Revellers and musicans flock to Keep Her Lit Festival in Inistioge

Keep Her Lit Folk & Trad festival returned to the picturesque village of Inistioge over the weekend.

Wind and rain didn’t dampen spirits on Friday night as the three day festival kicked off in style with trad sessions taking over the village. Festival goers sheltered from the adverse conditions on Friday evening in The Woodstock Arms, The Otter Bar and O’Donnell’s.

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St Mary’s Church played host to the festival’s sold out headline concerts with the incredible Lisa Hannigan opening the festival on Friday night who paid a beautiful tribute to the late and great Sinead O’ Connor. Hannigan also chatted about her time recording in nearby Thomastown with her good friend and former drummer Tom Osander. The stunning West Cork based duo Les SalAmandas opened the evening.

The weekend was filled with celebration and commemoration for two of Inistioge’s well known and loved locals musician Dave Donohue and publican Johnny O’ Donnell who sadly passed away in 2021. The village was dressed in beautiful handmade bunting and decor by the festival team. There was a real sense of community and grá for the village.

On Saturday, the Gomárach Walk opened day two with Maura Brennan and festival organiser Kasia Kaminska. All in attendance were brought on a beautiful commemorative walk along the river. Historian John Kirwan and archeologist Ben Murtagh brought festival goers on a heritage walk through the village, with the fascinated group growing in size with each new location.
Clare dancer Louise O’ Connor hosted the inaugural Keep Her Lit set dancing workshop and Céilí in the village square on Saturday evening and the craic was mighty.

A powerful performance from Rioghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum aka The Breath took place on Saturday evening in St Mary’s Church. Connolly has roots in Kilkenny and members of her family from West Cork and Wexford were in the audience. The Armagh born singer and Manchester guitarist are set to release their new album ‘Land Of My Other’ in October. Kilkenny’s folk trio Sola opened the evening and wowed all in attendance.

Stellar trad musicians traveled from all corners of Ireland to play sessions all over the village in the Woodstock Arms, The Otter Bar and O’ Donnell’s with musicians Kilkenny’s Paddy Cleere, Anthony McAuley & Ivan McGuire, Carlow’s Michelle Powderly and Dave Sheridan, Dubliners Peter Browne and Mark French, Belfast’s Claire, Stephen and Brendan Loughran and many more. All ages enjoyed riverside sessions and tunes on the square on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile thousands descended on the village on Sunday morning for the festival’s final day with a gorgeous craft and delicious food market, riverside tunes, puppet shows and face-painting by the river. The market featured some incredible local producers and craft makers.

Eithne Ní Chatháin (Inni-K) hosted the festival’s Sean nós singing workshop and music workshops took over Cois Abhainn Community centre at lunch time. On Sunday afternoon, Frankie Lane and Paul Kelly brought the annual Counter Attack concert to the village square. Huge crowds gathered and danced the afternoon away with special guests The Holden Brothers, Eithne Ní Chatháin (Inni-K) who spoke dearly about the famous Red Shed Sessions in Kells and HotHouse Flowers guitarist Fiachna Ó Braonáin was joined by festival friend & 2022 headliner, the brilliant Clare Sands.

O’ Donnell’s played host to trad sessions, craic and festival’s inaugural storytelling session with them incredible Seanchaí Jim Maher on Sunday evening with the festival’s mighty trad sessions in O’Donnell’s, The Otter Bar & The Woodstock Arms bringing this year’s festival to a close.