The Cup of Tae Festival 2019

This oddly named Festival takes place from Friday the 3rd of May until Monday the 6th May, that is over the May Bank Holiday. The “Cup of Tae” is the name of an Irish Reel and the Festival is in honour of the renowned Fiddle Player John “The Tae” Gallagher. Generations of his family before him made ‘taes’ on Fair Days and other days of local importance hence the name of the Festival.

This year Bríd Harper has been selected as Guest of Honour. A highlight of the Festival is the excellent School of Music. Bríd will be taking the Master Class on fiddle. The School of Music will run over both Saturday and Sunday and for anyone with an interest in fiddle playing, they should make it their business to attend.

The Festival commences on Friday night with the opening Concert in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel in honour of Bríd Harper. If you wish to attend then it is advisable to book tickets with the organising committee as soon as possible.

On Saturday morning at 10am the School of Music will commence with final registration occurring between 9 and 10am in St Marys National School. Bríd Harper will take the Master Fiddle Class and Popular Composer and Fiddle Player Theresa Kavanagh will take a Fiddle and Workshop also. There will also be classes in Flute and Tin Whistle and Accordion.

A special group of young musicians from Co. Down will perform a Recital in the Heritage Centre at 1pm on both Saturday and Sunday and if the weather is reasonable they plan to play on the Street on both afternoons. They will be joined by special guests Bríd Harper and local fiddle maker & top musician Michael O’Rourke.

Saturday evening will see the Packie Manus Byrne Session commence at 8pm in the Heritage Centre.

The evening continues with world renowned singer Greg Blake who will be joined by CCE Ards group from Co. Down in the Beehive Bar for a night time Session. Dependent on the weather, the students from the School of Music will descend on the town centre at 3pm on Sunday to show what they have learnt. If the weather is not favourable then this will move to the Heritage Centre.

Also on Sunday between 11am and 4pm there will be a special Workshop/Class on Singing with Guitar Accompaniment with Greg Blake from the USA.

On Sunday night the finale “John the Tae” Concert will occur with many of the weekends performers on stage to finish off a great weekend.

During the Festival weekend there will be music in various venues during the afternoons with a loads of Sessions planned for night time in all venues. These sessions are marvellous free entertainment open for all to attend.

For more details and for booking tickets contact Stephen on +353 (0)87 242 4590 or email [email protected] or visit www.cupoftaefestival.com.

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