St. Bridgids’s Day – an ancient time.  A celebration of womanhood.   A time to welcome back the light.  A time to reflect on the beckoning year.  A time to rise up and move out and what better place in which to welcome the year ahead than in the Quaker village of Letterfrack in North West Conamara.

As usual Letterfrack will be making merry with their annual festival Taréis na Féile Bríde Feb. 6^th – 8^th which is organised by local group Conamara Environmental Education and Cultural Centre, Letterfrack who are celebrating their 25^th birthday, 1984-2009.

An abundance of music, song and dance awaits the visitor – great trad with Sean Tyrell, Yvonne Kane, Jack Talty, Frank Custy, Teresa Custy, Johnny Mullins, Marcus Hernon and family, Johnny Connolly and lots more.  A dollop of gospel from the Galway Gospel Choir, a blast of country from the great Niall Toner Band.  Sean Nós workshops with the Cunningham family as well as music workshops.

A special feature of the weekend will be a photographic exhibition titled ‘Cillin’ by Oughterard born photographer Lorraine Tuck who has put together a wonderful atmospheric set of images on the theme of children’s burial grounds.  The official opening of this exhibition takes place at Letterfrack National School on Friday 6^th Feb. at 8.00pm, all are welcome.  This exhibition runs throughout the weekend Sat. 12 – 5.00pm and Sun. 2.00 – 5.00pm.  Admission is Free.

The Galway Gospel Choir will be returning to Letterfrack for the second year, back by popular demand.  This choir which was founded in 2001 by Michel-Anne Durham and Tomas Burke has grown in numbers to at least 45 members.  Their repertoire includes songs of American and African origin as well as some Bluegrass numbers.  The choir has toured in Ireland and Europe and has appeared regularly with the world famous Harlem Gospel Choir.  The choir will be conducted by Michel-Anne Durham and will be joined by Some Like It Hot on the night.