Letterkenny town was bustling at the weekend as large crowds of visitors and shoppers gathered together on the Main Street to witness the fifth annual Letterkenny Busking Festival.
On Saturday August 24th, over thirty buskers and performance groups lined the Main street, entertaining the crowds and competing to win top cash prizes. The buskers travelled to Letterkenny from all parts of the county and country and provided great entertainment to our town’s visitors.
This year’s festival hosted a variety of performers, such as street entertainers, magicians and even a live painter! Music acts consisted of trad bands, solo performers, violinists, acoustic guitarists and more.
Polxroid made up of Catherine Gallagher and Ciaran Coleman, Ballybofey and Castlefinn with Cllr. John O’Donnell, Chairman of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal Area, Leonard Watson, President of the Letterkenny Chamber during the Letterkenny Busking Festival on Saturday.
Carragh Lynch, Muff with Cllr. John O’Donnell, Chairman of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal Area, Leonard Watson, President of the Letterkenny Chamber during the Letterkenny Busking Festival on Saturday.
Overall competition winners Rag A Ra pictured alongside Letterkenny Chamber President Leonard Watson and John O’Donnell, Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
The buskers performed from 11am to 2pm and were visited by this year’s judges, singer/songwriter Tanya McCole, Highland Radio presenter Paul McDevitt and well-known local performer Martin Orr. The judges were amazed at the variety of acts taking part and had the tough task of choosing the final winners.
The competition winners were announced at the prize giving party in McGinley’s Bar beer garden. The buskers and their families enjoyed some light refreshments and music from singer and guitarist Mark McClean, before the prizes were presented by Letterkenny Chamber president, Leonard Watson.
In first place were trad group Rag A Ra, in second place were family trad group COSA and in third place was magician Jessica Harkin. Highly commended prizes were also awarded to singer and guitarist, John Gregg, violinist and concertina duo Aine and Sophie Ferry, singer and guitarist Aidan Laird and singer and guitarist Clara Sharvin.
Letterkenny Busking Festival favourite Jessica Harkin, who placed third in our annual competition.
Caela Carr, Letterkenny with Cllr. John O’Donnell, Chairman of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal Area, Leonard Watson, President of the Letterkenny Chamber during the Letterkenny Busking Festival on Saturday.
Prize winners Aine and Sophie Ferry entertaining the crowds at the 2019 Letterkenny Busking Festival.
Leonard Watson of Letterkenny Chamber had this to say about the event, “This year’s busking festival has been our biggest yet! We were delighted with the large number of buskers that took part in this year’s festival and are already in the process of planning next years festival which we hope will be even bigger! One of the best things about events like these is that they bring locals and visitors together and help to showcase all the great businesses that we have on Letterkenny Main Street! We are really looking forward to our 2020 festival!”
Letterkenny Chamber President, Leonard Watson and John O’Donnell, Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District alongside Clara Sharvin, who won a prize in the competition.
Competition participant George McCready (Mr Majestic), enjoying the festival with alongside Letterkenny Chamber President Leonard Watson and John O’Donnell, Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
Fire spinner Dani Burns, Letterkenny with Cllr. John O’Donnell, Chairman of the Letterkenny-Milford Area, Leonard Watson, President of the Letterkenny Chamber during the Letterkenny Busking Festival on Saturday.
All at Letterkenny Chamber and ShopLK wish to thank all our buskers, judges and everyone who came along to support the festival. We hope to make the 2020 festival even bigger so keep an eye out on our Letterkenny Busking Festival Facebook page for more information on next year’s event.
ShopLK is funded by Donegal County Council
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