RCN: 20106966
Over 200 accordion musicians from Europe and UK to descend on Navan this weekend forThe Irish Accordion Association’s Festival
Over 200 Accordion Musicians from Italy, England and Ireland will be in Navan on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2015 for the Irish Accordion Association’s annual International Festival. Accordion Musicians from Meath based Castletown Accordion Orchestra ranging in age from 6 years old to adult will compete at this international accordion festival. The festival will be held in the Newgrange Hotel, Navan. A group of ninety musicians will arrive into Meath on Saturday 28th to compete and perform at the two day Festival, 54 are from Italy and 36 from London. The organisers are inviting the public to attend a FREE Gala Concert on Sunday evening to hear the G. Rossini Orchestra and the London Accordion Orchestra perform.
According to John Chilton, Chairman, the Irish Accordion Association “There is great excitement as we finalise plans for this Accordion Festival. We are particularly delighted to have two international accordion orchestras travelling from Italy and London to perform at our gala concert on Sunday night 29th March. With an influx of international competitors there will be plenty for the Irish to contest in the many accordion competitions over the two-day music festival including the solo, duet, ensemble and orchestral sections. I want to thank the members of the organising committee who are working very hard to ensure everything is in place for a successful and enjoyable weekend of accordion music and fun and of course to the many competitors who are perfecting their pieces for the many competitions over the two day accordion festival”
The organisers said that the public are also welcome to attend the Accordion Festival over the two days where you will hear many accordion musicians compete in the solo, duet, ensemble and orchestral competitions on the Saturday and Sunday. Competitions take place from 10.00am to 6pm each day and admission is €5 per adult, children are free and a family ticket costs €10. There will be a Ceili on the Saturday night at 8pm where the Irish will show the Italian and English visitors how to Ceili dance. A FREE concert on the Sunday evening at 6pm presents two international orchestras, the G. Rossini Orchestra and the London Accordion Orchestra.
Medieval Mid-Summer Walk in Mullagh visits ancient and early Christian Settlements
dating back to circa 500AD
The first ever “Medieval Midsummer Walk” will take place around Mullagh, Co. Cavan on Saturday 27th June. Starting at 2pm this 8km walk is an opportunity to explore 10 heritage and Ringfort sites that include Raffoney Graveyard, the location of an early Christian settlement, Cloughergoole, the location of a ringfort and early Christian settlement dating to circa 500AD and Teampaill Ceallaigh, the most historic Christian settlement of the area containing the earliest known church dedicated to St. Kilian and a famine graveyard. The walk will end at the Ogham Stone in the St. Kilian Heritage Centre in Mullagh. This event is to raise funds for two local community groups; Mullagh based Castletown Accordion Orchestra – www.castletownaccordionorchestra.com and a local GAA club CLG Cuchulainn - www.clgcuchulainn.com. The proceeds will go towards the purchase of new accordions for the Accordion Orchestra who has represented Ireland at World level on a number of occasions being placed in the top three while CLG Cuchulainn will use the money raised to develop an 8 acre site adjacent to Mullagh sports Centre as a community amenity.
As well as enjoying the historic locations, there will be musical performances and dance along the route as well as refreshments at St. Kilian’s Well (stop 4) and at the end of the walk at St. Kilian Heritage Centre.
The walk starts from Raffoney Graveyard but as there is no parking at that location a shuttle bus will transport participants from the Mullagh Heritage Centre at 1.30pm (This is where the walk ends and where parking is available).
Tickets are €10 and can be purchased from 1.00pm on the day at the St. Kilian Heritage Centre, Mullagh or Raffoney Graveyard. Bookings on 046-9242433 or email bpmcarolan@gmail.com
The route can be viewed on www.castletownaccordionorchestra.com