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Irish Examiner

Féile na Laoch: All-night Ó Riada event in Co Cork hears rallying calls in support of Gaza

'Art is a weapon in the hand of the artist, and we must fight against oppression,' sculptor John Behan told those gathered in a field in Cúil Aodha, Co Cork, for Féile na Laoch on Thursday night. Onto the stage during the all-night Aeraíocht came a string of artists from every discipline, armed with their words, songs, dance, and music; ready and willing to use them in battle against injustice. They railed against the wrongs perpetrated against the Irish people, their language, against colonised nations, Travelling people, but most of all they used their art to protest against the slaughter in Palestine. From fire dancer Eimear Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh to Nine Wassies From Bainne experimental musician Giordaí Ua Laoghaire, who invoked the spirits of Cúil Aodha's War of Independence heroes Éamonn Mac Suibhne and Jamie Moynihan, artist after artist at this once-in-seven years 'festival of heroes' used spoken word, movement, and soundscapes to express their opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza. Peadar Ó Riada speaking at at Féile na Laoch, an event he founded to coincide with the birthday of his father, Seán Ó Riada. Picture: David Creedon Seven heroes in each discipline - poetry, visual arts, storytelling, dance, singing, acting, music, and sport - kept the audience on the banks of the River Sullane mesmerised from sunset until the sun rose to the sounds of a volunteer orchestra playing Mise Éire, the iconic arrangement by Seán Ó Riada, who inspired Féile na Laoch, on what would have been the composer's 94th birthday. Breakdancer Tobi Omoteso and writer Cónal Creedon explored concepts of identity and displacement, from Nigerian and Inchigeela perspectives respectively, while Natasha Bourke's aerial dance lifted the sights of the audience as she dangled, twisting and turning, to emerge from a jellyfish-like cocoon suspended high from a cherry-picker. Celine Byrne hit a high too with her operatic rendition of Danny Boy, while Magaidh Nic Aonghais delivered a haunting Scottish lament and Ailean Domhnullach's piping stirred the emotions. Among the fire dancers and breakdancing came Irish traditional arts; a Baile Mhúirne set danced by John 'The Lepper' Ó Loingsigh and friends, a brush dance from Gearóid Ó Droighneáin, and harp and fiddle playing sublime by Laoise Kelly, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, and Martin Hayes. A ceremony involving the filling of a bath with waters of the seven wells. Pianist David Syme sent the notes of Seán Ó Riada's Mná na hÉireann soaring into the cold night sky as Ó Riada's son Peadar, who dreamt up this eclectic artistic gathering in his home village, ushered the heroes onto a stage that rotated by degrees throughout the night to face the rising sun. What Máire Ní Chéileachair and Liam Ó Maonlaoí began in terms of audience participation with Seán 'S a Bhríste Leathair and Don't Go, Seán Ó Sé, singer with Ó Riada's Ceoltóirí Chualann, brought to a rousing crescendo with An Poc ar Buile and a blast of The Banks. Though it reflected these dark days across the world, Féile na Laoch shone a light too, at a time when heroes are needed more than ever. • Féile na Laoch continues this weekend. See Out and about at Féile na Laoch Jim and Joseph Walsh with Martin Hayes at Féile na Laoch. Pictures: David Creedon Joleen Cronin and Thomas 'Rusty' Weeise. Aifric Cussen with Tiffen, Caoimhe Mulhern and Aoibhínn Ní Donnchú. Síle Uí Chróinín with Liam Ó Maonlaí at Féile na Laoch. The parade going to the Field of Dreams at Féile na Laoch 2025. Gobnait, Caít and Judy Ní Mhurchú. Éabha Ní Chruadhlaoich, Elizabeth Ní Shúilleabháin, Emma Duerr and Medb Ní Chionnfhaolaidh. Cónal Creedon, Fiona O'Toole, Asha Kearney O'Toole holding Mary Murphy and Róisín McAvinney. John Spillane singing at Féile na Laoch. Colette Faul and Jana Cussen.