Heading for the Magnetic North
Mick Naughton previews a fistful of festivals
You've heard of the Magnetic North and the True North. Well North
Belfast will be both magnetic and truly celebratory for the next
week as festival fever strikes the populace.
The opening `fleadh wiggle' from Ardoyne to the New Lodge begins
at high noon outside the `Star' in Balholm Drive this Sunday 2
August. This carnival parade will be bringing together all the
festivals in North Belfast. That's Ardoyne, the Bone/Oldpark,
down the Cliftonville to Duncairn Parade in the New Lodge.
On Friday 1 August the whole shisgabang take off with a mighty
traditional session at the grand opening of Molly Maguires beer
garden, just off North Queen Street- happy hour 5pm to 6pm.
Ardoyne, being a more sober place, has Mass with that fun loving
`far east' from the Holy Cross, Father Kenneth incorporating
games, music, dancing and the language.
Highlighting Ardoyne's infamous three nights of open air concerts
beginning Friday 8 August are the Wolfe Tones, Acoustic Shoe and
the fabulous Absolute Beginners. Saturday sees a wealth of local
talent from the district, including the legendary Ceili Bandits
(remember those balmy afternoons in the Charles Kickhams GAA,
also 90 years young this year), Sleeping With Susan, Durkan,
Stagger Home (Geek's bunch!) and of course Marty Lundy and
Katmandu. Sunday ends with them Clare buckos, Stockton's Wing,
The Bhundi Boys, the Whole Shabang and Seanachai playing against
a background of the fireworks finale. The previous Sunday sees
that Ardoyne tradition, the Guider Grand Prix with Dan the Man,
Big Junior and Daylight racing again. Will `The Bullet' or `The
Armalite' have their wheels decommissioned? Watch out for sparks
flying along Brompton Park.
Tuesday's debate entitled `Policing the Community/Díospóireacht -
Políneacht sa Chomhphobal' in the Shamrock will raise that thorny
issue, especially as the RUC haven't gone away....yet!
Meanwhile back down `the Lodge' things are moving towards the
Cave Hill with birdwatcher Gearóid O Muilleoir and Ruairi
MacLeanachain taking nature and history walks. What young Gearoid
doesn't know about birdies up that there hill could be written on
a postage stamp. Another high spot for the Lodgers is the arrival
of internationally renowned harper Janet Harbison at the Ashton
centre. But surely the craic will increase when the crossroad
ceili outside Dicey Reilly's begins this Saturday afternoon 2nd
August.
Members of the Dunleer Ceile House group are coming up for this
event organised by Belfast flute maker Sam Murray who has also
promised a terrific line up of diddle-e-dee's with the old
Rocktown bar (now Molly Maguires) as the base for fiddles,
banjos, flutes and other yoodlers.
Inis Sail, Seanachai, More Power To Your Elbow are playing
outside the Ashton on Thursday 7th and Summerfly, Breag and the
brilliant Brush Shiels are on Friday 8. Admission Free!
Films, debates, quizes, trips to the seaside, open air boxing etc
are all included in both packed programmes available at Ardoyne
Fleadh Cheoil Office Herbert Street, telephone 751056, ask for
Eddie, and New Lodge Festival, Ashton Centre, telephone 742255,
mention Cruncher and you'll get a free pint. Believe that and
they will put you in the funny farm...along with himself!
* See also Danny Morrisons' preview of the West Belfast Féile
page 15
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