A four-day festival of music workshops, performances by top bodhrán players, and an exhibition of the world's largest deer hide-bound bodhrán drum are expected to draw more than 15,000 visitors to Milltown, Co Kerry, in June.
The World Bodhrán Championships Festival 2007 was formally launched yesterday by Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue. Organisers of the event, which is scheduled for June 1st-4th, say that the success of last year's inaugural championships caught the attention of several leading bodhrán players who have agreed to lead workshops and judge four categories of contests.
"It seems to have won the approval from the bodhrán community," said Owen O'Shea, the festival's chief executive. "They are delighted that somebody has gone through the trouble of making it happen."
Scheduled performers include Liam Ó Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers, Ronan Ó Snódaigh of Kila and Mel Mercier, who will also act as a contest judge along with Tommy Hayes and Gino Lupari.
Last year, about 50 bodhrán players of all ages competed for cash prizes. According to Mr O'Shea, this year's festival should attract closer to 100 entrants in three classes: 18 years and over, under-18, under-14, and a new solo category where the players perform without accompaniment. "With the solo category, many of the players are becoming very innovative," said Mr O'Shea.
For more information see www.worldbodhranchampionships.com