The craic will be mighty over the June long weekend as the National Celtic Folk Festival celebrates its 20th birthday in Portarlington with a huge lineup of top national and international artists.
The event, which runs from June 7 to 10, will feature international artists such as award-winning Scottish musicians Megan Macdonald, Chloë Bryce and Calum McIlroy, Ireland’s 2016 Young Musician of the Year Órlaith McAuliffe and former All-Ireland winner Dylan Carlos.
The Australian contingent is well-represented by performers such as Fiona Ross and Shane O’Mara, The Maes, Austral and legendary singer/songwriter Shane Howard.
Music is not the only thing on the menu, with the Highland Dance Company of New Zealand appearing at the festival for the first time, interactive workshops, gourmet food trucks and a range of venues to catch up for a beer, hot chocolate or mulled wine.
The band rotunda will also be transformed into a giant lantern through interactive installation Spirit of Story, where festival goers and the general public can create their own shadow puppets and take part in the nocturnal audiovisual display.
Festival director Una McAlinden said the entire festival crew was looking forward to celebrating 20 years in Portarlington.
“When we came to Portarlington 20 years ago it was with big dreams and very little money,” Ms McAlinden said.
“To be able to fulfil so many amazing things over the 20 years is something we need to celebrate, so we’re pretty excited.
“It’s probably the most stacked program we’ve had for a long time, especially post-COVID. So we’re really just throwing everything at it this year to celebrate the partnerships and all the people who have helped us develop and survive over the 20 years.”
