Gig’n The Bann 2019 celebrates 20 years of the Cross Cultural Music and Dance Festival this year. The Festival will run from Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th September. A landmark year for the annual event and we’re sure Portglenone will be buzzing.
We picked up a programme of events and as always it looks like a weekend packed with entertainment to suit everyone. We also love the cover photo of the Bann Bridge, credit: Eddie Coogan.
Gig’n The Bann 2019 events
Run’n The Bann/ Walk’n The Bann kicks off the programme on Thursday 12th September. A 5k course has been set for the runners and walkers which starts on Main Street at 7pm. Registration in 1st Portglenone Church Hall from 6pm. If you’re interested in taking part, click here to go to the relevant Gig’n The Bann webpage for more details.
Over the weekend you also have a choice of three concerts to go to – they will all take place in the fantastic surroundings of the Riverside Suite at the Wild Duck Inn.
Friday 13th sees Chris Madden take the stage for his return visit to the Festival. This concert also features The Illegals with Niamh Kavanagh. If your taste in music include The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, etc this is one for you! You can get your tickets online on the Facebook event page here.
Saturday 14th and the lineup includes several very talented musicians from the traditional music scene – featuring Dave & Michelle Sheridan, Alan Costello and Portglenone’s own Eoghan O’Brien. You can also experience ‘Bagrock’ from The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Described as ‘bagpipes with attitude’ these guys have played many of the world’s biggest festivals and make regular appearances at sporting and other national and international events. They are returning to help celebrate this special year for Gig’n The Bann. Tickets available from their online event page here.
Sunday 15th at 8pm is the Ann O’Brien Stage – featuring Portglenone CCE and Sharon Shannon Trio. Sharon first visited Gig’n The Bann in 2002 and returned again in 2012. This fully seated concert also features the ‘Contribution to Music’ Awards. Get your tickets for this concert on the event page here.
Other regular features of Gig’n The Bann will also be taking place this year. They include the popular Pipe’n The Bann which will see several local pipe bands perform in Bank Square on the Saturday afternoon.
Also on Sunday there will be Family Fun organised by Party Time Events from 12 to 5pm. This is followed by Praise’n The Bann at 6:30pm in Bank Square with the local churches leading worship with a selection of traditional and contemporary hymns.
As always there will also be Festival Sessions in several venues. The best local traditional musicians joined by those from further afield playing in The Crosskeys Inn, The Wild Duck, The GAA Club, Main St and Greenlough Bar.
For full details of the programme and to find out more about the Gig’n the Bann 2019, visit their website here.