Newry’s annual music festival Iúr Cinn Fleadh marks ten years of helping the city tap into trad – as it launches a packed programme for the August Bank Holiday weekend.
More than 80 events are planned to run from 22-26 August by Iúr Cinn Fleadh, which started in 2014 with gigs hosted across 30 venues around the city.
SOUND OF TRAD
Apart from during the Pandemic – which silenced most music venues and events – Iúr Cinn Fleadh has faithfully filled Newry with the sound of trad throughout most of its ten-year history.
Headlining this year’s festival are Irish trad legends Altan, who will perform their first ever Newry gig on 25 August at the Town Hall.
Another performer making their first appearance at Iúr Cinn Fleadh is Belfast singer-songwriter Anthony Toner – with an acoustic show at St John Bosco Social Club on 23 August.
Music is on the move wherever people go. When visitors and locals go out for a pint, they’ll find musicians and singers playing a few tunes at pubs and cafes around Newry.
That’s not all. Festivalgoers will be able to not only sing – but also sail – into the heart of Newry thanks to Iúr Cinn Fleadh’s unique two-hour Trad Cruise.
With glass of wine in hand, punters will enjoy some of our best local folk singers and musicians as they play Irish tunes on sailings down the Newry Ship Canal.
Others will stop all motorised traffic in the heart of Newry and celebrate total freedom for cyclists – with a dance music soundtrack – for Bikes And Beats On The Streets.
Andy Rogers and Fra Sands will present an evening of ‘Ethno-Celt’ sounds at St Mary’s Church on 26 August. The Downeys join forces with ‘the girl with the harp’ Niamh Noade for an afternoon of music at Newry Methodist Church on 25 August.
SUMMER SPECTACULAR
Other attractions include – Poetry And Pancakes at Newry City Library, tenx9 storytelling sessions at St John Bosco Social Club, Newry City Runners 5k at WIN Business Park, and for children – an African drum workshop at Newry Baptist Centre and Barnacle Bill’s Crafty Adventure at The Quays.
Food and photography tours and a flotilla from Carlingford all add up to a summer spectacular!
Iúr Cinn Fleadh is kindly supported by Newry BID, the National Lottery Community Fund, Community Foundation NI and Narrow Water Promotions.
Pick up your event guide at many venues throughout the district – or download the PDF version here.
