Music
Classical
Wexford Opera Festival
21 October - 5 November 2011
Priority Booking (for Wexford Festival Friends) opens: 4 May 2011
General Booking opens: 1 June 2011
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Traditional, Choral, Classical and Jazz
As well as the opera itself the town is alive with music. Jazz, rock, modern, traditional choral recitals and the delightful 'Scenes from the Opera' add to the rich musical feast. There are hundreds of art, sculpture and craft exhibitions set throughout the narrow streets of the town. The colour, the sounds, the exotic visitors mingle through the narrow streets with the salt smell of the sea and the call of the gulls.
Music for Wexford brings musicians of the highest calibre to Wexford. Performers and programming have been varied and have included chamber groups orchestras oratorio and light classical music as well as a Christmas Carol service in St.Iberius Church on Christmas eve. Their concerts are typically held at lunch time in St.Iberius Church on the Main Street in Wexford. They last about an hour and are a nice way to introduce the whole family to classical music. Phone O53 23672 for bookings. They will be posted on our web site as soon as it is available.
Traditional
The tradition of folk music in Ireland is very strong and vibrant. Spontaneous 'sesuns' while perhaps not as common as a decade ago can be chanced on in local pubs and Irish people love to sing !!
Sean Ogs Pub in Kilmuckridge Village has a traditional music session every Tuesday night all year around with singing and set dancing. Visitors are welcomed and often asked to contribute.
Among other local pubs which have traditional music are Pooles in Gorey on Sunday nights and The Centenary Stores in Wexford at Sunday lunchtime. Tracys Hotel Enniscorthy also has great sessions on Tuesday nights in June, July and Aug.
The Rebellion of 1798 which is closely associated with Wexford County give birth to some moving ballads like The Croppy Boy and more rousing ones such as Boolavogue and Kelly the Boy from Killane.
Flead Cheoil or traditional musical festivals and competitions are held on county, provincial and National levels. In 2006 the Wexford Fleadh Ceoil will be held in Ferns on May 13th and 14th and the Leinster Fleadh will be held in Carlow from 7 to the 9th of July. Ferns is just 15 mins from Morriscastle and Carlow is just over an hour. They attract over 20000 of the best Irish Musicians each year and Music spills out from the competitions into the pubs and into the small village streets. It’s not to be missed.
Modern Music
Ireland has quite a reputation for modern Music. Few from Sutherland to Samarkand have not heard of U2, but the Boomtown Rats, Aslan, Westlife Samantha Mumba,and others are well known internationally. Most Irish Pubs have live music at weekends especially in the summer months.
In Kilmuckridge the three village pubs Hammels ,Boggans and Sean Ogs all have live music at the weekends and often during the week. Sing Songs are usual and everyone is welcome and encouraged to sing or perform.
For Families whose younger members are interested in modern music there is a competition each Tuesday night in Dun Mhuire in Wexford town in July and August for the best new Wexford Band of the Year. Young people can meet other Irish people of the same age and the music which varies can be excellent.
The Wexford Arts Centre has a series of contemporary music concerts. Please see the website for schedule: www.wexfordartscentre.ie
You can book for all events at Wexford Arts Centre by ringing them on 05391 23764 or 24544. Alternatively you can book by sending us an email to wexfordartscentre@eircom.net. Please allow at least 24 hours notice for email bookings.
Many of the Festivals which take place in Wexford during the Summer Months are associated with Music.
- The Hooves and Grooves Festival held annually in Wexford has very good modern Irish Bands playing all day in various locations indoors and out.
- The Viking Festival in Aug in Wexford reinacts the landing of the Vikings in Wexford and is accompanied by lots of open air music.
