The 24th Maurice O’Keeffe Sliabh Luachra Traditional Music Festival

Thursday 17th April – Monday 21st April 2025 inclusive.

Only a couple of weeks to go and both the villages of Kiskeam & Ballydesmond will be hosting our Annual Music Festival.

There is a great line up of topclass musicians going to be in attendance and we are absolutely delighted and looking forward to welcoming them all to the heart of Sliabh Luachra. 3 of the musicians are Gradam Ceoil recipients and we are very fortunate that they are spending some time with us over Easter.

The schedule of events: Opening night will be held in Shamrocks Pub Thursday 17th April from 9pm. It is open session, and all musicians / performers are welcome to attend.

Ceilí with Tim Joe & Ann will be held in Ballydesmond on Friday night at 9pm. Admission to the Ceilí is €12. Refreshments will be provided. Raffle will take place on the night with some lovely hampers and other prizes to be won.

3 pub sessions will be taking place in Why Not Pub & The Shamrocks in Kiskeam & Sliabh Luachra Pub in Ballydesmond with some wonderful musicians both young and older taking part.

The following afternoon Saturday 19th April commences with the Fiddle & Duet Competitions at Kiskeam Community Centre,

Registration for same will be at 12.30pm and competition to commence at 1pm. Competition is open for U9’s, U12’s, U15’s & U21’s for both Fiddle & Duet to play Sliabh Luachra style tunes. Entry Fee is €5 per child per entry. Trophies will be presented to 1st, 2nd & 3rd places. The Maurice O’Keeffe Perpetual Cup will be presented to an Overall winner of the Fiddle Competition and Perpetual Shield will be presented to the Overall winners of the Duet Competition. The overall winner will also play at the Sunday night Concert

Youth Trad Session has been arranged to take place directly after the Fiddle & Duet Competitions at Kiskeam Community Centre on Saturday. This will be led by Alan Finn & Eddie Kiely. It was a very popular event last year, so we are excited to include it in the programme again this year and encourage all young musicians to come and join in the session.

Pub sessions with well- known musicians will be held in all 3 pubs throughout Saturday afternoon and night and a great night’s entertainment is assured in all pubs. Sunday morning Mass will be held in Kiskeam Church at 10am for Maurice O’Keeffe and all the deceased Sliabh Luachra musicians. This Mass will include Traditional Music to be played so it is hoped as many musicians as possible that are available will attend and take part in same. After Mass the Kiskeam Brass Band will give a recital in the Church grounds.

Sunday afternoon & nighttime – Pub sessions with brilliant music to be heard in both Kiskeam & Ballydesmond throughout the afternoon right up till closing time.

Our Concert will be held in Kiskeam Community Centre. Please note the earlier commencement time of 7.30pm sharp as there is a huge line up of performers on the night. This year we are delighted to be making a presentation to Con Herbert for his dedication and contribution to Sliabh Luachra Music. Admission is €10. We will have a raffle on the night as well as we have received some lovely Hampers from Sponsors and other lovely prizes for which we are very thankful for.

Finally, Monday is our Closing of the Festival. There will be a music session in the Shamrocks at 1pm that day with a music session commencing at the Why Not at 3pm. The “Farewell Session” will be held in Sliabh Luachra Pub in Ballydesmond at 4.30pm.

Monday night 21st April – the Shamrocks Pub has Music & Craic from 7pm – 9pm.

The Why Not Pub has live music with “Dreams of Freedom “from 9pm to closing.

We are looking forward to welcoming one and all to the heart of Sliabh Luachra over the 5 days. People can come and listen to the sessions, but we would also be delighted if you wish to join in with the performers to play, sing or dance.

Thanks to all our Sponsors including Cork County Council and our 3 local Publicans – The Shamrocks, The Why Not & Sliabh Luachra Pubs. Thanks also to local Business people who have also contributed and helped sponsor our Festival as without all this help, we could not host such an event and include the several musicians and performers over the 5 days.

Our pub trail and Programme of Events and list of Sponsors will be available in local Businesses.

All details of the events can be found on: Facebook & Instagram pages – mauriceokeeffe festival Web page www.mauriceokeeffe.com

Looking forward to a great weekend of music and craic in Kiskeam & Ballydesmond. Please come along and support.