Tuam Trad Fest already planning for next year

THE organising committee of the Tuam Traditional Music Festival is so happy with the success of their second event that they are already planning for next year. [private] A statement from the committee commented that 'This was a festival that boasted much variety from set dancing to sean nós, workshops and singing clubs, busking competitions, an art exhibition by Clare Toland that still hands on the walls in the News Café at Eason's, kiddies day and music blasting from every pub over the weekend as well as a recital by Aine Sheridan, Brid Dooley and Patricia Kelly (members of Maigh Seola) on Sunday and earlier an Irish mass at Tuam Cathedral that had delightful music and song. 'Old acquaintances were renewed and new friendships were formed. This is the essence of the trad scene and even the rain didn't dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of the large crowd that gathered to hear Sean Keane kick off the festivities on Friday evening, indeed such is Sean's popularity that a group travelled from London  specially to hear him and they were not disappointed. 'To the dedicated team of volunteers involved in staging, safety and security of our opening concert in conjunction with the local Gardai, Town Council, County Council we say thank you, special thanks to Ray Collins at Tuam Shopping Centre for his assistance, to Green Park Nursing Home and Ability West for facilitating entertainment at their premises. We are particularly grateful to Mary Trayers for the use of the Mercy Primary School for workshops and Parish Administrator Fr Francis Mitchell. We are indebted to The Tuam Herald, Connacht Tribune, Galway Advertiser, Galway Bay FM and Mid West Radio for the coverage and promotion of events. We thank all our local musicians and singers who gave their time and talent free of charge and to our very entertaining participants in the Jigs and Reels fundraiser. 'Finally with all festivals of this kind, its success is almost totally dependant of the generosity  of the local businesses, to this end we say a very sincere thank you to you all for your kind donations and spot prizes, all of which were mentioned by our very own Fintan Higgins on Galway Bay during their live broadcast from the Square on Saturday. 'Buoyed up by the tremendous positive feedback from the people of Tuam and its businesses, plans are already afoot for next year's festival. Indeed among our many foreign visitors from France, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Scotland, England were the group of eight people from Newfoundland, who had the â€Ëœbest weekend of their lives' and have already promised to return.' [/private]