Féile na hInse 2026 in Buncrana to celebrate the music, song and dance of Dinny McLaughlin

Dinny was a virtuoso fiddle player, singer, poet, dancer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and teacher who devoted his life to the cultural heritage of Inishowen. He performed internationally with his lifelong friends in the band Aileach, and taught music and dance throughout Inishowen and Derry.

ITMP has planned a full weekend of events starting on Friday, April 24 with ‘An Audience with Aileach and Friends’ at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel at 8pm.

Aileach band members will be present for a night of memories and and music featuring Ciaran Tourish, The Henry Girls, Michael Gallanagh, and a host of other local musicians. The concert will be opened by Inishowen Youth Trad Orchestra.

On Saturday, April 25 at 8pm, The Inishowen Trad Orchestra & Choir will perform a new suite of Dinny’s compositions at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel that have been selected and arranged by Altan’s Martin Tourish. Their last performance was a sold out event in the National Concert Hall, Dublin in 2023 with both Dinny McLaughlin and President Michael D Higgins in attendance.

This event is now sold out, and a second concert is to be held in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel at 2pm on Sunday, April 26 due to demand.

Other events over the festival weekend include instrumental workshops at Crana College on Saturday at 10am by Ciaran Tourish (fiddle), Michael Carey (whistle) and Edel McLaughlin (mixed instruments) for intermediate-advanced musicians. (Fee €15.)

In 2013 ITMP produced ‘Ark of Tides’ a documentary film based on Dinny’s life in music, song and dance which will be shown at Buncrana Cinema on Saturday 4pm. (Admission €5.) Martin McGinley and James McEldowney will present an afternoon of poems and recitations, including some of Dinny’s work, in Buncrana Library at 12.30pm on Saturday. (Free event.)

Late night traditional Irish music events will be held at the Plaza, Main Street at 10pm on each night of the festival with the Bath Street Boys on Friday night and Tulua on Saturday night.

On Sunday, April 26 singers Jim McFarland and Michael Gallanagh will lead a lunchtime singing session in the Plaza of songs performed, collected or composed by Dinny. Everyone is welcome to come along. (Free event.)

In a tribute to Dinny’s dancing days, Dinny’s past pupils will join be in the Plaza at 4pm on Sunday for ‘On your Toes,’ led by Mary and Joe McGuiggan. This event will provide an opportunity for people to meet and dance. Everyone is welcome from beginner to advanced dancers. (Admission €5.)

Finally, ‘The Gathering Session’, held in the Plaza at 6pm on Sunday, will bring together elements of the weekend’s music, song and dance. (Free event.)

The organisers thanked the Arts Council of Ireland, Donegal County Council, LEADER through Inishowen Development Partnership, Redcastle Hotel/Harcourt Developments and local businesses for their support.

Tickets are available now on www.inishowenmusic.ie.