All About Cork: Féile Fearann Rí gala concert hailed as night of ‘pure magic’

Sat, 26 Apr, 2025 - 09:29

Sarah O’Dwyer

John Spillane was the special guest artist for Féile Fearann Rí this year.

He performed at a gala concert at the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, alongside children from a number of local schools, as well as local trad and folk musicians of all ages, in what was the highlight of the festival.

John also debuted a beautiful new song he wrote called Farranree.

Féile Fearann Rí sean-nós singing workshop at Hollyhill Library. Picture: Fionn Mulvey

The festival also featured workshops, rehearsals, concerts, recitals, sessions and storytelling across key venues around the northside.

Following the concert, Creative Tradition posted on Facebook that they were “still glowing from the gala concert”.

“The energy, the music, the crowd — it was pure magic!” they said.

“From heartfelt songs to rousing tunes, it was a night to remember.

“Massive thanks to everyone who came out and filled the room with joy, music, and community spirit,” they added.

Féile Fearann Rí festival director Dr Jessica Cawley leads the festival’s youth trad session at Hollyhill Library. Picture: Fionn Mulvey

Aside from the gala concert, among the highlights of the festival was the launch at The Kabin Studio.

It saw a night of traditional music, song, and storytelling presented by The Gab Storytelling and guest traditional musicians, Frances Curran and Sorcha de Róiste.

Hollyhill Library and Maureen’s Pub were the location for community sessions, recitals and workshops over a number of days.

John Spillane performing an intimate concert at Hollyhill Library. Picture: Fionn Mulvey

Among the workshops were traditional singing and sean-nós; and a polka and slide workshop.

A special, intimate concert also took place in-the-round in Hollyhill Library, which again featured John Spillane.

Féile Fearann Rí ran from Wednesday, April 9, to Saturday, April 12.

It brought together young traditional musicians from local schools, alongside adult trad and folk groups from the community, including Club Ceoil Knocknaheeny and Blarney.

Young musicians from Club Ceoil Knocknaheeny performing in the Féile Fearann Rí youth trad session at Hollyhill Library.

Féile Fearann Rí is an annual trad and folk music festival on Cork city’s northside, presented by Creative Tradition in partnership with Music Generation Cork City, Musical Neighbourhoods, Scoil Íosagáin, Scoil Aiseirí Chríost, Farranree Parish, Cork City Libraries, and local community groups.

The festival is supported by Cork City Council Arts Office and the Arts Council.

Have Knocknaheeny, Hollyhill and Gurranabraher news to share? Contact sarah.odwyer@theecho.ie