The seventh annual Celtic Fusion Festival has drawn to a close following eight days of the most incredible mix of traditional and contemporary Celtic music.

The Celtic Fusion Opening Concert on Sunday 13 July was a phenomenal start to the festival, with a rare and spectacular performance from the stellar musicians from Moving Hearts, supported by the captivating Cara Dillon at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle.

On Tuesday 15 July, the coveted Celtic Fusion Contribution to Traditional Culture Award was presented to Brian and Eithne Vallely, leading lights in the world of Irish traditional music. The presentation was a poignant family affair, made on stage alongside the couple’s children Cillian, Caoimhin, Niall and partner Karan, aka ‘The Vallely Brothers with Karan Casey’ during their Celtic Fusion concert in The Lodge Cultural Centre.

The much anticipated performance by North on Wednesday 16 July exceeded all expectations. The seven piece band took the audience on a unique journey with their fusion of Irish traditional, folk, acoustic and country music culminating in a special impromptu performance by Francis McPeake III who joined his son on stage for the final song, the famous ‘Will Ye Go, Lassie Go’ penned by the legendary Francis McPeake Senior.

Whistles and cheers could be heard deep into the night from The Banque on Thursday 17 July as the crowd showed their appreciation of the exhilarating performance by Session A9, a band whose energy knew no bounds!

Mulholland’s Bar was the hub of Celtic Fusion activity as it transformed into the dedicated Festival Bar for the final weekend of the festival providing 16 hours of live non-stop music. This was also the venue for the fabulous Singer Songwriter Evening on Friday 18 July with Marian Bradfield and Thom Moore, each artiste giving the audience a unique insight into the inspiration behind their songwriting before performing in an informal, intimate atmosphere.

Hothouse Flowers rocked the stage at Maginn’s Bar on Friday 18 July with their hybrid of rock'n'roll, Irish folk and gospel music. Loyal fans traveled from far and wide to take their place alongside local festival-goers, bouncing and singing along with Hothouse Flowers’ popular and unique musical vibe.

A programme of sessions took place in Savage’s Bar and Kings Inn during the festival, bringing talented young musicians together with seasoned session musicians to create a musical feast for all to enjoy.

On Saturday 19 July, The Lodge Cultural Centre hosted the fantastic Michael McGoldrick and Friends, providing a rare opportunity to see some of the world’s finest musicians perform together.  The opening act for the evening was Tommy and Colum Sands, bringing together a unique combination of powerful, enchanting songwriting and exceptional humour that had the audience raising the roof with laughter and clapping along in delight to well known and much loved songs.

On Sunday 20 July, Upper Square was buzzing with activity as three great bands took to the stage, Koshka, Park Bench Social Club and The Rapparees, making up an afternoon of diverse musical entertainment. Street entertainers, face painters and balloon modelers were kept busy with children eager to join in with the festive atmosphere in the warm July sunshine.  

The Celtic Fusion Festival came to an explosive end in Kings Inn with Beoga, one of Ireland’s hottest musical successes. The crowd were on their feet dancing and clapping along to high energy tune after tune, the band’s passion and vitality infecting each and every person, a fitting end to what has been an amazing and highly successful Celtic Fusion 2008.

Speaking after the festival, Veronica Keegan, Marketing Manager for Down District Council said
‘Many long days and nights have gone into the planning and delivery of Celtic Fusion International Musical Arts Festival 2008, but there is no better thanks or measure of success than to see and hear the roars and applause of appreciative audiences night after night. Once again Celtic Fusion has brought top quality artistes to intimate venues in the heart of Castlewellan, and provided a platform for up and coming musicians to showcase their talents, a winning formula that we will build upon for years to come.’

Castlewellan is the place to be this summer – and not just because of its fabulous natural location!

From 13-20 July the town will be the holiday hotspot of the North as its natural attractions for holidaymakers are given a massive boost when the town goes Festival-mad!

Warming up the holiday atmosphere will be the Castlewellan Festival taking place from Thursday 10 – Sunday 13 July, bringing a fantastic programme of music influenced with Rock and Irish themes.  A special marquee in the grounds of St Malachy’s Gaelic Athletic Club will be the venue for great entertainment from bands such as the Jimmy Buckley Band, Bagatelle and the Johnny Hero Glam Rock Band. 

The entertainment will step up a gear from Sunday 13 – Sunday 20 July when Celtic Fusion comes to town, bringing with it some of the top contemporary and traditional names in the world of Celtic music.  Legendary band Moving Hearts will headline the festival with a special performance, while other big names include Hothouse Flowers, Michael McGoldrick and Friends, Session A9, and Cara Dillon amongst many others.  In addition to the programme of fantastic concerts, the festival also includes a dedicated Festival Bar and a Traditional Music Session Trail. 

First class – and free! - family entertainment will be on offer with the open air concert at Upper Square, Castlewellan, featuring three great bands; Koshka, Park Bench Social Club and The Rapparees, along with an abundance of family fun with face painting, balloon modeling and giveaways for the kids. 

Castlewellan Horse Show will run alongside the Celtic Fusion events, adding to the buzz and authentic atmosphere in the town on Saturday 19 July.
 
The Ulster Fleadh will complete the high season burst of entertainment for Castlewellan.  It will pack concerts, ceilis, competitions, singing sessions and more into seven amazing days, from Monday 21 – Sunday 27 July.  The Fleadh which will feature local up and coming talent, will take place across a range of venues throughout Castlewellan. 

Taking a break from the hectic pace of event planning, Veronica Keegan, Marketing Manager from Down District Council, says, “The high Summer season sees a massive influx into Down District.  Last year for example we welcomed more than 2 million domestic and overseas tourists to the area, bringing over 3 million bed nights and revenue of almost £164.5 million.  We are determined to build on that strong position for the future, creating even more reasons for people to visit and, indeed, to prolong their stay.

“At the height of the Summer of 2008 Castlewellan will be bursting with life and attractions and the atmosphere will be electric. town will be buzzing.  We hope that our Festival visitors will enjoy what’s on offer and will be tempted both to explore the rest of the wonderful Down District and to return to Castlewellan at other times of the year.”

FIND OUT MORE . . .Celtic Fusion programmes and event tickets are available by phoning the Festival Hotline, 028 4372 2222 or view details online at www.celticfusion.co.uk.

Full details of the Castlewellan Festival are available online at www.castlewellangac.com, or by telephoning 028 4377 8422.

Full details of the Ulster Fleadh are available online at www.fleadhuladh.com, or by telephoning 07712 881 445.

One of the great names of Celtic culture will be honoured this summer with the presentation of the third Celtic Fusion Contribution to Traditional Culture Award.  However, just which name must remain firmly under wraps!

Celtic Fusion was founded in 2002 to create a platform for visitors and local people to enjoy the finest contemporary and traditional celtic music.  The festival rapidly became one of the most popular and best attended events of its kind, and this year will once again combine world class International and Irish talent to present a diverse array of Celtic music in the town of Castlewellan from 13 – 20 July 2008.

While performance is and always will be at the very heart of the festival, the event organisers opted to create an award to recognise those individuals who have contributed to the development of Celtic music, shaping traditional culture into what it is today.

The Celtic Fusion Award, in the form of a specially commissioned craftspiece, is a fitting celebration of the achievements of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their chosen art form. County Down folk music legend Tommy Sands was the first recipient, and last year Celtic Fusion audiences rose to their feet to honour ‘The Godfather of Irish music’, Tommy Makem, just a month before he lost his battle with cancer.

The 2008 winner of the Celtic Fusion Award will be announced as part of a Gala evening featuring The Vallely Brothers with Karan Casey in Concert on Tuesday 15 July at 8.00pm in The Lodge Cultural Centre, Castlewellan.

The wraps will also come off the award itself. This year the award, sponsored by Armagh Down Regional Tourism Partnership, is being created by Ulster Artist and Craftsman Karl Harron, who produces unique designs and exclusive limited series using the contemporary fine craft of glass fusing and kiln-forming. Karl is currently involved in group and solo Exhibitions throughout Ireland, the UK and other prestigious International venues in the USA and France.

Tickets for the concert with its award presentation are priced at £10.00. For tickets or to request a complimentary Celtic Fusion programme call the Festival Hotline now, telephone 028 4372 2222. Full festival listings can also be viewed online at www.celticfusion.co.uk.

It’s not quite a rollover, but the town of Castlewellan in County Down is celebrating its very own Lotto ‘win’!  The Celtic Fusion International Musical Arts Festival which will be taking place in and around the town this July, will benefit from National Lottery funding to the tune of £25,000.

The funding which has been made available via The Arts Council of Northern Ireland will help to support artistes’ costs throughout the week-long music programme. This will once again be a spectacular event showcasing the best in Celtic music from Ireland, Scotland, England and Europe.

Robert Collins, Music Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, welcomes the opportunity to continue the association with a Festival which is establishing a reputation for quality and fun across Europe. 

Announcing details of the support package for 2008, he said, “The Celtic Fusion International Musical Arts Festival is a significant event in Northern Ireland’s music calendar, giving a platform to so many of our fantastic musicians, from world greats such as Don McLean, Paul Brady and Mary Black to such Celtic Fusion favourites as Four Men and A Dog, Capercaille and Claire Sproule.  Celtic Fusion promotes emerging talent, both in the festival concerts and through the free music events and we are delighted to be supporting the festival in 2008.”

Down District Council’s Chairman, Councillor Colin McGrath, added, “We are very grateful for the generous and continuing support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and for the confidence which the organisation has placed in the Council as event organisers. 

For many years the wealth of talent from Ireland, Scotland, England, Europe and USA has combined to create an exciting, varied and creatively stimulating programme for Celtic Fusion, helping us to establish the festival as an annual celebration.  Our major challenge has lain in adding new elements each year and building on success without losing the special atmosphere which Celtic Fusion enjoys.  We have also been anxious to keep admission costs within reasonable bounds so that the music can be widely enjoyed.  The financial support which we have enjoyed from the Arts Council and other sponsors is critical to delivering on that vision and we are extremely grateful for the support.

Celtic Fusion offers an important opportunity to showcase our wonderful region, providing entertainment to match our spectacular natural resources.  The Festival is an important facet.

"Unfinished business!" was the reply given by Noel Eccles when asked why Moving Hearts were reforming, "when we last played in Ireland, the UK and at some European festivals in 1987, it was as an instrumental band and we always felt that we hadn't finished exploring the possibilities of our unique line-up".

Moving Hearts had started playing together in The Baggot Inn, Dublin 2 in February 1981. That first line-up comprised Christy Moore, vocals, guitar and bodhran, Donal Lunny on bouzouki and synthesiser, Declan Sinnott on electric guitar, Eoghan O'Neill on bass, Brian Calnan on drums and percussion, Davy Spillane on pipes and low whistle and Keith Donald on various saxophones. The band attracted huge attention for its blending of musical influences - folk, Irish traditional, rock, funk and jazz - as well as its commentary in the songs sung by Christy Moore on issues of concern in the areas of human rights and political skulduggery. In addition to songs about Ireland, Christy sang about the nuclear industry, thieving landlords, the US-engineered coup in Chile that replaced the elected Allende with Pinochet and his cronies and the dark side of organised religion.

After many changes of personnel, nineteen people have played or sung in the band, the decision was made to concentrate on instrumental music and to follow on from ‘The Storm’, the influential album of 6 instrumentals that was recorded after the band ceased regular gigging in 1984. After reforming to tour in 1987, the band went their several ways for most of two decades and watched as the world caught up with their music. Unlike many bands that stop working together, all the core members of Moving Hearts went on to have successful careers as musicians and bring huge depth and range of experience to the band when it plays again.

With only a few performances each year, Celtic Fusion followers are presented with the rare opportunity to experience Moving Heart’s powerful and unique Irish sound. For full event details, festival programmes and tickets contact the Festival Hotline, 028 4372 2222, or visit www.celticfusion.co.uk

Celtic Fusion International Musical Arts Festival 2008 takes place in Castlewellan from 13 - 20 July and boasts an impressive line-up which features international talent combined with Irish artistes.  For eight days, there will be varied entertainment in the form of concerts, theatre shows, and traditional music sessions.

Sunday 13 July will be the highlight of the festival for many, as the opening concert provides a rare opportunity to see the legendary Moving Hearts who recently reformed to take care of ‘unfinished business’. Playing only a few gigs each year, opportunities to see the band in action are limited; therefore tickets are expected to be in high demand.  The opening act for the evening is Cara Dillon, her fantastic ability to relate a great story in song, means this concert at The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle shouldn’t be missed.

The evening of Monday 14 July brings theatre to Celtic Fusion, when Richard Lynch’s critically acclaimed From the Shoulders Down, casts a reflective glance at character PJ Mulpeter’s career as his retirement nears.

Tuesday 15 July is a special evening, not only are the Vallely Brothers with Karan Casey performing, but the coveted Celtic Fusion Award will also be presented in recognition of contribution to traditional music, with the recipient being kept a close-guarded secret until the night itself.
 
North is in Concert on Wednesday 16 July, bringing their unique twist to traditional Irish music.  Brought together by Francis McPeake of the legendary McPeake Family, the band is still relatively new; however their popularity is growing fast, gaining more fans through every captivated audience. 

Session A9 play on Thursday 17 July taking Celtic Fusion into the build-up for the final weekend.  Described as ‘Scotland’s Supergroup’, they have the ability to combine a modern feel to performances, whilst keeping the atmosphere of a traditional session.

Friday 18 July has several highlights, two well-known names; Marian Bradfield and Thom Moore perform together during the Singer Songwriter Evening.  Popular band Hothouse Flowers have received acclaim from Rolling Stone Magazine and their plan to steal their way into hearts is likely to become reality with the Celtic Fusion audience.  Entertainment continues with the Traditional Music Session Trail.

Saturday 19 July brings another high-profile concert, showcasing some of the world’s finest musicians.  The brilliant Michael McGoldrick will perform with talented friends Ed Bryne, John Jo Kelly and Dessi Donnelly.  It’s all about well known names once again as brother duo Tommy & Colum Sands open the concert.  The Festival Bar also opens its doors this evening, while the Traditional Music Session Trail has music flowing into the night.

Sunday 20 July brings Celtic Fusion to a close.  The final day is fittingly packed with activity; the Festival Bar has 12 hours of non-stop music; a free open-air concert brings Koshka, Park Bench Social Club and The Rapparees to the Upper Square; the Traditional Music Session trail continues; and one of Ireland’s hottest musical experiences Beoga perform the closing concert in King’s Inn.

With such a diverse line-up and range of events, Castlewellan will come alive throughout Celtic Fusion.  For full event details and tickets contact the Festival Hotline, 028 4372 2222, or visit www.celticfusion.co.uk

For eight days in July the picturesque setting of Castlewellan is set to provide the stunning backdrop to one of Europe’s most prestigious annual celebrations of Celtic music.

The Celtic Fusion festival will attract world class musicians to present a diverse array of traditional and not-so-traditional music in venues in and around the County Down town.

This year’s Festival will run from 13-20 July, launching with a headline concert featuring Moving Hearts. That concert on Sunday 13 July will give the band’s fans a rare chance to see them perform live.  Despite a devoted fan base around the world, Moving Hearts are known for ‘rationing’ their concerts, coming together just a few times each year for special performances, bringing their unique sound to new listeners and old friends. 

Other big names already confirmed for Celtic Fusion 2008 include Cara Dillon, Hothouse Flowers, Michael McGoldrick & Friends, and Beoga who will feature in the closing concert on Sunday 20 July.  ‘Beoga’ is lrish for ‘lively’ – an apt name for the band that will offer an energetic and memorable finale.

This year the organisers of Celtic Fusion have brought the concerts into Castlewellan’s pubs.  It’s a move designed to ensure a level of intimacy between artiste and audience, re-creating the intensified atmosphere of true traditional ‘sessions’.

Down District Council’s Chairman, Councillor Eddie Rea says, “Too few Festivals are prepared to let audiences and artistes get ‘up close and personal’ but it’s something we really want to encourage for Celtic Fusion.  For us, it’s not just a matter of cramming as many people as possible into the largest available venue: we really want to create a festival which has its own unique and memorable atmosphere and which sits happily with the relaxed and easy atmosphere of the town of Castlewellan itself.” 

“Our programme is looking fantastic for 2008 and we are confident that Festival-goers will be thrilled at the opportunity not only to see some of their favourite artistes perform, but also to be able to enjoy those performances in intimate and informal settings.”

In addition to the concerts, the festival will feature a Traditional Music Session Trail featuring up-and-coming names from the Irish music scene, combined with almost non-stop music over the final weekend in the Festival Bar, Mulhollands, and an outdoor afternoon concert in Upper Square, Castlewellan with three great bands Koshka, Park Bench Social Club and The Rapparees.

There will be more than music on offer too, with a performance of the critically acclaimed ‘From the Shoulders Down’ by Richard Lynch on Monday 14 July. 

Tickets for events go on sale this week and the prediction is that they will sell out even faster than in previous years!  The Festival Hotline number is +44 (0) 28 4372 2222 with full details of the programme on www.celticfusion.co.uk

Celtic Fusion is grateful for the continued support from both The Arts Council of Northern Ireland who provided funding for the festival, and from TCH Democrat Media who is the 2008 Media Partner.