Millstreet Session at the Comeraghs Wild Festival

On Friday the 20th of September, as part of the Comeraghs Wild Festival events, we hosted a lively “Oíche go Maidin” session in The Mill Bar in Millstreet. A very large and enthusiastic troupe of Comeraghs youngsters and adult musicians descended on the little bar and raised the roof with a mighty blast of tunes. Eventually, even Olive and Mary in the back room could sit still no longer and took to the floor for a few two-handed dances - much to the delight of the festival visitors. ‘Twas a grand night alright!

Culture Night
Earlier on Friday night the 20th of September, we had a few tunes to celebrate Culture Night with our younger Musicians in the shadow of Sleady Castle.  The ruins looked quite beautiful as dusk approached, and the history of the Castle was shared with us by the Hickey families of Sleady. Built in 1628 by Silken Philip McGrath for his new bride Mary Le Poer (Power), the castle unfortunately did not remain in the family for very long. Following the 1641 rebellion and years of subsequent unrest, the McGrath’s were seen to be rebellious to the English Crown and the estate and lands were eventually seized by the British Government… a sad but common tale across our proud land, and one we remembered on Culture Night as we listened to our children playing the music of our forefathers as the sun set in Sleady.