Abbeyfeale set for Garry McMahon Traditional Singing Festival

Preparing for the 2016 Garry McMahon Singing Weekend, Thursday 29th September, The Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. Owen and Joan McMahon, Threasa and Orlaith McCauliffe and Rossa McMahon. JDM Photography

At the launch night for the 2016 Garry McMahon Singing Weekend, Thursday 29th September, The Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. Mary O’Connor-Tralee and Maeve O’Brien-Listowel. JDM Photography

At the launch of the 2016 Garry McMahon Singing Weekend, Thursday 29th September, The Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. Committee members pictured f l-r: Chris O’Shea, Doreen McEnery, Noreen Barrett, Helen Murphy. B L-r: Owen McMahon, Donie Lyons, Philip Enright and Tom McKenna. JDM Photography.

Attending the launch of the 2016 Garry McMahon Singing Weekend, Thursday 29th September, The Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. Bridie Looney, Co Cork and Eileen Moynihan-Tralee. JDM Photography

Enjoying the launch of the 2016 Garry McMahon Singing Weekend, Thursday 29th September, The Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. Fr Tony Mullins, Brian O’Brien, Philip Enright and Gerry Rourke. JDM Photography

The eighth annual Garry McMahon Traditional Singing Festival takes place later this month on October 21st to 23rd in Abbeyfeale.

“This year’s line up makes for another full weekend of singing sessions, storytelling, workshops, competitions and presentations,” said committee secretary, Chris O’Shea.

The press launch for the festival took place on Thursday night in the Ramble Inn Bar, Abbeyfeale where Joe O’Connor from West Clare did the honours. The occasion was followed by a singing session.

Mick O’Connell to Open Festival

“On Friday, October 21st at 8pm the festival will be officially opened by the one and only Mick O’Connell from Valentia. Micko was a personal friend of Garry McMahon and they also played football for Kerry together,” said Ms. O’Shea.

“This will be followed by a singing session in The Ramble Inn Bar. Saturday will begin with free workshops at 10.30am in Leen’s Hotel where we will have two tutors teaching songs and composing new songs.

“This will be followed at 3pm by the very popular newly composed ballad competition in the Ramble Inn Bar.

Aifreann na Riochta

“Singing sessions will continue into the night in both the Ramble Inn and Leen’s Hotel. Sunday will commence at 12 noon with Aifreann na Riocht in Abbeyfeale church as composed by Garry McMahon RIP and performed by the Abbeyfeale choir.

“At 3pm we will have a very special presentation in Fr. Caseys GAA Club which will include traditional music, singing and storytelling.

“This years tribute goes to Daisy Kearney well known storyteller and a regular at our monthly singing sessions where she entertain us all with her stories.

“The final singing session of the weekend will be held in the Ramble Inn afterwards. All events during the weekend are free and everyone is welcome to come along and join us,” Chris concluded.

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