‘Don’t say maybe, come to the Ukulele Céilí’ as Longford's festival season gathers pace

Enthusiasts of the baby of the guitar family are expected to travel from far and wide to attend the gathering.

From this Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16 Longford hosts a weekend of concerts, street events, competitions, workshops and more.

The weekend is packed with things to do for music lovers and musicians including a festival music club, ukulele workshops and master classes, and the all-day entertainment.

The 2023 lineup of artists include local acts The Sneaky Tequilas and The Coffee Beans. The musicians will be joined by national acts Ukulele Tuesday, Galway Ukers, Ukulele Sligo and Elena Duff.

Most events are taking place on the centrally-located Market Square or in Lyon’s Bar on Lower Main Street, Longford.

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Reservation is essential for workshops. Elena Duff's Saturday workshop aims to break the habitual, go-to strumming pattern.

Participants will be provided with simple tricks and techniques to spice up their strumming ensuring audiences are enthralled with the new-found strumming prowess.

Also on Saturday David Crowe presents a Uke Rock workshop. Dave will teach how to play the classic rock’n’roll, boogie woogie style on the ukulele. Covering songs from legends like Chuck Berry, Status Quo, Elvis and more.

On Sunday Gerry Savage & The Galway Ukers presents an absolute beginners workshop on Sunday. At the end of this workshop new Ukers will understand the basics, playing their first two tunes and be equipped to push on with the next steps.

One of the big draws of the festival is the UkoVision Junior Song Contest on Saturday. The venue is the Market Square, Longford from 2pm. Entries will be taken at the stage on the day.

Songs can be original or covers. Entries must be limited to a max of three performers and include a strong ukulele element.

First, second and third will be chosen by a panel of impartial Longford musicians on the day of the performance.

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The winners will also be given the opportunity to perform at a family concert on Sunday, July 16.

All other music events have tickets available on the door, or are free admission. Visiting ukulele clubs, groups and soloists will fill the town with songs. Busking spots available all day on the Market Square at Geraldine Terrace (Dennistons), Specsavers corner and Town Centre Plaza (Tescos).

Saturday's The Big Gig in Lyon’s Bar, Lower Main Street, Longford commences at 7pm. This will feature Sligo Ukers, The Sneaky Tequilas and Ukulele Tuesday.

It will be followed by The Big Big Festival Club. Sligo Ukulele Group will be bringing their legendary Wheel of Song all the way from Fureys Bar, Sligo.

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Sunday will see the Family Acoustic Picnic at the Market Square from 2pm to 5pm.

Sean Mulroy, festival programmer and Sneaky Tequila front man: “It’s gonna be a weekend of tiny guitars, massive craic, sneaky pints, Sneaky Tequilas, colour and song over two days in locations you’d least expect throughout Longford Town. Don’t say maybe, come to the céilí.”

Ukulele Céilí runs from Friday July 14, to Sunday, July 16 2023, all over Longford Town.