We have just received an update from on the water the Christopher Healy was at the 8.15km mark at 9.18am and has taken 4h 32m to get that far. He is on-track to beat the record of 6h 22m for 10km and then he will continue for another 1okm to reach the Killaloe Canal at around 4pm today Christopher Healy and in doing so break 2 World Records! This Dive is to raise awareness and to raise funds of the Share a Dream Foundation and The Temple Street Children’s Hospital. For further details, check out – http://www.mycharity.ie/event/coast_to_coast_dive

The VIKING LONG BOAT will be arriving into Ballina Jetty at 7pm tonight. Head on down to see them.

You can download a copy of the Féile Brian Ború Programme 2013  here in PDF format.

Brian Boru Programme 2013 PDF

Did you make it to any of the action packed events over the last two weeks?

DJ Nessa Harney from Spin South West Radio will be at Spin on the Street tonight so make sure to come along to the Green, Killaloe, for the biggest outdoor party the Green has ever seen!

Wednesday’s Feile Boot Camp was tough but fun, as local athletes were put through their paces by fitness experts!

IMPORTANT NOTE: If there is a picture of you, or your child taking part in the Feile, which you would prefer we removed from our Facebook page – please let us know immediately and we will be happy to delete asap. Kind regards, Feile Brian Boru Social Media Team

Trying out their harp skills at one of the workshops at Quay arts.  Workshops continue to run during the week, for the over 9’s. See here for more information.

This year’s Féile Brian Ború got off to a great start with Tommy Tiernan performing a sellout show at the Lakeside Hotel on Thursday. Highlight of the first weekend in an action packed 10 day schedule was Sunday’s children’s parade. Hundreds of children from primary schools on both sides of the river came together during the week to craft costumes, and on Sunday, a  river of colour and sound poured across the bridge. Also on Sunday, the Feile Feis was a busy day for dancers with some super performances given.

Butterly preparation for the parade

Hide Children's Art Workshop

Events didn’t slow down after the weekend. The new week brought culture galore with Harp workshops and storytelling from the master of tales, Eddie Lenihan, and the weather on Monday held out for a wonderful guided historical walk. More of these will be running during the rest of the festival.  There are dozens of events on over the next few days, with something to suit everyone. Mary Coughlan, Richie Hayes, Canal tours, Féile singing, Spin on the Street and a not-to-be missed performance from the National Harp Orchestra at the Cathedral. Saturday and Sunday are busy with 30 unique events running over the weekend.

Hide Children's Parade

Feile Feis at the Lakeside

This year the Féile has introduced an historical re-enactment of Brian Boru’s camp at Cathedral Quay. From 11.30 on Saturday you can observe battle tactics, warriors competing, combat trials and at 4.30pm  a full battle! On Sunday, observe a traditional Brehon trial, and a battle at 3.30pm. Saturday night’s Feile Pageant on the Green at 8pm will bring history to life, and culminate in fireworks from 10.30pm. Sunday has plenty to do with Garden Fete, Farmer’s Market, Viking long boat racing,  animal magic, dog show and lots more.

Pop Up Playhouse Art

In the run up to much talked about ‘WTF-What The Festival?’, A youth event which took place in the twin towns of Killaloe and Ballina on Saturday, excitement was the main emotion around the day. The festival began with ‘Feile Na nOg’ in 2010 when it was set up by group of young people from the Ballina/Killaloe area to provide events for teenagers during ‘Feile Brian Boru’. Since that it has grown in size and credibility, and is a time much anticipated and enjoyed by people both in the locality and further afield!

Photo from left to right: (Back) Robert Meaney. (Centre) Emma Ryan, Aoife Watson, Orla Watson, Amy Butler, Rowan Stainsby, Kevin Sheedy. (Front) Dean McInerney, Taine Amodeo, Siun Moriarty, Eoin Bourke Maguire, Liswa McDonald.

This year, as part of the Ballina/Killaloe Youth Initiative the group packed their usual week, into one explosive day and ladled it the appropriate title of, ‘WTF?’. Though the weather didn’t hold up, the day was still jam packed with music, food, art, performances and most of all, fun! The musical talent shone in a wide majority with genres from acoustic to funk, and performers from Limerick to Bray, diversity was key! With both a main stage and the wonderfully unusual ‘Pop-Up Playhouse’ an inflatable venue, there was a non stop flow of head bopping throughout the day.
Also the event featured a youth market with produce from the local favourites ‘Scoops Ice Cream Parlour’ and ‘Bake Away’ as well as goods made by the teenagers, crafts, face and body painting, video diaries and two huge graffiti ‘cubes’ which were covered in wild and creative pieces. The day finished off with an acoustic and Dj set to leave everyone going home with a feel good feeling, this was most certainly achieved. An incredible day was had by all!

The Féile Brian Ború committee would like to say a huge thanks to James and Aoife for hosting the official launch of Féile Brian Ború 2012 on board the beautiful Spirit of Killaloe. Féile Brian Ború 2012 starts today so pick up a programme locally or view the 2012 events section on this site.

Pictured at the launch of Féile Brian Ború 2012 are: l - r: Michael McNamara T.D., Timmy Dooley T.D., Bryan Brislane, Celia Larkin, Cllr. Phyll Bugler, Minister Alan Kelly, Keith Wood (Patron of Féile Brian Ború) and John Grimes (Chairperson).

Pictured at the launch of Féile Brian Ború 2012 are: l - r: Brendan Griffin and Dave Mooney from Mogh Roith Living History Group

Pictured at the launch of Féile Brian Ború 2012 are: l - r: Michael McNamara T.D. and Timmy Dooley T.D.

We are delighted to launch the new Feile Brian Boru website.

You will see signs throughout the site that the Feile is increasing in scale and ambition as we move towards 2014.

This has been made possible by an expanding team of professionals giving their time to advise and assist with all aspects of the event.

If you would also like to be involved, please get in touch and you can be part of a truly inspiring community collective effort.

Féile Brian Ború 2011 (29th June – 3rd July) was officially launched on Thursday night last in the
Lakeside Hotel, Ballina.

Alan Kelly, Minister of State, Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, pictured with musicians at the launch of Féile Brian Ború 2011

The launch gave the committee an opportunity to thank all the people who help out with the organisation and running of events during the festival period. “The support we receive on a local level is phenomenal” said John Grimes, Chairman of the committee, in his opening speech. “The 2011 programme of events is the biggest yet” he said. He also reminded people that “Féile Brian Ború 2011 is another milestone on the road to our build up to celebrations in 2014”.

Alan Kelly, Minister of State, Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, who officially launched the festival reported “that Féile Brian Ború is a great example of what a community can achieve when they work together. The festival is great for the local community, the local businesses and for tourism in the area”. He also complimented the committee on the programme of events saying how good it was to see so many events being organised for people of all ages; in particular,
the introduction of Féile na nÓg in 2010, which is a festival for young people, by young people (www.feilenanog.org)

The committee would like to thank the management and staff of The Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre for hosting such a wonderful launch.

We would also like to thank Local Councillor Dr. Phyll Bugler, Sergeant Mulqueen of Killaloe Gardaí and Fr. Edmond O’Rahelly who attended the Launch and for their continued support of Féile Brian Ború.

We would also like to thank Noel & Christy, members of East Clare Ceoltas and all the Musicians & Singers for providing most enjoyable musical entertainment on the night.

The programme of events is now available on our website www.feilebrianboru.killaloe.ie and programmes are available locally in the Tourist Office & Shops.

We look forward to seeing you over the festival celebrations.