Tag: Catherine McHugh

IMDL are delighted to announce the full programme of events for this year’s Return to London Town Festival – Friday 28th to Monday 31st October 2022! 

For this 24th edition of the festival a wonderfully impressive array of brilliant musicians and singers from Ireland, alongside a large number of London-based artists, will be involved in a fantastic weekend full of events celebrating traditional Irish music, song and dance. 

With three major concerts, two set dancing céilís, one céilí for all, twenty instrumental/singing workshops and a huge programme of sessions (including the very popular tutor-led sessions), there is something for everyone and all the family. Two new innovations this year are céilí dancing and singing workshops specifically for children. IMDL are keen to make sure people of all ages come away with an ‘up close and personal experience’ of traditional Irish culture. 

The festival will also be hosting a triple bill album launch on the Sunday evening, highlighting new releases from Wicklow concertina player Paddy Egan, Galway’s The Kane Sisters (celebrating the music of Paddy Fahey) and West Cork accordionist and singer Diarmuid Ó Meachair. 

Most events will take place at The Crown Hotel in Cricklewood, others at Ashford Place and at local public houses in Cricklewood and Kilburn. Set dancing events will be held at Mazenod Social Club. 

All Inclusive Weekend Ticket (Fri 28 – 31 October – 4 Concerts/ 3 Ceilis): £40 

 Friday 28 October 2022 

Evening Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 7.30pm, Tickets £20/ £6 U18s) 

Jackie Daly and Matt Cranitch/ Sorcha Costello, Elaine Reilly, Catherine McHugh/ Bróna McVittie 

The Crown Hotel (Cricklewood) and Colin Campbell (Kilburn) – FREE Sessions 

 Saturday 29 October 2022 

Instrumental Workshops at various Cricklewood venues (11am-1pm, Tickets £10) 
Fiddle: Sorcha Costello 
Banjo: Elaine Reilly 
Accordion: Dermot Byrne 
Concertina: Alex Kelly 
Flute: John Rynne 
Whistle: Brogan McAuliffe 
Harp: Máire Ní Chathasaigh 
Uilleann Pipes: Rita Farrell 
Accompaniment: Jim Murray 

Programmed Music Sessions from 1pm until late: The Crown Hotel, plus other Cricklewood and Kilburn venues – FREE 

Afternoon Children’s Céilí Dancing Workshop: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (1.30-2.30pm, Tickets £5): Anne Drury 

Afternoon Singing Workshop (2-4pm, Tickets £10): Bróna McVittie 

Afternoon Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 2pm, Tickets £10/ £6 U18s) 

Diarmuid Ó Meachair, James Carty and Jonas Fromseier/ Tommy Fitzharris, Dónal McCague and John Blake/ In Good Company 

Tutor Led Session: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (3pm FREE) Sorcha Costello, Paddy Egan, Peter McAlinden 

Set Dancing Céilí: Mazenod Social Club, Kilburn (4-7pm, Tickets £12) 

Music by the Parish Céilí Band 

Evening Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 7.30pm, Ticket £20/ £6 U18s) 

Dermot Byrne, Brid Harper, Jim Murray/ Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Chris Newman/ Liz and Yvonne Kane and John Blake 

Sunday 30 October 2022 

Instrumental Workshops at various Cricklewood venues (11am-1pm, Tickets £10) 

Fiddle: Brid Harper 
Banjo: Jonas Fromseier 
Accordion: Diarmuid Ó Meachair 
Concertina: Paddy Egan 
Flute: Tommy Fitzharris 
Whistle: Peter McAlinden 
Accompaniment: John Blake 

Programmed Music Sessions from 1pm until late: The Crown Hotel, plus other Cricklewood and Kilburn venues – FREE 

Afternoon Children’s Singing Workshop: Venue tba (1.30-2.30pm, Tickets £5): 

Set Dancing Céilí: Mazenod Social Club, Kilburn (2-5pm, Tickets £12) 

Music by the Parish Céilí Band 

Tutor Led Session: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (3pm FREE): Tommy Fitzharris, Bríd Harper, Peter McAlinden  

Acoustic Album Launch: Sala Room, The Crown Hotel (7pm FREE) 

• Paddy Egan – ‘Tobar Gan Trá’
• The Kane Sisters  – ‘In Memory of Paddy Fahey’
• Diarmuid Ó Meachair

(Sala Room, The Crown Hotel) – FREE ENTRY 

Evening Céilí for All: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (8-10.30pm, Tickets £5) 

Mc Cool Trad 

Monday 31 October 2022 

Afternoon Concert: Ivy Suite, The Crown Hotel (Doors 2pm, Tickets £10/ £6 U18s) 

Paddy Egan, Mick O’Connor, John Devine and Mick Bailey/ London Irish Pensioners Choir / Dermot Byrne and friends 

Festival website: www.returntolondontown.org