Leaden Skies, and a “low” off the East Coast, threatening heavy rain and howling winds, were not enough to deter devotees from making their way to the NSW Northern Tableland Town of Glen Innes for the 23rd Australian Celtic Festival.
The first weekend in May is the time when the town’s Celtic heritage and culture is celebrated in a very professional and entertaining way, and thousands of eager travellers join with many of the town’s 6,000 residents to pay tribute to that year’s nominated Celtic Nation – this year it happened to be Wales. (When I visited previously, in 2011, Ireland was the celebrated nation.)
Now, I suppose we should clear up one important point before proceeding further – is it pronounced “keltic” or “seltic”? In Oz, we tend to say “keltic” and “kelts” but there are arguments for “seltic”, such as the British football team and the fact that no other word beginning with “ce…” is pronounced with a “k”. However, every time I heard it used over the weekend, it was “keltic”, so that’s good enough for me!
The overwhelming feeling in the town was one of friendship and welcoming, nowhere more evident than at the Glen Innes Tourist Information Centre, which is conveniently located, very attractively appointed, and staffed by a group of locals who are ready and eager to make the visitor’s stay as enjoyable as possible – and Fred looked pretty fetching in his Glen Innes Tartan kilt!
Activities began as early as the Wednesday before the weekend, with an Art Exhibition and a Schools’ Concert, but Thursday saw the activities and events really start to ramp up, culminating in the evening with the “Cead Mile Failte: 100,000 Welcomes” Concert in the Glen Innes and District Services Club. To welcome us to the Festival, the capacity audience was entertained by The Glen Innes Pipe Band, The Cape Byron Ceilidh Dancers, and several individual singers and musicians, who set the tone of what was to follow over the next three days. The rain that had begun to fall outside did nothing to dampen our enjoyment or anticipation for the weekend ahead.
Friday saw activities such as the Celtic Kilted Tour, The Official Opening Ceremony, the Lone Piper play on the balcony of the Town Hall, overlooking the main street, and then various evening entertainments at clubs, pubs, churches and restaurants – some planned and some “jam sessions”! The line-up of performers included Anna and Jordan, Pumpkin Juice, Drumworx ( an extraordinary group of synchronized drummers!), Stu Tyrell, and the very popular Murphy’s Pigs.
The Opening Ceremony, held in the Town Hall because of the inclement weather, included the Guardians’ Ceremony. Now, the Guardians (no, they are not Aliens!) are charged with the responsibility of protecting and maintaining the famous Standing Stones, which stand impressively on the hill overlooking the town. The members of this group must renew their oath each year and swear in any new members.
I must make mention here of a young lady, with the appropriately Welsh moniker of Siobhan Owen, who had entertained us in the Services Club the night before, then performed in the Glen Innes Severn Library on Friday afternoon (the staff had to scurry around to find a large number of additional chairs, because the word had passed around…a result of her appearance at the previous night’s concert!). Accompanying herself on the harp, she sang a selection of songs, including some in her Welsh language, with a voice that was pure and spellbinding.
Friday night’s weather left a little to be desired – in fact, it blew a gale and the rain bucketed down! – but when my wife and I emerged from our Coromal cocoon on Saturday morning, we were greeted by sunshine and blue skies! Following a very atmospheric Dawn Service, held in the precincts of The Standing Stones, the traditional Festival street parade was viewed by a large audience who packed both sides, and the middle, of the main street. Pipe bands and drums were the order of the day as the many participating groups proudly showed off their colourful costumes and tartans! The culmination was a performance by the massed bands in the town square, again greeted enthusiastically by the large crowd.
Following the parade, the focus of the Festival shifted to the top of the hill above the town, where The Standing Stones, the national monument to Australia’s Celtic pioneers, set the scene for the many activities to take place over the following two days. These included: the Poets’ Breakfast with Irish Joe Lynch; the Celtic Country Yard Dog Championships; the Strongman, (and woman) events; and performances by the New England Medieval Arts Society, portraying life and conflict in early Celtic society. Entertainment was continuous from early morn till late evening in the three specially assigned marquees – Sapphire, Ruby and Crystal – featuring the artists already mentioned plus Clodagh, Welder’s Dog, The Barleyshakes, Highlander, The Kelly Family, and, of course, several of the pipe bands that seemed to be omnipresent! One group that deserves special mention is the Villanova College Irish Ensemble, a group of senior students and their teacher from the Brisbane college, who just wowed the audiences with their obvious talent and enthusiasm. In fact, this group won the official Australian Celtic Award for Best New Talent (2015), presented that night at the Awards Night Concert, where Celia Pavey (as seen on “The Voice”) made a special guest appearance. Another popular spectacle featured the young (and not so young!) dancers from The Cape Byron Dancers, The Glenmore Highland Dancers, and The Hunter Welsh Folk Dancers.
Rows of stalls within the grounds ensured that no-one would go hungry or thirsty, and that one could purchase any number of souvenirs, or could trace Celtic heritage, or could attend a workshop with some of the featured artists. Yes, there truly was something for everyone!
Next year, the Festival is dedicated to The Isle of Man (no, I don’t think there will be any motorbikes!), so you should think about visiting Glen Innes in the first weekend in May, 2016. The town, in its autumn colours is beautiful, the people are friendly and welcoming, and there is plenty to see and do. Accommodation is not a problem, provided bookings are made in advance, and that can all be arranged through the Tourist Information Centre or on line at (www.gleninnestourism.com) .
A thoroughly enjoyable experience!