Legendary traditional music festival Tunefest hit Dungarvan last weekend, bringing fantastic music and events to West Waterford and creating a fantastic atmosphere around the town.
Over the course of the weekend, there were concerts featuring Taobh Na Mara, Danú, Cherish the Ladies, Talisk, The Johnny Quinn Macs, and Tri Thine. There were CD launches, busking, and of course, the Gig Rig, bringing the best of Irish traditional music to the Grattan Square throughout the weekend. The sun even came out and really added to the magic, showing off Dungarvan's beautiful scenery at its very best.
My personal highlight from the weekend took place at Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre on the Saturday afternoon, when Dungarvan legend Joe Power took to the stage with an array of distinguished musical guests, creating an astonishing afternoon of great entertainment.
On the stage, with Joe were: Ellen O’Gorman, Joseph Mannion John Nugent, Amie Landers’ Dance Troupe, Andrew Windross, Adhna Ní Bhraonáin, Mick McAuley, Anthony McAuley, Bobby Gardiner, Dónal Clancy, Ann Mulqueen, Gay Brazel, Annamai Condon, Manus Maguire, Kay Wolf, Angela Dalton, Bernie Coffey, Paddy Daly, Richie Power, Ciarán and Domhnall Ó Gealbháin, Mo O’Connor, Sean Feehan, Mike Stimpson, Richard Burke, Miscellany of Folk, and Lucy Condon.
Miscellany of Folk Donal Clancy and Bobby Gardiner
Gay Brazel and Richie Power Kay Wolf and Angela Dalton
Between Joe's various guests, there were performances of traditional Irish music, traditional Irish dancing, covers of pop songs, original songs, spoken word performances, sean nós singing, traditional singing, all joined together with Joe's inimitable MC skills. After the show, Joe took the party on to The Marine Bar, where he held a traditional rambling house session featuring Anna Scanlon, Annamarie and Theresa O’Donnell, Caroline Kinghorn, Christy O’Neill, Conor and Jessie Anthony, Helen Lenane, Mike Stimpson, Mo O’Connor, Nicky Power, Richard Burke, and Seán Feehan. I even took along the guitar and sang a couple of songs myself. The atmosphere was brilliant, as it always is, and it was wonderful to be back there again.
All in all, Tunefest was a great weekend of music, in a wondrous setting. Thoroughly recommended.
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