Letterkenny gets set once more to welcome our fellow Celts attending the 36th Pan Celtic International Festival, which will be officially launched by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O'Cuiv, TD, on Tuesday, April 10 at the Clanree Hotel.
The Festival aims to instill, strengthen and exchange our Celtic cultures and traditions through music, song, dance and sports. Following the official launch of the Festival, a short musical presentation will feature artists and musicians from Brittany, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales and host nation Ireland. The event includes a majestic display of Celtic dancing, a colourful street parade, choral performances and numerous competitions such as traditional singing, dancing, harp, choral, piping, fiddle, and the camogie blitz. On Thursday, Arpil 12, An Grianan Theatre will host the Pan Celtic International Song Contest, featuring newly composed Celtic, rock, folk, traditional and pop songs. Last year, Letterkenny based group Gaelbri, featuring the vocal talents of Bridhdin Carr and Gearoidin Ni Ghealagain, won the contest singing their own composition 'Seolfaidh Me Abhaile'. This year, our entry 'Ta Me Caillte Go Deo' (I Am Lost Forever) was penned by Dubliner Damian Mac Gabhann and will be sung by Deirdre Ni Chinneide with Fraoch, in the gala final.
The local Pan Celtic International Festival Committee, have ensured that will be the best Festival to date.
ALIVE ALIVE O
Folksy favourites Erin's Own return to the recording spotlight in style with the release of their second album 'Alive Alive O' at the Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey on Easter Sunday night. The five-piece were formed some four years back, and have recently returned from a hectic Scottish visit over the St Patrick's weekend. Their debut album 'The People's Choice' went gold and the bands DVD 'Let the People Sing', filmed live on stage at Letterkenny's Clanree Hotel and on location in their native Donegal, is still much in demand. Erin's have spent many months in the studio with Terry McGinty recording the all important follow up collection 'Alive, Alive O'. The lads previewed the CD on Packie Keeny's late night Highland Radio programme and have included old favourites such as 'Joyce Country Ceili Band', 'Michael', 'Meet Me at the Pillar', 'Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore', while Paddy Mc adds a few of his most requested tunes on this exciting fifteen-track CD.
SOUND BYTES
There has been another solo release from the voice of Clannad, Moya Brennan, entitled 'Merry-Go-Round', well recorded as always. Country singer Shawn Cuddy has revived the 80's million-seller 'Karma Chameleon' a chart topper for Boy Geroge, the less said about this duff version the better. The Davis Brothers issue their debut single 'Let The Wind Blow' a track from Adam and Craig's forthcoming album. James Quinn a son of the legendary Brendan has revived the Saw Doctors song 'The Joyce Country Band'.
CHARTWATCH – IRISH DVD'S.
New Journey..........Celtic Woman
Rattle and Hum.....................U2
A'sary Box Set....Michael Flatle.
NEWSROUND
The British Ambassador to Ireland, David Raddaway, conferred an honorary knighthood, the KBE, on Bono in recognition of his service to the music industry and for his humanitarian work.
Louis Walsh has become the manager of country singer Michael English, who has signed a recording deal with Universal Music to kick start his career.
Hit makers Snow Patrol will be featured on the forthcoming 'Spider-Man 3' soundtrack singing their own composition 'Signal Fire'.
