Irish stars to join Newcastle talent at October’s vibrant festival
Tony Corcoran, organiser for the Tyneside Irish Festival
A city tradition that brings alive the vibrant spirit of the Emerald Isle will be back this autumn with a line-up of music, from ballad singing to fiddle playing, dancing and a ceilidh supper including hearty Irish stew. The Tyneside Irish Festival will get under in Newcastle on October 17 with tickets on sale now for a range of events running up until October 26.
Now in its 39th year, it is said to be Britain’s longest-established Irish arts festival and it has been directed by fiddle player Tony Corcoran since it made its debut in 1987. This year’s programme – which plays out as usual in Tyneside Irish Centre – will begin with a nod to its roots.
It will open with a screening of a film made by Tyne Tees Television about the 1988 festival. The lively event made quite an impact in its early days and even attracted the attention of music fans from Scotland, with a visiting party going to found an annual festival of their own: Glasgow’s now world-renowned Celtic Connections.
“They came to see how we did it,” recalls Tony. “We made quite a stir back then.”
Tony Corcoran, of the Tyneside Irish Centre at Gallowgate in Newcastle(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
And, from their base at the Irish Centre at Gallowgate, in the shadow of St James’ Park, they have continued to do so ever since. This year’s festival will see 11 performers from Ireland come across to join local talent on the bill.
The film, which had local actor Tim Healy as its narrator, will screen on the opening evening and its producer Heather Ging will be making an appearance too. And to follow, say organisers, there will be live music, good craic and possibly even a tot of poitín, the famously strong Irish spirit, to toast the first night.
The next, October 18, will be Ceilidh Supper Night, with the Tony Corcoran Band, music, dancing and that Irish stew. Then the upcoming programme will feature Irish performers on October 19; a talk about the history of the Irish anti-apartheid movement on October 20 and on October 23-24 acclaimed Irish band Lane to the Glen, from Sligo, will extend the party by playing in both Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
Also on October 25, foot-stomping locals Rose Tattoo NE will be adding their Celtic punk and Irish classics to the mix. The October 25-26 weekend will then round off the festival with the Daoirí Farrell Trio, starring the Dublin singer and bouzouki player, playing on the Saturday and then a free family fun day will follow on the Sunday.
While traditional music and dance are the main ingredients of the festival, there will be other family attractions extending the programme, including a storyteller from Cork working in local schools. And other freebies include opening night and – for older people of Irish heritage – a lunchtime get-together, with music, called Raised on Songs and Stories which will be taking place in Sunderland on October 20.
For more about the programme see here where links can also be found to tickets for festival events. The Tyneside Irish Cultural Society behind the festival, also founded by Tony to champion Irish music and culture, hosts year-long events including heritage and welfare projects; concerts; lectures; educational programmes and St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
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