Weekend of fun and music at Spiddal’s Traidphicnic

Arts Week with Judy Murphy – judymurphy@ctribune.ie

There’s a packed programme of music, dance, wildlife events, exhibitions and fun at Spiddal’s second ever Traidphicnic, which will take place in the Connemara village on Friday and Saturday, July 5 and 6.

Highlights include music with Martin Hayes and Kevin Crawford, Charlie Lennon, Eventide (featuring Tóla Custy, Pádraig Rynne, Pauline Scanlon and Donogh Hennessy); The Bonny Men; Johnny Connolly; Colm Gannon and Harry Bradley; Toner Quinn and Malachy Bourke; Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Caoimhín Ó Fearghail; Jesse Smith and Emmett Gill; and sean-nós dancing with Seosamh Ó Neachtain and Marian Ní Chonghaile.

There will also be a drumming workshop and puppet shows, wool spinning, a chance to participate in a ‘Riverdance’ art installation and an opportunity to try out sean-nós dancing.

For those people who want a break from the buzz of the festival, there will be a walk along the stunning coastline and countryside.

All events, which are bilingual, will be free of charge, except for the music workshops taking place on the morning of July 6. However the Traidphicnic committee will gratefully accept donations throughout the weekend, says the event’s Cathaoirleach Bridget Barker.

Brighton-born Bridget, who moved back to her father’s home area of Camus in 1996, is the driving force behind the Traidphicnic. She had played classical violin as a child and some years ago, she returned to music, undertaking a Traditional Music and Arts Diploma under the auspices of NUIG, at Spiddal’s Cuan studio.

As a result, she rediscovered the fiddle with a passion, and subsequently attended the Willie Clancy Summer School and Scoil Acla with her family, attending workshops with master players.

After taking part in those festivals, Bridget felt it would be good to have something similar in Spiddal and the idea has received fantastic community support, with a committee established to undertake the organisation of Traidphicnic and regular fundraising events taking place throughout the year.

This year’s Traidphicnic will kick off at 2pm on July 5 with composer and fiddle player Charlie Lennon, who will host a Gathering Session. Anyone who wants to is invited to come and play a couple of tunes from the stage outside Studio Cuan. To this end, the organisers have posted two polkas on their website. People who want to take part are asked to learn them, then come and play them with a few other easy session favourites.

There will be free gigs throughout Friday afternoon with top musicians and dancers, including Johnny Connolly, Marian Ní Chonghaile; Toner Quinn and Malachy Bourke; and Emmett Gill and Jesse Smith. That evening Tóla Custy, Pádraig Rynne, Pauline Scanlon, Donogh Hennessy will be in concert. All events are free, but people will be asked to donate.

A dream team of trad performers and composers is lined up for a series of workshops taking place on Saturday morning from 10.0am-1.30pm.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.