The festival was established in the year 2000 as a once off to celebrate the new millennium but such was its outstanding success that it evolved into an annual event that is attended by people from the locality, from the length and breadth of Ireland and from as far as away as Canada and the USA. It has built a reputation for offering a highly impressive line-up of top performers spanning Traditional, Scottish, Gospel and Folk Music circles and has firmly established itself as one of the premier and much anticipated events on the festival calendar
At the 2012 annual conference of The Association of Irish Festival Events (AOIFE) incorporating the 'Carlton Best of Festival Marketing Awards' Gig'n the Bann Festival was awarded the 'Best Poster 2012'. In addition to the poster winning in its category the flyer was also shortlisted to the final three in the 'Best Flyer' category. We think this quote from Padraig Rynne, world class musician and concertina player with the band Guidewires sums up the prestige in which the festival is held.
Producing a festival of this calibre is a huge job but the hard working committee never fail to disappoint. Year after year they succeed in maintaining the quality that the festival is renowned for, and provide a programme of top class events with something for everyone in the community.
The venue at the Wild Duck Inn, used for the main festival concerts, was once a shirt factory that has been transformed into a first class concert venue. It is here that many world renowned performers from the Irish traditional and Ulster Scots traditions have entertained the appreciative audiences who make the annual trip to Portglenone. Artists such as Sharon Shannon; Altan; Dervish; Lunasa; Guidewires; The Red Hot Chilli Pipers; The Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band; St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band to name but a few, have graced the stage in this historic venue. Visitors to our website can view the extensive list of artists that have performed at the festival over the years.
Over the years the festival has been renowned for its wide ranging programme of events such as the open air pipe band display; bard competition; schools event; 5K run and walk; Set Dancing & Sean-Nos Dance Workshop; family fun day and Praise Service.
The popular Acoustic Cafe hosts' live acoustic music over the course of the weekend and also provides complimentary tea and buns for all spectators! The Courtyard Sessions also enables passers-by to pause, relax and enjoy the open air live music.
The traditional music sessions attract the finest musicians from the locality and further afield. Many of the session musicians travel long distances just to be part of the unique atmosphere that the festival has to offer and many of them return year after year such is their respect for the festival.
Without a doubt anyone visiting the festival will be assured a warm welcome and a weekend of top class entertainment on the banks of the Bann!
Please contact any committee member, or email us. Better still come along to our AGM which is held in November each year. We would be very happy to have you on board.
All sections of the community, without distinction of gender, disability, nationality or religious beliefs.
No. Membership is open to all people who subscribe to the objectives of the association
Yes, expenses incurred are for the following: Public Liability Insurance, Artists, Publicity, Programme printing costs and Advertisement
Once a month from January and then more frequently form the month of April in order to get all ready for the festival in the first week of September.
The Portglenone Enterprise group offices for monthly meetings and also other meetings held in a committee member's home. As this is a voluntary group anyone willing to share their experience and skills and prepared to take on tasks would be most welcome.
As this is a voluntary group anyone willing to share their experience and skills and prepared to take on tasks would be most welcome
How to organise promote and run an event. Establish and foster links within all communities.
You can join the group as an observer if you so wish and every committee member will make you most welcome as we count ourselves as one big family. After all we are all volunteers. However, running a festival of this calibre involves a huge amount of work and anyone who can give up even a little of their free time to become actively involved would be greatly appreciated
The majority of committee and volunteers are men with 20% being female. Age range of members are between 25 and 60.