Longford town resounded to the plinking of strings of tiny guitars last weekend as the first Ukulele Céilí drew visitors from far and wide for a novel summer festival. The weekend of music saw daily ukulele performances and Pig Market Lane was a hive of activity as the musicians filled the air with sound. The festival was produced by Republic of Culture and funded by Longford Live and Local and the Creative Ireland Longford programs. Shane Crossan of Republic of Culture said the organisers were delighted with how the event went: “It was fantastic. We got a great reaction from the public and musicians alike. It was the brainchild of Sean Mulroy.” Enthusiasts of the baby of the guitar family travelled from far and wide to attend the gathering: “Longford’s Connolly Barracks was converted into a festival Campsite for the weekend with ample space for tenting and camper van uke fans. We had visitors from Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Omagh, Dundalk and Dublin” the Republic of Culture coordinator said. The weekend was packed with things to do for music lovers and musicians including a festival music club, ukulele workshops and master classes, and the all-day entertainment and an artisan market at Louis Herterich’s newly opened Pig Market Lane: “It really brought a little bit of happiness to the town. People who play the ukulele are happy people, and they make other people happy, there was a really happy vibe to the weekend,” Shane told. Sean Mulroy of the Longford resident ukulele collective ‘Sneaky Tequilas’ was delighted with the weekend: “The were many high points. The big finale by Galway Ukulele Group was really sweet. They brought members of all the other bands onstage for one of the final songs. That is what a Ukulele Céilí festival is all about. Down Memory Lane | Style and smiles galore in this gallery of Longford graduation pictures from 2006 Down Memory Lane | A lovely gallery of pictures from 2006 Longford Show and Country Fair “The Saturday night concert was really well
PICTURES | Ukulele Céilí brings a piece of musical magic to Longford town
Caption: The organisers of Longford's Ukulele Céilí Music Festival Lisa Brady, Séan Mulroy and Shane Crossan pictured at Pig Lane Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: Lorraine, Michael, Fionn and Oisin Hurson at Pig Lane, Longford town for the Ukulele Céilí Music Festival Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: Annie Trueman, Emily Mulroy and Tena Keown at Pig Lane, Longford town for the Ukulele Céilí Music Festival Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: Karen Geraghty Prior of Geraghty's Shop at Pig Lane, Longford town for the Ukulele Céilí Music Festival Picture: Shelley Corcoran
