Eleventh Féile na nDéise Launched in Guinness Storehouse

“Féile is a word which combines lots of elements and while the exact sense of it is hospitality, I think it is going to mean a lot more in Dungarvan over the May Bank Holiday Weekend. Hospitality will be there but also the notion of having a good time, enjoy yourselves.”

With those words of confidence and encouragement, the legendary Micheál O’Muircheartaigh, Patron of Féile na nDéise launched this year’s festival to be held from 28th April to 2nd May next. The comprehensive programme has something for everyone, young and old and even if traditional music is not your first priority, there are many other events through the course of this Festival to please just about any palate.

Also present at the Launch in the Source Bar of the Guinness Storehouse were Cathaoirleach of the Féile, Áine O’Riordan and members of the Committee; Rory Sheridan, Sponsorship Manager, Diageo and Joe Wilde, Account Director, Clockwork representing the Overall Sponsors, Guinness and several top names on the bill including the young singing sensation, George Murphy and brilliant Comedian and storyteller, Jack Lynch. Lending his support to the group and the event also was the Mayor of Dungarvan, Cllr. Michael O’Riordan.

Departing from the Féile theme, the man with the true voice of the GAA waxed lyrical on a subject of which he is also an expert.

“I’m always looking for clues,” he told his audience of Féile members, Guinness Executives and performers. “We’re here in the Guinness Headquarters and in roughly four weeks time the Guinness Hurling Championships will be under way. On the Monday after the second Sunday in September, the All Ireland Champions will be visiting here. I wonder if Féile na nDéise coming here this evening is like John the Baptist coming before the Messiah.”

His words drew a hearty cheer and round of applause from a man who has, even at this early stage, expressed confidence that Waterford can acquit themselves well in the Championship.

“Now and again, I notice a little bit of pessimism about the Waterford chances this year,” he continued, “but I’m sure as you leave here this evening beidh sibh á rá ‘Port Láirge in gcomhair Corn Liam McCarthaigh i mbliana’.” He said he was delighted to have an association with the Féile for all of ten years. He recalled being contacted by John Foley, the founding Chairman of the Féile in 1995, saying they wanted to bring people into Dungarvan for the May weekend. “As far as I am concerned,” he continued, “in the time since it has grown and developed and been a bigger success every year than the previous one.”

On behalf of main sponsors, Guinness, Mr. Rory Sheridan said that it was in the true spirit and tradition of Guinness that the special event was welcomed to St. James Gate, from where their product was distributed to 180 countries all over the world.

“I am delighted to see the broadcast legend, Micheál O’Muircheartaigh associated with this great festival,” he continued, “and it serves to show the importance of the event.”

He thanked Aine O’Riordan, John McGrath and the other members of the Committee for maintaining and surpassing their standards each year and also Joe Wilde, Account Director of Clockwork for his co-operation with the event.. “I think we can look forward this year to the best Féile so far,” he concluded.

Áine O’Riordan, Cathaoirleach of the Féile said that they were pleased and proud to present the Festival to the people of Dungarvan, Waterford and the many areas of the country from which they drew their audiences and participants. “We have a great Festival lined up this year, one of which we can all be proud and which I know will find favour with all our patrons, new and old.”

She thanked the Committee, their Patron and the many people who help to bring the Féile into the streets of the town each year.

“I would especially like to thank Rory Sheridan and Guinness for their loyalty over the years and for standing by us again this year. It is this sponsorship, coupled with good support at home which allows Féile to happen, for Dungarvan to have a festival, for an early start to the Tourist season and for many people to have a very enjoyable weekend in Dungarvan,,” she said.

Micheál detailed some of the events taking place from music, song, dance and storytelling to the Pageant in Grattan Square on Sunday afternoon. Some of the many highlights of the Féile are the concerts with Bodhrán promising their usual best, with new singing sensation, George Murphy on Sunday and Danú on Monday. In between there is the Seanachai night and Ceili Mór in Lawlor Hotel as well as ‘Take the Floor’ with Monnie Hallahan for the younger set on Friday night. He reserved a special mention for an event which is unique to Dungarvan. “You can go to Carnegie Hall,” he said, “or any hall all over the world, but the only place you’ll see bucket singing is in Dungarvan during the Féile.” One of the centrepieces of a very full programme will be the Street Pageant on Sunday afternoon where the story of the Abduction Clubs of the 1630s will be enacted. In that era, heiresses were kidnapped and forced to marry landless ‘squireens’ who had no hope of getting a wife on their own merits. A special law was enacted to make such abductions a capital offence, punishable by hanging.

The final preparations for the busy weekend will be made over the next few weeks, and judging by previous outings, there will be no shortage of fun and craic over the May Weekend.