A major festival promoting the celtic language and culture is expected to attract thousands to Derry when it is held in the city over the next two years.
Donncha Mac Niallais
Confirmation An Fhéile Phan Cheilteach (the Pan Celtic Festival) was coming to the city in 2014 and 2015 was announced by the team behind last month’s hugely successful All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil at a volunteers’ “thank you” party held in at The Venue, Ebrington.
The fleadh, the most successful ever, attracted 430,000 people to the city.
An Fhéile Phan Cheilteach – held in Carlow for the last two years – takes place during Easter week every year and attracts visitors from all over Ireland as well as the celtic nations of Brittany, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales.
More than 5,000 people will participate in and attend a range of activities and events including the festival parade, harp, fiddle, piping, choral and traditional singing competitions.
There will also be themed nights from each of the nations as well as a Camogie Blitz.
Donncha Mac Niallais, of the city’s Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, said it was an “honour” for the city to host the event.
He added: “We are sure that the people of Derry will extend a fáilte mhór to all our visitors. We are also confident that local people will embrace and participate fully in the Féile.
“Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin wants to thank the County Board of the GAA, Derry City Council, the Culture Company and the Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau for their support for Derry’s bid to host the Festival.”
The festival, held annually in Ireland since 1971, aims to promote and strengthen celtic languages, culture, music, song and sport and to encourage inter-celtic tourism, trade, and commerce.
The announcement was made last night by the team behind the successful All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil held in the city last month which attracted an estimated 430,000.
Tags:
