A report on the 42nd Cork Folk Festival in pictures and words.

Photos collection from the 42nd Cork Folk Festival. We began with a photo shoot by Darragh Kane with Mary Greene, Anna Mitchell and Fiona Kennedy at the Triskel.

August 28 Frameworks Films recorded a video with Cork singers including Máire Ní Chéileachair Cliff Wedgbury, Sean McCarthy, Máire Ní Laoire and John Murphy in Shandon

We included a video of Garry Cronin (fiddle) and Mick Willis (piano) to be broadcast on Cork Coummunity TV.

Wednesday 29th September Cork Singers Club presented a Singing Session on Zoom with Special guest Eugene McEldowney, we had 35 singers and 1000 views.

Thursday 30th September St Peters Church: 7.30pm Launch of ‘Cork 1920, A City In Flames’ CD with John Murphy – a picture of the audience.

At Triskel Christchurch Freddie White performed at a sell out Concert. Freddie was in great voice after his nearly 2 years lay off due to the pandemic, he performed for over an hour and a half. The audiences loved his inclusion of classics songs like, Tenderness on the Block, Ain’t Misbehaving, Po-Jame People, Martha and Desperadoes Waiting for a Train.

Friday 1st October at Triskel Christchurch we featured another sell out concert with accordion maestro, Dermot Byrne and inspirational guitarist, Steve Cooney.

On Saturday at 2pm we began the Rebels of Cork Walking Tour. It was led by John Murphy and we met at the Monument in Blackpool. John Murphy pictured at Connolly Hall

At the Triskel Christchurch we featured a concert with Tara Breen, Padraig Rynne & Jim Murray, it was one of the highlights of the weekend. Tara a member of the Chieftians played tunes she learnt from the playing of Jerry Holland and Johnny Doherty, Wake Up To Cape Breton and The Scolding Wife.

Sunday 3rd October St Peters Church:1pm A Celebration of legendary traditional singer Margaret Barry and her grandfather, piper Robert Thompson. Marty Barry & Cathal Ó Curráin sang songs they collected from family members, Cathal from his aunts Caitlin and Brid and Marty from his great -grandmother Margaret Barry. Marty played on guitar a spellbinding version of Margaret’s composition, The Strayaway Child.

Eoin O Riabhaigh, Johnny McCarthy performing at A Celebration of legendary traditional Margaret Barry. Eoin brought with him to the concert the pipes of Robert Thompson, Margaret’s grandfather.

At the Celebration of legendary traditional singer Margaret Barry and her grandfather, piper Robert Thompson we featured a collection of her LP’s, photos and a copy of her birth cert in 1917 at 99 North Main Street.

A Celebration of legendary traditional singer Margaret Barry and her grandfather, piper Robert Thompson. Pictured is Margaret’s Grand Son, Paddy Barry and Cork singer/composer Tim O Riordan. Tim performed his song for Margaret Barry, The Heart Of The Song, at the concert.

A Celebration of legendary traditional singer Margaret Barry and her grandfather, piper Robert Thompson. Pictured with Margaret’s RTE Folk Award, Margaret Barry-Mooney, with Maggies Banjo, Deputy Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy and Margaret’s grandson Paddy Barry.

A Celebration of legendary traditional singer Margaret Barry and her grandfather, piper Robert Thompson, a picture of the audience.

At 2pm in Fitzgerald Park the Folk fest presented a concert with Seán Ó Sé, Douglas Comhaltas, Máire Ní Chéileachair and the Abbey Ceili Band

The Abbey Céilí Band, Johnny Coakley (keyboards), Ger Murphy (accordion), Andrew O Connell (fiddle) and Liam Ford(banjo).

Photo with The The Abbey Céilí Band and festival organisers , line up -William Hammond, Johnny Coakley, Liam Ford, Ger Murphy, Andrew O Connell and Jim Walsh.

The final concert of the folk fest was held at the Triskel Christchurch. The title of the concert was, ‘Gals at Play’and it featured three Cork women singer/songwriters, Mary Greene, Anna Mitchell & Fiona Kennedy. Highlights of the concert included, Mary singing White Trails with her daughter Ellie, Fiona with her new composition Where Else Would You Get It and Anna Mitchell’s, Songs of Love and Better Life.