Féile na hInse announces second concert as part of Dinny McLaughlin tribute

Buncrana will be the host this year of Inishowen Traditional Music Project’s (ITMP) annual Féile na hInse, an unmissable weekend of events celebrating the music, song and dance of Dinny McLaughlin (1935-2024). 

Dinny was a virtuoso fiddle player, singer, poet, dancer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and teacher who devoted his life to the cultural heritage of Inishowen. He performed internationally with his lifelong friends in the band Aileach, and taught music and dance throughout Inishowen and Derry. 

Inishowen Traditional Music Project (ITMP) has planned a full weekend of events starting on Friday, April 24 with An Audience with Aileach and Friends at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel at 8pm. Aileach band members will appear for a night of memories and music featuring Ciaran Tourish, The Henry Girls, Michael Gallanagh, and a host of other local musicians. The concert will be opened by Inishowen Youth Trad Orchestra.   

On Saturday, April 25 at 8pm, The Inishowen Trad Orchestra and Choir will perform a new suite of Dinny’s compositions at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel that have been selected and arranged by Altan’s Martin Tourish.

Please note that this event is now sold out, and a second concert is to be held in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel at 2pm on Sunday, April 26 due to demand. 

Other events over the festival weekend include instrumental workshops at Crana College on Saturday at 10am by Ciaran Tourish (fiddle), Michael Carey (whistle) and Edel McLaughlin (mixed instruments) for intermediate-advanced musicians. (Fee €15.)

In 2013 ITMP produced Ark of Tides, a documentary film based on Dinny's life in music, song and dance which will be shown at Buncrana Cinema on Saturday 4pm. (Admission €5.) 

Martin McGinley and James McEldowney will present an afternoon of poems and recitations, including some of Dinny’s work, in Buncrana Library at 12.30pm on Saturday, which is a free event.

Late night traditional Irish music events held in the Plaza, Main Street at 10pm will include the  Bath Street Boys on Friday Night and Tulua on Saturday night.

READ NEXT: Donegal musician Eoghan Holland returns to live performance after hiatus 

On Sunday, April 26 singers Jim McFarland and Michael Gallanagh will lead a lunchtime singing session in the Plaza of songs performed, collected or composed by Dinny. Everyone is welcome to come along to this free event.

In a tribute to Dinny’s dancing days, Dinny’s past pupils will join us in the Plaza at 4pm on Sunday for On your Toes, led by Mary and Joe McGuiggan. This event will provide an opportunity for people to meet and dance. Everyone is welcome from beginner to advanced dancers, with admission €5.

Finally, The Gathering Session, held in the Plaza at 6pm on Sunday, will bring together elements of the weekend’s music, song and dance. Come along and join in or just sit back and listen at the free event.

The festival is supported by Arts Council of Ireland, Donegal County Council, Leader through Inishowen Development Partnership, Redcastle Hotel/Harcourt Developments and local businesses.  

Tickets are available on www.inishowenmusic.ie.