New festival to take place in Claremorris
Renowned musician and broadcaster Joe Byrne is among the participants in the Hi-Doh Festival of Song. Picture: Nuala Conboy
Claremorris will host a series of cultural and artistic events from Thursday, September 25th, to Sunday, September 28th, culminating in the first Hi-Doh Festival of Song and Songwriting. The festival, which grew out of the monthly Hi-Doh singers’ gathering, aims to celebrate singing, songwriting, and local talent, with performances, workshops, and exhibitions across the town.
Opening the festival on Thursday at 7.30pm in Claremorris Library, Joe Byrne and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh will take part in a fireside-style discussion on the singers and songs of East Mayo. The bilingual evening will feature storytelling and song.
On Friday night, the Hi-Doh Collective will perform at Warde’s Pub from 9pm, presenting an eclectic mix of music, including traditional, folk, country, and rock.
On Saturday morning at 11.30am, Insomnia Coffee Shop will host the Mol An Óige Youth Open Mic, providing a platform for singers, songwriters, and musicians aged 14 to 19 to perform. Later that afternoon, at 3pm, the Dalton Inn will screen the documentary , which explores the lives of back-up singers who supported some of the world’s most famous performers.
Sunday’s programme includes a vocal technique workshop at 3pm in Gallery Mount Street, led by Aoife Clesham. Since graduating from the London School of Musical Theatre, Aoife has performed internationally and on West End stages. She said the session is open to all, whether participants want to improve their singing or try out new techniques in a relaxed setting.
Throughout the festival, Claremorris Library will host an exhibition of books on singers and songwriting. In addition, residents are invited to take part in workshops and classes, including printmaking, art, and knitting, to encourage participation across age groups.
Jarlath Burke, one of the organisers, said: “Our aim is to celebrate song and songwriting while bringing the community together. We hope this will grow into an annual event with additional activities throughout the year.”
The Hi-Doh Festival takes place at multiple venues across Claremorris from September 25th to 28th, building on the tradition of the monthly First Friday gatherings, usually held in Warde’s Pub.
