(NOTE: If you host or support a traditional Celtic festival, gathering, or event, and would like to see it posted here, please send details, dates, a photo or two (if available), and your contact info to me well before the event.)

Féile Chóilín Sheáin Dharach

The Féile Chóilín Sheáin Dharach is an annual sean-nós dance festival held in Ros Muc, Connemara, Co. Galway. This feis centers around jigs, one of the oldest of Irish dance forms. "Sean-nos" dancing is an old traditional style found now mainly in the Connemara Gaeltacht. It is totally unlike the modern, highly choreographed, "Riverdance" styles which many people now unfortunately associate with Irish dancing. It strongly reminds me of the "close to the floor" style of Cape Breton traditional dancing.

This feis is named for a local man known for his dancing, now unfortunately deceased. However, his love of dancing lives on in this annual event, which is attended by people from all around the world.

2007 and 2008 have featured a Scottish component to foster pan-Celtic links.

This year's events will take place from 25-27 January 2008.

For information, or to book for this or a future event, visit the website which has full details. If further details are required, contact Risteard Mac Aodha: damhsoir@eircom.net

The Frankie Kennedy Winter School of Music

The School is an annual event held in Gaoith Dobhar, Co. Donegal, Eire, each year during the Christmas - New Year holidays. It is dedicated to the memory of the late Belfast flute player, Frankie Kennedy, a founding member of the group Altan and one of the finest flute players of modern times.

It consists of excellent concerts by world-class players, and top-notch teachers giving classes in Irish traditional music.

We generally attend six to eight of the concerts, but even so, we have to pass on others of equal worth. The opening festivities are generally at Huidi Beag's (a local pub that regularly hosts powerful traditional music each week). There are people from all over Ireland, the EU, and the world each year, and you will hear excellent tunes played on the pipes, fiddle, and of course, the flute!

Most of the events in 2007 were held at the Dunlewey Ionad Cois Locha (Lakeside Center). Every year, you will hear fiddling, piping, and flute music by top quality players like the O Maonaigh family, including the world famous Maraid of Altan fame and her equally talented nephew Ciaran on the fiddle, Marcas O'Murchu and other great fluters, and tremendous pipers. They generally have some different players and teachers each year though there is a "hard corps" who remain a constant, thus giving stability and continuity, while adding fresh talent each year.

They also have some amazing dancing, including "Sean Nos" style (a form of old-style Irish dancing, totally unlike the modern, choreographed "Riverdance" style).

For a spectacular finale, there is the Altan concert. This group has been touring for over 20 years. Their performances are always electric and stirring, from their old, much-loved standards to material from their latest CD (Local Ground), they keep you enthralled with their energy, musicianship, humor and lovely songs. It is truly a memorable week, and a fine way to remember and pay tribute to a great musician.

However, if you attend, be advised that the weather will likely be rough in spots. Typically in Donegal, you will get some high winds, rain, and the possibility of snow, hail, and sleet is never far away. Dress warmly and sensibly with a good rain repellent cold weather jacket and hood or hat, good sturdy shoes (I prefer hiking shoes), etc. (This is not a fashion event!!). Also you should consider either renting a car (though remember they drive on the left here, and the roads are poor to horrible!), or have enough for taxi rides, as the events are not all within walking distance of one another, and public transportation is spotty.

Depite that, I can unreservedly recommend this gathering as a great opportunity to see and hear some of the most outstanding Irish music and musicians anywhere.

NOTE: While not a Celtic event per se, as a committed environmentalist and member of this group, I am posting this as a public service while we seek a dedicated site for this group.

Donegal Highlands Environment Organization

An environmental group centered on the village of Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal, Ireland, DHEO focuses on local and regional environmental and quality of life issues. They will endeavor to improve environmental quality and awareness by community meetings, educational prgrams, and action programs. While awaiting a site of their own, they will be using this page to pass on information regarding their activities and other events and issues of environmental interest to members of the group and interested members of the public. The notes of the last HE meeting are now available on-line as an Adobe PDF file. You can download it here. ( NOTE: You will need Adobe Reader, a free program, to access this brochure - you can get a copy at Adobe. ) Contacts for the group will be posted shortly. Meanwhile, comments and questions can be addressed to me here.