Mary Chapin Carpenter.
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
THE Earagail Arts Festival has just announced details of a very special weekend taking place during the popular annual summer event.
Continuing its recent ethos bringing world renowned artists to the county and bringing together unique collaboration, Earagail Arts has created a new festival within the festival.
The inaugural Donegal International Folk & Roots Festival will be a celebration of folk, roots and traditional music from around the world, presented in Letterkenny.
Featuring over 20 different concerts, master classes and traditional Irish music sessions from Friday, July 10 to Monday 13th, this new weekend of music throughout the Cathedral town o includes two unique Irish premieres.
Taking to the stage of the Clanree Hotel on Saturday, July 11, a true legend of Celtic music, Clannad’s lead vocalist Moya Brennan presents a gala celebration of female voices from Donegal and further afield.
Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin – The Henry Girls. Photo: Paula GIllespie Photography
Accompanied by the three-part harmonies of The Henry Girls, the choral presence of the Inishowen Gospel Choir, rising singer/songwriters Leila Jane (Keeney) from Letterkenny and Sarah Cullen, of the famous Carrigart Cullen clan, this unique concert will feature a very special guest, the Soul of Morocco, Sahrawi singer Oum.
On the following evening traditional superstars Altan will be joined for the first time by American country star Mary Chapin Carpenter with support from Rann na Feirste family band Clann Mhic Ruairí and Gortahork teenage talent Eve Belle.
To mark the release of their most recent album The Widening Gyre, Altan will return home during the summer perform an exclusive world premiere with five-time Grammy Award winner and legendary American singer/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter.
For more on this and the best coverage of arts and entertainment in the county, see the Donegal News print editions every Monday and Friday.