An exclusive concert with a selection of Ireland’s finest singers and musicians is set to be held in St. Canice’s Hall, Dungiven, as part of the festivities for Fleadh Uladh 2012.

The concert will take place on Thursday 26th July, and will mark the start of what is sure to be another memorable weekend in Dungiven for lovers of Irish music and culture.

Following on the success of last year’s sell-out Songs of the People concert celebrating Ulster’s traditional songs and singers, Live at St. Canice’s will include performances by some of the most respected names on the Irish folk scene: Buille, John Spillane and Sí Van.

Click here to read the full press release or purchase tickets for this event.

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The Fleadh will last from Sunday 17th July to Sunday 24th July, and will be jam packed with a variety of events to engage all sections of the community in Irish cultural heritage.

After winning their bid for the largest summer music event in Ulster last October, the local organizing committee began to plan an 8-day long festival celebrating traditional Irish music, song and dance.

This celebration of culture has been held for the past three years in Castlewellan, and in 2010 the event was merged with Celtic Fusion as part of the 50th anniversary of the Ulster Fleadh festivities.

The Dungiven committee also have reason to celebrate this year, with the 60th anniversary of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann, the nationwide organisation that co-ordinates the Fleadh and helps promote Irish culture and heritage.

The Fleadh committee are very keen to express their sincere appreciation to all of the support they have received to finance and manage the music festival. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Limavady Borough Council and Comhaltas are Fleadh Uladh’s principle funders, with Purvis Precast Stone and St. Canice’s G.A.C. sharing the title as main sponsors.

In particular, the local businesses have donated very generously, and the committee would also like to thank in particular those who are not direct beneficiaries.

‘There has been a fantastic feeling of community spirit surrounding this event,’ said chairman Jeremy Granleese. ‘There have been so many efforts to make this year’s Fleadh something special. A special town clean-up committee was formed to help improve the aesthetic impact of the town’s Main Street for the onslaught of visitors for the Fleadh.’

The unsightly buildings in the town centre have been a talking point in the town for many months, and with several efforts being made to help improve the town’s image, the Fleadh seemed like the perfect excuse to make sure that something would finally be done.

Already there have been improvements to several buildings, and with only six weeks left until Fleadh Uladh kicks off, the town looks set to receive a significant make over.

The programme of events includes all of the usual activities associated with the Ulster Fleadh (seisiúns, competitions, ceilis, etc.) But there are also a number of special events, including the Songs of the People concert in St. Canice’s Hall on Thursday 21st July, bringing together all of the best singers in Ulster to celebrate the traditional singing heritage of the province.

There will also be a night celebrating the Celtic Harp, and an effort to break the Guinness World Record for the most people playing the national anthem on an instrument together in one venue on Saturday 23rd July.

The Ulster Fleadh attracts thousands of people each year to its host town, with 2,000 competitors in the competitions and many more spectators. Dungiven’s first ever year at hosting the event is sure to be one to remember.

The Dungiven Fleadh Uladh committee are delighted this year to honour Sam Henry’s famous traditional singing anthology Songs of the People in a unique concert as part of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann’s 51st Ulster Fleadh.

The concert follows on a format used in BBC Four music shows such as …Sings the Great American Songbook, whereby a host of renowned performers will choose some of their favourite songs from the Ulster singing tradition.

The line-up for this inaugural event will feature some of the country’s finest singers, including Rita Gallagher, several times winner of the All-Ireland Singing Trophy. All corners of Ulster will be represented in the concert, with participants from as far away as Monaghan, Donegal and Down. Niall Hanna from Co. Tyrone will also perform on the night, carrying on the legacy of his late grandfather Geordie Hanna, known to many as a great stalwart of the singing tradition.

Of course, the local area itself is known as a stronghold of Irish traditional singing, and some of Dungiven’s best known singers will perform on the night.

Sam Henry’s collection was originally printed as a column in County Derry newspaper the Northern Constitution between 1923 and 1939, and documents the story of Ireland – its graces and shortcomings, triumphs and sorrows – in the ballads, dirges, and humorous songs of its common people.

Music is a direct and powerful expression of Irish folk culture and a beloved aspect of Irish life in the rest of the world. Comprising nearly 690 selections, Songs of the People is a record of Irish folk songs before World War II, demonstrating the historical ties between Irish and Scottish folk culture and the tremendous Irish influence on American folk music in songs from the 18th and 19th century.

St. Canice’s Hall (a traditional 1920s cinema and dancehall) will be the venue for the concert, and its quaint, shabby charm will no doubt add to the nostalgic atmosphere of the night. Lynette Fay (host of the award-winning BBC series Blas Ceoil) will compere the evening, and the concert is due to be broadcast at a later date on Radio Ulster’s long-running Irish music show Folk Club.

Despite the focus on singing in this concert, there is sure to be some great instrumental performances and a few surprises, with the likes of Stringtones (Brendan Hendry/Paul McSherry/Nodlaig Brolly) and upcoming Irish traditional band Ioscaid on the bill.

Tickets go on sale for the event this week and are available from www.fleadhuladh.com and PANTRY Coffeehouse in Dungiven. A limited number of tickets are available, so book early to avoid disappointment. Contact the Fleadh committee at Dungiven@comhaltas.net for further details.

Contact: Odhran Mullan (07708684547) / odhranmullan@yahoo.co.uk

Maranna McCloskey (07730 569665) / marannamccloskey@hotmail.com

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Phone:

Website: www.dungivencastle.com

Distance from town: in town

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80 Killunaght Rd, Dungiven Co. Derry, Northern Ireland

Phone: 028 777 42953

Website: www.killunaghthouse.com

Distance from town: 5mins

Distance from town: in town

Anyone hoping to spend a few days in the town should check out our Accommodation page as soon as possible to ensure they get a convenient place to stay.

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135 Ballyquinn Road
Limavady
Co Derry

Phone: 02877767194

Website: www.carrick-lodge.co.uk

Distance from town: 8 miles