), Denise Hagan, Eleanor McEvoy, Arty McGlynn, Dervish etc. – there is a host of other not-to-be-missed acts: for starters, Eilish McCaffrey, Burn the Whins, Blue Katz, Kenny McDowell and Ronnie Greer Blues Band, Nollaig Brolly, Aoife Ferry, Kiltultagh. Some I heard last year and look forward to hearing again. The rest will be a surprising new experience.
There is a children’s programme, walks, art exhibitions, workshops, recitals, lectures and much more. I can’t find the classical lunchtime recitals organised last year by Siubhan O’Dubhain – though there are Tom Dunne events – and I’ll be devestated if they don’t feature!
I will report here on a few events after I have experienced them. But not all. That would be impossible. You must go yourself. First buy the programme and make your own list of events to attend. That’s what I’m doing right now.
My only regret is that I have neither the energy nor the finances to attend everything.
But I’ll persist until I’m broke, or broken, whichever comes first!
Blues on the Bay Festival
Warrenpoint has suddenly become our cultural Mecca! No sooner are we over the huge triumph of the All-Ireland Amateur Drama Finals [Confined] that we are pitched straight into the Blues on the Bay Festival!
Now I’ve made it clear before that I consider this Festival to be the highlight of the cultural year and the best event that Newry & Mourne Council ever sponsored. The chief sponsor is of course Guinness and I can personally recommend a pint or two of cold flow from any of the ten venues. These are
Balmoral Jack Ryans Square Peg Bennetts Duke
Shenahigans First & Last Foresters Victoria Finns
As always the talented and experienced organisers have lined up an array of guests to beat the band! I will immediately admit to total ignorance on the specialist subject of The Blues, but they have even laid on Workshops [History of The Blues; Blues Guitar Techniques; Percussion] for all abilities, with spectators very welcome.
Journal will try to acquire the services of a specialist critic to review a number of the showcase events and artists/groups. I know that my wife and I, and our extended party will finish anyway in Bennetts on Saturday 29 May with Rev Doc and the Congregation. Kieran and his troupe have become friends as well as favourites over the years and Bennetts is our favourite venue.
Closer to the time I will advise you more about the upcoming events. The Brochure is available now from all local Tourist offices. Don’t miss it!