De Dannan to reunite for festival gig

Trad group De Dannan have planned a one-off reunion for this year’s World Fleadh Festival, it was announced today.

Shane McGowan, Sharon Shannon and Damien Dempsey have also been lined up to perform alongside a host of international acts in the traditional folk and Celtic music festival.

Legendary country stars Randy Travis, Martina McBride, Hal Ketchum and Georgette Jones are among those headlining at the event, which is taking place in Castlebar, Co Mayo, from July 31 to August 8.

Organisers revealed the exclusive reunion of De Dannan, led by world renowned fiddle player Frankie Gavin, will also feature Mary Black, Dolores Keane and other previous members.

Festival director Eric Cunningham said after the success of last year’s festival in Portlaoise, this summer’s will boast a great schedule of activities.

“The festival from the outset was designed to be a transient event which would move from location to location until it found its natural home,” said Mr Cunningham.

“Following the success the event had during its time in Portlaoise, we are looking forward now to a new direction and the town of Castlebar as a town has a lot to offer as a host venue.

“I look forward to working with the people of Castlebar in bringing the event to fruition there.”

Other highlights include theatre, concerts, ceilidhs, music, song and dance master classes, workshops and demonstrations, world title competitions, a world food and craft fair.

Pat Jennings, of Castlebar’s newly-renovated Royal Theatre, said he is looking forward to hosting the festival.

“This is a great opportunity for Castlebar to be chosen to host The World Fleadh and with our long standing history and love for Irish traditional music, we feel that the event is well matched here in the West of Ireland,” he added.