By Róise Collins
EVERY August, Lorient in southern Brittany is transformed into a hive of Celtic culture as the Festival Interceltique de Lorient takes over every corner of the naval town.
The 10-day festival, which kicked off last Friday, will welcome thousands of artists from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Galicia, Asturias, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man, along with members of the Celtic diaspora spread across the globe from Australia to Argentina.
It will also attract up to a million festivalgoers from around the world, not to mention the many millions more who will watch on television.
Magheroarty man Reuben Ó Conluain has been head of the Irish delegation for over 20 years.
This year, he has drafted more than 130 artists from across the country to represent Ireland.
Every year, the large group charters its own Aer Lingus plane to fly them to France.
“Everyone takes their instruments on board and once we are airborne they start the sessions.”
There are a number of prominent Donegal artists in this year’s delegation, including Ardara native Naoise Mac Cathmhaoil, who opened one of the nights of celebration with a haunting sean-nós song.
Also heading to Lorient are the Friel Sisters, Cathal Ó Curráin, Donegal’s adopted Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre, and Tara Gi, who runs the session in the Shamrock in Falcarragh.
Joining them are Anna Ní Bhroin, who is based in Gaoth Dobhair, Áine Nic Cionnaith from Gortahork, and illustrator Kim Sharkey.
Reuben is also thrilled to have up-and-coming group Huartan on board.
With strong Donegal links, the group is known for their high-energy style of ‘tradtronica’ a genre that blends traditional Irish music with electronic sounds.
This is part of a wider effort to attract new audiences to the festival.
“The festival is going a long, long time and there are a lot of loyal people going over years, but it is very important to bring in a new wave of festival goers.”
Founded in 1971, the festival has included Ireland from the very beginning.
All the major artists have played such as Rory Gallagher, Sinead O’Connor and The Cranberries.
“It’s very hard to think of a big group that hasn’t played Lorient,” he said.
There has always been a strong Donegal presence. Over the years, both Clannad and Altan have made several appearances, along with many of the county’s most prominent sean-nós singers.
Reuben is one of over 1,500 loyal volunteers who help bring the annual festival to life.
He was buzzing with excitement as he made the final preparations before leaving for France on Friday.
“My best description is Lorient is like St Patrick’s in Dublin, 10 days in a row.”
“But without the drunken debauchery,” Reuben laughed.
From churches and cinemas to football fields and conference centres, the whole town – which isn’t much bigger than Galway – will be transformed.
“It just takes over. The whole town of Lorient is the festival.”
“I went first in 1986 and I haven’t been able to stop, I’ve only missed two.”
Although he plays the bodhrán and sings the odd song, Reuben admits he is not a musician.
“But I get so much from the music that me being a volunteer is my way of giving back to the wonderful music and culture we have.”
Another very important element of Lorient is that, in addition to representing every corner of the county, it is also cross-community. Reuben credits this as a key factor in the festival’s success.
“Both communities on the island come to Lorient every year, and everyone gets on really well, even going back to the darkest days of the Troubles.
“During the Omagh bombing, which happened while we were out there, we just mucked in together and looked after each other,” Reuben added.
