For the fourth year in a row, the Ballyhoura Walking Festival is collaborating with The Joyce Brothers Music Festival, which complements and enriches the walking programme with its own jam-packed schedule; it promises a weekend of music, song, history and workshops, celebrating the wonderful legacy and remarkable lives of brothers PW and Robert Dwyer Joyce, natives of Glenosheen, who were renowned for collecting and documenting Irish music and songs.
Thursday’s Joyce Festival Gala Opening Night features a celebration of the history and life of the Joyce Brothers through music, song, and dance, led by Ciarán Ó Gealbháin with special guests Jesse Smith, Sean Gavin, Ciara Flanagan, and puppeteer Des Dillon. This event will also showcase musicians from local Comhaltas Groups who have learned tunes from the Joyce collection.
On Friday, a traditional concert featuring Dermot Byrne, Steve Cooney, Brid Harper, Liam O’Connor, Caoimhín Ó Fearghail, and Derek Hickey will highlight music from the Joyce Brothers Collection. The evening will also include the launch of a book on the contribution of P.W. Joyce to the Irish education system by Teresa O’Doherty, Liam O’Connor, and Tom O’Donoghue. Later in the evening, a traditional session will take place in O’Seachnasaigh Bar.
Saturday afternoon offers a series of music workshops aimed at all levels, from beginners to advanced, taught by esteemed musicians Brid Harper, Dermot Byrne, and Steve Cooney. This will be followed by a Traditional Singing Workshop with Deirdre Scanlan and a Sean Nós Dancing Workshop with Ciara Flanagan, suitable for participants of all abilities. The Whistling Walk, led by Anita Bennis, is a delightful addition, teaching the art of whistling a tune while exploring the scenic beauty of Poulnadiha and Kileen Fields. The evening will continue with a traditional concert featuring Donal Clancy, the Mulcahy Family, Derek Hickey, and more, with highlights from Hup na Houra. Traditional music sessions will be hosted in McGraths Bar and Ó Céilleachair’s Bar.
On Sunday, the day begins with a Mass featuring traditional music and song at St. Andrew’s Church, followed by a historical walk led by Angela Hennessy from Ballyorgan to the Joyce Homestead in Glenosheen, where tunes will be played at the homestead. The afternoon will continue with a traditional session in Nuala Mee’s Pub, and the festival will close with a final performance in Healy’s Bar.
Throughout the weekend, traditional music sessions will be taking place in local pubs and are free to attend!
Thursday 3rd October | |
7.30pm | Gala Opening Night in Old Chapel Rooms (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
Friday 4th October | |
7.30pm | Traditional Concert in Old Chapel Rooms (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
9pm | Traditional Irish Music Session in O’Seachnasaigh Bar (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
Saturday 5th October | |
11.30am | Beginners Music Workshop in Teach na Cille (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
11.30am | Intermediate Music Workshop in Old Chapel Rooms (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
11.30am | Advanced Music Workshop in Ó Céilleachair’s Pub (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
2.30pm | Traditional Singing Workshop in Ó Céilleachair’s Pub (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
2.30pm | Traditional Dancing Workshop in Old Chapel Rooms (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
4.15pm | Whistling Walk with Anita Bennis (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
7.30pm | Traditional Concert in Old Chapel Rooms (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
9pm | Traditional Session in McGraths Bar (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
9pm | Traditional Session in Ó Céilleachair’s Bar (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
Sunday 6th October | |
11am | Mass featuring Traditional Music & Song at St. Andrews Church (Joyce Brothers Festival) |
2pm | Traditional Session in Nuala Mee’s Pub, Ballyorgan (free event) |
5pm | Final Performance – Traditional session in Healy’s Bar (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival) |