Best Wishes from Michael & Mary O’Donoghue

The River Island Hotel

Main Street, Castleisland Tel: 066-7142555 See our extensive Christmas Menu

RHYNO MILLS

Church St., Castleisland Ph 066-7141205 . Fax 066-7141107 www.rhyno.ie QUALITY FEEDSTUFFS AND HARDWARE

D. COSTELLO 25 Main St., Castleisland.

“Footwear Specialists”

Agents for:- Hogl, Lotus, Wrangler and Start-rite for Children

Castleisland Co-Operative Livestock Mart Limited Premier Livestock Sales Centre in the South West Every Monday: Calves, Weanlings Every Wednesday: General Cattle Sale Cas tlei slan d , C o. K err y . Te l: 0 6 6 - 7 1 4 1 2 4 7

Sponsors of Traditional Singing Workshop

Hannons of Castleisland 1938-2013

75 Years styling Ladies ONE OF IRELANDS LEADING FASHION STORES SIZES 8 TO 26 Occasional Wear to Smart Casual

OVER 30 TOP IRISH AND INTERNATIONAL LABELS TO CHOOSE FROM

30 Main St. Castleisland, Co. Kerry. Tel: 0667141238 www.hannonsfashionshop.com

McELLIGOTTS LTD. Tralee Road, Castleisland Tel

066 - 71 41327

BATHROOM SUITES SHOWER EN SUITE SHOWER DOORS FURNITURE

Fáilte

A Word of Welcome A CHÁIRDE, On behalf of the organising committee I would like to welcome you all here to Castleisland for the 21st annual Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival. We would like to extend a special Céad Míle Fáilte to visiting and local musicians alike who will be taking part in the many sessions over the weekend. To the throngs of music loving visitors from all corners of the world we also say welcome and thanks for making the effort to be with us on this great occasion. It is a constant source of amazement to us to find that, on each October, people from all corners of the world have made their way here to Castleisland to enjoy the unique musical experience we strive to provide. Many visitors leave after the weekend vowing to return the following year – and a high number do just that. We have a line up of music, song and dance that we hope will make your stay here an enjoyable and pleasant one. You will see from the contents of this booklet that we have both the backing and blessings of the local business community in our efforts. This has been the fortunate position we’ve found ourselves in since the festival was founded back in 1993 – for that we’re very grateful. In this year of particular financial constraints we are more grateful than ever to the local community for its unwavering support. This is a source of support without which the spirit of the festival would rapidly wilt. Over the years there has been an increasing emphasis on the educational aspect of the local style of the music of Sliabh Luachra. Extensive music classes are held annually in conjunction with the festival. These are conducted by players steeped in the tradition of the area. For the benefit of visitors: there will be many fine exponents of the famed Sliabh Luachra style of playing to be seen and heard in various locations over the few days of the festival. This style was preserved and passed on – at a great cost to his health and wellbeing - by the man in whose honour we’re all gathered here this weekend. Patrick O’Keeffe spent the greater part of his life on the roads of the Sliabh Luachra area harbouring the tradition and spreading his unique talent and style. Several of his pupils and those influenced by his life and music will take part in this festival and therefore ensure that his legacy and legend live on. Finally I hope that both players and patrons have an enjoyable weekend and that you’ll spread the word for the years ahead.

Cormac O’Mahony CHAIRMAN

Best Wishes from

GARVEY’S SUPERVALU CHURCH ST. CASTLEISLAND

LYNCH’S PHARMACY

RESTAURANT & TAKE AWAY

100% Beef Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Quarter Pounders G Fish G Chicken G Chips G Minerals G Milk Shakes & Ice Creams Church Street, Castleisland tel: 066 - 7141129 email: [email protected] J.K.O’CONNORS DEPARTMENT STORE

Main Street Castleisland

PROP: AILEEN LYNCH, B.SC. (PHARM.), MPSI

LOWER MAIN STREET, CASTLEISLAND.

TEL: 066 - 71 42479 (PHARMACY AND HOME)

Best Wishes from

Dermot McCarthy

Tel: 066 - 71 41263

Electrical

DENNIS COLLINS Loughfouder Knocknagoshel

Truck & Van Sales CLASSIC BARBERS

JIMMY HORAN

Open: Mon-Sat: 9-6 Open Lunchtime

PANEL BEATING

Island Centre Quality Irish Barber

Tralee Road, Castleisland

Tel: (066) 71 42585

O’KEEFFE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 21ST The 21st annual Patrick O'Keeffe Traditional Music Festival will take place here in Castleisland all over the bank holiday weekend from Friday, October 25th. to Monday 28th. It has become a custom over the past couple of years to ‘draw’ the previous Thursday evening into the proceedings with the opening of an art exhibition. This is a welcome inclusion in the whirl of events and one which has been organised by artist and sculptor, Kate Shanahan. This year’s line-up of artists will feature Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan in a dual role. Minister Deenihan with perform the official opening and will also be amongst the exhibitors. This year’s festival marks the 21st running of the event since it was founded in 1993. The festival will also mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Patrick O’Keeffe who died on February 22-1963. That particular anniversary was observed at his graveside in Kilmurry on a freezingly cold day last February and in a few warmer places here in town afterwards. Take a look at the line-up of events in store for the weekend.

Friday 25th October

FRIDAY 25TH OCTOBER - 8pm. Mary Conroy officially open’s the festival live on Radio Kerry from the River Island Hotel - all welcome 10PM. PUB TRAIL BEGINS - with organised and impromptu sessions with Ireland’s top traditional musicians in pubs throughout the town. A detailed programme will be available in the pubs and hotel.

- Pub Trail -

HARTNETT’S BAR KEARNEY’S BAR

RIVER ISLAND HOTEL - CON’S BAR

POET'S INN BROWNE’S BAR

MCCARTY’S BAR SHOEMAKERS

10.00 PM Scara Darra

10.00 PM Mick Culloty, Sean Abeyta, P.J. Teahan

8.00PM. Radio Kerry - with Mary Conroy 10.00PM. Session - Dan Herhily, Geraldine Breen, Mary Conroy 10.00 PM Paudie O'Connor, Aoife O'Keeffe 10.00 PM Con Moynihan, Denis O'Connor, Gerald Culhane, Aidan Connolly, Oisin Morrison, Diarmuid O Brien 10.00 PM Dan Brouder, Eamon Riordan, Angelina Carbery 10.00 PM Donál Ó Cuileanáin, Nicole Doyle, Mike Walsh and Siobhan Buckley

Kearney & Company ACCOUNTANTS

Farm Accounts, Sole Trader etc. Free Consultation 14 Tralee Road, Castleisland. Tel: 066 - 71 41417

Best Wishes from

DERMOT HEALY Laccabawn

Best of Luck from

Mary Lawlor Hairdressing

Pius Fleming Castleisland

• Veterinary Surgeon •

The Crumb --------------------

066-7141297 Upr. Main St.

Upr. Main St. Castleisland

Tim Murphy Quantity Surveyor

Kealgorm House, Castleisland,

Tel: 087 2077131

AHERNS GARAGE

LIMERICK ROAD, CASTLEISLAND

MAIN OPEL & BMW DEALERS

RYAN Concrete Products Kilbannivan, Castleisland. Tel: (066) 71 42565

* Linels 6x4 & Prestresses Sills* Wall & Pier Caps, Kerbing, Paving Slabs * Fencing Posts, Gate Posts, Balustrades* Flower Pots

BROSNANS VIDEO & MUSIC & CURIOSITY SHOP

Main St., Castleisland.

Domestic Appliance Repairs • Washing Machines • Tumble Dryers • Fridges • Cookers

Michael T-Broderick Construction Ltd. Gortshanavava, Ballymacelligott, Tralee tel:

(087) 2565569

Tel: 087 2897324

Best Wishes from

J.P.

Griffin’s Killarney Rd., Castleisland. Martin Curtin Fruit & Veg 120 Upper Main St. Videos

John Lynch

Tiles & Fireplace Fitting

Dave Geaney and Stephen Murphy

Veterinarian Services

Mrs Nelligans Restaurant / Coffee Shop 74 Main Street Tel: 066 7141760

087 242 0207

O’Brien Lighting Main St., Castleisland.

Prop: Seamus & Eileen O’Brien Make your home bright with an O’Brien light

Oliver Daly ARCHITECT

6 Church St., Castleisland. T: 066 714 3604 M:087 052 3280 G

residential G commercial G planning consultant

Dental Surgeon Anne Lyons B.D.S. ( N.U.I) Market Cross, Castleisland.

Phone: 066 7142488

Thomas Stuart & Co. Limited MAIN STREET, CASTLEISLAND

TEL: 066-71 41688 FAX: 066-71 41266

MARTIN LYNCH PROFESSIONAL CARPENTRY AND JOINERY SERVICE

Best Wishes from

Herlihy Footware Main St. Castleisland

Moanmore, Castleisland.

Tel 087 6565974 Jack Shanahan

THE PHARMACY Church St., Castleisland. Good Luck to the Festival

Willie O’Connell Taxi Service

Phone: 0872515619

CASTLEISLAND ---

Motor Factors

Best of Luck

Bernard Tangney SLOWAYS COURIERS

Saturday

26th October

12.00 NOON: CÚPLA FOCAIL LE ÉAMONN Ó BRAOIN - Brush up on your conversational Irish in an informal, relaxed class with Éamonn Ó Braoin at the Jam Restaurant. 2 PM TO 5PM A FIDDLE WORKSHOPS AT ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE All levels catered for with Connie O’Connell, Emma O’Leary and Paddy Jones. 2PM Pub trail continues all day. 3PM: SINGING AFTERNOON in Hartnett’s Bar with Mickey MacConnell, Andrew Murray, Niamh Parsons. All welcome. Aileen Rowntree will host the afternoon.

HARTNETT’S BAR KEARNEY’S BAR

CROWN HOTEL

HICKEY'S BAR

POET’S INN

BROWNE’S BAR

MCCARTY’S BAR

SHOEMAKERS

- Pub Trail 3.00 PM SINGING Mick MacConnell, Andrew Murray, Niamh Parsons 5.00 PM Dan Brouder, Eamon Riordan, Angelina Carbery 6.00 PM Aidan Connolly, Oisin Morrison

7.00 PM Mary Crowley, Mary Crowley, Donal O'Connor 4.30 PM Brian O'Leary, Mike O'Connor, Colm Guilfoyle 5.00 PM Matt Cranitch, Jackie Daly, Paul de Grae

5.00 PM Tom O'Connell, Nial O'Connor, P.J. Teahan, Paddy Jones 3.00 PM Damien Mullane, Jeremy Spencer, Sean Leahy

Best of Luck from

FLESK

Moloneys Bakery

Tralee Road Industrial Estate Tel: 066 7141163 Email: [email protected]

Be st of L uck From

Lawlors Restaurant

Nolan Steel Best wishes from

Vincent Murphy Sports (066) 7141326

WALSH BROS. ELECTRICAL

ELECTRICAL

SANDWICH BAR & DELI Prop: Mary & Tom Lawlor Lower Main St. Castleisland

Tel; 066 7142540

Tom Hayes

Patrick O’Connell

Main St. Castleisland.

Main Street, Castleisland.

Accountant

SOLICITOR

KENNELLY’S

ZANUSSI

Same Day Film Processing with Free Film Passport, Visa & Driving Licence Photos taken while you wait.

Every Success from

O’Sullivan Transport

Tralee Rd., Castleisland.

Mullaghmarkey, Castleisland. Mob: 087-2561907 Tel: 066 7141150 Fax: 066-7143891

58 Main Street, Castleisland.

Telephone 066 - 71 41633 PANASONIC TV - HI-FI - VIDEO

Mac’s Auto Parts & Anne Mac’s TOPAZ Garage

MAIN STREET, CASTLEISLAND

Maria O’Connor

Church Street, Castleisland

Best of Luck from

Diamonds Forever

Castleisland Tool Hire

Wishing the festival success

If only everything in life was as reliable as

DIVANES

Castleisland

Tel: 066-71 41253 / 71 41546 Fax: 066 - 71 42635

FOR VOLKSWAGON & AUDI SINCE 1954

The Good Table Best Wishes From

(066)7141088 Open every day for the festival

Sno White

Dry Cleaning Best Wishes to the festival from

FLOR LYNCH

BUILDING CONTRACTOR MOANMORE

CASTLEISLAND

Charlie Nelligan’s Bakery 12 The Mall. Tralee

Tel: 066 7125288 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -Best of Luck from

w: www.build4life.net e: [email protected] m: 086 2317722

Fashion World Find us on CHY No: 18176

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

--------------------Thomas Bastible Accountant

---------------------

JACKIE REIDY

MENSWEAR CASTLEISLAND

Galvin’s

Mineral Beer & Spirit Wholesalers Listowel

Tel: 068 21088

Telephone: 066 - 7141315/7141603 Fax: 066 - 7141766 email: [email protected]

DALY TRANSPORT LTD. Best Wishes from

Best Wishes From

International Refrigerated Transport Laccabawn, Castleisland, Tel: 066-7142143 Fax: 066-7142144 Mobile: 087 2570955

Best of Luck From Tomo Burke

La Femme

CROWLEY’S CHEMIST Main Street Castleisland

Brennans Hair Studio

12 main Street, Castleisland, Co. Kerry T: 066 714 3397 F: 066 714 3398 Ms Joanne Fleming M: 086 896 8983 www.flemingestateagents.com [email protected]

Main Street Castleisland Tel: 066-7141930

DAVID TWOMEY & CO. SOLICITORS Main Street, Castleisland.

Saturday Night

26th October

8.30 PM PRESENTATION OF THE PATRICK O’KEEFFE AWARD for dedication to the music of Sliabh Luachra to Dan Murphy of Abbeyfeale. Hartnett’s Bar. All welcome 9PM: Official opening of art exhibition by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, TD. River Island Hotel. SATURDAY NIGHT: PUB TRAIL continues until late.

HARTNETT’S BAR KEARNEY’S BAR CROWN HOTEL

POET’S INN

- Pub Trail -

8.00 PM Presentation of award to Dan Murphy 10.00 PM Eilish Murphy, Jonathan Roche, Emma O'Leary and Garry O’Brien 10.00 PM Denis McMahon, Paddy Flathery, Ciaran Kelliher, Eamon Sheehy, Joan Brosnan, Maureen McMahon 10.00 PM Eoin O' Sullivan , Paudie O' Connor, Paul DeGrae, Aoife O'Keeffe, Joe O'Sullivan 10.00 PM Dan Brouder, Eamon Riordan, Angelina Carbery

BROWNE’S BAR

10.00 PM Damien Mullane, Jeremy Spencer, Sean Leahy

MCCARTY’S BAR

KITCHEN 10.00 PM Derick Hickey, Gearoid O Duinnin, Liam Flanaghan

SHOEMAKERS RIVER ISLAND HOTEL - CON’S BAR

7.00 PM Tony O'Connell, Andy Morrow, Antonia Wernig 10.00 PM Brian O'Leary & Mike O’Connor

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

Best Wishes from the following Sponsors Green Door Restaurant Griffin’s Grocery Castleisland Meats (The Meat Centre) The Market Stall

DIY Sheds for Agri. Garages or Workshops Steel: Largest selection in Munster all under cover H Gilders: All sizes Self Colour & Shot Blasted & Primed Galvanised Piping: All sizes Cladding : Corrugated or box profile 3 Colours Slate: True Tone & Supercem Insu lation: Floor Wall & Attic Timber: Every length & size all under cover Sheeting: Plywoods. MDF & Chipboard Welders: Oil Cooled & air Cooled Wooden Floors: Paint General Hardware.

How do you protect a valuable instrument? Hide it in an accordian case.

Sunday 27th October

11:30AM MASS WITH TRADITIONAL MUSIC for the departed friends of the festival. Followed by a musical remembrance at Mike Kenny’s grave at St. John’s graveyard. 1PM: PUB TRAIL runs all day. 2PM: POETRY EXTRAVAGANZA with Gabriel Fitzmaurice, guests and friends. All welcome to Con’s Bar in the River Island Hotel. 3PM: SET DANCING in the River Island Hotel with Ger Murphy of the Abbey Ceili Band. 4-30PM: DAY TWO OF THE SINGING WORKSHOP at The Poets Inn. Mikey O’Connor will be the host here and local and visiting singers are welcome. 5.00PM:LECTURE BY PETER BROWNE on Patrick O’Keeffe the Sliabh Luachra fiddle master. Back bar Browne’s

- Pub Trail -

HARTNETT’S BAR

3.30 PM Derek Hickey, Gearoid O Duinnin, Liam Flanaghan, Eamon Riordan

KEARNEY’S BAR

2.30 PM Connie O’Connell, Eileen De Paor

CROWN HOTEL

RIVER ISLAND HOTEL - CON’S BAR

POET’S INN

BROWNE’S BAR

MCCARTYS BAR

4.30 PM Tony O' Connell, Andy Morrow, Antonia Wernig 2.00 PM Poetry with Gabriel Fitzmaurice

3.00 PM SINGING AFTERNOON With Mikey Connor

3.00 PM Eoin O'Sullivan, Paul de Grae, Peter Browne (The Piper) 6.00 PM Con Moynihan, Denis O' Connor, Aidan Connely, Oisin Morrison

SHOEMAKERS 2.30 PM Eilish Murphy, Brian O'Leary, HICKEY’S BAR

Emma O'Leary

6.00 PM Tom O'Connell, Nial O'Connor, Paul Sexton, Paddy Jones

Patrick O’Keeffe

Remembered 50 years on .......

There was a special gathering at Kilmurry Cemetery in Cordal earlier this year on Friday evening, February 22nd and in several warmer places in Castleisland afterwards. Historically special in that it was the 50th anniversary of the death of Patrick O’Keeffe and the 30 or so hardy souls who gathered there braved a biting, easterly breeze. The event was attended by the oldest surviving pupil of the great man, Paddy Cronin and probably the youngest, Paddy Jones. Both spoke about the man they remember – the man most of the rest of us there only heard of and read about. While Paddy Cronin rightly observed that the late Patrick O’Keeffe wouldn’t delay the drops of whiskey - which Cormac O’Mahony filled for the attendance on the evening - the same could be said for those at his graveside as the bitter cold sunk in. Paddy Jones remembered his fiddle teacher as “A grand old gentleman” and a man who made a huge contribution to the music of Sliabh Luachra. Paddy’s observations on his teacher can be backed by a paragraph from the late Con Houlihan’s ‘Tributaries’ column in the Evening Press from Wednesday, October 20-1993: “Of course Patrick liked a drink but I never saw him the worse for it; he was never less than a gentleman; among his many attributes was an intense dislike of bad language.”

“He passed away on a Friday afternoon; I got onto Andreas O Gallchoir in RTE; his passing was on the six o’clock news. There was a huge attendance at the removal on Saturday evening; the funeral next day was even bigger; admirers came from all parts of Munster and beyond.” The ‘Tributaries’ page from which I quoted here was Con’s response to a letter from the late Mike Kenny. Mr. Kenny wrote to Con some few weeks earlier wondering if he would give a mention to the first festival in honour of his old friend Patrick O’Keeffe. He waited for a response. It came two days before the festival was due to kick off in the shape of a complete ‘Tributaries’ column about Patrick and Sliabh Luachra in general. The festival itself got all of three glorious lines in the piece headed: ‘Dancing at Luachra’. We were overjoyed. And boy oh boy was there ported drank for the rest of that evening. On Friday evening in Kilmurry the musicians among us stood and played to a reverential silence for the man who had departed this world on that afternoon 50 years ago to the day. Local man, Jimmy Cullinane who had, earlier in the day, put a covering of limestone chips on the grave, recited a poem he had composed about Patrick O’Keeffe’s life and times. - John Reidy

Dan Murphy To Be Honoured

Knocknagoshel native, Abbeyfeale resident, Dan Joe Murphy will be honoured this weekend with the Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival Award for Dedication to the music of Sliabh Luachra. The presentation will take place at Fagin’s Bar at 8pm on Saturday night and the talented Murphy family will play there afterwards. Dan and his Birmingham born wife, Maureen (nee Cleary) were the guests of honour recently at a function in Limerick when comhaltas president, Kevin Jordan presented them with the the ‘Gradam Cruinne.’ Munster comhaltas chairman, Tadhg O Maolcaha also added his congratulation on the occasion. “Dan and Maureen received the award in recognition of their work in promoting Irish Music, and Step Dancing in England and throughout Ireland over a period of 50 years. On returning to Ireland, Dan was the proprietor of ‘The Failte Bar’ in Abbeyfeale. It became the home of traditional music. Maureen, a dancing teacher and adjudicator, is well known throughout Munster and Birmingham in Irish Dancing circles. She is the active secretary of the annual Fleadh by the Feale and is instrumental in the success of the festival - which is in its 20th year in 2014. In the late fifties a youthful Dan Joe Murphy left Knocknagoshel village and emigrated to the industrial city of Birmingham. He was then an accomplished accordion player. Together with his two first cousins and neighbours from Knocknagoshel, Jim and Donal Murphy, they were instrumental in bringing the O’Connor Pipe Band of Birmingham to the Rose of Tralee Festival in 1961 as the official representatives of the Birmingham Kerry Association. Dan’s sister Una was the Birmingham Rose that year, and Dan and his two cousins were band members. The visiting Pipe Band and the three English Roses visited Knocknagoshel on the Friday night of the festival to be welcomed by a torch light parade and also received a warm reception on an outdoor platform. The senior citizens of Knocknagoshel still recall that

unique occasion. Dan’s wife Maureen (nee Cleary) was born in Birmingham, her father from Dublin and her mother a native of Co. Mayo. She was the principal teacher of the famous Irish Dancing School, Craobh Mhuire is Padraig, based in St. Francis Parish, Handsworth, the President of which was Fr James Downey, R.I.P. a native of Brosna, Co. Kerry. Maureen qualified as an Adjudicator and judged Feiseanna throughout Ireland and Great Britain. At the awards ceremony in Limerick the Murphy family took part in a concert of music, song and dance. Donal Murphy of ‘Sliabh Notes’ and ‘Four Men and a Dog’ fame gave a great exhibition on the accordion and accompanied by his brother Sean of The Deenagh Ceile Band, Killarney, sister Eilis on the concert flute and brother Kevin on the guitar. To continue the tradition, Sean’s two daughters gave a display of sean nos dancing accompanied by Donal’s daughter Melanie, on the violin. It was interesting and encouraging to see that the culture and tradition has passed on to the 3rd. generation. They received a loud hall echoing applause. Dan and Maureen’s special award was a gold medallion suitably engraved and complete with an official Comhaltas scroll in their honour. The Comhaltas Ceoltoiri organisation, its C.E.O. Labhras O Murchu; President Vincent Jordan and Munster cathaoirleach, Tadhg O Maolcaha - who organised the concert - can feel justly proud as a great night’s entertainment was enjoyed by all present. It was a fitting tribute to Dan and Maureen Murphy, lifelong supporters of Comhaltas and dedicated to Irish Traditional Music, song and Irish Dancing.”

Merriment, Music and Devilment with God’s Help! Castleisland is all set for one of the best and most populated, pub sessions associated with the annual Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival in recent years. The festival is poised to celebrate its 21st year in existence since its founding in 1993. Then, RTE Radio 1 presenter and piper, Peter Browne prompted publican, Mary Jones to organise a gathering of some kind to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of ‘The Last of the Great Fiddle Masters’. On one of his recent Sunday night Radio 1 programmes, The Rolling Wave, Peter Browne broadcast a recording made by Ciaran MacMathuna in the early 1960s in various locations around here. The broadcast probably made history as it is unlikely that the programme was ever heard in its entirety before. It was a powerful piece of radio for those who like or love their music. To hear O’Keeffe playing, almost at first hand was, in a way, an emotional experience. To hear an account from the likes of: Seamus Ennis, Ciaran MacMathuna and Andreas O Geallchoir of their searches and eventual meetings with O’Keeffe was to be taken on a tour of his constituency. There, you thought you got to taste the porter and almost felt the hardship he went through in pursuit of his noble craft. And, there too, you felt part of the never ending quest for something to quench his thirst. Festival chairman, Cormac O’Mahony put the programme in context after the broadcast: “That is just fantastic. It just reinforces our belief in what we’re doing here and the treasure we hold in trust for generations to come. The culture is so deep rooted in the area and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to celebrate it here every October.” There is still the odd I without its mandatory dot and a handful of cross-less Ts roaming about the pages. For example: A late signee was Niamh Parsons and she will be joining Mickey MacConnell and Andrew Murray and many others in Saturday’s singing workshop at Fagin’s Bar at 3pm and she’ll also do a slot in Sunday night’s concert. Even so, all the loose ends are being nailed to their places in jig-time and all will be done as if by magic. The wonders of the weekend will be let loose from Friday evening at the River Island Hotel at 8pm. It’s head down now from here to Tuesday morning – with merriment, music and devilment – with God’s help. - John Reidy

Remembering 1993 During the heady days of late 1993 a group of us gathered at the prompting of Mary Jones; she at the prompting of Peter Browne and he driven by his love of the music of Sliabh Luachra. It was coming up to the 30th anniversary of the death of Patrick O’Keeffe and Peter Browne has just spent the most of the previous year traipsing the roads of Sliabh Luachra. He went in search of the people who knew the great Patrick during his life and amazing times. Plans were quickly put in place for a festival over the October weekend as we didn’t want to let the year go without a commemoration of some kind. Peter Browne backed the plans to the hilt and his advice and goodwill put the event on the solid foundation on which today’s festival stands. For the brochure of that first festival from October 22nd to 24th 1993, Peter wrote the following account of his involvement with the music of Patrick O’Keeffe and of the Sliabh Luachra area in general

Recognition for Padraig By Peter Browne 1993

My Interest in Padraig O’Keeffe and his music go back almost as far as I do myself. When I was very young, my family spent some time in Sliabh Luachra, staying in the home of Denis and Julia Murphy at Lisheen. The memories of a child are vague now, but I seem to remember one night, a crowded pub with music, smoke, talk, my delight of the time- a good supply of lemonade and a deep voice which I think now must have been that of the great man himself. This would have been around 1960 and my elder brother was a follower of the music there – learning tunes from Denis Murphy. Later, in Dublin, we played these together, my brother on the fiddle, myself on the pipes and we must have had something of the style of the area, though I didn’t know it at the time. When I went to work in RTE in 1975, I heard Seamus Ennis’s recordings of Padraig and recognised again the lovely, flowing way of music-making that is special to Sliabh Luachra. I often thought that it would be a good idea to issue it on a disc and make it available to a wider audience than would hear it occasionally playing on the radio. This remained only something to talk about to fellow musicians and workers in RTE, until this year, when John Walsh, a fine fiddle player, who works in the southern area of RTE, suggested to me that the 30th anniversary of Padraig O’Keeffe’s death should be marked. I thought at first of one radio programme, but as time went on, and I met with generous and freely given help from the people of Sliabh Luachra and those all over Ireland who appreciate Padraig and his music, the project grew to a series of four programmes and the release of a set of recordings. Over ten months, the story of his life was given to me, and the extent of his influence as a teacher as well as a player became clear. The work is over, and my hope is for a greater recognition for a man who was an unique genius in the history of traditional music in this country. If this is the case, then it can be some reward to all of us who love the music of Sliabh Luachra and Padraig O Keeffe.

BEST WISHES FROM CASTLEISLAND CARPET CENTRE

Sunday Night

8.00 PM. GRAND CONCERT AT THE RIVER ISLAND HOTEL Peter Browne and Paul de Grae. Eoin O Sullivan. Frankie Gavin and De Dannan. Niamh Parsons & Graham Dunne Matt Cranitch and Jackie Daly. Andrew Murray. Damian Mullane, Jeremy Spencer and Sean Leahy. Derek Hickey and Liam Flanagan. Price €20

27th October

Booking is very strongly advised as seating spaces are limited. Tickets can be booked on: 066 71 42555 / 083 1121532– after 5pm. Pub trail continues.

HARTNETT’S BAR KEARNEY’S BAR

CROWN HOTEL

- Pub Trail 10.00 PM Colm Gannon, Kelly Gannon

10.00 PM Paudie O' Connor, Aoife O'Keeffe, Joe O' Sullivan 10.00 PM UCC Traditional Music society

LE BODEGA (Small Bar upstairs in hotel)

POET’S INN

BROWNE’S BAR

CON’S BAR

SHOEMAKERS MCCARTYS BAR

10.00 PM Jackie Dan Jerry O' Connor, Terence Mc Quinn, Jay Kuchinsky

10.00 PM Derick Hickey, Gearoid O Duinnin, Liam Flanaghan 10.00 PM Eilish Murphy, Brian O'Leary, Garry O'Brien, Emma O'Leary 10.00 PM Donal Cullinane, Paul Miller, Mike Walsh & Matt Griffin FRONT BAR 7.00 PM Mary Crowley, John Connolly, Donal O' Connor 10.00 PM Nicky Mc Auliffe, Anne Mc Aulliffe, Michael O' Shea, Donal O' Connor

Padrick O’Keeffe Festival Accomodation List

NAME

LOCATION

TELEPHONE

River Island Hotel

Town Centre

066 71 42555

Taylor's Lodge

Scartaglin Road

066 71 42170

Island heights

Killarney Road

066 71 41068

Prendiville's Town House

Cordal Road

066 71 42052

Cloghan Lodge

Killarney Road

066 71 42566

Lillian Dillon

Limerick Road

066 71 41060

Betty Riordan

Limerick Road

066 71 41325

Glenbrook House

Currow

066 97 64488

Bawn House

College Road

085 73 05528

Self Catering Bungalow

Ballylymouth

066 71 41160

Dermot McCarthy Cottage

Killarney Road

087 27 92137

Niall O’Connor

Plumbing Contractor

Hickey’s

Music & Video

Main Street, Castleisland. Large Stock Traditional Music Tapes, CD’s and Videos

WILLIAM LYONS INSURANCES LIMITED. 113 Main St., Castleisland. Tel: 066-71 41268 Fax: 066-71 41284 INSURANCE BROKERS

District Office: Irish Permanent

How do you know when there is a bodhrán player at your front door ? The knocking gets faster and faster and faster..................

Monday

28th October

1PM: PUB TRAIL will continue all day till late. 3PM: A LECTURE BY JACK ROCHE on the state of traditional music in the Sliabh Luachra area in the modern era and 50 years after the passing of Patrick O’Keeffe. Back Bar Browne’s Bar

HARTNETT’S BAR KEARNEY’S BAR

BROWNE’S BAR CROWN HOTEL

SHOEMAKERS POET’S INN

FOUNTAIN BAR (PLAN B)

MCCARTY’S BAR

- Pub Trail -

5.00 PM Connie O’Connell, Eileen De Paor

3.00 PM Con Moynihan, Denis O’Connor.

3.00 PM Dan Brouder, Eamon Riordan, Angelina Carbery. 9.30 PM Paudie O'Connor, Aoife O'Keeffe, Paul De Grae, Eoin O' Sullivan 5.00PM Dan Herhilhy, Geldine Breen, Mary Conroy

3.00PM BACK BAR Colm Gannon, Kelly Gannon

6.00 PM UCC Trad Music Society 3.00 PM Brian O'Leary.

3.00 PM Mick Culloty, John Coakley, P.J. Teahan, Tim Browne 3.30PM MARY'S KITCHEN Jack Talty, Cormac Begley, Mike Walsh, Liam Hickey, Cathal Flood

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