Well, that's the first one over, and judging by all the smiling faces I saw all week, I think everyone had a great time. There were one or two little hiccups, just as you wood expect from a first run through a new event, in a new setting, with untried concert venues, accommodation etc. etc., but thankfully nothing serious occurred to mar the week and it ended with everyone asking about the next one - so watch this space!

Before I give you a brief insight into how it all went, here is an interesting quote from a letter that Lisa & Heather Malyuk received from Chris & Sue, who attended the 'Early Bird' concert in the Springhill Bar.

“We have been to a lot of folk music evenings in various places over the years, but the evening in Portrush where we met you has to rate the best of the lot. The sheer joy, enthusiasm and professionalism of all the musicians involved was tremendous, but we especially enjoyed your music - you combined together really well and were obviously thoroughly enjoying the whole experience yourselves.”

Well, I think some of us felt it was a little too noisy in the Springhill Bar that night, but there was certainly plenty of atmosphere & it is great to hear that other folk obviously really enjoyed the night too.

We all know the girls are brilliant, & we were all absolutely delighted that they came to CDF05, not only for their brilliant musicianship but also for the warmth & friendship their whole family group brought to this first festival, which helped greatly in creating that warm friendly atmosphere which we all enjoyed over the weekend. As we would say over here, Lisa & Heather, 'haste ye back'.

CONCERTS

There were six concerts in all, on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, plus one Ceilidh on the Wednesday, and there were stars at each of these.

At Ballybogey Community Hall, on the Tuesday night, I would have to say that Nat Magee & William Rea stole the show with their double act on Hammered Dulcimers. They charmed the largely local crowd with their delightful playing and relaxed good humour. However other crowd pleasers that night included Danielle & Ann-Marie Brown, Rick Davis and Scad the Beggars, and beggar Greg Gault's recitations went down a treat, especially as Charlie Gillen was unable to attend.

At the Wednesday Ceilidh in Bushmills Community Hall, a big thankyou goes to Lynda & all the May Rooney Dancers for instructing & demonstrating so well, to Ian Miller for all his help on the night, and to musicians Ciaran Kelly, Susan Miller, Rick Davis & Naomi Warner for great music.

On Thursday night, in the Springhill Bar, Portrush, it was Christie Burns & Butch Ross who had an exciting, exuberant stage presence which everyone found very appealing. Their music was exhilarating and just what the doctor ordered to inspire any existing dulcimer players and draw new ones into the fold. Youngsters, Lisa & Heather Malyuk were certainly not immature in their professionalism for their opening performance was nothing short of stunning and they gave a dazzling exhibition of quality musicianship. Rick Davis & Jenny Coxon also gave superb demonstrations on just how versatile, and pleasing to the ear, the Dulcimer really is. The finale with all six musicians in concert was brilliant, if only it hadn't been so noisy. The guests were then joined by all the regular Thursday night musicians to form huge session which ended the night. This was admittedly a little stretched out and as a result, disjointed, but an exciting way nonetheless, to kick start the weekend.

At the Friday night Open Air Concert on the Main Street of Bushmills, I'd say that 'JCB' stole the show with their wonderful Northumbrian Pipe sound, but I'm sure even they found the local 'Bannside Fife & Drum' corp a hard act to follow. However, next day, the word on the street was that everyone had really enjoyed the Scottish Music!! Well, not to worry guys, sure you are from just over the border after all! Scad the Beggars & Rick Davis were also on good form at this event and although it could have gone on a little longer, the cold sea wind had the street temperature at just a little above freezing, which was a shame after such a beautiful day!

The Saturday night concert, in the New Mill, saw Christie & Butch in unstoppable form yet again, and once more Lisa & Heather, and this time also JCB, gave them a good run for their money, with father & son act Barry Carroll & Niall O Cearbhaill getting the evening going in excellent fashion, although they did stay on stage perhaps a little too long, forgetting the old adage that you should always leave the audience wanting more!

On Sunday night, in the Giant's Causeway National Trust Centre, we enjoyed a superb and wonderfully varied display of music in the beautiful setting of the Giant's Restaurant, with the North Sea & the setting Sun as a spectacular backdrop. This time the musical giant's of the weekend, Butch, Christie, Lisa & Heather all joined forces to provide us all with a humungous finale, and this whole concert, for me, was one of the highlights of the week with such a varied display of Dulcimers & playing styles plus a large number of other musicians to provide a concert I'll remember for a long time. Good onya Liam!

Thanks to Christie Burns for this short clip of myself & John Hughes (Fiddle & Uilleann Pipes) playing at the 'Giant's Causeway National Trust Centre' concert:

Each Dulcimer player on the night offered a different style to the audience, from the simplicity of my own learners playing, through the various approaches of George Monger, Rick Davis & Jenny Coxon to the showmanship of LIsa Malyuk & Christie Burns.

The variety of instrumentation on the night pleased everyone, from Lindsay Porteous on Jews Harp & Drone Whistle, through Sabine & myself on Harp, Concertina, Fiddle & HD, plus Rick Davis, Jenny Coxon & George Monger on HDs to John Hughes on Uilleann PIpes & Liam Hanna on Poem & Song.

If Sunday night was varied, then Monday night gave us more of the same, for at the Black Nun Club, in Ballymoney, we had three Harps, Scottish Smallpipes, Mandolin, Fiddles, Fife, Guitar, plus four Dulcimers and some delightful singing. It proved to be a terrific night & one of the best the club has ever had.

Stars of the night were of course the Guests, Julia Lane & Fred Gosbee, but young 10 year old Ciabha on Harp certainly gave them a good run for their money, while Janetta Fairbairn was my own favourite on the night & I just wish I'd heard more of her beautiful singing over the weekend. Jenny Coxon & Rick Davis both vied for top Dulcimer spot on the night, each giving superb displays of enchanting music, and Dale Nupp even got in on the act, but more from him in two years time, he promises!

To wind down gently, some of us even managed to celebrate the success of the festival by attending a Birthday Party in the Carrick -a - Rede Bar, Ballintoy. I arrived late, having played for a Ceili earlier, but I needn't have hurried cause we didn't leave until 3am, like we really needed another late night! Rick & Brandy I think got about 10 mins sleep before heading for the airport!

Eight nights on the trot then ~ not bad going for the first festival!! A big thanks to all who helped me put these concerts on by allowing me to use their premises.

CLASSES

The Workshops appeared to go well, with each class having at least a couple of learners. I haven't, as yet, had feed-back from all the tutors, but the Rick Davis beginners H D class included two complete beginners, which must always be a good sign. He also had Geoff Magee, a relative of John Rea, in there too, which could only be good.

Butch Ross had most of Ireland's Mountain Dulcimer players in the one room, that is both of them. Seriously though Butch inspired a lot more people too over the weekend, not only with his teaching technique but also by being such an exciting player to watch & listen to.

Christie Burns took advantage of the beautiful weather & because the sports hall was just too noisy, she held her class out in the open air, by the front door, and she had a good group in tow. Their playing by the entrance was a delightful sound for any late arrivals to hear.

The Northumbrian Pipers, Colin, Julia & Barry inevitably only had a small group of three to look after, one each, and probably only one of those will actually be carrying on with the Northumbrian Pipes, but all enjoyed & benefited from the experience.

Unfortunately my own class on Fife tunes for HD had to be canceled at the last minute, but that'll keep till next year.

Thanks to Alan Parks & all at the Bushmills Education Centre.

TALKS

These were great fun and although some were rather poorly attended, they were a success and will be a permanent feature of the Festival.

John McLean's talk on Fifes unfortunately clashed with the street concert which ran over time, but John is an excellent speaker and I will be making sure that his talk is scheduled for a prime time slot next year.

Nat Magee charmed us once again with a short history on the HD and an insight into John Rea & his Music, the highlight being Nat's duets with William Rea.

William Rea & Nat Magee perform during Nat's Talk.

[Photo Jenny Coxon]

Charlie Gillen is a wonderful raconteur & a master of the North Antrim Rhyme. He has won the premier competition in Antrim for composing these Rhymes & so was crowned the 'Bard of Ballycarry' & there is simply no better man to explain this delightful art form or recite its best examples.

Colin Ross, Julia & Barry Say launched the annual Piper's Gathering in fine style with a superbly entertaining insight into the history & workings of the Northumbrian Pipes.

Rick Davis launched, what we hope will be an annual look at what happened to local tunes when the Appalachian musicians got hold of them. It, like most good talks, gave us more questions than answers & will, I'm sure, become an annual highlight.

John Moulden is a master craftsman in the art of public speaking and he enthralled us with tales of local singers, a history of songs & singers in the area & also sang & lilted various examples of songs & song airs.

Unfortunately, Johnny Murphy couldn't make it this year, but we hope to see him take the podium next year. However Kathleen Smith, John Hughes & myself chatted & played our way through an hour of discussion on Antrim Tunes & players.

Thanks to Liam Hanna & all at the Giant's Causeway National Trust.

SESSIONS

As with all festivals, the heart & soul of the event is measured by the quality of the sessions, and we had some great ones. They started with a noisy disjointed one in the Springhill Bar, but it was good fun & got us all in the mood for things to come. Friday night produced a cracker in the Distillers Arms, this being led by Jenny Coxon & she did a great job in making sure that everyone got a fair crack of the whip. Saturday's big session took place in the Ed. Centre common room & ran from about 11pm till 3am! This one was a wonderful display of all the weekend's musical talent & produced some delightful combinations of sounds.

What impressed me most about all the sessions, both the organized ones & those crackers that just happen, was that none were taken over or dominated by any obnoxious, big headed egotists. They were all friendly affairs which reflected the family atmosphere of the whole festival.

SHOP TALK

A big thankyou goes to Jenny Coxon who organized the 'Festival Shop'. It was great having that extra focal point, & the excellent facility that it turned out to be. I'm sure everyone enjoyed browsing & buying & of course the artists enjoyed the hassle free selling.

WEATHER

Apart from the cold wind on Friday night we enjoyed the three best days of the year so far, & couldn't have asked for better. It really was perfect weather, especially for those who were new to this beautiful area.

So you could say it started with a display of seven Hammered Dulcimers & one Mountain Dulcimer, in the sun, in front of Glenarm Castle & ended with a beautiful sunset over the Giant's Causeway as a backdrop to the 'Giant's Concert', with sunshine all the way in between. We really couldn't have asked for better.

Dulcimers in the sun, in front of Glenarm Castle, with Dick (Antrim) Hector McDonnell (at home) Nat (Antrim) Lisa (Ohio) Christie (Kentucky) Rick (North Carolina) Lindsay (Scotland) & Jenny (England).

[photo R & B Davis ]

Thanks to the Big Fella upstairs for shining down on us all weekend!

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Apologies to anyone I have neglected to mention. I must stress that this is only the first draft & I will hopefully get it right, eventually.

Many thanks to our Patron & all our sponsors.

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