Feile na hInse to celebrate traditional music across Inishowen this weekend

The Inishowen Traditional Music Project is hosting a series of concerts across the peninsula as part of its Feile na hInse.

The celebration of traditional music is taking place from March 31 to April 2.

The festival will see the project pay homage to the music of Donncha O’Hamsaigh (Denis Hempson).
O’Hamsaigh (1695-1807) played a vital role in the 1792 Belfast Harp Festival in which the ancient music of Ireland was collected by Edward Bunting. O’Hamsaigh spent some time at Buncrana Castle under the guidance of his tutor Callagher who was the resident harper in the castle during the 1700s.

On Saturday, April 1, a harp ensemble workshop in Glencrow Hall, Moville from 11am to 3.30pm will be led by Laoise Kelly with Joleen McLaughlin and Lauren O’Neill. It will offer students the opportunity to look at the ancient music of O’Hamsaigh and select, arrange and perform a short piece at the harp symposium in Glencrow Hall from 11.00-3.30pm.

The Inishowen Harp Symposium will follow at 4pm in Glencrow Hall. A symposium of talks, titled Rediscovering O’Hamsaigh, will give an insight to O’Hamsaigh’s world and music.Dr Sean Beattie will speak on The relevance of harp in the history and culture of Donegal. Dr Lauren O’Neill will deliver a talk on Ceol Ó Hamsaigh, A Glimpse of Gaelic Harping. Seamus O’Kane and Aoibheann Devlin will talk about the Downhill Harp.

Ensemble Workshop
In the Methodist Hall, Moville from 11.00am to 3.30pm, Tola Custy and Karol Lynch will lead an ensemble workshop for intermediate and advanced musicians. Fiddle player Tóla Custy needs no introduction to many younger musicians as he was the key tutor on Splendid Isolation, ITMPs online film over lockdown in 2020.

The two musicians have shared stages with the likes of Lúnasa, Stockton’s Wing, Calico, Guidewires, Eddi Reader, Arty McGlynn and Steve Cooney. They first met at a hurling match and quickly realised that music might be a safer option for both of them.

Saturday night concert
World renowned harpers Laoise Kelly, Lauren O’Neil and Joleen McLaughlin will be joined by the Inishowen Harp Ensemble for a journey of the ancient music of Ireland. The double-bill concert will also feature County Clare musicians Tola Custy and Karol Lynch, who will perform will music from their native county.

They will also welcome on stage young musicians from around the North West. The concert takes place at 7.30pm in St Eugene's Hall, Moville. Concert fee €10/€5.

Performances of Railway tales, songs and tunes
Sunday will see a bus tour tracing the journey of the Swilly Train around the peninsula. The tour, guided by Dessie McCallion, will travel the route of the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway, stopping off at three of the remaining railway station houses that are public bars today. Each venue will feature local musicians and singers.

Pick up point for bus tour-North Pole 11am. To book a place on the bus call 0877528639. Places are limited and cost €15.
At The Railway Tavern at 12.30pm there will be songs and tunes with Paul Harrigan, Roisin McGrory and friends.

At The Drift Inn at 3.30pm, Michael Gallanagh and Rona and Barry McLaughlin and friends will provide the entertainment.
The North Pole will have music by Grace Toland, Brian Doyle and friends at 6pm.

Other events
Other events over the weekend include an online film, Grianstad Trá Breige on Friday, March 31 at 3pm.

The film features The Brodsky Quartet in collaboration with Inishowen musicians Paul Cassidy, Joleen McLaughlin, Clodagh Warnock, Deirdre McGrory and Seamus Devenney, and explores the links between classical and traditional music. Inishowen Traditional Music Project was delighted last year to work with Brodsky Quartet members Paul Cassidy, Jacqueline Thomas, Ian Belton and Krysia Osostowicz on the project.

Filmed at Doagh Famine Village, at the Summer Solstice 2022, the project was supported by the Donegal Local Live Performance Support Scheme.

The Donegal Fiddle Portraits exhibition takes place in Glencrow Hall, Moville on Friday, March 31.

Commissioned by Cairdeas na bhFidileiri, the exhibition features the work of photographer Donal Glackin in an ongoing documentation project that captures the individual nature in each portrait of Donegal Fiddlers. This exhibition is free to attend.
Friday will also see the book launch of Between the Jigs and the Reels in Glencrow Hall, Moville.

Author Caoimhin MacAoidh brings the story of the Donegal fiddle tradition up to the 21st century with an informed, lively and entertaining perspective on the giants and lesser-known figures.

A showcase of four local fiddle players, Eimear McColgan, Oisin Duffy, Eamonn McGonigle and Sarah Shovlin will take place on Friday, at 8pm in Glencrow Hall, Moville.

Throughout the weekend there are sessions in the Corner bar and Suzie's bar in Moville.

If anyone is interested in booking tickets, attending any of the events or would like more information, visit: www.inishowenmusic.ie.