Derry will next week host the Pan Celtic Festival for the first time with a programme of events to suit all the family.
A celebration of the cultural links between the Pan Celtic regions, thousands of visitors are expected to arrive in the city from Tuesday to Sunday, 22-27 April, for the festival which boasts a week of fun traditional music, language, competitions and craft events for all ages with performers travelling from the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man to take part in a range of family-orientated events.
One of the highlights will be the Parade of Nations along Shipquay Street and across Guildhall Square, led by a conglomerate of pipers marching as Pan Celtic Pipe Band at 6.00pm on the Friday.
For those interested in the learning about the links and nuances between the Celtic languages, free taster courses relevant to children and young adults will be running throughout the week in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin and the Tower Museum.
The whole family can catch the unique show of mummers and seasoned Glastonbury performers the Armagh Rhymers on the afternoon of Friday, 25 April.
Children will be able try their hand at the Celtic art of straw crafting, find clues written in different languages to win prizes at the Treasure Hunt on the opening day or get comfy and enjoy “Tea & Tales” in the mirrored Speigeltent in the Guildhall Square from 11.00am to 3.00pm the following day.
Tickets for individual events can be purchased online at www.culturlann-doire.ie or through the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin box office. For more information on the festival, visit www.panceltic.ie or call +44 (0)28 7126 4132.
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