Féile na Bóinne, the Drogheda Folk Festival showcases Ulster fiddle playing and sean nós singing.
The second Féile na Bóinne takes place over the first weekend in October 1977 at Whitworth Hall in Drogheda, County Louth. There are concerts, performances and workshops in a number of other venues around the town and informal sessions in hotels and pubs.
Féile na Bóinne draws musicians singers, dancers, and of course spectators from all over the country. This year there is an emphasis on Ulster fiddling and sean nós singing.
Breandán Breathnach gives an uilleann pipe workshop and presents a history of piping in Drogheda. At one time Drogheda was one of the focal points for uilleann pipers. Pat Ward who lived in the area at the early part of the 20th century and was renowned for making uilleann pipe reeds. Dublin piper Pat Mitchell demonstrates different uilleann pipe styles and techniques.
The sean nós concert involves singers from various Gaeltachts including Connemara-native Darach Ó Catháin who now lives in Leeds in England.
One of the festival organisers Cathal Goan explains Féile na Bóinne is for people with an interest in traditional music to get together. Finishing the Féile na Bóinne with the Bothy Band gives people with an interest in traditional music, but not much knowledge of it, an opportunity to take part in the festival.
Cathal Goan talks about the musical tradition in the Drogheda and highlights the work done by another Féile na Bóinne organiser Seán Corcoran.
Ulster fiddlers give a performance which is followed by a session consisting of fiddlers from other parts of the country to give a comparison of styles.
This episode of 'PM' was broadcast on 6 October 1977. The reporter is Doireann Ní Bhriain.
