Londonderry/Derry and Donegal attractions included:
• Exhibit on Beech Hill House and its importance during WW2 in the Cultural Pavilion
• Ceramics, jewellery and textiles were available for purchase in the Moore Street Market
• Award-winning films, like ‘Paradiso’, screened in the Volta Theatre in the Cultural Pavilion
• Genealogist, Brian Mitchell, and emigration historian, Paddy Fitzgerald, in the Cultural Village
• U.S. Presidential links to Ulster-Scots unfolded by Gordon Lucy with two lectures in the Hedge School
As part of this year’s special focus, musicians who hail from Derry and Donegal included:
Altan – No Irish traditional band has had a wider impact on audiences than Altan. Evident is the band’s unwavering commitment to bring the beauty of traditional Donegal music to contemporary audiences.
Moya Brennan – The music of Moya Brennan captures the essence of her Donegal homeland in all its cascading beauty, mystery, and contradictions.
Kintra – Under the musical direction of renowned fiddle player, Matt McGranahan, Kintra showcased a wonderful fusion of Irish and Scottish cultures through song and dance in a colourful stage show.
Different Drums – The indigenous drums of Ireland, the lambeg and the bodhran were brought together by Different Drums for performances around the world hailed as ‘celebratory’.
Liz Doherty Connection – Dr. Liz Doherty is a well-known fiddle player who hails from Donegal. She performed as the Liz Doherty Connection and, with her PhD in music, lectures on Traditional music at the University of Ulster.
Fidil – Described as ‘stunning’ and ‘mind-blowing’, Fidil are rapidly forging a reputation for exhilarating music that maintains the fiery exuberance of traditional fiddle music of their native Donegal.
Brendan Hendry Band – Led by Brendan Hendry – an Irish traditional fiddle player who hails from Derry, the group has been hailed as ‘real trad played and sung perfectly’.
The Henry Girls – Sisters Joleen, Lorna and Karen McLaughlin wowed their audiences with their electric mix of folk, blues and ‘spine-tingling’ three part harmonies. The band’s name comes from their local family nickname in Donegal.
Nodlaig Brolly – Nodlaig brought a mix of beautiful Gaelic singing and excellent musicianship on harp and flute.
Kathleen Fitzgerald with the Screaming Orphans – Regarded as one of the finest vocalists to emerge out of the Céilí band scene, Kathleen performed with her four daughters who form a band of their own.
Tom Sweeney – An instrumental figure in keeping the Makem tradition alive, Tom Sweeney captured the mood and essence of ballad music while singing and playing from the heart.
We were able to immerse ourselves in Irish art, literature, history, sports and theatre in the Cultural Village, which also focussed on the richness of the Northwest Region of Londonderry and Donegal. There was lots to see at the Cultural Village, which was home to the Hedge School, Harp Stage, and Literary Corner.. We heard lectures at the Hedge School by Dr. Paddy Fitzgerald on Migration Derry and Donegal, and Brendan McMenamin, member of Derry City Council, on Londonderry – 2013 City of Culture.
The Cultural Exhibits Pavilion highlighted Ireland’s Northwest. The displays covered much of the region’s rich history. The Beech Hill Hotel housed American GI’s during WW2. We walked through their camp, and saw a history of the hotel. At Donegal’s Textiles, Fiddle and Food, we visited with artisans and instrument makers and watched an Irish Coffee maker in action. The region was also the Gateway to the World, due to the number of Irish who left the island from its ports to go to England, Canada and the United States. The Ulster-Scots Agency presented Presidential Connections – Ulster Scots in the White House, Donegal and Derry featured native son St. Columba, in Colmcille – Poet, Priest, Emigrant. Derry’s name comes from the Irish Doire Columcille – Oakgrove of St. Columcille. And Derry is the UK City of Culture for 2013. All these will emanate from a replica of the Peace Statue in Derry. Two men reaching across a divide were the centre point of the displays.
At the Genealogy Pavilion we discovered family surname history, found Gaelic place names and started our own family tree. Children created a tree of their own and received a hand stamp. Asked featured professional Brain Mitchell, Derry, for tips on our research and got the latest DNA updates from the Irish Genealogical Society of Wisconsin. Browsed the Civil War display of military records. At the Gaelic Language workshop/ Ceardlann na Gaeilge, Irish language books, games, DVD’s and CDS for adults and children were for sale. I bought the biography of my friend Mary McAleese (Máire Mhic Ghiolla ĺosa), written and signed by her translator Ray MacMánais. Irish language films were available to view or buy, plus games to play and Irish speakers to help learners practice the language.
The Literary Corner in the Cultural Village was sponsored by The Little Red Book Inc. Here we also visited Rainbow Books for Children, Guildhall Press (books of Donegal and Derry), and Ireland of the Welcomes. All provided an opportunity to buy the latest in Irish and Irish American books and magazines. Located here was The Autograph Tree where authors signed and sold their books; about which some spoke in the Hedge School. Appearing this year: internationally acclaimed Patrick Taylor from Bangor, Co Down brought his newest in the Irish Country series; Patricia Falvey, Irish Linen (a Book of the Month Club selection); Erin Hart, False Mermaid; Cynthia Neale, Norah; Mike Danahey and Alison Hantschel, Chicago’s Historic Pubs; Mary Pat Kelly, Galway Bay; and Jennifer Faus, a new play on Bloody Sunday.
The Moore Street Market was a must see destination while at Irish Fest, featuring some of the best artists and designers from Derry, Donegal and United States. All the artists and designers were present. Items featured were traditional and designer woven goods, designer jewellery, art work and more. The Ward Irish Music Archives Gallery exhibit was “When Johnny Comes Marching Home: The Irish in the American Civil War” plus the photo contest will be in the Archives Gallery this year. Waltons Music Shop returned, bringing a great selection of musical instruments and music books. .
Building on the positive and ongoing relationship between Milwaukee and Ireland, Milwaukee Irish Fest introduced an inaugural programme in 2009 to provide young adults from Ireland with an opportunity to experience the planning and presentation of the festival. This year a group of young adults ages 21-25 were selected to travel Milwaukee to work alongside festival organisers. Throughout the weekend participants worked behind the scenes to learn and experience the festival on all levels. A trully marvellous experience altogether.
Concluded