New traditional musical festival announced for Westport

WESTPORT is to welcome an exciting new addition to Ireland's traditional music calendar this summer with the launch of Coirm. Events will be taking place around the town from June 19 to 21.

Organised by the Coirm Festival Committee, the new festival promises a weekend celebrating the very best of Irish traditional music, song and dance. Bringing together some of the country's finest performers and tutors, Coirm will offer visitors and locals alike the opportunity to learn from the cream of the crop of Irish traditional musicians, singers and dancers.

The festival programme has a wide variety of events, including masterclasses, concerts and session trails throughout the town. Instruments featured during the weekend will include accordion, fiddle, uilleann pipes, concertina, piano accompaniment, bodhrán, tin whistle, flute, singing and sean-nós dancing.

Festival Chairperson Peadar Ó Tuathail said: "We are delighted to launch Coirm Chathair na Mart and bring some of Ireland's leading traditional musicians, singers and dancers to our town. We also want to showcase the vibrant traditional music community we have here.

“The name of the festival means feast and this is what people can expect over the weekend.”

The festival will begin with its official launch on Friday, June 19, from 7 p.m. in Cobbler's Bar at the Wyatt Hotel.

On Saturday, June 20, festival-goers can enjoy a full programme of masterclasses, a special tutors' concert, and a lively session trail through many of Westport's pubs and venues.

The weekend will conclude on the Sunday with the festival Mass in St. Mary's Church, followed by a session trail in local cafés and venues, with the festival céilí bringing the celebrations to a close.

Further information and booking details are available on the festival’s social media platforms.