Exciting programme for upcoming South Roscommon Singers Festival

A bumper programme of events has been unveiled for the annual South Roscommon Singers Festival taking place this year over the Bank Holiday weekend in the picturesque setting of the village of Knockcroghery. Large crowds of singing and ballad enthusiasts are expected in the area for the festival, which gets underway on Friday, October 23 and runs until Sunday, October 25 with a large number of sessions, masterclasses and a CD promotion and the annual Annie McNulty award and dinner, just some of the highlights this time around. The exciting programme of events was launched in a unique way recently at the home and farm of coordinator Declan Coyne, near Dysart in South Roscommon, after an afternoon of corn cutting, vintage style, and a bbq. A large gathering of singers, musicians and vintage enthusiasts from Offaly, Westmeath, Galway and Roscommon were in attendance throughout the afternoon, while the feasting, music and singing went on well into the night. Also in attendance was Mayor of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Tony Ward, Cllr Laurence Fallon and the main sponsors of the festival, Cllr Paddy Kilduff and John and Eithna Murray of Murray's Bar, Knockcroghery. This year's Annie McNulty award, a beautiful tapestry in pure Irish wool by Fran Crowe, will be presented to legendary English folk singer, Bob Davenport. Chris Miles, from Fife in Scotland, who is by now an established favourite at the Singers Festival weekends, will be conducting an exciting Singing Masterclass over the weekend and rather than just teaching a predetermined list of songs, he will be exploring the positive aspects of each individual's singing ability with the aim of helping them to make the most of their talents and to help them make better choices in the range of songs they sing. Ron Kavana is currently working on an album to be entitled The Syria Voyage and he will give a talk and sing some songs under the same heading in Knockcroghery. George Henderson comes from Newcastle and Darren Richmond comes from Lancashire and they both currently live in Ireland. They will take us on separate voyages in song from their native places to where they are today. These also should be fascinating presentations as both men possess a vast knowledge of and repertoire of North of England and border ballads as well as those they have learned since coming to Ireland. Apart from the more serious aspects of the festival there will be lots of singing sessions in all the pubs throughout the village and throughout the weekend. Among those taking part will be: Ron Kavana and Annie Armstrong, Chris Miles and Robert Gordon from Scotland, Darren Richmond and George Henderson from Northern England, Dublin's Jack Lynch, Mary Frances Keenan from Clare, The Three Sisters and John Power from Waterford, the Moone Fire Side Singers, along with The Offaly and South Roscommon Singers Circles. All events, except the Dinner and Annie McNulty Presentation Concert, are free of charge. The Dinner and Presentation Concert is practically sold out at this stage, so get your skates on if you want to be there. Tickets are €30 and are available from the number below. Full details of the festival programme, times and accommodation can be found at: www.dhalonproductions.ie and www.roscommonhistory.ie or text your name and address to 087 966 7029 for a brochure.