Newry is ‘a vibrant place to grow up and be a musician,’ says local student Aoibh Ní Thiománaí – who has become the face of Iúr Cinn Fleadh 2025. The citywide music, arts and culture festival runs in venues across Newry from 21-25 August.
Aoibh is pictured on the cover of the Iúr Cinn Fleadh Event Guide, which has just been launched. Tin whistle in hand, she was photographed by Fleadh Chairperson Teresa O’Brien at Newry Museum, one of the festival venues.
The 16-page Guide features 22 descriptions of artists and activities with a timetable of 90 events across the August Bank Holiday weekend – from a small intimate gig by local singer Pearse Larkin to a full-scale Town Hall concert by Irish supergroup Kíla.
The publication shows the wide variety of Newry’s festival treats – from poetry to puppets, bodhráns to boats, comedy to canoeing, photography to film, bugs to bees, kites to bikes, records to runners and ghosts to grub.
Reflecting on this vast array of activity, Aoibh said, ‘I hope Iúr Cinn Fleadh brings people into Newry to see there’s so much going on in the arts, that there are so many talented people and that it’s a vibrant place to grow up and be a musician’.
From nearby Jonesborough, 20-year-old Aoibh is studying Irish at Queen’s University, Belfast. It’s an intensive language course that’s giving Aoibh a broad understanding of Irish literature, culture and history.
When not diving into the depths of Celtic mythology, Aoibh works at Aonach Mhacha, the Armagh centre for promoting Irish language, art, music and culture.
‘For as long as I can remember, Irish culture and music have been central in every part of my life,’ said Aoibh. ‘From the moment I was introduced to our rich song tradition and beautiful language, I realised how lucky I was to be part of something special.
‘Iúr Cinn Fleadh’s ongoing encouragement and promotion of Irish arts and music provides an environment for musicians, singers, artists, Irish speakers, and enthusiasts from all backgrounds to thrive. There’s no better time for it than now!’
Aoibh cites recent figures from Irish culture agency Údarás na Gaeltachta which show 73 per cent of Irish people believe language is essential to their identity – ‘revealing a wave of renewed appreciation for Irish culture I’ve been fortunate enough to witness,’ she said.
‘There’s no doubt its increased popularity in the arts shows a generation of young people embracing the cultural enrichment that Irish provides – regardless of their political background and beliefs.’