Rich diversity of musical talent conquers the castle

Where would you get to see a stage shared by such a diverse group of talented musicians as Lisa Hannigan, Saint Sister, Japes’s Richie Egan and Andy Irvine – in the picturesque surrounds of a glorious castle? The pandemic hasn’t brought mucih joy to the music industry – but the last weekend of September was most definitely one.

Hibernacle’s Meet Me at the Castle festival was a pioneering event for a project that has gone from strength to strength since its inception in Doolin late last year and, despite slight limitations on capacity, this weekend event at Claregalway Castle was a powerful reminder of the potential Ireland’s events industry holds when trust is placed in the right people.

Having relied on funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports & Media, the event was encouraging for an industry and a community that has been left feeling abandoned for much of the last two years.

In Pearse Doherty, Úna Molloy and Peter Kelly, Hibernacle operates under the stewardship of three of the country’s most passionate and innovative arts facilitators.

With a wealth of experience at artist-focused events abroad, the project’s co-founders placed enormous emphasis on collaboration among acts. Each performance was littered with cameos.

There seemed to be a slot in every set for Tolü Makay, whose voice and energy make her one of the most uniquely soulful performers on the Irish scene.

Dublin rapper Nealo invited half of Saint Sister on stage before explaining that he and the atmosfolk duo had grown close having only met at the pilot event in Doolin.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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