Hugh Baxter, Dervish singer Cathy Jordan and Declan Coyne pictured at a previous South Roscommon Singers Festival.

Busy schedule for South Roscommon Singers Festival

CONCERTS, recitals, song talks and a song saunter are all on the agenda for the South Roscommon Singers Festival which takes place this weekend.


The festival which gets underway on Thursday and runs until Sunday will feature a wide range of events in Roscommon town, Knockcroghery and Bealnamulla.


The weekend will feature folk, trad, American old-time, gospel and country blues.


The singers club has been 25 years in existence and the event is poised to attract attendees from all over Ireland and overseas, with visitors confirmed from the US, France, England and Scotland.


One of the highlights is expected to be a song saunter on Friday at 2pm which will take the group to Eskerbeg, Castlesampson. This is the birth place of Patrick Kelly, the grandfather of the late Dubliner Luke Kelly.


Research by Athlone librarian Gearoid O’Brien, in conjunction with the Westmeath Independent, has confirmed the belief of the Kelly family that their ancestor came from the Athlone region.


According to organiser Declan Coyne, the saunter - which will start at the Mill Bar, Bealnamulla - will take in a few historic sites.


There will also be a number of talks. One is from a London-based traveller singer from Birr, Thomas McCarthy who sings 'old songs’ and passes them on to a new generation through classrooms, folk clubs and festivals across the UK and Ireland.


Another talk will be presented by Athlone-based singer/songwriter Trish Nolan. She will present a tribute to John Reilly.


The organisers have been busy arranging the itinerary and ensuring that all visitors, including those travelling from overseas, are catered for.
“We have developed links with groups overseas,” said Declan.


The group meets monthly in Knockcroghery. “It is for people who are interested in singing, anything from traditional to American, to old time folk songs to country songs,” he added. “You need to be able to tell the story of a song.”