How about stopping all motorised traffic in the heart of your town or city and giving total fun and freedom to cyclists – complete with a dance music soundtrack?
It sounds like a dream – and it will come true for Newry – when countless cyclists reclaim the roads at Bikes And Beats On The Streets during the city’s annual culture and community festival Iúr Cinn Fleadh over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
IRISH RAPPER
They’ll be led by both police escort and by Irish rapper and DJ Cú Chulainn, as they set out on their festival freewheel from the Greenway entrance at the Albert Basin on Sunday 25 August. Cú Chulainn will set the beat and lead the chants through Newry.
It’s all about pure pedal pleasure – as all ages converge on the city for what has become a highlight of the five-day festival. Even when the heavens opened on last year’s brave bikers, one drenched participant said later, ‘As the road opens up before you – and you’re swept up in this wave of fun and freedom – it makes you feel so alive’.
Whatever the weather, the Bikes And Beats phenomenon is one of more than 80 events planned to run from 22-26 August at Iúr Cinn Fleadh – which started in 2014 with gigs hosted across 30 venues around the city.
Headlining this year are Donegal folk legends Altan, with their first ever Newry gig on 25 August at the Town Hall. Another first Fleadh appearance is popular Belfast singer-songwriter Anthony Toner – who presents his superbly crafted tunes in an acoustic show at St John Bosco Social Club on 23 August.
Festivalgoers will not only sing – but also sail – into the heart of the city, thanks to Iúr Cinn Fleadh’s unique two-hour Trad Cruise with daily sailings along the Newry Ship Canal.
ETHNO-CELT
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.
Other attractions include – Poetry And Pancakes at Newry City Library, tenx9 storytelling 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 the Carlingford flotilla 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 copy of the official Event Guide at outlets throughout the district – or download the PDF version here.
