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| Events |
JULY |
Thursday
9.00pm |
Jimmy Buckley Band † |
Venue:
Marquee GAC Grounds, Castlewellan |
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The Castlewellan Festival opens the musical theme in the town with a diverse mix of music, which includes both Rock and Irish influences. It will be a great start to three weekends of music which will be a treat for locals and visitors alike. |
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Friday
9.00pm |
The Booze Bros and the legendary Bagatelle †
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Venue:
Marquee GAC Grounds, Castlewellan |
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† Castlewellan Festival is organised by St Malachy’s Gaelic Athletic Club, queries regarding tickets and events should be directed to the Club via telephone number, details will also be posted on their above website. |
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Saturday
9.00pm |
Johnny Hero Glam Rock Band also Rattle and Hum †
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Venue:
Marquee GAC Grounds, Castlewellan |
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† Castlewellan Festival is organised by St Malachy’s Gaelic Athletic Club, queries regarding tickets and events should be directed to the Club via telephone number, details will also be posted on their above website. |
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Sunday
8.00pm |
Moving Hearts with Cara Dillon |
July 13, 2008 |
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Celtic Fusion is pleased to bring you a special performance by Moving Hearts, the renowned band who in recent years have reformed for only a select number of gigs and festivals. Moving Hearts first played in 1981 and in the years that followed several members went on to have successful careers as musicians, bringing an unbelievable depth and range of experience to the band on their return. Band member Noel Eccles said that ‘unfinished business!’ was the reason for Moving Hearts reforming in February 2007; this concert will give fans another chance to experience their sound.
Cara Dillon seems to have seduced the entire nation in a few short, breathtaking, eventful years…among the rare ingredients of her irresistibility natural personality and mesmerising ability to relate a great story in song, is an embracing quality that defies borders, culture and even languages. |
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Local BBC television and radio personality, John Toal will be the MC during our opening concert featuring Moving Hearts and Cara Dillon on Sunday 13 July and he will also host the Celtic Fusion Award evening on Tuesday 15 July with The Vallely Brothers and Karan Casey. John has been with BBC Radio Ulster for several years now and his Saturday Magazine show has become a mainstay of playing and reviewing some of the best new music in the industry. As well as being a gifted presenter and DJ, John himself is also a talented musician, and has on several occasions been able to bring his unique style to television documentaries set in this genre. |
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Venue:
Slieve Donard Resort and Spa,
Newcaslte |
Ticket Price:
£25.00 |
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9.00pm |
James Peake Experience †
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Venue:
Marquee GAC Grounds, Castlewellan |
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† Castlewellan Festival is organised by St Malachy’s Gaelic Athletic Club, queries regarding tickets and events should be directed to the Club via telephone number, details will also be posted on their above website. |
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Monday
8.00pm |
From the Shoulders Down Presented by Richard Lynch |
July 14, 2008 |
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This critically acclaimed one man show follows PJ Mulpeter, now 65 years old, as he begins his final working day as a builder’s labourer, having ‘soldiered’ for fifty years. In a reflective mood he casts a backward glance at his career with pick and shovel, combining humour, pathos, love, loss and regret, but never without hope.
* Contains some strong language |
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Venue:
The Lodge Cultural Centre,
Castlewellan |
Ticket Price:
£5.00 |
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Tuesday
8.00pm |
The Vallely Brothers with Karan Casey |
July 15, 2008 |
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This is an exciting new project that is set to perform at several European festivals this summer, including of course Celtic Fusion. Current and former members of some of Irish music’s most important and popular bands of the last 10 years such as Buille, Nomos and The Waterboys are brought together. Karan Casey, former lead singer of US-based Solas completes the line-up.
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Celtic Fusion Award Contribution To Traditional Culture |
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The Celtic Fusion Award celebrates the achievements of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their chosen art form. In its inaugural year the award was given to Tommy Sands. Last year ‘The Godfather’ of Irish Music, Tommy Makem was presented with the award, recognising a lifetime of musical achievement, a mere month before he lost his battle with cancer.
This year the award will again recognise contribution to traditional music, with the presentation taking place at the Vallely Brothers with Karan Casey concert. |
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Venue:
The Lodge Cultural Centre,
Castlewellan |
Ticket Price:
£10.00 |
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Wednesday
9.00pm |
North |
July 16, 2008 |
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North has performed in top venues across Ireland and worked with Irish musical luminaries such as Brian Kennedy, Finbar Furey, Kieran Goss and Juliet Turner. Their unique fusion of Irish traditional, folk, acoustic and country music continues to generate widespread interest from audiences. |
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Venue:
St Malachy's Gaelic Athletic Club,
Castlewellan |
Ticket Price:
£10.00 |
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Thursday
9.30pm |
Session A9 |
July 17, 2008 |
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Session A9 have been thrilling audiences throughout the UK as a top tunes band. Their music has a modern edge that still captures the live atmosphere of a traditional session. Live shows have earned the Session A9 musicians the title ‘Scotland's Supergroup’. |
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Venue:
The Banque,
Castlewellan |
Ticket Price:
£10.00 |
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Friday
9.00pm |
Singer Songwriter Evening with Marian Bradfield and Thom Moore |
July 18, 2008 |
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Marian Bradfield is often described as ‘one of Ireland’s hidden musical treasures’. Her list of appearances on live shows reads like the who's who of the Irish TV and Radio scene. In concerts at home and abroad she has appeared with the likes of Altan, Maire Brennan, The Furey's, Liam O'Flynn, Mary Black, Kieran Goss, Aslan, Donal Lunny, Paddy Glacken, Andy Irvine, Jimmy Mc Carthy and The Chieftains to name a few.
Thom Moore is probably best known as an Irish songwriter, with hit songs for Mary Black such as Carolina Rua and Prayer for Love, and for Maura O'Connell the likes of The Scholar and Saw You Running, as well as such generally-recorded classics as Cavan Girl. |
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Venue:
Mulholland's Bar,
Castlewellan |
Ticket Price:
£5.00 |
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Hothouse Flowers |
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10.30pm
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Recent years have seen Hothouse Flowers play festivals in Europe and take on concert tours across North America where Rolling Stone Magazine once dubbed them as ‘the best unsigned band in Europe’. Hothouse Flowers are planning to steal their way into the hearts everywhere, including those of their Celtic Fusion audience
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Venue:
Maginn's Bar,
Castlewellan |
Ticket Price:
£10.00 |
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9.00pm - late |
Traditional Music Session Trail (Free)
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Venue:
King's Inn,
Castlewellan |
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9.00pm - late |
Traditional Music Session Trail (Free)
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Venue:
Savage's Bar,
Castlewellan |
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11.00pm - late |
Traditional Music Session Trail (Free)
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Venue:
Mulholland's Bar,
Castlewellan |
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Saturday
4.00pm -
8.00pm
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Festival Bar
Music and ‘craic’ will flow as a series of musicians take to the stage, bringing the festival bar to life. Mulholland’s bar will host a range of music and a visit is definitely a must.
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Venue:
Mulholland's Bar, Castlewellan |
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Michael McGoldrick Quartet and Friends with Tommy & Colum Sands |
July 19, 2008 |
8.00pm
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A rare opportunity to see some of the worlds finest musicians perform together. Born in Manchester to Irish parents, Mike McGoldrick had already won numerous All -Ireland Championships by the age of 15. A master of the flute, whistle and Uillean pipes, Mike is a founding member of Toss the Feathers and Flook, Mike currently plays with Capercaillie, Sharon Shannon as well as his own band. His most recent album ‘Wired’ won him the title of Musician of the year at the Radio 2 Folk awards 2006. Tonight he will perform material from his previous and current albums and will be joined on stage by some of the top names in folk music.
Tommy Sands has developed into one of the most powerful songwriters and enchanting solo performers in Ireland today. His brother, Colum Sands has performed in over thirty countries around the world, confirming the universal appeal for the songs and stories with which he observes the minute and often humorous details of life. |
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Venue:
The Lodge Cultural Centre,
Castlewellan |
Ticket Price:
£12.00 |
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The Matchmaker by John B Keane
Presented by City Theatre Dublin
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8.00pm |

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Twenty five years ago, on its first appearance, John B. Keane’s The Matchmaker was both funny and daring, and it remains so today. The play follows the efforts of Dicky Mick Dicky O Connor to make matches for the lonely and lovelorn from all parts of Ireland. At the centre of the production is John B Keane’s marvellous and mischievous wit coupled by his unparalleled way with words.The play is run through with hilariously unabashed descriptions of characters and situations which are usually dead on target and laced with witty satire. The production stars Mary McEvoy and Mick Lally and features an introduction by John B Keane himself on tape.
* Suitable for age 16+
(Contains themes of a sexual nature)
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Venue:
The Newcaslte Centre,
Newcastle |
Ticket Price:
£10.00
£8.00 concession |
Tickets available from Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick
t: 028 4461 0747 |
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1,00pm - 3.00pm |
Traditional Music Session Trail (Free)
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Venue:
King's Inn,
Castlewellan |
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9.00pm - late |
Traditional Music Session Trail (Free)
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Venue:
Savage's Bar,
Castlewellan |
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Sunday
1.00pm -
1.00am |
Festival Bar
Music and ‘craic’ will flow as a series of musicians take to the stage, bringing the festival bar to life. Mulholland’s bar will host a range of music and a visit is definitely a must.
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Venue:
Mulholland's Bar, Castlewellan |
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Free Open Air Concert featuring
Koshka, Park Bench Social Club, The Rapparees |
July 20, 2008 |
3.00pm -
6.00pm
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Three great bands make up an afternoon of diverse musical entertainment…Koshka are a world class act, distinguished by the individual members’ virtuosity, and also that they play almost entirely original material, composed by Oleg Ponomarev, one of the leading composers of contemporary world music…
Park Bench Social Club mix musical genres with abandon. Their energetic and exhilarating performance style is a joy to watch and, as the audience can clearly tell, a joy to perform…
The Rapparees are on a mission to keep Irish folk music ‘live and alive’ and their musicianship coupled with their boundless energy makes their performances unforgettable experiences. |
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Venue:
Upper Square, Main Street,
Castlewellan |
Ticket Price:
FREE |
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1.00pm - 3.00pm |
Traditional Music Session Trail (Free)
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Venue:
King's Inn,
Castlewellan |
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9.00pm |
Traditional Music Session Trail (Free)
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Venue:
Savage's Bar,
Castlewellan |
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Beoga |
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9.00pm
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Celtic Fusion ’08 comes to a close with Beoga, one of Ireland’s hottest musical experiences. The bedrock of Beoga’s music lies firmly within Irish tradition but they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances. Beoga’s popularity continues to flourish as they captivate audiences on a global scale with their blend of passion, energy and vitality. |
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Venue:
King's Inn,
Castlewellan |
Ticket Price:
£10.00 |
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Monday
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Drama Night *
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Venue:
The Lodge Cultural Centre,
Castlewellan |
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The Ulster Fleadh signals the conclusion to July’s musical festivals. Drama, concerts, ceilis and competitions mean the Fleadh will appeal to people of all ages. There will be plenty of local talent, keep an eye out for names which will re-appear again and again in future years on the traditional music scene.
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Tuesday
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Irish Night *
Irish Night, featuring local Bun Scoilenna, Storytelling (by The Bards of Armagh), Recitation etc
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Venue:
The Lodge Cultural Centre,
Castlewellan |
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* Fleadh Uladh is organised by Newcastle Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, queries regarding tickets and events should be directed to them via telephone number, details will also be posted on the above website. |
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Wednesday
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Workshops - Slow Airs - Singing - All Instruments *
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Venue:
The Lodge Cultural Centre,
Castlewellan |
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* Fleadh Uladh is organised by Newcastle Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, queries regarding tickets and events should be directed to them via telephone number, details will also be posted on the above website. |
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Thursday
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County Down All Stars Traditional Cross-Community Concert *
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Venue:
The Lodge Cultural Centre,
Castlewellan |
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* Fleadh Uladh is organised by Newcastle Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, queries regarding tickets and events should be directed to them via telephone number, details will also be posted on the above website. |
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Friday
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Official Opening – Sets & Ceili Competitions *
Singing Session in The Brandy Pad / Ceili in St Malachy’s Gaelic Athletic Club with Copperplate |
Venue:
St Malachy's Gaelic Athletic Club, Castlewellan |
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* Fleadh Uladh is organised by Newcastle Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, queries regarding tickets and events should be directed to them via telephone number, details will also be posted on the above website. |
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Saturday
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Main Competitions *
Gig Rig, Singing Session, Pub Sessions
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Venue:
St Malachy's High School,
Castlewellan |
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* Fleadh Uladh is organised by Newcastle Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, queries regarding tickets and events should be directed to them via telephone number, details will also be posted on the above website. |
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Sunday
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The Competitions Continue *
Marching Band Parade, Gig Rig, Singing Session, Close of Fleadh Uladh 2008 and Draw Results
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Venue:
St Malachy's High School,
Castlewellan |
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* Fleadh Uladh is organised by Newcastle Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, queries regarding tickets and events should be directed to them via telephone number, details will also be posted on the above website. |
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