The Evil Eye Gathering festival from the 23rd-25th August will tell the story of how Cloch Cheann Fhaola got its name. Through live dance, battles, music, and outdoor drama re-enactments the mythological tale of Balor of the Evil Eye will be brought to life.
There are endless reasons to come to this festival, here's a few worth mentioning.
To open the festival on Friday 23rd August, there will be a carnival style procession of stilt walkers, giant puppets, art sculptures and samba bands representing the characters of the story, including, Balor, Lugh of Tuatha De Danann, the army and many more.
An incredible community effort is going into bringing this story to life, between all the ladies or Lordess's as they would say in mythological times, who took part in the couch to 5k to raise the funds to all the crew and volunteers working hard day and night to make this a weekend to remember.
Mythological scenes will be reenacted in Ballyconnell woods by local actors throughout the weekend as the story of Balor and its characters unfolds. (Here's a peak)
A guided tour of Balor’s stronghold on the infamous Tory Island will take place on Saturday the 24th August.
There will be a currach race at Magheraroarty pier – A fun race to save Lugh who kills Balor, and deliver him safely to mainland, in association with Cumann na gCurach Cloch Cheann Fhaola.
A workshop to learn the famous céilí dance “Tonnaigh Thoraigh” or “Waves of Tory” will take place on Saturday to prepare for the festival finale victory death dance.
The costumes, giant puppets, art sculptures and all the props are being made by the festival crew.
There has never been a festival of this kind in the area before, especially one that is bringing to life a mythological tale that everyone in the community and visitors alike should know about.
Donegal is renowned for being a hub for the arts and culture, especially in the Gaeltacht. The Evil Eye Festival is all about harnessing local creativity, resources and ability while embracing our heritage.
An animation by Loinneach school children about Balor na súile Nimhe in association with Craft Ed, will feature at An Sean Bheairic / The Yard over the weekend. The music is by Mairead Ní Mhaonigh of the mighty Altan and directed by Kim Sharkey of Erratic makers arts and craft collective.
With bands playing in all the local bars throughout the festival, from blue grass to rock, and a ceili in the Gweedore Bar, Falcarragh town will be hopping all weekend.
Award winning actor Diarmuid De Faoite has stated that this "festival has filled a gap in the Irish calender, whispering the to us the story of our humanity" .
This festival was born from Kathleen, the director, being asked to organise a couch to 5k marathon and putting all the monies raised towards making this amazing festival happen! Now that, deserves support.
The Evil Eye Festival is part of the Gathering 2013. Bígí linn!
