Easter Music Festival 2008 - Schedule - Traditional Music in Glencolmcille, County Donegal, Ireland

This year, the festival commemorates one of the countries most well known and loved musicians, the legendary Donegal fiddler James Byrne from Meenacross, Glencolmcille, who died suddenly last November. A host of the finest traditional musicians will gather this Easter in Glencolmcille in tribute to the late founder of the festival.

James dedicated his life to playing the tunes and telling the stories passed down to him by the older generation of musicians - including his father John and the many great musicians from Glencolmcille and beyond. ‘James Byrne was one of the great heroes of Irish traditional music. He embodied the values of his art, passing music and culture onto future generations and inspired many players.’ (Mary Cloake, Director of The Arts Council)

James rarely left Ireland yet touched the hearts of people all over the world with his music, genuine friendliness and warm personality: ‘He didn’t feel the need to travel - the world came to him.’ (Peter Brown, RTE1) His legacy is being carried on by his family and friends and the many young players he inspired.

Join us in Glencolmcille
this Easter for a celebration of James’ life and music.

Festival Programme
Workshops Mon 13 - Fri 17 April in Cashel N.S.

Donegal Fiddle Mon – Fri daily 11am-2pm
Graded classes for all levels with local tutors

Tin Whistle Mon – Fri 11.30am1.30pm
with Aisling Ni Churraighin

Traditional Song Mon – Wed 11am – 2pm
traditional singing in Irish

Button Accordion Mon – Wed 2pm - 5pm
with Tom Byrne from Buncrana

Guitar Mon – Wed 2pm – 5pm
with John McIntyre

Guitar Master Class Thur 2pm – 5pm
with John McIntyre

All together now – Ensemble playing Fri 2 – 4pm
with Liz Doherty

Concerts in Halla Mhuire, Glencolmcille

Tommy Peoples, Danny Meehan,
The Byrne Family, Maire Ni Choilm
and Kitty Sean Cunningham

Festival Finale ‘Oiche Mhor’
with host of local and visiting musicians including

Mick Brown, John Byrne, Derek McGinley,
The Diamonds, Brigid O’ Gara and many more...
ceol, damhsa, agus amhraniocht

Other Events

Mon 13^th April @ 8pm, Cashel N.S.
An Beinreach A talk and audi-visual presentation on the life and music of the late Meenacross fiddler and founder of the festival, James Byrne, by Mick Brown from Cartlanm Thir Chonaill, Kilcar.

Tue 14^th April @5pm
Singers Circle with John McGuire, Citi Sean and Guests in Biddy’s

Thur 16^th April @8.30pm in Halla Mhuire
Ceili (I gcomharle Oideas Gael)

Sat 18^th April @2pm
Meenacross Musical Trail (weather permitting)