update on The Gathering

[Frank Keane]

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Important updates for the Trip to the Gathering 2015

1. Feb 17 is Shrove Tuesday in Ireland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday   There is a ceili in Ennis, 20                minutes from Shannon,  at          http://www.coisnahabhna.ie/www.coisnahabhna.ie/

This works into the plans for anyone traveling as the direct flights from Boston fly on Monday night.  An extra day in Ireland, dancing to one of the most popular bands. A B+B in the Ennis area would be around $50

2. The Russell Family Festival has been pushed back a week until Feb 27 -March 1. In the past it was always the same week as  The Gathering. For those who want a little more Ireland this festival is exactly what you want. Homespun entertainment, pubs filled with musicians and a Ceili on Sunday to round out the trip. Accommodations in Doolin at that time of year in B+B’s are around $50 dollars a night.  https://www.facebook.com/TheMichoRussellMemorialWeekendFestival/info?ref=nf

The Gathering 2015

The 16th Gathering Traditional Music and Dance Festival will be held from Feb 18th-22 at the Glen Eagle Hotel in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland

The Gathering is one of Ireland’s premier Traditional Music and Dance events. There are music concerts, impromptu Seisuns, workshops for  Set Dancers, Sean Nos dancers, singers, storytellers and musicians. There is a water seisun while cursing the Lakes of Killarney.  The Harp concert on Saturday will feature our fellow Harrington’s  Set Dancer Regina Delaney

The music concerts feature some to the top names in  Irish Music, Arcady, Voice Squad, Sean Keane Band, Cathy Jordan , John Spillane and many more.

There are Ceili’s Thursday, Friday , Saturday and Sunday afternoon featuring  the best set  dance band in Ireland.   There are set 

dance classes on Saturday morning, afternoon and Sunday morning.

For those who arrive on Wednesday there is a Ceili in Sliabh Luchra Country at a cost of $20 for the round trip bus and dance.  There is also a Ceili at the Grand Hotel at a cost of $10.

There is also an opportunity to dance at various elementary schools  in the morning as part of the Community Outreach Program run by Martha Winrow.

For non dancers, there are optional  bus tours of the Dingle Peninsula as well as Ring of Kerry  ( not included in accommodation price)

The complete schedule can be found here  http://www.thegathering.ie/programme_sessions.html

The Gathering is unique in that your  accommodation fee also includes admission to all the concerts, dance classes and Ceili’s from Thursday to Sunday

The cost range from $200 per person total for 4 nights, based on 4 people sharing an apartment ( two bedroom , two bath, living room, dining room and kitchen  plus laundry. The hotel costs are roughly $325 per person based on double occupancy and including a full breakfast each morning.  The water seisun  is not included

For those who want to stay in the apartments, we can arrange for them to be in the same building.

February is the beginning of spring in Ireland. Weather is typically sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s to low 60’s, perfect for sightseeing , walking or hiking,

Killarney is serviced by a train from Dublin and bus from Shannon. If enough travelers arrive on Wednesday AM at Shannon, the hotel will provide transportation to Killarney

The Glen Eagle is about a 15 minute walk into Killarney and the hotel also provides a shuttle service so a car is not necessary

For US bookings contact Frank Keane at frank....@gmail.com or 781-205-9721