Rathowen Gathering starts this Saturday

On Saturday August 31 there will be a party like no other; the Rathowen Gathering.

It is a Gathering Ireland event open to everyone, which will celebrate Irish culture and music as well as the people of Rathowen past and present.

All aspects of Irish culture will be on show, with authentic Irish trad music on the outdoor street stage, seanchais and sean-nós singing in the town’s bars, and even a stage for famous local playwrights.

Two-time Hennessy Award winner Dermot Healy will appear as well as nationally renowned local playwright Jimmy Keary, who will read extracts from his works.

There will be music from contemporary Irish folk and blues acts as well as Irish trad. Larss Vincent (The Wilde), a rising star who was listed as one of Ireland’s top acts to watch out for in 2013 by Midlands 103 will be among the performers.

There will be additional entertainment with multi award-winning sean-nós singer Nell Ní Chróinín performing (Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, An tOireachtas) and traditional Irish dancers also taking to the stage. A pop-up cinema will offer a small area to enjoy Irish classics such as the Oscar winning short film Six Shooter and the Oscar nominated Give Up Yer Aul Sins.

There will be several photographic exhibitions, including one about school days from 100 years ago, renowned people with connections to Fore including Bruce Springsteen and 1956 All-Ireland winner Galway midfielder Frank Eivers. Buildings and the environment past and present will also the subject of an exhibition as well as Fore’s natural features.

You can also expect a special Rathowen Gathering film presentation towards the end of the night. Fore’s community centre will double as the photographic museum for the Gathering weekend.

Peter Duffy, chairman of the organising committee, said the committee “were looking forward to it” and that this Gathering event has been four months in the making.