Pics show Cork, and Ireland’s, oldest traditional music festival going stronger than ever

Members of Laochtáin Naofa from Cill na Martra and Ballyvourney delivered a brilliant recital at the annual Cullen Feis. Picture John Tarrant

Cullen boys Thomas Cronin and James Lehane delivered tunes at the annual Cullen Feis Laitairain. Picture John Tarrant

Olivia Tarrant, Ballydesmond enjoyed success at the annual Cullen Feis. Picture John Tarrant

Aine Bourke, Kilcorney; Emma Madarasz, Cullen and Bríd O’Leary, Cullen enjoyed Feis Laitiarain. Picture John Tarrant

Evie Twomey, Millstreet; Neasa Kelleher, Ballyvouney and Ava Home, Millstreet enjoyed the annual Cullen Feis. Picture John Tarrant

Members of Teorainn Vyha O’Leary, Mahilet O’Leary, Seán Butler, Finín Ó Conaill, Timmy Keane and Seán Angland delivered rousing tunes at a Concert at the Cullen Feis. Picture John Tarrant

Boherbue sisters Leah, Gemma and Shauna Hickey added to the enjoyment at the annual Cullen Feis. Picture John Tarrant

Twin sisters Lily and Katie Healy from Kanturk in the medals at the annual Cullen Feis. Picture John Tarrant

Members of the Murphy family, Siobháin, Seán, Roisín, Fiachra, Seán Og and Peigí enjoying Cullen’s Feis Laitiarain. Picture John Tarrant

Jacqueline and Callum Walsh performed at the annual Cullen Feis. Picture John Tarrant

Lucy O’Sullivan and Nick Lynch, Dromtariffe performed at the annual Cullen Feis. Picture John Tarrant

Irish Roots Magazine Maureen Phibbs returned to her native Cullen and met up with brothrs Tom and Connie Hickey. Picture John Tarrant

Strains of traditional music and song echoed across Western Duhallow as hundreds flocked to the long standing Cullen Feis Laitiarain recently.

Not for the first time organisers pulled out all the stops to promote the traditional heritage of the buoyant Sliabh Luachra region to host the Feis on the grounds of Cullen GAA.

Favourable weather added to the occasion, organizers thrilled with the enthusiastic attendance that enjoyed an action-packed programme of events, much to the delight of organising spokesperson Elizabeth Doody.

“For the first time, we accepted entries online that ensured a bumper entry staging with all categories indicating an excellent standard. We were blown away by the interest as far away as Wexford, Feis Laitiarain is so special, it provides an opportunity for the newest exponent to the more experienced participant to display their talents,” said Elizabeth.

From the first Feis hosted in 1898 in the Old School at Lislehane; the music and song has continued in an annual hosting that’s made a remarkable contribution to the heritage of the region and a shop window for native culture.

“Feis Laitiarain is very much a community event, the oldest in the country, local organisations and the public lend their outstanding support to the venture to ensure its success. We are indebted to so many people for their help in so many ways towards enhancing the staging,” said Elizabeth.

And there was excellent talent to the singing, language and music competitions with entries across the South West Region and organisers commended the support of Duhallow based schools.

The schedule allowed county Fleadh Cheoil winners the ideal platform to freshen their talents ahead of the Munster final in Cork City next month.

The award winning Cullen Pipe Band delivered a recital, children’s sports added to the diversity of the proceedings. And the programme closed with a Seisiun Concert that opened with rousing tunes from talented Group Teorain in addition to local talent that epitomised the cultural strength of the region.

Long standing Chairperson Noreen Meade received a fitting bouquet of flowers to salute her involvement with the Feis over the years.

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