Press Release For Guinness Féile na nDéise 2004

Danú and Bodhrán to Headline Guinness Féile na nDéise

With St. Patrick’s Day well behind us and Easter a definite prospect in the near future, it is time once more to turn our attention to the biggest of our music festivals, the annual Guinness Féile na nDéise. The loyal band of workers who comprise the Committee have not been waiting until now to make a start, for, if the truth be known and told, they did not really stop since last May Bank Holiday. They arrive back with a full programme of entertainment and with something to please every palate.

Conscious of the almost limitless talent which is available throughout the Déise, the Féile na nDéise Committee has this year decided to acknowledge this fully by asking two of the top local traditional groups to headline their festival. As usual, the fun and games, music and dance, craic and ceol will be held over the May Bank Holiday weekend and is set to raise standards even further with a programme of events which has something for every taste.

Those who enjoy a good concert, featuring a top-class programme, in comfortable surroundings, will have all their wishes come true in the Park Hotel on Thursday night, April 29th, when traditional group Bodhrán will play to what will be a packed house. There is never a seat to spare for Bodhrán, which speaks for itself.

Quality returns to the same venue on Sunday night, 2nd May, when Danú, the young sensational group from Ring will strut their stuff. These have been regulars on the programme for some years and have built an even bigger name for themselves in the past twelve months with a new CD and a successful tour.

Now in its tenth year, Féile has had many successes in the past, has attracted many visitors to town and has featured almost all of the big names on the traditional music scene. It has provided a breadth of entertainment from a depth of talent that has left revellers drained, tired and happy in the wake of a programme which has few equals.

Cathaoirleach of the Committee, Áine O’Riordan was upbeat at their recent press conference to announce details of their tenth outing.

“We have worked very hard to build this festival,” she said, “and from the reaction of those who came it has been well worth while. We have had artists from the four corners of this country, choirs and dancers from Wales and a traditional group from as far away as South America. Many of our local artists have gone on to thrill audiences abroad. It has been very much two-way traffic and those attending the sessions have had the very best to listen to.”

This year, as well as these two major concerts, there will be the usual pageant in Grattan Square on Sunday afernoon. The story of Na Connerys will be played out in front of what is expected to be a huge audience. Unfortunately, weather did not favour this event last year and it had to be shelved until this year. However, the cast and crew are ready to go and it should prove one of the highlights of the weekend.

A local drama group will re-enact the story of this famous Waterford family through a typical Fair Day in Dungarvan in the 18th or 19th Century. The fair features all the normal hustle and bustle of Fair Day until two local ‘faction groups’ meet and all hell breaks loose.

Following on that afternoon, there will be a full programme of entertainment from the famed Booley House, that magical mix of entertainment from Ballyduff who will be on the open air stage in Grattan Square.

Féile used to be compared to other festivals in the Dungarvan of the past, or in other towns around Ireland. Those days have long gone for they have long since established their own traditions, proved their own reputation and have delivered first class entertainment to the people of Dungarvan and the many thousands who choose to visit. This year, it promises to be just the same.