Kilcar’s Festive Fortnight
Martin McGinley and Tom Byrne
Summer time in Donegal is getting a good shaking as Kilcar prepares for two weeks of festival madness. The Kilcar Wild Craic Olympifest kicked off on yesterday and continues through to Sunday. Shortly after, the town is taken over by the Kilcar Fleadh, from Saturday, August 4 until Saturday, August 11. With all manner of events and activities taking place, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The Olympifest began with the first of two Family Fun Days at the Towney GAA grounds yesterday before the official opening of the festival later in the evening with the Olympic Street Parade and Fancy Dress.
Tonight and tomorrow night, KVG Panto perform “Sinbad” in the Kilcar Parish Hall at 8.30pm, with proceeds in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
Kids Day takes place this Saturday, 12-6pm, in Áislann Chill Chartha, providing the little ones with a huge day of entertainment including bouncy castles, storytelling and face painting to name but a few activities. There will be a small admission fee.
Sunday, the final day of the Olympifest, features a Car Treasure Hunt from 3pm until 5pm, starting from the Áislann. The always popular Toss the Sheaf competition is at 7pm with prizes for competitors.
Olympifest closes with the Olympic Beach Party Night taking place in the town.
Kilcar Fleadh
Keeping the party going is the week long Kilcar Fleadh. This year’s festival once again plays host to a huge selection of traditional musicians, singers, artists and events.
Tom Byrne and Martin McGinley open the entertainment on Saturday, August 4 in Halla na Paróiste (Parish Hall) at 8.30pm sharp. Tom Byrne has achieved immeasurable acclaim as both an accordion and harmonica player. He joined by one of Donegal’s foremost authorities on the fiddle, Martin McGinley, formerly of Dervish.
On Sunday, August 5, the programme includes the Sliabh Liag charity walk along with performances by the Kilcar Pipe Band on the Main Street at noon and “Sláinte” on the Street Stage at 5.30pm.
There’ll be a great chance to learn and understand local, traditional arts on Friday,August 10, with a full display of Traditional arts and crafts including music.
With workshops of all forms running through the week, the festival comes to a close with a performance from Derek McGinley and Tara Conaghan in the Parish Hall at 8pm sharp. The duo have been playing together for many years in various venues, developing a repertoire and are well respected in the musical community. Both teach annually and are keen to maintain the traditions of passing on the music to the next generation.
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Weather for Donegal
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: North
