‘One of the best events ever’

‘This year’s Iúr Cinn Fleadh is one of the best events ever – with so much accessible to everyone’ – that was just one of many positive comments received by Newry’s citywide music festival Iúr Cinn Fleadh.

Supported by Newry BID, Newry Mourne and District Council and Narrow Water Events, the fun five-day fest offered nearly 100 events and activities across Newry from 21-25 August.

The craic was mighty from the start with Poetry And Pancakes at Newry Library when more than 30 poets met to share stanzas and launch the anthology Harvest The Light. Local writers’ group the Wordsmiths hailed the event as ‘inspirational’.

Poetry was promptly followed by Trad Trail sessions with accomplished musicians of all ages from around the locality – such as Pearse Larkin – treating punters to traditional tunes and contemporary covers throughout the Bank Holiday weekend at local cafes and bars.

Some venues – including Canal Court Hotel, Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Nan Rice’s, Railway Bar and Bellini’s – hosted weekend-long programmes from Irish dancers to a DJ.

Daytime trad sessions were held at Finegan and Son, Caring Coins, Synge and Byrne, Grounded, The Oliver, Snaub’s, Cozy Corner and The Phoenix. Evening sessions ran at The Bridge, St John Bosco, Brass Monkey, McCoys, Larkins, Magee’s, Courtney’s Steakhouse, Catholic Working Men’s Club and McSwiggans.

Other worlds were explored on the Ghost Walk, the Old Newry Society’s walking quiz through historic Newry, Stuart Leathem’s psychedelic music in film, and Sammy and Kylie Horner’s Irish folklore workshop.

One of Ireland’s most exciting bands, Kíla, and Rostrevor-born singer-songwriter Matt Benson filled Newry Town Hall with trad/world sounds and meaningful melodies. Local churches became Fleadh venues – Dundalk’s Beki Hemingway played at St Mary’s Church Of Ireland, Wexford’s The Sweet Sorrows performed at Newry Methodist and Newry Baptist Centre ran bodhrán workshops and a photography exhibition.

Iúr Cinn Fleadh secured a new boat for their unique Trad Cruise – after an eleventh hour crisis set the team spinning and phoning round Ireland in search of a replacement vessel. Just when they thought they’d run out of options, the Sea Quest appeared on the horizon. Fresh from another festival, owners Cunningham Charters were able to fit in Iúr Cinn Fleadh.

While the Trad Cruise took music lovers on luxurious sailings with wine and song, the Fleadh’s Water Festival enabled others to go canoeing and paddleboarding. Newry’s champions of children, Sticky Fingers, added their own events to the festival mix.

Newry Record Fair brought the ‘vinyl revival’ into our community. Foodies were able to join the Newry Food Tour to sample the best of the city’s cuisine.

County Meath musician Brenda Castles took festivalgoers into nature’s realm with The Plight Of The Bumble Bee. Lianne McCooey, Darren Matthews, Ro Boyle and Paddy McDonnell presented a packed comedy night.

‘This was a Bank Holiday bonanza celebrating the arts,’ said local writer, musician and Wordsmiths member Rosemary Tumilty. ‘Many thanks to Iúr Cinn Fleadh for an amazing weekend of activities – a veritable feast for the senses.

‘There was everything from music in clubs, venues and waterways – to Bikes & Beats on our streets, and something close to my heart, the Poetry & Pancakes event which celebrated oral storytelling, scintillating stanza and invigorating verse, co-ordinated with a book launch and readings to the gentle sound of harp. Thanks once again to all who made this happen.’

Iúr Cinn Fleadh has been running for ten years, hosting top Irish bands and artists including Horslips, Hothouse Flowers, Altan, Paul Brady, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black. Newry BID, Newry Mourne and District Council and Narrow Water Events supported the 2025 Fleadh with the backing of local volunteers. (Photo by Columba O’Hare/Newry.ie: Pearse Larkin entertained passengers on a Trad Cruise)