Gathering to hear best of Irish singing

THEY came from all corners of Ireland and the UK.

Envisaged as ‘a weekend of informal and intimate singing sessions’, the Drogheda Singing Gathering surely achieved its ambition to be Ireland’s largest assembly of traditional singers. Attracting solo singers of the highest calibre, and showing off the local harmony tradition brilliantly, the unique local landscape and hospitality made for a superb weekend.

Across 15 events, some 70 invited singers and countless others contributed songs in various settings. The weekend also offered the chance to savour 5,000 years of internationally significant local history in the company of expert guides.

The first session I attended was ‘Songs around the table’, which took place in a secret kitchen location. After a brief bus tour that focused on the Battle of the Boyne, we arrived at artist and boatbuilder Claidhbh Gibney’s kitchen, home of the Newgrange Currach project.

Great singing came from all quarters and endless supplies of tea, scones and good cheer kept the songs flowing. The morning finished with a glimpse of a 34-foot currach-in-the-making. The boat is based on the animal hide and wicker design of the Boyne currachs but with a huge leather sail, of a type that might have transported stone for Newgrange.

Arriving back in Drogheda we’d just time to catch the end of a session of rebellion songs in the fabulous acoustic of the Tholsel, now the tourist office. Before long we were back on a bus, headed this time to Newgrange, in the company of archaeologist Geraldine Stout. Great singing from local SJ McArdle on the bus and songs from the legendary Martin Carthy and Liam Ó Maonlaí at the site were highlights, but the star was of course the incredible passage tomb itself.

Meanwhile, singing from the younger generation at Millmount Tower, including Cork’s Nell Ní Chróinín, was declared by some to be the highlight of the weekend.

The local Sunday’s Gate Quartet hosted a great session in Droichead Arts Centre in the evening featuring songs of the Watersons and Martin Carthy, with the latter guest of honour. A lively session in the home of Drogheda’s singing tradition, Carberry’s Pub, followed while a late Scottish session started up in Droichead.

A hardy dozen or so singers kept a spirited vigil through the smallest hours until they were joined again at Millmount tower for singing at dawn followed by a well-earned hearty breakfast.

Every event seemed fully booked, not least the headline concert at the wonderful 900-seat Barbican theatre, which featured the brilliant Voice Squad with special guests The Unthanks and Martin Carthy.

Bringing visitors from home and abroad to celebrate the best of Irish culture in authentic spirit, the Drogheda Singing Gathering certainly achieved all that Fáilte Ireland can be hoping for with 2013’s controversial The Gathering.