Féile Raifteirí to focus on poet’s traits

THE South-Galway based Féile Raifteirí, which was recently launched in Coole Park, will this year take place over the weekend of March 26 to 28. This year, the festival will particularly focus on the various traits of Raifteirí as a Gael, a poet, a singer and musician.
Preparations are underway for the festival as a number of schools and youth clubs have already started rehearsing with Irish language drama company, Branar.
A number of schools are also taking the opportunity to avail of Irish language singing workshops. The result of this work will be one of the highlights of the festival, as they take to the stage as part of Ceolchoirm na nÓg in the Lough Rea Hotel on Saturday, March 27.
The festival will officially open with a music, singing and poetry session under the theme, Raifteirí… fear conspóideach.
The festival concert will feature a host of musicians, singers, poets and dancers, including Joe Burke, Ann Conroy-Burke, Charlie Piggott, Marian McCarthy, Manus Maguire, Denis Carey, Catherine Mannion, Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, Seosamh Ó Neachtain, Tommy Healy, Muireann Ní Dhuigneáin, Philip Cummings and Simon Ó Faoláin.
Other special guests taking part in activities over the weekend include Nóirín Ní Ghrádaigh, Verena Commins, Paul Bradley, Seán Ó Flannagáin, Colette Nic Aodha, Maidhc Ó hÉanaigh and Úna Nic Lochlainn.
At the launch, Coiste Fhéile Raifteirí expressed their delight that such a packed programme was produced for this year’s festival and acknowledged their supporters.
More information will be available from www.lochariach.com.