UCC hosts Celtfest from Tuesday, 7 March to Friday, 10 March
2006. Hosted by Áras na Mac Léinn, Celfest is an annual
celebration of celtic song, music, dance language and culure. Now
in it eighth year, Celfest will once again welcome musicians and
performers from Brittany and Galicia (the Celtic region in the North
West of Spain). According to Events Manager, Gráinne Thompson
"This annual showcase of the Celtic countries and their longstanding
traditions gives the people of Cork an opportunity to experience celtic
culture at its best." "The highlight of the festival this year, is
undoubtedly the Celtic concert on Thursday night, 9 March in Devere
Hall which features both Panvrid ar Beskont and SonDeSeu." She added
"The festival creates a wonderful atmosphere on campus".
This year Brittany will be represented by the traditional Breton Bagad
(or pipe band) "Panvrid ar Beskont" whose musical repertoire is derived
from Breton compositions which incorporate old and new traditions. Each
year the bagad participates in numerous festivals in France and abroad
as well as the Pipe Band Championship of Brittany during the
InterCeltic fetival of Lorient. Galicia will be represented by
SonDeSeu - an orchestra of 46 musicians who make a return visit to the
Festival. SonDeSeu is a contemporary folk orchestra, comprising both
teachers and students from the conservatory of Traditional Music in
Vigo (Spain). The orchestra performs a traditional and contemporary
repertory; the music which is essentially classic Galician folk music
is original and is written exclusively for the orchestra by the
teachers themselves.
Impromptu performances will take place during the week in and around
Áras na Mac Léinn. Staff and students are encouraged to promote Irish
during the week.
At the conclusion of the Festival, the participating groups will travel
to the Muskerry Gaeltacht where they will perform in Baile Bhúirne and
Cúl Aodha during the weekend (10-12 March).
183MMcS