Athboy gearing up for second sean nós weekend

The town of Athboy will play host to the second annual sean nós weekend this weekend, from Friday to Sunday. The festival originated as a follow-on to the very successful Leinster Fleadh Cheoil in the town in 2007, and is a weekend of varied activities centred around a gig-rig in the centre of the town which will host the All-Ireland Sean Nós Dancing competition on Saturday afternoon. The weekend begins with an awards concert in St James's Hall on Friday night at 9pm, where a huge variety of artists will perform at the concert, with some newly crowned champions from Fleadh na hÉireann in Tullamore taking part. It will have a pleasant mixture of music song and dance and will have something for everyone. During the concert, awards will be presented to four people who won the All-Ireland Macra competition in the 1960s in the Gaelic Cabaret category - Mairéad Éanaí (Joyce), Colm " Méalóid, Theresa Potterton (ní Mhéalóid) and Des White. They will put on the show that they performed over 45 years ago. On Saturday morning, there will be a workshop in sean nós dancing with master stepper from Longford, Gerard Butler, in charge. Gerard has been making a name for himself all over the world as a master of his craft and, as there are lots of local sean nós dancers in the area, it should make for an interesting day of steps. His workshop will be followed by the All-Ireland Sean Nós Dancing competition for juniors (under-16 on the day) and for seniors (all over 16). The seniors will dance for an All-Ireland Perpetual Cup (presently held by Micheál Potterton from Kildalkey) and €500 first prize. Second prize is €200, and third, €100. This will begin at 4pm, with entries to (086) 314 0507. There will also be a workshop in sean nós singing conducted by Máire Pheter Uí Dhroighneáin from Connemara. She is well-known as the B&B and shop owner in 'Ros na Rún'. There will also be instrumental workshops in fiddle, concertina and flute. The fiddle classes will be conducted by Navan native Geraldine Smith, a member of the thrice All-Ireland winning céili band, The Táin; concertina workshop is by Méabh Ní Lochlainn from Dublin (of Clare background); flute by Louise Mulcahy from Abbeyfeale in West Limerick, a member of a famous musical family, along with father, Mick, and sister, Michelle. Also on Saturday, there will be a céili mór in St James's Hall from 10pm until 1am, with music by Glenside Ceili band from Longford. On Sunday afternoon, there will be an outdoor ceili on the Fair Green with music by Brian Ború, weather permitting, and otherwise in St James's Hall. Further information about the is on www.athbui.com