Newry To Buzz With Culture And Music Festival

Irish student launchesxa0Iúr Cinn Fleadhxa0with message of hope for the city

Newryxa0is “a vibrant place to grow up and be axa0musician,” says local student Aoibh Ní Thiománaí – who has become the face ofxa0Iúr Cinn Fleadhxa02025. The city-wide music, arts and culture festival runs in venues acrossxa0Newryxa0from 21-25 August.

Aoibh has been pictured on the cover of thexa0Iúr Cinn Fleadh Event Guide 2025, which has just been launched. Tin whistle in hand, she was photographed byxa0Fleadhxa0Chairperson Teresa O’Brien atxa0Newryxa0Museum, at one of the festival venues.

The 16-page Guide features 22 descriptions of artists and activities with a timetable of 90 events across the August Bank Holiday weekend – from a small intimate gig by local singer Pearse Larkin to a full-scale Town Hall concert by Irish supergroup Kíla.

The publication shows the wide variety of Newry’s festival treats – from poetry to puppets, bodhráns to boats, comedy to canoeing, photography to film, bugs to bees, kites to bikes, records to runners and ghosts to grub.

Reflecting on this vast array of activity, Aoibh said: ‘I hopexa0Iúr Cinn Fleadhxa0brings people intoxa0Newryxa0to see there’s so much going on in the arts, that there are so many talented people and that it’s a vibrant place to grow up and be axa0musician”.

From nearby Jonesborough, 20-year-old Aoibh is studying Irish at Queen’s University, Belfast. It’s an intensive language course that’s giving Aoibh a broad understanding of Irish literature, culture and history.

When not diving into the depths of Celtic mythology, Aoibh works atxa0Aonach Mhacha, the Armagh centre for promoting Irish language, art, music and culture.

“For as long as I can remember, Irish culture and music have been central in every part of my life,” said Aoibh. “From the moment I was introduced to our rich song tradition and beautiful language, I realised how lucky I was to be part of something special.

“Iúr Cinn Fleadh’s ongoing encouragement and promotion of Irish arts and music provides an environment forxa0musicians,xa0singers,xa0artists, Irish speakers, and enthusiasts from all backgrounds to thrive. There’s no better time for it than now!.”

Aoibh cites recent figures from Irish culture agency Údarás na Gaeltachta which show 73 per cent of Irish people believe language is essential to their identity which she adds is “revealing a wave of renewed appreciation for Irish culture I’ve been fortunate enough to witness.”.

“There’s no doubt its increased popularity in the arts shows a generation of young people embracing the cultural enrichment that Irish provides – regardless of their political background and beliefs.”

Iúr Cinn Fleadhxa0has been running for ten years, hosting a number of top Irishxa0bandsxa0andxa0artistsxa0including Horslips, Hothouse Flowers, Altan, Paul Brady, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black.xa0

Newryxa0BID,xa0Newryxa0Mourne and District Council and Narrow Water Events are supporting this year’s Fleadh with, of course, the backing of local volunteers.

To find out more or to purchase tickets, go to:

www.iurcinnfleadh.com