The O’Carolan Harp and Traditional Music Festival has been held in Keadue since 1978 and was initiated to commemorate Turlough O Carolan (1670-1738) , the last of the Irish Bards.
His remains are interred at Kilronan Cemetery which overlooks scenic Lough Meelagh on the outskirts of the village.
In 1993 the O’Carolan Park was officially opened and a specially commissioned sculpture modelled on O’Carolan’s Harp unveiled as its centrepiece.
The Festival has developed into an international celebration of the harp – alongside the tradition of our world renowned music, song and dance.
Other highlights throughout the festival include ceilithe, concerts, lectures and a door dancing competition. This last event is a sample of the entertainment enjoyed in country house dances in years gone by.
In almost 50 years we are delighted to have hosted many of the most prestigious exponents of traditional music. National and International artists from the Douglas Gunn Ensemble in our first year, through The Chieftains, De Danann, Stocktons Wing, Patrick Street, Altan, Sharon Shannon, Dervish, Cherish the Ladies to name but a few. Not to mention those playing in sessions up and down the village – inside and out – mainly in sunshine but sometimes not.
Harpers of the highest calibre from around the globe have been drawn to Keadue and to O’Carolan, such is the lure of the music and the gravitas of O’Carolan’s contribution to harping.
The tradition continues through a new generation of musical talent. The O’Carolan Summer School is held on the week preceding the August Bank Holiday Weekend (first weekend in August each year).
The popularity of the event is increasing. There is expert tuition by accomplished, well known music, dance and song tutors each day – with other opportunities to play in sessions each evening in various venues around the village.
Keadue achieved major success in 2022 where they were awarded the Gold Medal in the Entente Florale competition, which is a European wide competition for villages, towns, cities, communities and public bodies. They were also awarded a Special Characteristic Prize for the maintenance of the Heritage Park.
A Visitors Feedback
Me and my late wife Rita (RIP 2016) have attended the Keadue summer school each year since 2009 (maybe earlier…). Rita took the set dancing class mostly and the accordion class once. I took the singing class each year and later also the banjo, the fiddle or the bodhran classes. We have always appreciated the smale-scaledness and cosiness of the event, the competence of the tutors, the welcoming attitude and friendliness of the locals, the great atmosphere in the pubs, the quality of the concerts in the hall, the church and Kilronan castle. All this made it for us the place to be at the end of July-beginning of August, the pinnacle of our yearly stay in Ireland.
As far as this year’s edition is concerned, I very much appreciated the tutors concert on Monday, the harp recital in Kilronan castle on Wednesday, the fun run/walk on Friday, the concert with Téada on Sunday. Like quite a few people I did not really like Mel Mercier’s Sonoir showcase on Friday (too deviating from the tradition, utterly boring – Keadue, keep close to your own rich and beautiful authenticity!).
Maybe choosing different tutors next time instead of always the same ones would be a good idea.
But huge congratulations to all the volunteers who organise this great event year after year, especially those who operate anonymously but effectively under the radar!
God willing, I will be back next year and as long as I can. I love Keadue and its good people!
René Warny
Lennik, Flanders, Belgium