Success for Ballydehob’s Fastnet Maritime and Folk Festival Down Memory Lane
The Eighth annual Ballydehob Fastnet Maritime and Folk Festival was an unbridled success . Partly due to outstandingly good weather the festival had its highest number of attendees ever, with the camper van area filled to capacity. Visitors from England and Ireland participated in the festival, bringing a mix of contemporary and traditional music with a maritime twist.
Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick headlined the festival, and his intimate sellout show in Balydehob Community Hall brought new and old fans alike to hear many Traditional songs,. The local community was heavily involved, with schools providing maritime-themed displays for the festival and participating in a gala performance in Ballydehob community hall.Carmen Cullen sang the songs of her Aunt Delia Murphy and was well received
Irish traditional music was well-represented by musicians such as Matt Cranitch and Jackie Daly, who are specialists in the Sliabh Luachra Sing-arounds were held in venues in the village with singers of traditional songs such as Chris Wilson, and Sean Nos singers Rosie Stewart and,Tim Browne
Trad sessions were also part of the festival, bubbling up across the village at a relaxed pace that gave festival-goers time to take in the music without rushing to the next event.
Many thanks to IMRO whose sponsorship enabled the popular songwriting competition to happen for the fifth consecutive year
This event could not have happened without the participation and support of Cork County Council, IMRO, local businesses, and the community of Ballydehob itself.