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Irish Independent
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
August bank holiday in Wexford: From Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann to the Breakwater festival the weekend is sure to hit the right notes
There are plenty of events to keep you entertained in County Wexford over the August Bank Holiday weekend. As well as the start of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 on Sunday, August 3, the Breakwater Festival is taking place, plus there are Fringe Fleadh events and plenty of gigs and concerts to whet every appetite. Amble – Live at The Breakwater Amble will play Live at The Breakwater, Ferrybank South, Wexford on Thursday, July 31 at 7pm. Amble are Robbie Cunningham, Oisín McCaffrey and Ross McNerney, a three-piece folk group from Ireland. Since coming together in late 2022, the band have built an audience through word-of-mouth, live performance and a focus on honest, reflective song-writing. With a sold-out touring schedule and a growing catalogue of original material, Amble's music balances storytelling and melody, creating space for audiences to slow down and listen. Tickets are €49. For more details, see Lantern Events at The Full Monty Gorey Little Theatre presents The Full Monty on Thursday, July 31 at 8pm. Tickets are €15. The show is directed by and starring Stephen Acton and choreographed by Roisín Currid. My Favourite Things On Friday, August 1 at 8pm, Jazz at Johnstown is contributing to the return of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Wexford with My Favourite Things, a jazz/trad concert with renowned piper Mark Redmond and the Chris Colloton Trio at the Visitors Centre. With an upbringing in traditional music, Redmond is noted as a musician who can fuse between various genres. Guitarist Chris Colloton is one of the most brilliant innovators in Irish jazz. Also joining Mark and Chris are Lorcan and Cillian Byrne. Tickets are €25. The Waterboys – Live at The Breakwater One of the best live bands in the world, The Waterboys will play Live at the Breakwater Festival on Friday, August 1 at 7pm. The Waterboys have been led by Scottish singer and guitarist Mike Scott since the 1980s and have evolved through countless line-ups, winning a fearsome concert reputation along the way. Their best-known songs include The Whole Of The Moon, How Long Will I Love You, This Is The Sea and Fisherman's Blues. Tickets for the show cost €55. Writing Yourself Home A 60-minute group session of breath, words, and soul will take place at Gorey Town Park on Saturday, August 2 at 3pm. Tickets are €15. You can expect grounding breathwork, readings of poetry and meaningful texts to spark the soul, guided writing prompts and optional sharing in a safe, held circle. For more details email maria@ The Highstool Prophets One day before official Fleadh starts we've got the biggest and best opener in our car park under the stretch tent! The Highstool Prophets are coming back to Wexford for Crown Fleadh Village 2025. They will be accompanied by special guests Fieldsy and The Gallivanters. The show will take place on Saturday, August 2 at 7pm. Fringe Fleadh 25 – The Beartla Ó Flatharta Band The final event in the Fringe Fleadh 2025 series, proudly hosted by Wexford County Council, takes place in Our Lady's Island on Saturday, August 2, promising a memorable evening of traditional Irish music to round off the programme in style. Starting at 7.30pm, the evening will feature the All-Ireland Céilí Band Champions, The Beartla Ó Flatharta Band, joined by a fantastic line-up of local performers and groups. Summer Sessions '25 - The Havana Club Trio Head to Library Park in New Ross on Saturday, August 2 at 7pm for an evening of free music provided by the Havana Club Trio. They will play incredible Latin music direct from Havana with an extensive repertoire of Cuban favourites and Latin-induced rhythmic songs. Summer Sessions in the Library Park is funded by Wexford County Council. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 will be held in Wexford from Sunday, August 3 to Sunday, August 10. This annual festival celebrates Irish music and culture and features numerous competitions and performances. The festival has been running for over 60 years and is one of the most popular music festivals in Ireland. Glenside Céilí Band The Glenside Céilí Band will perform at Clonard Community Centre on Sunday, August 3 at 9pm as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Tickets cost €15. Scoil Éigse 2025 The 51st Annual Scoil Éigse organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann takes place in Wexford town from Sunday, August 3 to Sunday, August 10, during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025. At Scoil Éigse, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann's annual international summer school, students of all ages register for the various instrumental music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes. Details on Scoil Éigse classes at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 can be found on the Scoil Éigse website. Cry Before Dawn Cry Before Dawn, the acclaimed Wexford band known for their powerful fusion of rock and traditional Irish sounds, return with Open Water—their first new music in over a decade. Following sell-out shows and festival appearances across Ireland, they're kicking off the EP celebrations with a hometown gig at The Crown, Wexford on Monday, August 4 at 7pm. Tickets for the gig cost €9. Kiddies Crazy Nights at Upton Court Hotel Summer in Wexford means one thing – Kiddies Crazy Nights at Upton Court Hotel in Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford. Non-stop fun, games, and laughter for the little ones — and a great night out for all the family. This night takes place on Monday, August 4 at 7pm. Go dtí Seo – Emer O'Flaherty (CD Launch) Emer is a singer/songwriter and bilingual musician from Ennis in Clare, playing music all her life, but had not made a recording until now. The ten tracks on the album reflect Emer's musical exploration up to now, hence the title, from her roots in sean-nós ('Cúirt Bhaile Nua' agus 'Amhrán na Leabhar ') with all other album tracks, songs and music written by her. A love of nature and place are to be heard throughout her music. She will launch he CD at Wexford Library on Tuesday, August 5 at 4pm. This is a bilingual event suitable for all the family and learners of all ages. The Missing Guest – Mick Mulvey & Shane Meehan (CD Launch) Released in May 2025, this album The Missing Guest features the wonderful playing by musicians Shane Meehan (Fiddle) and Mick Mulvey (Flutes) who are described as masters of their instruments. Counted among south Leitrim's best musicians, they have honed their skills playing together in Cryan's Teach Cheoil over the years. The album evidences their shared love of beautifully intricate traditional music, as well as their sense of comfort and mutual respect as a duet. This is a free event. However, places are limited so please register in advance to secure your place. Fíor Céilí – Tara Céilí Band The Tara Céilí Band will perform at Clonard Community Centre on Tuesday, August 5 at 9pm. Tickets cost €15. Bardic Awards The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 Bardic Awards / Ceannródaithe Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, August 5 at 7pm at the Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford. This annual ceremony honours exceptional musicians and singers who are considered to have made an exceptional and unique contribution to Irish Traditional Music through their instrumental musicianship, singing and/or dancing. This gala dinner with presentations incorporates performances by each of the recipients all nationally and internationally renowned for their virtuoso talent, mastery and their consistent commitment to the music over decades. The 2025 recipients are as follows: John Furlong, Josephine Nugent, Padraig McGovern, Benny McHugh. Danceperados of Ireland After 11 years touring all over Europe and delighting audiences, Danceperados of Ireland comes to the National Opera House in Wexford on Tuesday, August 5 for a special once-off performance at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Choreographed by Ennis man and two-time World Champion Michael Donnellan, the show features some of the best dancers and musicians in Ireland. The show's 'Hall of Fame' listing former and current cast members is a veritable who's who of Irish traditional music and dance, featuring members of Beoga, Solas, Altan and Cairde to name but a few. The show will take place at 7.30pm and costs €33/€30 plus facility fee to attend. See to book tickets. An evening with violinist Martin Hayes The parish of Wexford is delighted to welcome back the internationally acclaimed violinist Martin Hayes to perform a concert here in the majestic setting of Rowe St Church. Martin played at the Fleadh Cheoil in 2024 to a sell-out concert and by popular demand, we welcome him back this year. His music is soulful, haunting and majestically beautiful. It raises the human spirit to another level, connecting us with the source of beauty who is God. The concert will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, August 5 at Rowe St Church. Tickets are €40 plus €1.50 fee. Tickets can be booked via Wexford Arts Centre. Pierce Turner - 'Ó Riada' Pierce Turner will be on piano and vocals, with Aongus MacAmhlaigh on cello and vocals and including local chorus at this concert at Wexford Arts Centre on Tuesday, August 5 at 8pm as part of Fleadh Cheoil 2025. Pierce has always been influenced by Turlough O'Carolan, the harpist from Sligo. They say that he married Irish traditional music to Italian romanticism. The Chieftains could've been his band. But they were Seán Ó Riada's band instead. This will be a unique and sacred evening of music to behold in the intimate Wexford Arts Centre. Tickets cost €30 plus €1.50 fee. In the Moment: Capturing the Fleadh 2024 (Exhibition) Wexford Arts Centre and Wexford Camera Club are proud to present In the Moment: Capturing the Fleadh 2024, a compelling group photography exhibition that celebrates the vibrant energy and cultural richness of last year's Fleadh Cheoil. This exhibition showcases the spirit of the festival through the lens of twelve talented photographers, all members of the Wexford Camera Club. The photographers include Darren Arkins, Bart Bulla, Kevin Cadogan, Miriam Furlong, Aoife Kavanagh, Donna Kehoe, Lucy Leonel, Alan Mahon, Ann McCafferty, Ian Moriarty, John Mullins, and Marie Phelan. The exhibition will launch at a public opening reception at Wexford Arts Centre on Saturday, August 2 at 12pm. All are welcome to attend, and the exhibition is open to the public from 10am to 5pm daily until Wednesday, August 13. O'Riada Mass As part of Fleadh Cheoil, the O'Riada Mass sung by Rowe St Choir under director Donagh Wilde, accompanied by piper Mark Redmond, will take place at Rowe St Church on Sunday, August 3 at 12pm. Library talk about the revival activism of Min Ryan and her sisters Dr Aoife Whelan will give a talk at Wexford Library on the topic 'Attracted to the national movement: the revival activism of Min Ryan and her sisters'. This talk will take place on Tuesday, August 5 from 11am to 12pm and is free to attend. In this talk, Dr Aoife Whelan will give an overview of the political activism of Mary Josephine 'Min' Ryan (later Mulcahy) and her sisters from Tomcoole, County Wexford. Best known nowadays for the public park that bears her name, Min was a founding member of Cumann na mBan in 1914 and participated in the 1916 Easter Rising at the GPO in Dublin along with her sister Phyllis and her brother Jim. She was later selected to travel to America on behalf of the Republican leadership to report to John Devoy, leader of Clan na Gael, on the events of Easter Week. Having been involved with Proclamation signatory Seán Mac Diarmada before he was executed for his role in the Rising, Min went on to marry Richard Mulcahy, IRA chief-of-staff and Dáil Éireann's first Minister of Defence. This lecture will trace the involvement of Min and her sisters in public and political life during the early twentieth century at a time when young, educated women found new opportunities to engage in political and social activism under the auspices of the nationalist movement. The Wexford Invaders: an illustrated history with Derek O'Brien This talk will take place at Wexford Library on Tuesday, August 5 at 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Join Derek to explore the history of County Wexford from the Vikings to the Normans in this fact-packed history event for all the family. Suitable ages 9+. This is a free event. However, places are limited so please register in advance to secure your place.
RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Irish folk trio Amble get blast from the past at US gig
Irish folk trio Amble got a surprise blast from the past on the opening night of their support tour with Hozier in the US when one of the lead singer's former students turned up in the audience. The band, who released their new album Reverie earlier this year and have had hits with Lonely Island and Swan Song, were playing the first of two nights at Fenway Park in Boston on Monday evening when former primary school teacher Robbie Cunningham noticed one of his ex-pupils holding a sign up in the crowd. Former student Seb Cronin had travelled with his family from Ireland to watch his one-time teacher live in concert. Cunningham and his bandmate Ross McNerney are former teachers who decided just over a year ago to give up their teaching jobs and put all their efforts into music. The band have since enjoyed a rapid rise, with Reverie enjoying a three-week run at No 1 in the Irish charts. Following their shows with Hozier, Amble return to Ireland next week for their sold-out show in Trinity College on Saturday, 5 July and a sold-out 3Arena gig in December. They will also make festival appearances at this year's Boston Calling, Summerfest, and Austin City Limits in Texas.
Irish Independent
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Folk trio who became a viral sensation with expats deliver simple debut that gets under the skin
Both bands have grown their fan-bases so quickly thanks to the likes of TikTok that it will have come as a surprise to many that each are set to play headline shows at Dublin's 3Arena later this year. There are many, long-established household name acts here who will never be big enough to do that. Amble, a trio from Leitrim, Longford and Sligo, got together in Dublin in 2022 and found they had an easy rapport, especially when it comes to penning highly accessible, instantly hummable folk songs. Digital natives, teachers Robbie Cunningham and Ross McNerney and data scientist Oisín McCaffrey didn't need a marketeer to tell them about the power of social media. Soon, their songs were finding favour on TikTok, in particular, with one track, Lonely Island, favoured by Irish expats making videos about what they missed back home. Social media drove interest and they soon signed with Warner Music. Debut album Reverie is a likeable affair, stuffed with songs about love and belonging and the joys of being young. These aren't tracks that challenge the listener — such as those from Irish folk's leading lights Lankum — but they do get under the skin, easily, and it would take a churlish critic indeed not to appreciate the craft that's at play here. The songs are deceptively simple, mostly built around guitars and a mandolin and the vocals of Cunningham and McCaffrey, but it's easy to see why they work in the big arenas they now find themselves in. They toured with Hozier earlier this year. The bright, lovely Marlay Park celebrates new love with lyrics about summertime in Stephen's Green and a happy couple singing the Chili Peppers' Dani California 'walking down to Marlay Park'. Even songs with more sombre lyrical content, such as Ode to John, have a pleasing directness to them. 'The bundle in your arms I know/ It weighs the world… The moon can't face the sight/ Of our child alone.' Folk purists might argue that much of this album is more pop than folk, more redolent of the likes of the Coronas, for instance, than the sort of troubadours who cut their teeth in Dublin's Cobblestone. But a number of songs, including the quietly lovely title track and the more spirited Little White Chapel, underline their folk credentials. Rarely has a band's name been more suitable for the music they make. Reverie won't turn anyone's world on their head, but sometimes an amble through a well-made, sincere album is a pleasure in these fraught times.
