25th Feakle Festival marked with DVD

PREPARATIONS are at a very advanced stage for the 25th annual Feakle Festival, which will run from Wednesday, August 8 until the following Monday, August 13.
Gary Pepper of the organising committee said he was very pleased that the 25-year mark had been reached, with the festival still going strong.
“It’s an absolutely great achievement and it has gone from strength to strength, particularly over the last eight or nine years. It is a home for musicians and it has gone to a new level.”
He says there was never any serious risk of it falling by the wayside. “In the early ’90s, it had to find its niche in the market and it did that. There were a few little hiccups but there was nothing to jeopardise it.”
Gary said he’s looking forward to the opening night. “There’s a DVD being released on the opening night and it will chart the history of it from the start to the present day. It has been produced by Puddle Films and they’re a very professional outfit. It’ll be a fairly nostalgic evening for everyone.”
He said that although the event clashes with the Munster U-21 final in Ennis, the organisers are still confident of a good turnout.
Tina Noone is also a member of the organising committee and she said there is much to look forward to. “The main concert would be on the Friday night, the Tommy Fleming, Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill concert. The opening night will see the launch of the DVD celebrating 25 years and that’s a bit one as well. On the Thursday night, there will be a documentary launched on Martin Hayes and his music and there will be a concert after in Caher House with Martin and the two other members of Triúr.”
She said she was hopeful there will be a rare spell of good weather for the festival. “It’s a big achievement to get to this stage. We have a lot of the top musicians in the country coming and there’s a great buzz about it. Hopefully, we’ll get a few fine days.”