'Northern Lights Fest'

This Festival ran in Ballycastle for a number of years, from 1993 to the late 90's.

A whole host of musical activities each year, including many well known musicians, made this a superb event. The first festival was a real gem, with a real Scottish flavour to it, & many excellent musical guests, including Ian Frazer & Ian Hardie from Scotland, John Shaw from Cape Breton, plus Irish players including Sean McGuire, Martin McGinley, Dermot McLaughlin, Denis Sweeney, Dominic McNabb, Colm Lennon and the Derry & Antrim Fiddlers - & that was just the Fiddle players!

It was a real pity when it ground to a halt, but that's another story!

The Music school, introduced in 1995, attracted, in the first year, first class tutors too , including big names like Sean McGuire (Fiddle), Deirdre Havlin (Flute), Francie McPeake (Whistle), Ken Pearlman (G Banjo), Janet Harbison (Harp), John Moulden (Song), Sam Baillie (Piping), Roy Arbuckle (Percussion), Robbie Hannan (Uilleann Pipes), & Ian Hardie (Scottish Fiddling). The following year I was roped in for the first time to teach the Banjo/Mandolin class and in later years I was asked to run & organise the classes, tutors etc.

Music School was a very popular component, enjoyed by numerous adults as well as kids.

It taught a wide variety of instruments including the usual Fiddle, Flute & Whistle classes as well as less commonly seen ones like Rock Guitar & the Bodhran making class, which was always well attended.

There were always plenty opportunities for local kids to share the limelight too.