The Gathering Traditional Festival
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| Country and Region | Ireland — Kerry |
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| Type of Festival | Dance |
| Location of Festival | Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland |
| Festival Contact Information | The Gathering Traditional Festival |
| Festival Description | The Gathering is a traditional music festival which takes place in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney each February. The festival includes five days of concerts, ceilis, sessions, set-dance and instrument workshops, a tour of Sliabh Luachra and a schools outreach programme. |
| Festival Dates | February 22 - 26, 2012 |
| Festival Links | http://www.thegathering.ie/ |
Festival Story:
When was the last time you joined a ceili? Since 2000, about ten thousand - yes, ten thousand - traditional music fans have come to Killarney for five days of concerts, instrument workshops, and non-stop dancing. Ceili (which is pronounced kay - lee if you haven’t been to Ireland recently) is a called dance for partners. Throughout each dance, partners will switch and follow patterns in with different turns and speeds. If you haven’t done the Dashing White Sergeant, Eightsome Reel, Oxo Reel, Pride of Erin Waltz, or Strip the Willow then it’s time to join everyone else having so much fun at the Gathering Traditional Festival. At the end, you can buy a “Gathering CD.” The proceeds go towards the purchase of musical instruments for young musicians in Ireland.
Other Sources:
Want more? Click on a color — travel and explore. 
Podcast interviews:
- If you like this festival — listen to…
- The Gloaming, traditional Irish musicians
http://kadmusarts.com/podcasts/?p=2063
- The Gloaming, traditional Irish musicians
Practical Info:
How to get there:
- By Plane:
The Region has two airports: Cork Airport is located 6 kilometres south of Cork City and Kerry County Airport is located just off the main road between Killarney and Tralee.
http://www.cork-airport.com/
http://www.kerryairport.ie/ - By Ferry:
The Ferryport is located at Ringaskiddy 16 kilometres south east of Cork City. - By Bus:
Bus Eireann operates extensive bus services in and out of Cork and Kerry. Coach hire is available and day tours take place during the summer. Vehicle testing is also on offer.
http://www.buseireann.ie/ - By Train:
Irish Rail operates the network of rail services in the area.
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