PAN CELTIC FESTIVAL TO DRAW THOUSANDS TO DERRY

written by stephen April 22, 2014

Marana McCloskey.

A jam-packed programme of events for the whole family is on offer at the Pan Celtic Festival which is set to attract thousands when it gets under way in Derry today.

The festival, which crosses the border for the first time in its history, is a celebration of Celtic culture, and will attract visitors from the Celtic nations of Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man.

One of the biggest attractions at the festival will be the world-famous travelling venue, the Spiegeltent. This legendary “mirrored tent” will play host to a line-up of exceptional musical acts under the title ‘The Spiegel Sessions.”

Over the next six days the venue, the Spiegeltent in Guildhall Square play host to acts such as Declan O’Rourke, Alana Henderson, Breton folk group Barzaz and the Máirtín O’Connor Band, amongst others.

The opening by Celtic historian Brian Lacey will be followed by a performance by a group from each of the Celtic nations in the city’s Guildhall.

Declan O’Rourke.

The closing event will be a concert with Scotland’s Celtic supergroup Capercaillie, performing on Sunday, 27 April, in the Spiegeltent as part of their 30th anniversary tour.

Also on the bill for that night will be award-winning Dungiven folk singer Maranna McCloskey.

Alongside the evening concerts, there will also be a range of family-orientated events in the Spiegeltent from 11am to 3pm, including workshops and performances from Glastonbury Festival favourites, the Armagh Rhymers.

Children will get the opportunity to learn about Celtic culture through a variety of activities, including Celtic art workshops to produce costumes for the Parade of Nations on Friday, 25 April at 6.00pm.

For those interested in the learning about the links and nuances between the Celtic languages, free taster courses and lectures will be running throughout the week in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin and the Tower Museum.

Goitse.

Tickets for individual events can be purchased online at www.culturlann-doire.ie or through the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin box office.

A feast of language events will include taster courses in Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh and a range of lectures exploring the language, culture and traditions of our Celtic neighbours.

Language Programme Highlights

Wednesday, 23 April

10.30-12.00

Irish Language Taster Course