Brett Holbrook
Behind the Mike
Dennis O'Keefe
Donegal Express
Felix Meagher
Claymore
Rusty Buckets
Ron Morgan
Horny Toads
Tommy Brooks
Wandering Irish drop in
Madeline Healey. Warrnambool Standard 1st May 2006 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2006. All rights reserved
AMONG the Irish fans, descend ant and ex-pats at the Koroit Irish Festival yesterday were some fair dinkum Irish wanderers proving the festival has an international reputation. The five Irish lads and their English friend travelled from Melbourne set up camp and settled down outside Koroit Hotel to enjoy a Guinness. “One of us even left his job just so he could come,” Craig Aston said. They met during their travels in Sydney and Melbourne, but it was woman Sonia Chandnani who heard about the festival. “I heard about it last year when I was living in Dublin. I met some people who had just got back from Australia and they told me about this mad Irish festival,” Ms. Chandnani said. “I said if I was Melbourne when it was on I would definitely be going.” She said it had been great to with a group of Irishmen. “Everyone’s been saying it’s like being home in Ireland.” They said they had had enjoyed the festival especially when they proved they were real Irishmen. “We have to show some people ID or they won’t believe us,” Gian Dailtain said. The only problem for the Irish lads was they swore Guinness didn’t taste the same in Australia. “Guinness doesn’t travel unlike the Irish since we’re the country wanderers,” Mr. Aston said. One of the group, Macdara Gealbhain even entered the Danny Boy competition but they couldn’t understand his accent, Mr. Aston said.
Music teacher shows celtic talent
Madeline Healey. Warrnambool Standard 1st May 2006 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2006. All rights reserved
BRAUER College music teacher Maja Ryan beat the odds to win the Koroit Irish Festival Danny Boy competition on Saturday night Ms Ryan was one of two women and five men competing in the final but her passion for Celtic music helped her take home the $1000 first prize. “I tried to stick with traditional Irish Celtic singing rather than singing it classically, it had a real Celtic twist,” she said. Originally from Hamilton, Ms Ryan moved to Warrnambool in January from Melbourne and had never heard of the competition. “I didn’t know it existed. I knew there was an Irish festival, then I heard about the Danny Boy competition from someone at work,” she said. “I probably would have gone to the festival anyway because I love Irish stuff and music festivals.” Ms Ryan said the great crowd at the final of the competition at the Koroit Theatre had pushed her to perform her best. “I didn’t sing as well in the heat and sang better on Saturday night “The crowd was just so receptive and into the competition,” she said. Ms Ryan said she wasn’t sure about singing Danny Boy but was glad she had given it a go. “I wasn’t sure about the song but you have to sing it so I thought I might as well make the most of it,” she said.
Irish celebration
Madeline Healey. Warrnambool Standard 1st May 2006 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2006. All rights reserved
MORE than 5000 people attended the 10th Koroit Irish Festival on Saturday, making it the biggest yet. Headline act Claymore attracted a huge crowd to the village green in the afternoon, while about 400 attended the Danny Boy competition in the Koroit Theatre in the evening. Despite the large crowds police said festival-goers had been well behaved and there were no arrests. Chairman of the festival committee Colin Ryan said the committee was pleased with this year's event. ``We were happy with how it went off,'' he said. "The fact we had Claymore was a huge success and we're looking at maintaining that for future festivals. "The Danny Boy competition attracted 28 entrants with seven making the Saturday night final. Brauer College teacher Maja Ryan won the title. "She was outstanding and a very happy winner,'' Mr Ryan said. It was also a great day for the many children who dressed up to take part in the parade and enter the costume competition. Led by a piper, the parade included local primary schools and other groups. ``It's hugely successful as it gets all the kids and parents involved. ``It's a tradition of any Irish festival in the world,'' Mr Ryan said. The committee is now planning next year's festival with well-known Celtic band The Borderers already secured to perform. ``We're looking forward to next year being even bigger and better,'' Mr Ryan said.
Bluegrass boys keep up tradition
Warrnambool Standard 1st May 2006 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2006. All rights reserved
GEELONG Irish Society musician Dave Cunningham favoured a traditional approach when he performed at the Koroit Irish Festival on Saturday. Mr Cunningham took to the stage to perform classics like Isn’t It Grand Boys and of course Danny Boy, which he also performed in the singing competition. Mr Cunningham said it was great for the society to have an Irish festival to attend. “It’s brilliant, it means a lot to us as the Geelong Irish Society is very small and we don’t have many functions,” he said. “At something like this we make a lot of contacts, we all get together and have a good time.” Mr Cunningham said the jam sessions at Mickey Bourke’s Hotel were a highlight of the festival. The festival is also an important event for The Horny Toads band members who met at the festival eight years ago and return every year. The band has become well known for its energetic performances of bluegrass Irish music.
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