Féile Átha Dá Chab

Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2008-09-23T20:20:00.003+01:00

Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009 will be held in Ballydehob, Co. Cork, Ireland, on April 17-19, 2009. It will be the third year of this little festival with a big heart and hopefully it will be even better than the first two years. Féile Átha Dá Chab brings some of Ireland's best traditional artists to the village of Ballydehob to give workshops and play for local and visiting audiences. Visitors can expect great impromptu pub sessions, a concert, a children's session, and workshops in music song and dance. The line-up of artists for for Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009 is as follows: Mary Bergin (tin whistle), Brendan Begley (button accordion), Conal O Grada (flute), Seamie O'Dowd (fiddle), Róisín Ní Mhainín (sean-nós dancing), and Ann Mulqueen (sean-nós and traditional singing). Profiles of these performers and other festival information will be posted on the blog in the coming months, so keep an eye on it if you want to be in the know.
Slán Tamaill!

Photos from Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2008-04-23T14:38:00.017+01:00

Thanks to everyone who helped to make the second Féile Átha Dá Chab such a fantastic weekend. Here are a few photos taken during the festival. Bain taitneamh as agus feicimid sibh arís an bhliain seo chugainn!

Harry Bradley, Jesse Smith, and John Sweeney from Santa Cruz, California take a break between tunes in the Irish Whip Bar

A group of visitors from Rodez in France relax in Levis Bar.

Katie Salvage from Old Court and Maud enjoy a few tunes

Richard Lucey and Friends in the Sandboat

John Coakley from Snave, Bantry, and Bobby Gardiner perform at the concert

Ronan Regan steps it out to the music of Edel Fox and Ronan O'Flaherty

Nell Levis (seated on the right) holds court to yet another great session

Ronan Regan's Brilliant Sean-Nós Dance Workshop

Click Here to see some beautiful black and white photos taken by a German visitor during Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

For a nice selection of shots taken by Peter O'Donnell of ireland360.com on the Friday night and Saturday morning of this year's festival, Click Here

Set dancers at Féile Átha Dá Chab in for a treat with Jig Time Céilí Band

2008-03-25T18:36:00.005Z

Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival is proud to present Andy O'Connell and Jig Time Céilí Band at the afternoon céilí on Sunday April 20, 2008. A very popular group in West Cork, Jig Time is made up of Andy from Cill na Mártra on fiddle, John Coakley from near Bantry on keyboard and guitar, and Matthew Kelleher from near Macroom on the box. Playing together now for around three years, this threesome are a mighty act altogether. Many dancers will already know Andy and John from the Abbey Céilí Band. Jig Time have also appeared at the Shindig festival in Tralee the last two years in a row, playing for the hard core dancers in late céilís that only take off in the early hours of the morning!
So rest assured, ye will be in good hands at this year's Féile Átha Dá Chab céilí. Definitely one not to be missed.
Sunday April 19, 2008. 3pm, Ballydehob Community Hall.

Programme for Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2008

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Date	Venue	Event	Time	Admission
Friday April 18, 2008
	Rosie's Bar, Ballydehob	Traditional Music Session with Edel Fox and Ronan O'Flaherty	9.30pm	Free
	Irish Whip Bar	Traditional Music Session with Harry Bradley and Jessie Smith	9.30pm	Free
Saturday April 19, 2008
	St. Brigid's Primary School, Ballydehob	Button accordion workshop with Bobby Gardiner, Flute workshop with Harry Bradley, Concertina workshop with Edel Fox, Sean-nós singing with Eilís Ni Shúilleabháin, Fiddle Workshop with Jesse Smith	10am-1pm 2pm-4pm	€20 Advance booking essential.
	Ballydehob Community Hall	Sean-nós dance workshop with Ronan Regan	10 am-12 1pm-3pm	€10
	The Sandboat Bar, Ballydehob	Traditional Music Session	4pm	Free
	O'Brien's Bar, Ballydehob	Traditional Music Session for children and younger musicians	6pm	Free
	Ballydehob Community Hall	Concert with Bobby Gardiner, John Coakley, Edel Fox, Ronan O'Flaherty, Harry Bradley, Jesse Smith, Ronan Regan, Eilís Ní Shúilleabháin, Maeve Mc Sweeney, and Maria Cotter	8pm	€20

	Coughlan's Bar, Ballydehob	Music for set dancers	9.30pm	Free
	O'Brien's Bar, Ballydehob	Singing night hosted by Eilís Ní Shúilleabháin	10pm	Free
Sunday April 20, 2008	Ballydehob Community Hall	Céilí with Jig Time Céilí Band	3pm	€8
	The Irish Whip Bar, Ballydehob	Farewell Session with Bobby Gardiner, Edel Fox, Harry Bradley, and Jesse Smith	4pm	Free

Sponsors of Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2008-03-18T18:23:00.007Z

Féile Átha Dá Chab is a completely voluntary-run, nonprofit festival and could not take place without the support of many sponsors, local and national, large and small. Please do your best to support them.......
They are Foras na Gaeilge; IMRO; Cork County Council; Microstreet Graphic Design Solutions; An Carraig Ard B&B, Ballydehob; Skibbereen Credit Unon; Duggan's Restaurant, Ballydehob; Wok Inn, Ballydehob; Camier's Service Station, Ballydehob; Whizzer Scissors, Ballydehob; Fluid Edge Web Design; Bank of Ireland, Skibbereen; Bantry Comhaltas; Levis Bar, Ballydehob; Ballydehob Community Council, Wild Goose Studio, Kinsale; Catríona's Beauty Salon, Ballydehob; Rosies Bar, Ballydehob; Irish Whip Bar, Ballydehob; Coughlan's Bar, Ballydehob; O'Brien's Bar, Ballydehob; The Sandboat Bar, Ballydehob; Skeaghanore Fresh Farm Duck; Field's Supervalu, Skibbereen; and PJ McCarthy Insurances, Skibbereen.

Guided Walks around Ballydehob during Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2008-03-12T20:00:00.004Z

Love the trad but not up for the stamina required for a full day of tuition at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008? Well then Paddy Corcoran has other ideas for you, if you are up and about early enough in the day. Paddy has kindly offered to lead guided walks around Ballydehob during the festival. He will depart from outside the Irish Whip Bar in Ballydehob at 10 am on the mornings of Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th of April. Each of Paddy's walks will be approximately three hours in duration and take in sea views. These walks are FREE, as Paddy is simply happy to share the beauty of Ballydehob with other walkers. If you would like to go on one of these walks with Paddy, you can give him a ring on 087-7955423 or e-mail him at pcor@indigo.ie Or just simply show up outside the Irish Whip at 10am!!!!

Jesse Smith on Fiddle at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2008-01-13T20:22:00.002Z

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, in the U.S., but now living in Co. Leitrim, Ireland, Jesse Smith will be well known to many from his time spent playing with the group Danú. A son of Donna Long from Cherish the Ladies, Jesse learned the fiddle from the maestro, Brendan Mulvihill. A visitor to Ireland from a very young age, he has an incredible knowledge of the country's music and tradition. At the moment, Jesse is transcribing the complete fiddle works of the legendary Sligo fiddle player, Michael Coleman. Jesse has many recordings to his name, having made his first solo album at the age of 17 and later recorded with Harry Bradley and John Blake and of course Danú. As well as being a fantastic man on the fiddle himself, Jesse is also a very renowned teacher for someone of his age, having taught at many other festivals, including the Sligo Live and Temple Bar Traditional Music Festivals. So, it will be great to have him down in this part of the country to pass on some advice and tunes to students in Ballydehob for Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008 and showcase his talents at the festival concert.

Ó Baltimore, Maryland sna Stáit Aontaithe ó dhúchas, tá Jesse Smith ag maireachaint i gContae Liatroma anois. Is seinnteoir fidile den scoth é agus múinteoir le an-chuid taithí. Tá eolas thar na bearta aige ar cheol agus ar thraidisiún na hÉireann. Is iarr-bhall den ghrúpa Danú é agus tá taifeadadh déanta aige le Harry Bradley agus John Blake chomh maith. Faoi láthair, tá sé i mbun na hoibreachtaí fidile uile den seinnteoir fidile cailiúil ó Shligeach, Michael Coleman a bhreacadh ar phár.

Ronan Regan to Bring his Infectious Love of Dance to Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2007-11-15T17:58:00.002Z

I think anyone who attended the dance workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2007 would agree that whoever took on the job of dance instructor in 2008 would have a hard act to follow, after Edwina Guckian's stellar workshop in Ballydehob for the first year of the festival. However, we have just the man for the job in Ronan Regan from Salthill in Galway.
Described by many as a natural teacher with an infectious love of dance, Ronan has performed extensively at events such as Cóilín Sheáin Dharach Festival and the Inis Bofin Arts Festival and in venues such as the National Concert Hall in Dublin and the Cutler Emerson Majestic Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. An experienced teacher of sean-nós, Ronan released an internationally acclaimed instructional DVD called ‘Dance Sean-Nós’ with Maldon Meehan in 2005. In 2006, he won the RTE/Arts Council “Dance on the Box” Award and choreographed the short film “Why the Irish Dance That Way”, which has appeared in numerous film festivals both at home and abroad.

Deirtear go bhfuil feith nádúrtha na múinteoireachta ann, le grá tógálach don rince. Togha rinceora ag féiltí éagsúla, Féile Cóilín Sheáin Dharach agus Féile Ealaíne Inis Bóifine ina measc, is in áiteanna cosúil leis an gCeoláras Náisiúnta i mBaile Átha Cliath agus an Amharclann ‘Cutler Emerson Majestic’ i mBoston, Massachusetts. Is múinteoir rince ar an sean-nós é le an-chuid taithí. Sa bhliain 2005, i dteannta Maldon Meehan é d’eisigh sé dlúthdhiosca múinteoireachta ‘Dance Sean-Nós’ ar a bhfuil clú agus cáil go hidir náisiúnta.

Accommodation at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2007-10-26T21:53:00.000+01:00

There are a few accommodation options for visitors to Ballydehob, County Cork, Ireland, for Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival on April 18-20, 2008. These include bed and breakfasts and self-catering holiday homes. Ballydehob is also only around 4 miles from Schull and 9 miles from Skibbereen, so staying in either of those places is also an option.
Here is some information to get you started on finding someplace to stay. A quick search of the Internet should also throw up a few more, should the following suggestions be full. Remember to drop the 0 if ringing from outside Ireland. The international code for Ireland is +353

Accommodation in the village of Ballydehob
Lynwood B&B, Schull Road, Ballydehob. (in the village) Phone 028 37124
Accommodation near Ballydehob
An Carraig Ard B&B, Ardura Mór, Ballydehob. (around one and a half miles from the village with sea views) Phone 028 37000
Coolbawn Lodge Farmhouse B&B, Caheragh, Skibbereen. (around 6 miles from village of Ballydehob). Phone 028 38166
Coolbawn Lodge Self-Catering Holiday Home, Caheragh, Skibbereen. Phone 028 38166
Sweetnam's Holiday Home, Corravoley, Ballydehob (3 miles from Ballydehob with sea views) Phone 028 38269
You can also get accommodation information from Skibbereen Tourist Office by ringing 028 21766
Hope this information will be of use and look forward to seeing ye in Ballydehob for Féile Átha Dá Chab!

Our Darling Girl From Clare.....Edel Fox on Concertina at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2007-10-26T21:29:00.003+01:00

After several enquiries last year as to why we had no concertina workshop, we have gone all out and secured Edel Fox, one of Ireland's best-known and admired concertina players, to give a workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2008. Most people will probably be familiar with Edel as the winner of the TG4 Young Musician of the Year Award in 2004. Hailing from Miltown Malbay, County Clare, she is now one of the most accomplished Irish musicians of her generation. A prized pupil of Noel Hill, Edel made her radio debut on Clare FM's 'Mist - Covered Mountain' at the tender age of seven. She plays music evocative of her native West Clare, with a joy and abandon that lifts the spirit. Despite her young age, her musical resume boasts a list of accolades. In addition to her TG4 Young Musician of the Year award, she is a regular performer on Irish radio and the BBC and has performed in festivals and concert halls from North America to as far away as Asia. As well as being an engaging performer, Edel is also an insightful and patient teacher, specializing in the repertoire of her native soil. She teaches concertina at the prestigious Willie Clancy Summer School in her home town of Miltown Malbay and also teaches annually at festivals in the U.S., including the Irish Arts Week Festival in East Durham, NY. In 2006, Edel and fiddle player, Ronan O'Flaherty, released a great album together, simply called Edel Fox & Ronan O'Flaherty. Edel Fox is currently a student of music at the University of Limerick.
It will be brilliant for people learning the concertina in Ballydehob and further afield in West Cork to have the chance to attend a workshop with Edel at Féile Átha Da Chab 2008. Places are limited to ten in this workshop, so to avoid disappointment, put your name down for it as soon as you can. It is only October 2007 now and one place is already booked! Edel will also perform at the concert during the festival. Bígí Linn!

Buaiteoir na duaise, TG4 Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana, i 2004, is seinnteoir óg consairtín í Edel Fox a bhfuil raon duaiseanna agus gradaim buaite aici. Ó Shráid na Cathrach, Contae an Chláir ó dhúchas, is í duine dos na ceoltóirí traidisiúnta níos oilte dena glúin. Chomh maith le bheith ina seinnteoir tarraingteach, is múinteoir í a thaispeáineann léargas agus foighne ina cuid múinteoireachta. Múineann sí ag an Scoil Samhraidh mór le rá ‘Willie Clancy’ agus ag féiltí sna Stáit Aontaithe, Féile Seachtaine Ealaíne Ghaelach in East Durham, Nua Eabhrach ina measc.

Legendary Box Player Bobby Gardiner at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2007-10-11T18:46:00.002+01:00

It will be a great honour for Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2008 to welcome button accordion and melodeon player, Bobby Gardiner, to Ballydehob for the second year of the festival. This will be a fabulous chance for budding players of these two instruments to listen to and learn from Bobby's playing, both in his workshop and at his performance at the concert over the weekend.

A native of the beautiful Burren area of Aughdarra, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, Bobby began his musical career at the age of eight, on an old German concertina, which was the instrument also played by his mother. Stuck pallets would sometimes result in emergency surgery when a goose's quill would substitute for a broken spring or a sticking plaster would repair an air leak. This experience led him to try the two-row button accordion. Most musicians then were self-taught and learned tunes from family, local musicians or by ear from the old 78 gramophone records of Michael Coleman, melodeon player P.J. Conlon and many others. Bobby's brother Mick and uncle Mick also played the meolodeon and accordion and his uncle Tom had a store of fiddle tunes.
After competing successfully in the under 15s at the Fleadh Ceoil in Dungarvan, he was asked to join the Kilfenora Céilí Band. He subsequently joined Malachy Sweeney's Céilí Band from Armagh and traveled the length and breadth of Ireland as a professional musician for five pounds a week!

In 1960, Bobby Gardiner emigrated to the U.S. and it was there that he made "Memories of Clare", his first L.P. of accordion music with Copley Records. This album has remained the best-loved of Bobby's many recordings ever since. In recent times, Bobby recorded a melodeon and lilting CD called "The Clare Shout".
Bobby was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1963 and stationed at Fort Dix in New Jersey. On his weekends off, he would visit the Catskill Mountains in New York, which were a Mecca for traditional Irish music in those days. It was here in the Catskills that he met musicians such as Joe Cooley, Andy McGann and many other great players.
In 1970, Bobby returned to Ireland and within a few years was teaching the accordion in Tipperary, Waterford and Limerick. He has now been tutoring at University College Cork for 25 years. Bobby has also traveled extensively with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann on their numerous trips abroad and is a resident musician every summer with the Bru Boru group from Cashel, Co. Tipperary. He is currently focusing on his own playing.

Ó Lios Dúin Bhearna, Chontae an Chláir ó dhúchas, tá dea-chlú sa cheol gaelach bainte amach ag Bobby Gardiner le linn a ghairm fada. Sheinn sé an consairtín mar pháiste ach níorbh fhada gur bhog sé ar aghaidh go dtí an mileoidean agus níos déanaí arís go dtí an bosca ceoil dá-rangach. Tá réimse leathan de thaifeadadh déanta ag Bobby, ina measc tá ‘Memories of Clare’, a chéad ceirnín ar a bhfuil an-cháil, agus ceirnín a taifeadadh le déanaí, ‘The Clare Shout’, le ceol mileoidin agus portaireacht air. Le han-éileamh air mar mhúinteoir, tá Bobby Gardiner anois ina chónaí i gContae Thiobraid Árainn agus é ag múineadh i gColáiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh le 25 bliain anuas.

Sean-nós and Traditional Singing Workshop with Eilís Ní Shúilleabháin

2007-09-19T17:27:00.002+01:00

Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2008, will include a sean-nós and traditional singing workshop with Eilís Ní Shúilleabháin, a member of the sean nós singing family from Cúil Aodha. Eilís and her siblings learned their craft from their father, Micheál ó Súilleabháin. Brothers, Danny Maidhcí and Eoiní Maidhcí, are also well-known singers. She has won Oireachtas competitions, Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann in English and Gaeilge, and was awarded Gradam Sean - Nós Cois Life in 1997. Eilís teaches sean-nós singing in University College, Cork, and in the World Centre for Music and Dance in the University of Limerick. She has taught singing workshops in Ireland and in the U.S.and is an adviser for the Deis scheme run by the Arts Council. At Féile Átha Dá Chab, Eilís will teach sean-nós songs through Irish in the morning (from 10am-1pm) and traditonal Irish songs through English in the afternoon workshop on Saturday April 19, 2008. So, students can choose whether to do one or both sessions. She will also sing at the concert that night.

Gradam Shean Nós Cois Life uirthi i 1997. Múineann sí amhránaíocht ar an sean-nós in Ollscoil Chorcaí, agus in Ollscoil Luimní, agus stiúraíonn sí Duine de chlann cheolmhar Uí Shúilleabháin, Cúil Aodha, d'fhoghlaim Eilís a cuid amhránaíochta óna h-athair, Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, nó Maidhcí mar a bhfearr aithne air. Tá cáil na hamhránaiochta ar a deartháireacha, Dainní Maidhcí agus Eoiní Maidhcí, chomh maith. Tá duaiseanna bainte amach ag Eilís i gcomórtaisí Oireachtais, agus i bhFleadh Ceoil na h-Éireann, agus bronnadh ceardlanna ar fud na h-Éireann agus sna Stáit Aontaithe. Tá sí ar dhuine de chomhairleoirí na scéime 'Deis' fé chomairce na Comhairle Ealaíon.

Flute Player Harry Bradley to Teach and Perform at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2007-09-13T20:38:00.003+01:00

Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2008 is delighted to have renowned flute player, Harry Bradley, on board to teach a flute workshop and perform at the concert. Born in South Belfast, Harry Bradley discovered Irish traditional music through popular recordings of it and was encouraged by exposure to flute and fiddle playing while on childhood holidays in rural Co. Down. The vibrant 78 record recording heritage from the 1920s and 30s has had a huge influence on his personal playing style as has the playing of more contemporary exponents such as Seamus Tansey, Dessie Wilkinson and piper Seamus Ennis to name but a few. To date Harry has recorded three solo flute CDs "Bad Turns and Horseshoe Bends"(Outlet), "As I Carelessly Did stray..."(Claddagh Records) and "The Night-rambler's Companion" and appeared as a guest musician on Altan's "The Blue Idol" CD. He has also recorded with Jesse Smith and John Blake. Harry is no stranger to teaching either and has taught at many of the major Irish summer schools as well as at flute workshops in venues as far away as Canada and Japan.

Ó Bhéal Feirste ó dhúchas, is fliúiteadóír é Harry Bradley. Tá a stíl phearsanta ceoil go mór faoi thionchar an ceirnín beomhar ‘ceol oidhreachta ó na blianta 1920 agus 1930’ . Is iomaí scoil samhraidh timpeall na tíre ag a bhfuil sé tar-éis múineadh. Chomh maith le sin, tá ceardlanna fliúite tugtha aige in áiteanna i gcéin, Ceanada agus an tSeapáin ina measc. Tá taifeadadh déanta aige ina aonar, agus leis an ngrúpa ceoil ‘Altan’ is le Jesse Smith.

Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

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The second Féile Átha Da Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival will be held in Ballydehob, Co. Cork, Ireland, on April 18-20, 2008. The weekend will follow pretty much the same format of the first year, except that in 2008, there will also be a concert in the hall featuring the workshop teachers and the céilí will be on Sunday afternoon instead of Saturday night.
Traditional musicians already signed up to do workshops that weekend include Harry Bradley (flute), Bobby Gardiner (button accordion), Jim Murray (guitar), Jesse Smith (fiddle), Edel Fox (concertina) and Ronan Reagan (seannós dancing). There will also be a seannós and traditional singing workshop again, details to follow soon!
So, time to buy a calendar for 2008 and highlight April 18-20 as a weekend not to be missed.
Profiles of musicians giving next year's workshops will be posted here over the course of the next few months, so keep an eye on this blog for those and further updates.
Slán tamaill!

Panoramic Photos of Féile Átha Dá Chab 2007

2007-05-04T12:09:00.000+01:00

Click Here to see panoramic photos of Féile Átha Dá Chab 2007, courtesy of Peter O'Donnell of ireland360.com. They include panoramas of the bodhrán workshop with Colm Murphy, Edwina Guckian's Dance Workshop, the singing night in O'Brien's Bar, Levis's Bar, and the céilí with the Abbey Céilí band. Many thanks to Peter for all the time he spent taking photos over the weekend. If you are interested in getting any prints of Peter's amazing panoramas, you can view an online gallery of his work on
The Wider Eye
Here are a few more photos of Edwina Guckian's sean-nós and brush dance workshop, also taken by Peter.

Up in The Air!!

Happy Feet

Enjoying the Brush Dance

A selection of photos from a great weekend! Bain Taitneamh As!

2007-04-24T14:04:00.001+01:00

Peter O'Donnell of ireland360.com was a stealthy figure around Ballydehob for Féile Átha Dá Chab, unobtrusively gathering classic images of the first year of the festival. In the many pictures he took, he managed to capture the magic of the weekend. Here are a few of those snaps. Enjoy!

A Bunch of Happy Campers at the Bodhrán Workshop with Colm Murphy

Stepping it out at Edwina Guckian's Brilliant Sean-nós and Brush Dance Workshop

Edwina Impresses All With a Few Steps.

Christy Leahy Focuses on the Job at Hand During his Much-Enjoyed Accordion Workshop

Séamus Creagh Busy At Work With His Students in the Fiddle Workshop

Hammy Hamilton's Flute Workshop Was a Big Hit, with Students Asking That he Return to Féile Ágain Next Year.

Jackie Daly's Students Learned Some Sliabh Luachra Versions of Popular Tunes

Áine Meirbhic Sings for Students at her Sean-Nós and Traditional Singing Class

John Meirbhic of Church Cross Sings His Heart Out at the Singing Night in O'Brien's Bar.

Old Friends Make New Ones in Levis's Bar

The Saturday Evening Session in The Sandboat

A Group of Friends From Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, Enjoying Themselves in Rosie's Bar.

Later in the week, there will be even more photos up on this blog, so check back again to see those.

Come On Da Hob!!!!!!

2007-04-23T09:05:00.000+01:00

Well, after all that, Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Weekend 2007 has come and gone all too quickly. It was a lovely weekend from start to finish. A great crowd turned out from far and wide to enjoy the music, song and dance and a great time was had by all. The bad weather held off until now, making it even more enjoyable. The weekend kicked off on Friday night with a session in Rosie's Bar from Jackie Daly, Séamus Creagh, Hammy Hamilton, Colm Murphy, Garry Walsh and Paul de Grae. It was great to have music of this caliber back in Ballydehob and those lucky enough to squeeze through the crowd to hear the musicians were treated to some lovely sounds.
Meanwhile, the overflow of people flooded in to O'Brien's Bar where the regular Friday night session in Ballydehob was well underway, under the noble stewardship of Liam Keneally. To say, the pub was rocking is a bit of an understatement. There were a huge number of musicians playing and every now and then a gang of set dancers visiting from France would take to the floor to step it out to the tunes. There were songs also, with Francis from Listowel making her mark in Ballydehob with the first of many great songs to be delivered over the weekend. The Irish Whip also had some nice songs the same night and tunes also floated out the window of the Sandboat. The weekend was off to a great start!

Saturday morning saw a great influx of enthusiastic students back into the village to learn from the masters. Over 50 people turned up for the sean-nós dancing in the hall. They were all well impressed with Edwina Guckian, both for her own talent in the art of sean-nós as well as for her great ability to teach and pass on the tradition. A lot of people had pains in places they didn't know existed after five hours of leaping around at this class!

The instrument workshops went really well. They were all well attended, many having been booked out for some time before the festival. Áine Meirbhic's singing workshop was also full, and Áine's students were delighted with the little book of songs and CD they eacy received to take home with them.
After the workshops, the sessions around the village began in no time. Levis's Bar was beautiful altogther with Nell welcoming all with a smile, as some demonstrated their newly acquired skills in brush dancing while others sang and played.
The sandboat was packed for a mighty session from John Coakley and friends. Jackie and Co packed out the Irish Whip for their session later that night, while dancers warmed up for the céilí in the back of Coughlan's Bar to the sounds of local girl Maria Cotter on fiddle and Pat Fleming on the box.
The singing night was, as expected, a great success. There were songs and recitations to beat the band, and Áine Meirchic ran a well-organized and structured night, ensuring respect, quiet and appreciation for all performers.

The Abbey Céilí Band blew the roof off the hall to around 17 sets of dancers, who danced to a well thought-out set, designed by Janet Robertson of Ballydehob Céilí Club. Céilí Club members went all out with the tea and cakes and left people a lot heavier going back out onto the floor after the break. In particular, Lianne's killer chocolate brownies made a huge impression!
The weekend rounded off with a farewell session in Minihane's Pub in Lisheen, where a capacity crowd enjoyed a fine selection of music and songs. Then it was Rosie's bar for what turned out to be arguably the best session of the whole weekend. Anne Redmond, Ivan Camier, Noel Camier, Maria Cotter and Pat Fleming ened Féile Átha Dá Chab on a high note leaving everyone already looking forward to next year.
Keep an eye on this site over the coming days for photos of the workshops and sessions. But in the meantime check out
ireland360.com to see a lovely panoramic photograph of Levis's Bar on early Saturday evening.
Finally, thanks to everyone who made the journey to Ballydehob, looking forward to seeing ye again next year. Slán go Fóill.

Féile Átha Dá Chab Sponsors

2007-04-17T16:40:00.000+01:00

Fáilte Ireland
Cork County Council
Foras na Gaeilge
Ballydehob Community Council
The Irish Whip Bar, Ballydehob.
Rosie's Bar, Ballydehob.
Sandboat Bar, Ballydehob.
O'Brien's Bar Ballydehob.
Coughlan's Bar, Ballydehob.
Camier's Service Station, Ballydehob
Wild Goose Studios Kinsale.
Shane O'Neill Insurance, Skibbereen.
Annie's Restaurant, Ballydehob.
Carbery Oils.
Bank of Ireland, Skibbereen.
Fluid Edge Web Design, Dublin.
Barry's Tea.
Field's SuperValu, Skibbereen.
FBD Insurance, Skibberren.
PJ McCarthy Insurance, Skibbereen.
Levis's Bar, Ballydehob.
Schull Books, Ballydehob.
Duggans Restaurant, Ballydehob.
Whizzer Scissors, Ballydehob.
Catríona's Beauty Salon, Ballydehob.
SummerSalt Café Ballydehob.
Skibbereen Credit Union,
An Carraig Ard, B&B.
Minihane's Pub, Lisheen.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann, Bantry.
Coolbawn Lodge, B&B, Caheragh.
Skeaghnore Fresh Farm Duck, Ballydehob.
EBS, Skibbereen.
Permanent TSB, Skibbereen.

A special thanks also to Janet Robertson and the members of Ballydehob Céilí Club, Mary O'Callaghan and St. Bridget's National School, Shane O'Neill, Alyn Fenn, Christina Hickey, Gabriel Rangers Football Team, John Coakely, Tom O'Sullivan, Bridget Trethewey, Serena Corcoran and Íde Ní Mhuirí of Gael Scoil Cloich na Coillte, Sinéad Ní Ghairbhith, Michelle Jones and Peter O'Donnell, John Meirbhic, Róisín Ingle, David Young, UCC Campus Radio, Raidio na Gaeltachta, Gail Sheehan, Anna O'Driscoll, My Beautiful Launderette (Ballydehob) and everyone who helped to put up posters and spread the word about Féile Átha Dá Chab. Míle Buíochas!

Them Boots Were Made For Walking........

2007-04-13T11:22:00.000+01:00

If the weather is as good as it is at the moment and you feel like a bit of fresh air and breathtaking scenery during Féile Átha Dá Chab, you may be interested in going on a short scenic walk or a hill walk on Mount Gabriel with local man, Paddy Corcoran, on the mornings of Saturday April 21st and Sunday April 22nd. Paddy will depart from outside the Irish Whip Bar in Ballydehob at 10 am on each of these mornings and each of his walks will be approximately three hours in duration. So, if you are waiting for a friend or a child to come out of a workshop, this may be a nice way to spend the morning. These walks are FREE, as Paddy is simply happy to share the beauty of Ballydehob with other walkers. If you would like to go on one of these walks with Paddy, you can give him a ring on 087-7955423 or e-mail him at pcor@indigo.ie

Don't Miss Local and National Radio Previews of Féile Átha Dá Chab 2007

2007-04-06T16:25:00.000+01:00

Feile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival will be previewed on local and national radio in the coming weeks.

Cork's 103FM will preview the festival on its West Cork Today programme on Tuesday April 10th at 1.30 pm. This preview will feature information on Féile Átha Dá Chab and a chance to hear a song from Áine Meirbhic.

NewsTalk 106-108 FM will preview Féile Átha Dá Chab on Saturday April 14th on Róisín Ingle's WeekendBlend show. World Fleadh sean-nós dance champion, Edwina Guckian will feature in this preview and even dance a few steps live on air! Listen in between 10.30 and 11.30 am to catch this preview.

Finally, the Saol ó Dheas program on Radio na Gaeltachta (92.6-94.4FM) will include an interview with Áine Meirbhic, who will provide information on the festival. This program broadcasts from 12-1pm weekdays. Unsure about which day the interview will be on, so you will just have to tune in every day to make sure you don't miss it.

Map of Ballydehob for visitors to Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2007

2007-03-31T15:35:00.000+01:00

Ok, Ballydehob is a small enough village and it seems a bit unnecessary to provide a map of it. However, for those of you who would prefer to know exactly where everything is before your visit. Here is a map.

Key to Map
1. Ballydehob Community Hall
2. Camier's Shop and Petrol Station and ATM
3. St. Bridget's National School
4. Old Crossing B&B
5. Sandboat Pub
6. Hudson's Wholefood Shop and Vegetarian Café
7. Rosie's Bar
8. Yummy Scrummy Café
9. Duggan's Restaurant
10. O'Brien's Bar
11. SummerSalt Café
12. 12 Arch Youth Hostel & Camp Site
13. The Irish Whip Pub
14. Lynwood B&B
15. Rose Hill B&B
16. Catholic Church
17. Church of Ireland Church
18. Annie's Restaurant
19. Garda (Police) Station
20. Coughlan's Bar

Féile Átha Dá Chab Flute Teacher, Hammy Hamilton, to feature on TG4

2007-03-31T14:36:00.000+01:00

Those of you planning to visit Ballydehob, County Cork, for Féile Átha Dá Chab may be interested in the television program, Ceird an Cheoil, which airs on TG4, the Irish language television station on Sunday nights. Every week, this fascinating program focuses on the craftspeople who make musical instruments in Ireland. At 10pm on Sunday, April 1, 2007, this program will feature the flute maker, Hammy Hamilton, who will conduct a flute workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab. In particular, this episode will highlight Hammy's development of a new instrument, the low whistle. This is a relatively new instrument that has become very popular within the contemporary traditional Irish music scene in recent years. Although similar to a giant tin whistle, this instrument is actually a full octave below the standard tin whistle. Hammy is currently the only person in Ireland making this instrument. Shadowing Hammy as he designs and makes a low whistle, this program will no doubt also highlight Hammy's own flute playing, providing a flavour of the fine music that will waft through the streets of Ballydehob in a few weeks' time.
If you are not resident in Ireland, you should be able to view this program online on

TG4

Where to Eat During Féile Átha Dá Chab

2007-03-31T12:02:00.003+01:00

For its size, Ballydehob has an impressive choice of cafés and restaurants to suit different budgets, tastes and dietary requirements.
Here is a list of what is on offer:

Annie's Restaurant, Phone 028 37292. Open for dinner only. This famous restaurant has such a great reputation that reservations are essential and must be made well in advance. It uses the finest of local ingredients to treat diners to one of the best dining experiences in West Cork. There is a great set dinner menu. You can read a review of Annie's on

Georgina Cambell's Ireland

Antonio's Ristorante Pizzeria Phone 028 37139. Open for lunch and dinner, serving authentic Italian food.

Vegetarian Café at Hudson's Wholefood Shop Just a few doors down from Annie's, Jill Hudson's award-winning health food shop has a little vegetarian café, which can be accessed through the shop. Fare includes home-made soups, falafel and various types of samosas and pies, which can be eaten in or taken away! This healthfood shop also has its own bakery and offers a great selection of breads, including spelt and gluten-free loaves.

The Wok Inn. This Chinese restaurant created much excitement when it opened in Ballydehob last summer. Open seven days a week from 5pm-12am, it provides the option of eating in or taking out.

Duggan's Restaurant and Café Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this establishment also has a fast-food takeaway that faces onto the street.

Coughlan's Bar. Under new management, this pub offers bar food, such as soup, sandwiches and steak and chips.

Hot Deli Counter at Camier's Gala Shop and Petrol Station For those who just can't survive without that greasy breakfast roll! Open from around 7am till 10pm. Camier's also has an ATM, which is very handy.

Flute Player and Maker, Hammy Hamilton, to give Flute Workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab

2007-03-22T17:25:00.000Z

Photo by Con Kelleher

Hammy Hamilton was born in Belfast in 1953, and began to play the flute in the early 1970s, as part of a huge surge of interest in traditional music in that city. Before moving to Cork in 1976 he had already become interested in the
idea of making traditional flutes which were in very short supply at the time, and in 1979, set up the first workshop devoted to the type of flute played in the Irish tradition. This was in the tiny West Cork Gaeltacht village of Cúil Aodha, and Hammy is still there today over thirty years later still making flutes and playing and teaching throughout the world. He released a solo album ‘The `Moneymusk’ in 1990, and ‘It’s No Secret’ with Seamus Creagh and Con Fada Ó Drisceoil in 2000 and has contributed tracks to several albums devoted to the Irish flute. As well as his work in these fields, Hammy Hamilton is also involved academicaly in Irish music studies, and his doctoral research dealt with commercial recordings of Irish traditional music.

Thosnaig Hammy Hamilton ag seint an fliúit 'sna seachtóidí i mBéal Feiriste, a bhaile dhúchais. San am sin bhí múscailt suime i gceol traidisiúnta i mBéal Feiriste ar nós an tír iomlán. I 1979 bhog sé go Chúil-Aodha in iarthar Chorcaí. Toisc ná raibh
fliúiteanna ar fáil thosnaig sé á ndéanamh go lán aimsireach. Taréis triocha bliana tá sé fós á ndéanamh, comh maith le bheith ag seint agus ag múineadh sa bhaile agus thar lear. D'fhoilsigh sé dlúth diosca aonaireach, 'The Moneymusk' i 1990, agus 'Its No Secret', i dtonnta Séamus Creagh, Con fada O Drisceoil agus Pat Aherne sa bhliain 2000. Tá sé taréis páirt a ghlacadh i ndioscaí eile a bhaineann le ceol flúite go h-iomlán. Comh maith lena ghnáth obair mar dhéantóir, tá sé sáite go h-acadúil leis an gceol. I 1996 bhain sé amach Dochtúireacht dár d'tidil 'Commercial Recordings of Irish Traditional Music'.

Change of Flute Teacher at Féile Átha Dá Chab

2007-03-22T17:14:00.000Z

Unfortunately, Garry Walsh is no longer able to give the flute workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab, due to an unexpected family commitment the weekend of the festival. He still hopes to be able to take part in the Friday night session in Rosie's Bar, which is great. Luckily, the Cul Aodh-based flute player and flute maker Hammy Hamilton has agreed to help us out and will now give the flute workshop instead of Garry. As with the other instrument workshops, it is advisable to book a place in advance for this workshop, which will be held in St. Bridget's National School, Ballydehob from 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm on Saturday April 21, 2007.