Mau­rice O’Ke­effe Tra­di­tional Mu­sic Festival 2020

This year’s Mau­rice O’Ke­effe Tra­di­tional Mu­sic Festival is unfortunately cancelled due to the Coronavirus and the governments recommendations. Instead the committee are planning on having a mini festival online – stay tuned!

The 19th annual Mau­rice O’Ke­effe Tra­di­tional Mu­sic Festival will take place in Bal­ly­desmond and Kiskeam over the Easter weekend. It is a four day event that will see talented musicians from all over Ire­land and abroad perform in a series of events both in Bal­ly­desmond and Kiskeam. The Festival highlights the Sliabh Luachra style which is essentially the playing of the melodeon, tin whistle and other instruments in fiddle style.

This years Mau­rice O’Ke­effe Tra­di­tional Mu­sic Festival kicks off in the Bal­ly­desmond Com­mu­nity Cen­tre with a Céilí getting the music and dancing off to a flying start on the Friday night at 9.30pm.

Saturday will see a Fiddle Workshop followed by the Fiddle Competition in the Kiskeam Community Centre. In the evening you will have the chance to attend Ceolchoirm na nÓg (Young Peoples Concert), again in the Kiskeam Community Centre.

The Concert on Sunday night is in honour of the renowned fiddle player Paddy Jones, and will feature Donie Nolan; Matt Cranitch & Jackie Daly; Caoimhin O’Fearghail & Paddy Tutty; Alan Finn & The Crossfields Céilí Band.

During the Mau­rice O’Ke­effe Tra­di­tional Mu­sic Festival, there will be traditional music sessions occurring in John D’s, Ballydesmond and Shamrocks and the Why Not in Kiskeam where enthusiasts of the Sliabh Luachra style can either participate in or attend as appreciating audiences. These sessions are marvellous free entertainment open for all to enjoy. For details and times of the sessions please visit Session Trail.

So for a great Easter weekend of Sliabh Luachra style music, dance and craic, Ballydesmond and Kiskeam are the places to be. Full details of the programme for the Festival can be found by visiting mauriceokeeffe.org, or by following on Facebook or Twitter for the latest up to date information. If you have any queries about the festival, then please email them to [email protected].