Hard to believe really that it was a year ago that I was at Dungarvan, in Co Waterford, last. This time the weather was super kind. Blue cloudless skies meant shorts and thongs all weekend. But really little else had changed. No gig rig this year as they had pulled up the streets to repave, but the same Busking Competition, same super sessions, concert by Danu and the Bucket Singing.
I urge you to check out my blog from last year, https://singersongblog.me/2015/06/04/dungarvan-tradfest-and-danu/ because I think I covered it all there. The main attraction as always was the sessions. There is no shortage of quality musicians here with some wonderful combinations. A treat was Bobby Gardiner, Matt Cranitch, Jackie Daly, Andrew MacNamara and Gerry Harrington. An amazing and unique assortment. And Charlie Piggott with Gerry Harrington and too many others to mention. This Festival is a Hidden Secret. Not on the International circuit, like Willie Week, Feakle or Ennis TradFest, which have their bands of loyal followers, and that’s good in some ways, but really such depth of musicianship deserves to be seen by many more.
Only downside (?) this time was that all the pubs were mental on Saturday night due to the result of some hurling game or other (can’t actually remember the result). Put this on the calendar though and try and get there for next year.
Here are a few shots from sessions, street buskers, singers and the Sunday concert featuring Danu.
I will put some video up in due course so keep an eye out on my YouTube channel. In fact follow it and you’ll be notified.
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