It has been described as the best little Irish music festival in Ireland and the cream of Irish musicians, singers and dancers are already looking forward to the eleventh Féile na Tána which gets underway on Sunday 26th of January for a week of amazing events taking place in Ireland's smallest county - County Louth.

The Cooley Peninsula is steeped in myth, legend and history, going back to the pre-historic days of Táin Bó Cúailnge, one of Europe's oldest epics, and Carlingford, a picturesque medieval village is busy getting everything in place to welcome over forty eminent musicians, singers, poets and dancers, and over a hundred enthusiastic music students to the area.  

The festival is known for celebrating the rich regional and national heritage of traditional arts, and people travel from far and wide to attend the festivities.  Situated on the shores of Carlingford Lough and the Irish Sea, this is an area of outstanding natural beauty with Slieve Foy on one side of the lough and the Mourne Mountains on the other.  The area is ideally suited for mountain walks, water activities, cycling along the greenway or indeed soaking up the atmosphere and magic of a traditional Irish music session while tasting some local oysters of international renown.

Kicking off in the beautiful surrounds of Carlingford Heritage Centre, the opening concert on Sunday 26th of January at 4pm will feature a celebration of the music of Oriel, with music by Mícheal & Mac Dara O Raghallaigh on concertina & fiddle, singer Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Zoë Conway with Dónal Lunny on fiddle and bouzouki, and local historian/storyteller Seamus Murphy.

On Thursday 30th January at 7pm, come and experience the stunning music of Mick O'Brien (uilleann pipes, flute, whistle) and Caoimhín O Raghallaigh (fiddle, hardanger fiddle, whistle), a world renowned duo.  With support by the award winning multi-instrumentalist and composer, Donnchadh Mac Aodha (harp, flute, whistle) at Carlingford Heritage Centre.

A highlight of this year's programme includes a new commission by Riverdance composer Bill Whelan for 4 Irish harps. This concert on Friday 31st January at Carlingford Heritage Centre is presented in association with Harp Ireland and Poetry Ireland and will feature harpers from the four provinces of Ireland - Aisling Lyons, Cormac de Barra, Éilis Lavelle & Séamus Ó Flatharta, and a duo performance by Caoimhe & Séamus Ó Flatharta on vocals, whistles, flute & harp.  As part of the same event, esteemed poet Moya Cannon will perform Harp Ireland commission, ‘Bunting’s Honey’ with Aisling Lyons on harp.

Irish music students of all ages will travel from far and wide to attend the workshops at Bush Post Primary School on Saturday 1st February, taking part in classes with world renowned exponents of their craft including Noel Hill; concertina, Mary Bergin; tin-whistle, Enda Scahill; banjo, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill; singing, Barr Kerr; flute, Damien Mullane; accordion, Stephanie Keane; sean nos dancing and many more.  Workshops are for players with 3 years experience or more on their instrument, however, even beginners will be able to join the easy tin-whistle, singing or sean-nós dancing classes.  And if all that wasn't enough, there will be plenty of sessions, singing circles, young musicians' concerts, lectures, exhibitions, céilís and more throughout the festival! 

These leading musicians, singers and dancers will come together in a unique concert at St. Michael's Hall, Carlingford for the main festival concert on Saturday 1st February at 8pm - an annual concert that always raises the roof!

One of our most loved events is our ‘Mól an Óige!’ - Praise the Young - Musician’s Concert in memory of the late John Mc Kevitt who was a volunteer with Féile na Tána. Featuring solo and group performances from over 60 leading young musicians from the area and around Ireland including ‘Nasc’ led by Lisa Canny - Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, Louth, Meath & CCÉ Dun Dealgan, Music Generation Harp Collective from Laois, Louth, Mayo & Waterford, Scoil Naomh Lorcan and more, come along to see that the future of Irish music is in safe hands!

Sincere thanks to all our sponsors and partners for helping us to make this a festival to remember!  Special thanks to The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, The Arts Office at Louth County Council, Cruit Éireann/Harp Ireland, Poetry Ireland/Éigse Éireann, Music Generation Louth, Na Píobairí Uilleann & local session sponsors; Lily Finnegans, PJ O'Hare's, McKevitt's Hotel, Rabelo & Carlingford Adventure Centre.

Don't miss what has been described as "the best little Irish music festival in Ireland".  Bígí linn  - Be With Us!

To book tickets, or for more information see www.feilenatana.com