Busy programme launched for Singers Festival

Song lovers across Athlone and Roscommon are in for a treat this October Bank Holiday Weekend with an extensive programme planned for the 8th annual South Roscommon Singers Festival, the launch of which took place last Saturday in The Clay Pipe Lounge, Knockcroghery. Among the large attendance on the night were local sponsors of the event and local Cllrs Paddy Kilduff and Laurence Fallon. Also present was Cllr Tony Ward and numerous supporters and friends of the festival, which runs this year from Friday, October 22 to Sunday, October 24 next. Prior to outlining the programme of events, committee treasurer Marina Dolan thanked all sponsors, Roscommon County Council Arts Office and The Arts Council for their continuing support again this year. "In the current economic climate the support of such agencies is a testament to the quality and the innovative characteristics of the South Roscommon Singers Festival", she said. "Now more than ever we need their support and now more than ever rural communities need festivals like ours both for the much needed boost to local moral and the local economy." The programme has many of the tried and trusted features of previous festivals as well as some new ones, she outline. The emphasis again is on sessions and recitals with the main feature once again, The Annie McNulty Award Presentation Concert. Guest of honour this year will be the legendary balladeer and folklorist from Cork City, Jimmy Crowley. Aslo back again is Chris Miles with her Masterclass, 'Voyage of the Voice', which was hugely popular last year. Another feature that proved very popular in 2009 and is back again is a series of recitals with chat, which will run throughout the weekend with the various guests. A new exciting feature will be a 'Song Trail in the Woods', which will involve a guided tour of Ireland's oldest native woodland with relevant songs and stories along the way. Storytelling & Songs for Children and Parents is also a new initiative this year, conducted by Northern Ireland-based storyteller Billy Teare and former singer with The London Lasses, Kathleen O'Sullivan. Other guests due to appear at this year's festival include Barbara Dymock from Fife; Tommy Mac Carthy and Sam Lee, both travelling from London, Elena Nicoletti and Ricardo Belo from Lisbon, Ron Kavana and Annie Armstrong from Cork, Sean Cooke from Crinkle, Birr in Offaly and Frank Brennan, representing the home side. As a prelude to the festival, a recently produced film on the life and singing of Robbie McMahon from Spancil Hill, Co. Clare, entitled 'Last Night As I Lay Dreaming' will be shown at Roscommon County Library on Thursday, October 21 at 8pm. Robbie was the very first recipient of the Annie McNulty Award and his association with Knockcroghery is acknowledged in the film credits. Full details of the South Roscommon Singers Festival can be found at www.southroscommon.ie and brochures are also in circulation around the county. For further information call 087 966 7029 or 087 225 4695.