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The events included workshops, concerts, lectures, sessions, demonstrations and a concert programme. Had we known the weather was going to be as inclement as it was, it may have been a possibility for us to include water sports as part of the events.

Despite the heavy rain Tuesday kicked off the festival with a BBQ and Slow Session in the atmospheric gasworks museum, FLAME, in Carrickfergus. The large numbers of people there were entertained by the members of EATMS Slow Session and the variety of other talented performers and we were treated to a free BBQ. We are very pleased that a large number of people previously not associated with EATMS or aware of our activities participated in the event and good number of enquiries was received regarding tuition or our other session and performance activities throughout the year.

The rain decided it would take a break from being heavy on Tuesday and become torrential on Wednesday. This did not seem to dampen the enthusiasm of the populace of Carrick though as a healthy crowd braved the elements to be educated and entertained by Roger Dixon on A Walk Thro’ Carrick’s History. Roger proved to be extremely knowledge on the topic and gave the crowd an insight into the characters and events that shaped the town. Roger left the crowd wanting more and promised to do so when the sun was out. A lively music session went on into the wee hours in The Coast Road Hotel.

More education followed in the Civic Centre in Carrickfergus on Thursday when Dr Fred Freeman told us of The Twa Rabs – Burns and Tannahill, focused on their lives and enlightened the audience with his demonstration of the importance of song as an art form and cultural record.

Friday was our first concert programme and we were pleased to be able to showcase our local talent in the form of NYRYSH, HARP ATTACK and GARRETT O’FACHTNA.

Garrett gave a masterful rendition of his own songs and premiered his most recent composition, Together in Time, written in dedication to the festival. Not alone in the song writing stakes we were also privileged to here ‘Bud’ Frazer of NYRYSH give a first class performance of his own thoughtful and insightful ‘Jackie Thompson’ amongst other songs of his.

To end the first half of the show Davey Hunter from Girvan in Ayrshire very colourfully, in full costume and wielding stage props told the poems and stories of Robert Burns to the excited delight of an enthralled audience.

We were thrilled that Patrick Davey and The Loch Lao Traditional Music Society agreed to give a performance of their ‘The Loch Lao Story’ chronicling the growth of the town of Belfast through the eyes of the mythical blackbird of Loch Lao. This piece proved to be highly skilful and entertaining ensemble performance and rounded off the evening to a rapturous crowd calling for more. Our thanks go to Patrick and his group.

Our busiest day Saturday included workshops, demonstrations and sessions prior to the evening concert featuring KIN from Ayrshire and Deirdre Bonner from Donegal.
These included, a painting exhibition from Irish Artists, Uillean Pipe reed making with Adrian Jefferies, Conlig fife and drums scaring the life out of the local population with a display of drumming and fifing outside the Civic Centre and The Woodworms demonstrating Fiddle making and playing. Our thanks to them all.

Kin demonstrated their skill, exuberance and enthusiasm with a tour de force of thoughtful ballads, haunting airs on the fiddle and rousing sets of jigs, reels and strathspeys. All who heard them were stunned that their youth was no measure of the quality of their skill and professionalism and in great measure vindicated our decision to include them in our programme. We are certain to have them back.

Deidre Bonner was our headline act and took us on a musical journey through song from Scotland to Ireland and then on to America. Deidre thrilled the audience with wonderful interpretations of standard ballads and traditional Irish songs sung in Irish. A grateful and appreciative audience nearly clapped the roof off the building when she finished her act.

A large session fell into full flight immediately afterwards in The Coast Road Hotel and once again continued until strings could play no more, fluters ran out of puff and voices dried in hoarse exhaustion.
 
We anticipate holding another series of events in the winter and would ask you to keep looking at our websites for prior notice of developments.

My thanks to the management team who made the festival possible, to our sound crew who assisted in difficult circumstance, to our volunteers and our funders The Ulster Scots Agency, Foras Na Gaeilge and Carrickfergus Borough Council for their financial assistance.

Martin Shane
Director
Art of Regeneration
East Antrim Traditional Music School