All welcome to visit Ireland's newest festival see you there.
Fairhead Folk Festival

Welcome to Ireland's newest Folk Festival from Wednesday the 30th of June to Sunday the 4th of July 2004.

Ballycastle in Co Antrim is home to the namesake of the Festival which is a stunning rock outcrop reaching down into the sea of Moyle. Add this to the numerous other spectacular scenic spots north Antrim has to offer e.g. Rathlin Island, The Giant's Causeway, Carrick a Rede rope bridge and Dunluce Castle and you are in for a magical experience.

However, it doesn't stop there. World-class scenery aligned to world-class music and venues bodes well for a visitor to the town at the heart of cultural and mystical Ireland.

In our first year we hope to attract as many new faces from as many backgrounds as possible and to help us we have hired the services of no less musical heavyweights than The Fureys and members of The Sands Family.

There will be musical sessions in many of the pubs also with quality local and visiting musicians. We are also delighted that Ballycastle CCE have chosen the festival to run their summer workshops.

Ballycastle boasts a plethora of quality hotels, B&Bs and Youth Hostels to cater for all pockets. We also have at least twenty public houses to quench any thirst.

We are lucky to have so many music friendly bars in Ballycastle from the diamond to the sea front. If you feel there are too many at one particular session please feel free to start one yourself!

So remember the end of June means the start of a musical summer at the Fairhead Folk Festival, see you there.

Programme

Wednesday 30th June – Admission free
Festival Launch with Tommy Sands
Upstairs in The Central from 9.00pm

·        International folk artist, member of the Sands Family and host of Downtown Radio's Country Ceili, with local session musicians – from 9.00pm.


Thursday 01st July – Admission £8/£6 concession
Festival Folk Club
Ben Sands & Rosemary Woods
Upstairs in The Central from 9.00pm

·        A charming night of music and stories from two of Ireland's premier performers.

·        Traditional sessions throughout the day beginning at 6.00pm in the Central.

·        Regular local session in O'Connor's bar from 9.30pm all musicians welcome.


Friday 02nd July – Sold Out
Festival Main Stage with The Fureys
Upstairs in The Central from 9.00pm

One of Ireland's best loved musical families in what promises to be a memorable musical event. Get there early to ensure good seating.

·        Traditional sessions throughout the day beginning at 6.00pm in the Central.

·        Regular local session in The House of McDonnell from 9.30pm all musicians welcome
Saturday 03rd July – Admission £5
Festival 'come all ye' with
The Squelin' Pigs - Unplugged
Upstairs in The Central from 9.00pm

We're delighted to have the best Celtic rock band on the circuit. Get ready for a high-octane performance of all your favourite songs.

·        From 10.00am – 4.00pm CCE workshops on fiddle, whistle, bodhran, guitar, accordion and flute.

Tutors
Accordion        Colum Regan
Whistle               Marie McLean
Guitar                Michael Sands
Bodhran               Fergal O'Brien
Fiddle                Michelle O'Brien
Flute                Martin Meehan

Please contact Catherine on 02820763384 to book a place

·        Traditional sessions throughout the day beginning at 6.00pm in the Central.

·        Regular local session in The Diamond Bar from 9.30pm all musicians welcome


Sunday 04th July
Farewell Fairhead – Singing Session
Upstairs in The Central from 2.00pm

·        A chance to wind down after the exertions of the week with a singing session featuring local singers and a few surprise guests.

·        Regular local session in Hunters Bar from 5.00pm all musicians welcome

Contact:
Phillip or Tommy, Central Bar, Ballycastle, 02820763877
Michael and Catherine Sands 02820763384