FROM fireside seisiúns to heart-pounding céilís, The Gathering traditional festival had crowds flocking to Killarney for the 17th year at the weekend.
Celebrating the craic and culture of Irish traditional music and dance, the big event featured concerts, céilís and storytelling as well as a variety of instrument master classes.
Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel and organised by a committee spearheaded by Killarney postman John O’Shea, the five-day festival attracted trad fans from many parts of the globe and it included performances by Danú, Ushers Island, Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch and Paul DeGrae.
Stepping it out for this year’s céilís were Úi Bhriain, Neily O’Connor, the Abbey Céilí Band, Striolán Céilí Band and Johnny Reidy.
This year’s concert line-up included five packed days of performances including Deirdre Granville and Brendan McCreanor, Ben Lennon, Danú, Noel Hill, Frankie Gavin and Brian McGrath and headline act Ushers Island comprising Donal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, John Doyle and Mike McGoldrick.
* Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan. click on individual images to enlarge and for information
