The programme for the 35th Feakle Festival has been announced and the festival will run from Thursday 4th to Monday 8th August. After two years of virtual festivals, we are thrilled to bring you all back to Feakle for a long weekend full of music, song and dance.
Please see programme details below and click book now to buy your tickets.
Feakle Festival 2022 – Music Recital
Date: Friday 05th August 2022 at 7.30pm Venue: St. Mary’s Church Feakle
Running time: 2 hours Tickets: €25
Conor Connolly, Sorcha Costello, and Jakob Vester
Accordionist Conor Connolly from County Galway epitomizes the South Galway style of music. The talented musician and singer’s music transports you back to the era of the legendary music of Joe Cooley and the late Joe Burke. Conor was awarded the title of “Young Musician of the Year” in TG4’s Gradam Ceoil Awards 2019. Conor will be joining forces with his good friend and fellow “Young Musician of the Year” recipient 2021, fiddle player, Sorcha Costello. Sorcha from Tulla, County Clare comes from a family steeped in the riches of traditional Irish music. Her mother Mary MacNamara and Uncle Andrew MacNamara have influenced Sorcha’s musical journey. Both Sorcha’s and Conor’s music and playing is full of heart and soul. They will be accompanied by guitarist Jakob Vester.
Barry Kerr & Síle Denvir
Barry has been a professional musician and visual artist over a career spanning twenty years. He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist playing the uilleann pipes, flute, guitar, and bouzouki and is also a singer-songwriter.
Síle Denvir is a singer and harpist from Connemara in Co. Galway. Síle has toured and collaborated with The Chieftains, Liam Ó Maonlaí and Peter O’Toole and is a founding member of the group Líadan.
Edwina Guckian
Dancer Edwina Guckian hails from outside the village of Drumsna in Co. Leitrim. From a young age Edwina learnt her dancing from her mother and the local dancers of Leitrim and Roscommon. Her style of dance is rhythmic and full of soul. In April 2022, Edwina was awarded the “Outstanding Contribution 2022” Gradam, for her work in the Irish music and dance scene.
Martin Hayes, Brian Donnellan & Conal O’Kane
Debut performance in County Clare for this trio. Martin Hayes is one of the world’s most celebrated fiddle players and an influential figure in Irish traditional music. His soulful interpretations of traditional Irish music are recognised throughout the world for their exquisite musicality and irresistible rhythm. Multi-instrumentalist (Bouzouki, Concertina, Harmonium, Piano), Brian Donnellan hails from an East Clare family steeped in traditional Irish music. He is a member of the highly renowned Tulla Céilí Band and the newly established quintet, Martin Hayes & The Common Ground Ensemble. The pair will be joined by guitarist Conal O’Kane to bring this dynamic group to a show stopping performance.
Feakle Festival 2022 – Gala Concert
Date: Saturday 6th August 2022 7.30pm Venue: St. Mary’s Church Feakle
Running time: 2 hours Tickets: €25.00
Charlie Harris, Maeve Donnelly & Geraldine Cotter
Accordionist Charlie Harris a fine exponent of the South Galway style of music, influenced by the playing of Joe Cooley. Charlie is a member of the legendary Tulla Céilí Band. He will be performing with fiddler, Maeve Donnelly, who is one of the top Irish traditional fiddle players is known for her unique style. To bring this pair to full intensity, they will be accompanied by pianist and tin-whistle player Geraldine Cotter. All recognised as fine exponents of traditional music and individually they are known nationally and internationally for their unique approach and interpretation of Irish tunes.
Lisa O’Neill & Cormac Begley
Cormac Begley is a bass, baritone, treble and piccolo concertina player who hails from the infamous Begley family on the Dingle Peninsula. His recent solo album ‘B’ explores the sounds of the Bass and Baritone concertina range. Begley captivates his audience with heart stopping performances. Recently he has brought immense joy to his listeners as he has travelled around the country in his campervan ‘Beauty’ for an outdoor concert series.
Cormac will be joined on the night by the Irish singer and song writer, Lisa O’Neill. The Cavan native started writing songs and music from an early age where she delved into the Irish traditional and folk scene while studying in Dublin. Her unique and distinctive voice has catapulted her into the preforming world nationally and internationally.
Dónal Murphy, & Family accompanied by Steve Cooney
Dónal Murphy from Abbeyfeale in County Limerick is one of Ireland’s most highly regarded accordion players. Dónal is a founding member of the band ‘Four Men and a Dog’ and most recently ‘Breaking Trad’. Murphy has recently launched his album ‘Tailored’. Dónal will joined by his daughter, Melanie on fiddle and son, Eoin on guitar. The Murphy family will be accompanied by Australian born guitarist, bassist, producer and didgeridoo player; Steve Cooney, who is one of the most dynamic modern performers in traditional music. He has composed his own material and is one of the most sought-after musicians, producer/arranger in traditional music. In 2021, Steve received the TG4 Gradam Ceoil award for composer of the year.
Workshops – Friday 05th & Saturday 06th August 2022
Times: 10 am – 1 pm
Fiddle: Martin Hayes & Eileen O’Brien
Concertina: Hugh Healy & Mary MacNamara (Adults Only for Mary)
Flute: Jennifer Lenihan
Accordion: Conor Connolly
Banjo: Páraic MacDonnchadha
Traditional Singing & Sean nós singing: Michéal Marrinan
Venue: Feakle National School
Sean nós Dancing: Edwina Guckian
Venue: Shortts Pub
