Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend Festival - Finuge

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Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend Festival - Finuge

Festival honouring the balladeer Sean McCarthy which takes place in Finuge, Co. Kerry every August Bank Holiday Weekend He was one of a family of ten children.

Sean was born in Listowel on July 5th, 1923. He attended Listowel Primary School, where his teacher for a time was Dr. Bryan McMahon, who once said of Sean that "he was always a special person, I'll even go so far as to say he was unique." Among his best known songs are "Shanagolden", "Red Haired Mary", "Highland Paddy", "Murphy's Volunteers",, "Step it out Mary", "Mountain Tae, (Hills of Connemar

a) and "In Shame Love, In shame". Over the years Sean entertained and delighted thousands of listeners to "Sunday Miscellany" and "Thought for the Day" on RTE Radio. He played a major role in promoting "The Rambling House" on Radio Kerry, which is now continued at Sheahan's Thatched House, Finuge over the winter months. The Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend provides a fitting tribute to an individual who will always be remembered for his kindness and generosity.

13/06/2026

⏳ One Month to Go to Closing Date ⏳️

The countdown is well and truly on for the Sean McCarthy Weekend Festival, and with just one month remaining until the closing date for Ballad and Storytelling Competitions on 12th July, now is the time to get your entry submitted.

For the first time ever, competition entries can be completed online, making it easier than ever to take part in this year's festival. Postal Entries are also accepted.

Whether you're a ballad singer, storyteller, musician, or performer, don't miss your chance to be part of a weekend that celebrates the rich tradition and legacy of Sean & Mick McCarthy.

🎶 Entries now open online🎶
🔗http://www.finugeweekend.com
📅 Closing Date: 12th July 2026

Don't leave it until the last minute — enter today and be part of a great festival weekend in Finuge!

30/05/2026

🎟️ Sean McCarthy Festival Weekend Tickets Now On Sale 🎟️

The countdown is on! Tickets for this year’s Sean McCarthy Festival Weekend are now officially on sale, with Early Bird tickets currently available for both the Ballad Competition and Storytelling Competition through Eventbrite.

Secure your place at one of the highlights of the August Bank Holiday Weekend and experience a celebration of song, storytelling, music and tradition in the heart of Finuge.

Whether you’re a long-time supporter or planning your first visit, now is the perfect time to book and take advantage of Early Bird pricing before it’s gone.

Seats are limited and Early Bird tickets won’t last forever — book now and be part of another memorable Sean McCarthy Festival Weekend.

🎶 Ballad Competition
📖 Storytelling Competition
🎟️ Early Bird tickets available now via Eventbrite via our website or directly at

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/weekend-ticket-ballad-storytelling-competition-early-bird-tickets-tickets-1984131108557

28/05/2026

🎶 Sean McCarthy Festival Weekend – Competitions Open for Entries 🎶

A reminder to all songwriters, storytellers and lovers of Irish tradition that entries are now open for the Sean McCarthy Festival Weekend competitions.

Have you a ballad waiting to be heard? A story ready to be told? Now is the time to put pen to paper and become part of one of Ireland’s most cherished celebrations of song, story and tradition.

The Sean McCarthy Ballad Competition and Storytelling Competition have long provided a platform for emerging and established talent alike, celebrating original work and keeping our rich traditions alive.

Don’t leave it until the last minute — get your entries in and join us this August Bank Holiday Weekend in Finuge.

Details and entry forms available at https://finugeweekend.com/competitions/

25/05/2026

🎶 June Rambling House 🎶

Join us for a great night of Ceol, Craic agus Caint at Sheehans Thatched Cottage, Finuge on Monday 1st June, starting at 8:00pm.

Bring along your instrument, a song, a story, or simply come and enjoy the music and company. A warm welcome awaits musicians, singers and listeners alike.

A night of traditional music, friendship and good times in the heart of Finuge.

📍 Sheehans Thatched Cottage
🕗 8:00pm
☘️ All welcome

09/05/2026

✨️Join us for a special Opening Night of the Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend with Elle Marie O Dwyer Music ✨️

An evening of song, story and tradition to begin a weekend celebrating the music, culture and lasting legacy of Sean McCarthy in the heart of North Kerry.

This special concert takes place at Teach Siamsa Finuge and is proudly sponsored by the Horgan family, Finuge, in loving memory of Claire Vivian (Horgan), whose memory and connection to the Finuge community is fondly remembered 💛💚✨️

As we look ahead to this year’s festival, our new website is now live — with tickets available and Ballad & Storytelling entries now open online for the first time.🎤📖

🎟️ Tickets available now via Eventbrite
🔗 www.finugeweekend.com⁠

06/05/2026

🌿 Two Local Organisations. One Stronger Community. 🌿

As we continue to celebrate community, culture and tradition through the Sean McCarthy Festival, we’re delighted to highlight the connection between Teach Siamsa Finuge and Finuge Tidy Towns — two organisations helping keep the spirit of Finuge alive. 💚

From heritage and folk culture to biodiversity, community pride and local events, both groups play an important role in preserving and promoting all that makes our area special.

By following both pages, you’ll stay updated on:
✨ News & events
✨ Local heritage & culture
✨ Community projects
✨ Environmental initiatives
✨ What’s happening around Finuge

Please support local by following both pages, sharing this post and helping spread awareness of the fantastic volunteer work happening throughout the community.

Together we continue to celebrate our stories, traditions and community spirit for future generations.

01/05/2026

As we head into the May Bank Holiday weekend, there’s no better time to put pen to paper ✍️

🎶 Competitions for the Sean McCarthy Festival are now OPEN! 🎶

From ballads to storytelling, we invite you to be part of a festival that celebrates the very heart of Irish tradition, song, and spoken word.

So take a quiet moment this weekend, gather your thoughts, and let the words flow… you never know where they might lead. With online entries available for the first time, it has never been easier to enter 📖🎤🎶✍️

📩 Full competition details available on our website http://www.finugeweekend.com

30/04/2026

May Bank Holiday weekend - Sure you know what that means… it’s Rambling House time again 🌙 🎶🎤

Join us this Monday 4th May, at Sheehan’s Thatched House for an evening of music, song, storytelling and good company agus cupán tae.

📍 Finuge
🕗 8pm

Fáilte roimh chách.

26/04/2026

🎶 An Evening with Noelle O’Sullivan & Friends 🎶

Teach Siamsa Finuge are delighted to welcome Noelle O’Sullivan to the stage in Finuge, for a very special night of music, as part of their Summer Concert Series .

A past finalist in the Ballad Competition, it’s fantastic to see Noelle return with her own concert, showcasing songs from her new album "Rolling on the Inside", along with favourites from her album "Seeds" and the songs she grew up with.

Joined by the wonderful Martin Schaerer and Lily Munday, this promises to be a truly memorable evening of music and song , tickets on sale via Eventbrite 🎶

📅 Saturday, 23rd May
⏰ 8:00pm
Don’t miss this special night 🎶
🎟️ Tickets available now:
👉 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/may-concert-noelle-o-sullivan-friends-tickets-1987889044645

22/04/2026

🌙 Continue the Night at McCarthys Bar Finuge 🌙

As the festival day winds down, the night continues in McCarthy’s Bar & Beer Garden with live music each night of the festival from trad to country to rock, you’re sure to enjoy the line up 🎉

A place to meet up with friends, neighbours, and familiar faces home for the weekend – cairde agus comharsana – to catch up, share a few songs, and soak up the atmosphere in the beer garden for the annual Finuge meet up on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Fáilte roimh chách – call in and be part of it.

For more details see our website
🔗 www.finugeweekend.com

Address

Sheehan's Thatched House
Finuge
V92CX84

Telephone

+353876434041

Website

http://linktr.ee/seanmccarthymemorialweekend, http://www.finugeweekend.com/

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