Féile Róise Rua is a voluntary community-based festival celebrating the local music, song tradition and heritage of Arranmore island, in particular the music of local singer and song collector Róise Rua, or Róise na nÁmhrán. The festival is run by a social enterprise, Taisce an Oileáin, with all profits from the event going into community and arts projects on Arranmore.
This year’s festival will include exclusive performances and exhibitions from some of the finest Irish and Scottish traditional music, heritage and folk artists including Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, Nell Ní Chróinín, Ruth Clinton, Griogair Labhruidh, Síle Friel, The Devaney Brothers, Conor Connolly, Joe Hogan, Lucy O Hagan, acclaimed director Bob Gallagher and the Inishowen Traditional Singers Circle
“A magical weekend of song” according to Patrick Freyne of the Irish Times. Will Hermes of the New York Times, describes Féile Róise Rua as an “imaginative boutique festival” in his piece “What’s Driving a Fresh Wave of Irish Music? Tradition.”
Féile Róise Rua is a unique Donegal festival experience on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Visitors, singers, music lovers and those with an interest in heritage arts, get an authentic experience as they immerse themselves in island life for this special weekend.
There will be song and music sessions, a céilí, a concert, talks, workshops, photographic exhibitions, film, island tours, graveside songs and even some fresh scones and tea!