Fiddler Brian headlines Éigse concert

Leitrim fiddler Bryan Rooney, known in traditional music circles as ‘the Godfather’, is the headline act for this year’s Éigse an Spidéil concert, taking place on Saturday night. Bryan, who emigrated to London in the late 1960s, is revered by both players and fans of Irish traditional music. He was the subject of the TG4 documentary, An Godfather, narrated by actor Brendan Gleeson and broadcast in Christmas 2014.

The annual arts festival Éigse an Spidéil, which celebrates local identity and creativity, has been celebrated for more than 30 years. This year’s event runs until Sunday, March 6. Highlights include be the concert with Bryan Rooney, accompanied by fellow Leitrim man and Spiddal resident, Charlie Lennon, in Óstán na Páirce on Saturday.

Support comes from Sliabh Luachra musicians Bryan O’Leary, Colm Guilfoyle and Emma O’Leary.

Éigse’s official launch is in Tigh Ghiblin this Thursday, followed by the festival’s poetry event, Ardán na hÉigse, with readings from Louis de Paor and Irish language poets. Louis’ new book, Grá Fiar, will be launched at this event and there will be music from fiddler and composer Tola Custy.

This Friday, Aisteoirí an Spidéil will present a performance in honour of 1916 in Coláiste Chonnacht. ‘Ionmhuin Liom Cois Fhairrge’ – Ómós do 1916’ le hAisteoirí an Spidéil will include An Gadaí and Eoghainín na nÉan, two popular short stories by Pádraic Mac Piarais, and Dúirt Sé, Dáirt Sé, a translation of Spreading the News by Lady Gregory, which was staged in Spiddal in 1914.

The annual singing competition for young singers takes place at noon in Óstán na Páirce this Saturday, while Bryan Rooney and Jesse Smith will give a fiddle masterclass at Studio Cuan from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Sunday sees the Éigse guided walk with Timín Joe Tim Ó Curraidhin, starting at Cill Éinde at noon.

The festival will close with a session with young musicians from Cois Fharraige under the direction of Toner Quinn. That’s in An Droighneán Donn at 2pm, where the winner of this year’s Laoch an Traidisiúin will be announced.

The Éigse art exhibition, featuring the work of Connemara artist Breandán Ó Súilleabháin, will be on view for the duration of the festival and beyond in An Builín Blasta at an Ceardlann an Spidéil.

For more information and a full list of events see www.eigseanspideil.ie.