Newry - The 2015 edition of Iúr Cinn Fleadh, the country’s newest traditional Irish music festival, was launched today at Bellinis by Naomi Baili, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down Council. This year’s festival will take place on 10-13 September.
Now in its second year, Iúr Cinn Fleadh draws on widely acclaimed artists from across the UK and Ireland, giving it an exciting brand of sounds and activity that appeals to a variety of tastes - whether they be rooted to core traditional or more modern fusion. This year, the fleadh will feature distinguished headline performances: Frances Black and Kieran Goss at Newry Town Hall who will reunite on stage for the first time in 20 years; and in Bellinis, the Irish rock group Hothouse Flowers who made their debut in Dublin and since went on to play in Glastonbury, Japan and the US.
Launching the festival, Councillor Baili said:
“We all here share a passion in the potential of Newry. The fact that Iúr Cinn Fleadh has been able to mobilise support and commitment from government, business and citizens, is proof of that...It is up to all of us to put the ‘New’ into Newry.”
Councillor Bailli went on to thank the Iúr Cinn Fleadh committee of volunteers, sponsors and supporters for their work over the last year in organising the festival for the people of Newry and its surrounding region.
The 2015 Iúr Cinn Fleadh features an extensive ‘Trad Trail’ of early evening and late night music sessions taking place across a range of the city’s pubs and clubs; a ‘Taste of Trad’ food festival; street busking entertainment provided by invited young aspiring and more accomplished musicians; a photography exhibition – 30 years of Fleadhs; film, dancing, workshops and ceilis; historical walks; boat trips on Newry Canal, the UK’s oldest canal, which was built in the 18th century; and an evening of storytelling with Kevin McAleer, one of Northern Ireland’s finest stand-up comedians.
The festival provides something for everyone – from children right through to older generations and of course, it offers fun for all. Indeed, thanks to the support of Buttercrane Shopping Centre, this year’s programme will feature the first ever International Buttermilk Drinking Competition!
Representing the festival committee of volunteers, Columba O’Hare, commented:
“Iúr Cinn Fleadh provides the ideal platform for recognising and celebrating the very rich and thriving home-grown musical talent that resides within the Newry, Mourne, Down and South Armagh region. Our long-term ambition is to become a signature festival for Newry and indeed the island of Ireland, north and south. Through the promotion of music, arts and culture, we want to support Newry’s development by advancing community cohesion and spirit while boosting the city’s economic and tourism potential.”
Tickets for headline acts selling at £22.50 can be bought from the Sugar Supper Club, the Customer Service Desk, Buttercrane Shopping Centre or via: www.iurcinnfleadh.com Hothouse Flowers Tickets can also be bought from Bellinis
For up-to-date festival info, visit www.iurcinnfleadh.com and like ‘Iur Cinn Fleadh’ on Facebook
