Féile na Sionainne prepares to launch busy festival schedule

By Kevin O'Neill

One of the region's most eagerly awaited celebrations of music, song and dance – which takes place annually in Athlone and its surrounding areas - is fast approaching, as excitement mounts for the official launch of the 2026 Féile na Sionainne on Saturday, July 25.

On that date, Moore Hall will be the venue as this year's festival swings into action with 'The Devil's in the Dance Hall' event, which will see the roaring sound of The Gralton Big Band take to the stage, as award-winning dancer and choreographer Edwina Guckian guides attendees through a 1930s dancehall reenactment alongside actors, singers and the live band. During the event, which is due to begin at 8pm, the audience will be invited to join in the set, as swing, trad, foxtrot, slow sets, sean nós, shim-shamming, lindy hop, and set dancing (among other attractions) brings Moore Hall to life.

Furthermore, on July 25, a series of music workshops will be taking place at Coláiste Chiarain, Athlone as part of the opening of the festival, which also prides itself on promoting and showcasing the area's rich history, heritage and culture. Included in the workshops, for improvers and advanced players, will be talks and lessons on button accordion (Tom Doherty), flute/tin whistle (Stephen Doherty), singing (Cathy Jordan), piano (Ryan Molloy), banjo (Brian Scahill), fiddle (Conor Caldwell), and concertina (David Doocey).

Among the many other attractions that will be held in the area during the festival includes an inclusive trad disco at St Kieran's Community Centre, Tormey Villas, Athlone on July 31 (2.30pm to 4pm), which includes music therapy and try-and-instrument, as well as a catalogue of performances around the town on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2.

Local landmark premises like The Coosan Tavern, The Dog and Duck Pub (Ballykeeran), McNeill's Bar and Walsh's Bar (both Connacht Street), and Sean's Bar (Main Street, Athlone) will play to an impressive series of performers throughout those dates, with both days culminating with highly-anticipated stage events at Athlone Castle later in the evening. Age-appropriate children's events will also be taking place regularly throughout the festival, which runs jointly alongside the the popular Athlone River Festival (July 31 to August 2).

In the build-up to this year's event, which is entering its fourth year, there has been a number of fundraising events held, and the latest of these is to take place this Saturday (July 18) when junior and senior members of the Athlone Comhaltas perform at Golden Island Shopping Centre from 1pm.

Athlone native Ellen Glennon is chairperson of Athlone Comhaltas and part of the organising committee for Féile na Sionainne, and said that everyone involved with the festival is 'really excited' for the official launch night on July 25.

“It's the fourth year of this annual festival and the previous events has attracted great interest, great performers and large crowds. We are delighted with how the people of Athlone and its surrounding areas, and indeed those coming to the festival from other parts of the country, has reacted to it in recent years. The launch night will really be something special and for us to attract Edwina Guckian and the brass band is a huge thing for us. The festival is about bringing people together and celebrating music and culture in Athlone, and it really is building and getting stronger every year,” said Ellen, whose own family has a strong musical tradition in the town.

“The festival is all-inclusive and everybody is welcome to attend, get involved and enjoy themselves – that's what it's all about,” Ellen added, while also thanking the Moore Hall committee for the use of its facilities for the launch.

Ellen said that the festival continues to receive 'huge support' from local business and the various venues where events are due to take place.

The organisers plan to publish an official festival booklet later this week, and remains open to volunteers who might be able to assist with event set-up, stewarding, hospitality and clean-ups over the course of July 31 to August 3.

“It's always very busy in the build-up to the festival, but as organisers we very much enjoy being involved with Féile na Sionainne. We thank everybody who has supported and promoted the event in recent years, and look forward to putting on an even greater festival this year,” Ellen finished.

'The Devil's in the Dancehall' on Saturday, July 25 (8pm) at Moore Hall (N37 HT68).

Tickets, costing €30 plus booking fee, available at https://www.eventbrite.ie/

For a full list of events and any further information see Féile na Sionainne's Facebook page, or visit https://www.instagram.com/feilenasionainne/

You can also email feilenasionainne@gmail.com