Up to 10,000 expected at Carlow Pan Celtic International Festival this Easter
March 8, 2013
CARLOW is bracing itself for a Celtic invasion as up to 10,000 visitors are expected over the Easter holidays for the 42nd International Pan Celtic Festival, one of the first ‘Gathering’ events of the year for the town.
The six day Pan Celtic International Festival runs from April 2 – 7 and is a unique celebration of Celtic culture which attracts enthusiasts from across Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man.
The international festival is the annual Gathering of the Celts and features a host of free events and some ticketed shows and competitions for singers, songwriters, musicians, dancers, choirs, poets, story tellers and their followers, from across the six participating nations.
Festival Director, Bride de Róiste, looks forward to a fantastic few days and says momentum is really building ahead of this year’s gathering of the clans. “This is an extra special year and we’re delighted to host one of Carlow’s premier ‘Gathering’ events.
“We’ve a great festival line-up and highlights include storytelling and swapping, concerts, book launches, traditional singing and choral competitions as well as piping and drumming, harp, fiddle and dance contests in dozens of venues across Carlow town.”
The highlight for many will be the Pan Celtic International Song Contest on Thursday, April 4. It will feature newly-composed songs in their own Celtic language from each of the six nations, with Ireland being represented by Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh from Donegal, singing Le Do Thaobh, composed by Connemara native Áine Durkin. The song is a moving and poignant tribute to Áine’s late sister.
The entire town comes alive for the festival. Outdoor entertainment includes Celtic dancing, an open-air Ceilí, busking competitions and the festival parade. Festival-goers are also invited to run, walk or jog the Pan Celtic Mile!
The Trad Trail features no less than 40 sessions and 80 musicians in a total of 12 hostelries. There is also a series of workshops which range from baby fiddle to master classes in all traditional instruments, as well as Sean-Nós, Céilí and Breton dance classes.
This year’s programme also features performances from the Garda Band, RTÉ Cór na nÓg, Thurso Pipe Band, Pervish, The Great Trad Train and ARDS CCÉ as well as 3 Orchestras in Concert. Celtic language classes will offer a taste of Scots Gaelic, Manx and Cornish as well as Irish.
A Festival Club in the Seven Oaks Hotel, hosted by a different nation each night, will give a taste of the very best of Celtic entertainment each country has to offer. The festival is a true family event, with workshops and attractions galore for children, a ‘Celtic Taste of Carlow’ artisan farmers’ market and much more.
All fringe events are free of charge and for further details, log on to www.panceltic.ie
