Pan Celtic Festival
| Pan Celtic Festival | |
|---|---|
 Logo of the Pan Celtic Festival. | |
| Genre | Celtic music festival |
| Dates | Every Spring |
| Location(s) | Ireland |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Founders | Con O'Connaill |
| Website | www |
The Pan Celtic Festival (Template:Lang-ga) is a Celtic-language music festival held annually in the week following Easter, since its inauguration in 1971. The first Pan Celtic Festival took place in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. Its aim is to promote the modern Celtic languages and cultures and artists from all six Celtic nations: Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales.
Each participating Celtic Nation undergoes their own national selection event in order to determine their representatives for the annual Pan Celtic Festival. The most successful Celtic nation is Wales, with fourteen wins, with Cornwall following closely behind having won ten times. Benjad, who represented Cornwall in 2012 and 2013, became the first artist in the festival's history to have won twice. Isle of Man is the least successful nation, having only won once in 2014. The current winners, as of April 2016, are Wales, represented by Cordia with the song "Dim Ond Un".
Origins and history
Formed in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, the Pan Celtic Festival was organised as a music festival to be held every Spring, to promote the modern cultures and Celtic languages through the medium of music. It was originally entitled "Gwyl Gerdd Bach" (Template:Lang-en), by Con O'Connaill, but later changed to the name it is currently known by today. In May 1971, the first festival took place in Killarney; and featured performers from Wales (Phyllis and Meredydd Evans), Ireland (Scoil na Toirbhirte), and Brittany (Les Tregerez Group and Alan Stivell).[1]
Meredydd Evans engaged in discussions with the event organiser, O'Connaill, following the 1971 Festival, and invited him to the National Eisteddfod of Wales. At the Eisteddfod, O'Connaill met with members from other Celtic nations, forming a committee for the Pan Celtic Festival. Participants from the six Celtic nations of Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow), Wales (Cymru), Scotland (Alba), Ireland (Éire) and the Isle of Man (Mannin) took part in the second Pan Celtic Festival held again in Killarney in 1972. It was during this festival that the core structure of the event was finalised following a meeting with committee members. These principles of the event are to promote the languages, musical talents and cultures within the six territories recognised as Celtic nations.[1]
Participation
Eligibility to compete at the Pan Celtic Festival is for Celtic nations, which are territories in Northern and Western Europe where Celtic languages or cultural traits have survived, and are members of the Celtic League.[2] The term "nation" is used in its original sense to mean a community of people who share a common identity and culture and are identified with a traditional territory. It is not synonymous with "sovereign state".[1]
| Nation[1] | Celtic name | Début year |
|---|---|---|
 Brittany
|
Breizh | 1971 |
 Cornwall
|
Kernow | 1972 |
 Ireland
|
Éire | 1971 |
 Isle of Man
|
Mannin | 1972 |
 Scotland
|
Alba | 1972 |
 Wales
|
Cymru | 1971 |
- Eligible to participate but have yet to make their debut.
National selections
Brittany: Gouelioù Etrekeltiek An Oriant
| Brittany | |
|---|---|
| |
| Participation summary | |
| Appearances | 45 |
| First appearance | 1971 |
| Highest placement | 1st: See table below |
The Gouelioù Etrekeltiek An Orient (translated as Template:Lang-en, or Template:Lang-fr) is an annual Celtic festival, located in the city of Lorient, Brittany, France. The event also acts as a national selection process to determine the Breton representative for the annual Pan Celtic Festival. It was founded in 1971 by Polig Montjarret. This annual festival takes place every August and is dedicated to the cultural traditions of the Celtic nations (pays celtes in Brittany), highlighting celtic music and dance and also including other arts such as painting, photography, theatre, sculpture, traditional artisan as well as sport and gastronomy.[3]
Cornwall: Kan Rag Kernow
| Cornwall | |
|---|---|
| |
| Participation summary | |
| Appearances | 44 |
| First appearance | 1972 |
| Highest placement | 1st: See table below |
Kan Rag Kernow (Template:Lang-en) is a Cornish annual song contest to find a representative for Cornwall at the Pan Celtic Festival, held annually in Ireland.[4] The Cornish group, The Changing Room, won the 2015 Kan Rag Kernow on 30 January 2015.[5] The group went on to represent Cornwall at the 2015 Pan Celtic Festival, finishing in first place with the song "Hal an Tow" (Flora Day).[6]
Ireland: Comórtas Amhrán Náisiúnta
| Ireland | |
|---|---|
| |
| Participating broadcaster | TG4 |
| Participation summary | |
| Appearances | 45 |
| First appearance | 1971 |
| Highest placement | 1st: See table below |
The Comórtas Amhrán Náisiúnta (Template:Lang-en) is the Irish selection process to determine the representatives for Ireland at the annual Pan Celtic Festival. In 2015, the selection show was held at the Seven Oaks Hotel, in Carlow, on 7 March.[7]
Isle of Man: Arrane son Mannin
| Isle of Man | |
|---|---|
| |
| Participation summary | |
| Appearances | 44 |
| First appearance | 1972 |
| Highest placement | 1st: See table below |
The Arrane son Mannin (Template:Lang-en) is the Manx selection process for the Pan Celtic Festival, held annually in Ireland. In 2015, Shenn Scoill was chosen to represent the Irish Sea island.[8]
Scotland: Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail
| Scotland | |
|---|---|
| |
| Participating broadcaster | BBC Alba |
| Participation summary | |
| Appearances | 44 |
| First appearance | 1972 |
| Highest placement | 1st: See table below |
The Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (Template:Lang-en) is the Scottish Gaelic selection process, organised by the An Comunn Gàidhealach, to find the Scottish representative for the Pan Celtic Festival, held annually in Ireland.[9] The Scottish band, Na h-Òganaich, were the first representatives for Scotland at the 1971 Pan Celtic Festival. The represented Scotland again in 1972, with the song "Mi le m’Uillin", finishing in first place.[10]
Wales: Cân i Gymru
| Wales | |
|---|---|
| |
| Participating broadcaster | S4C |
| Participation summary | |
| Appearances | 45 |
| First appearance | 1971 |
| Highest placement | 1st: See table below |
Cân i Gymru (Template:Lang-en, Welsh pronunciation: [ˈkaːn i ˈɡəmrɨ]) is a Welsh television show broadcast on S4C annually. It was first introduced in 1969 when BBC Cymru wanted to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. It has taken place every year since, except in 1973. Cân i Gymru is different from most talent shows; whereas the majority invite the public to participate, Cân i Gymru welcomes only professional artists. The winner of the contest represents Wales at the annual Pan Celtic Festival held in Ireland and is also awarded a cash prize.[11]
Festival hosts
The festivals, since 1971, have been held in various towns and cities in Ireland.[1] Below is a list of the host cities and their respective years of hosting. The 2001 festival was cancelled due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak.[1] As is shown below, County Kerry have hosted the festival twenty-nine times since 1971, with the most recent the 2011 Festival, in the town of Dingle, who first hosted the event in 2010.[12] County Clare have only hosted once in 1997.[1]
| Festivals | Irish county | Location | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | County Kerry | Killarney | 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 |
| Tralee | 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005 | ||
| Dingle | 2010, 2011 | ||
| 4 | County Galway | Galway | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 |
| County Donegal | Letterkenny | 2006, 2007 | |
| Donegal Town | 2008, 2009 | ||
| 3 | County Carlow | Carlow | 2012, 2013, 2016 |
| 2 | County Kilkenny | Kilkenny | 2002, 2003 |
| County Londonderry | Derry | 2014, 2015 | |
| 1 | County Clare | Ennis | 1997 |
List of winners
By festival
The table below lists all of the annual Pan Celtic Festival winners since its inaugural event in 1971.[1]
| Year[1] | Artist[1] | Winning nation[1] | Song[1] | English translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Scoil na Toirbhirte | Ireland
|
"Tomás MacCurtain" | Thomas MacCurtain |
| 1972 | Na h-Òganaich | Scotland
|
"Mi le m’Uillin" | The dreaming sea |
| 1973 | Margaret O'Brien | Ireland
|
"Goirm Thú" | Animal erasers |
| 1974 | Iris Williams | Wales
|
"Cymru Rydd" | Free Wales |
| McMurrough | Ireland
|
"Cuain Baile 'na Cuairte" | Visit the harbour town | |
| 1975 | Bran | Wales
|
"Caled Fwlch" | Hard gap |
| 1976 | Mary Sandeman | Scotland
|
"Thoir dhom do Lamh" | Give me your hand |
| 1977 | Kyaalldan | Brittany
|
"Breizh" | Brittany |
| 1978 | Gouelia | Brittany
|
"Korn-Bout" | |
| 1979 | Margaret MacLeod | Scotland
|
"An Lon Dubh" | The blackbird |
| 1980 | Dermot O'Brien | Ireland
|
"Neansaí" | Nancy |
| 1981 | Kathleen MacDonald | Scotland
|
"Oran do Cheit" | |
| 1982 | Bando | Wales
|
"Nid Llwynog Oedd Yr Haul" | The sun was not the fox |
| 1983 | Mary MacInnis | Scotland
|
"Man Aonar le no Smuaintean" | |
| 1984 | Ragamuffin | Cornwall
|
"Ar Wrannen" | The warren |
| 1985 | Capercaillie | Scotland
|
"Urnuigh a Bhan Thigreach" | |
| 1986 | Kristen Nicolas | Brittany
|
"Gwerz Maro Paotr Anst" | |
| 1987 | Eryr Wen | Wales
|
"Gloria Tyrd Adre" | Gloria come home |
| 1988 | Manon Llwyd | Wales
|
"Cân Wini" | Mini scales |
| 1989 | Hefin Huws | Wales
|
"Twll Triongl" | Triangle hole |
| 1990 | Christine Kennedy | Scotland
|
"'M' londrainn air Chuairt" | |
| 1991 | Philip Knight | Cornwall
|
"Deus yn-rag, Dolli" | Finished ahead, Dolly |
| 1992 | Gerróid O'Murchú | Ireland
|
"Soilse geala na cathrach" | Bright city lights |
| 1993 | Liam Ó hUaithne | Ireland
|
"An Pobal Scaipthe" | Public dissemination |
| 1994 | Geraint Griffiths | Wales
|
"Rhyw Ddydd" | Some Day |
| 1995 | Gwenda Owen | Wales
|
"Cân I'r Ynys Werdd" | Song to the Emerald Isle |
| 1996 | West Group | Cornwall
|
"An Arvair" | The arms |
| 1997 | Art Ó Dufaigh & Sean Ó hEanaí | Ireland
|
"Comhartha an Ghaoil" | Sign the relationship |
| 1998 | Arwel Wyn Roberts | Wales
|
"Rho dy Law" | Place your hand |
| 1999 | Per Nod | Wales
|
"Torri'n Rhydd" | Cutting loose |
| 2000 | Rachael Cans tir Kemmyn | Cornwall
|
"Tir Kemmyn" | Common land |
| 2001 | No contest held due to the 2001 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth outbreak | |||
| 2002 | Gainor Haf | Wales
|
"Dagrau Ddoe" | Yesterday tears |
| 2003 | Elin Flur a'r Moniars | Wales
|
"Harbwr Diogel" | Safe harbour |
| 2004 | Treiz Noath | Cornwall
|
"Mor Menta Sewia" | Mint-berries prosper |
| 2005 | Kentyon Bew | Cornwall
|
"Treusporthys" | Stubborn port |
| 2006 | Krena | Cornwall
|
"Fordh Dhe Dalvann" | Road to Dalvann |
| 2007 | Gealbrí | Ireland
|
"Seolfaidh Me Abhaile" | Send me home |
| 2008 | Deirdre Níi Chinnéide le Fraoch | Ireland
|
"Ta me caillte go deo" | I am lost forever |
| 2009 | Elfed Morris | Wales
|
"Boddi mae ngofidiau" | Drowning has troubles |
| 2010 | Màiri Chaimbeul & Jenna Moynihan | Scotland
|
"Back and Forth" | |
| 2011 | Brigyn[13] | Wales
|
"Rhywun yn Rhywle" | Someone somewhere |
| 2012 | Benjad[14] | Cornwall
|
"Mordid Bewnans" | Morbid life |
| 2013 | Benjad[14] | Cornwall
|
"Breten Vyhan" | Great Britain |
| 2014 | Shenn Scoill[15] | Isle of Man
|
"Tayrn Mee Thie" | |
| 2015 | The Changing Room[6] | Cornwall
|
"Hal an Tow" | The peat marsh |
| 2016 | Cordia[16] | Wales
|
“Dim Ond Un” | Just One |
By Celtic nation
The table below lists all of the Pan Celtic Festival winners by Celtic Nations, since its inaugural event in 1971. Wales is the most successful nation to date, with fifteen wins; with Cornwall coming in second with ten wins. Isle of Man achieved their one and only win to date in 2014.[1]
| Wins[1] | Celtic nation | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Wales
|
1974, 1975, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2016 |
| 10 | Cornwall
|
1984, 1991, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2015 |
| 9 | Ireland
|
1971, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2007, 2008 |
| 8 | Scotland
|
1972, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1990, 2010 |
| 3 | Brittany
|
1977, 1978, 1986 |
| 1 | Isle of Man
|
2014 |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Gwyl Ban Geltaidd: History". Gŵyl Ban Geltaidd. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ Koch, John (2005). Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABL-CIO. pp. xx, 300, 421, 495, 512, 583, 985. ISBN 978-1-85109-440-0. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
- ^ "Festival Interceltique de Lorient". Festival Interceltique (in Breton). Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Kan rag Kernow". Maga Kernow. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Flora Day inspired song wins competition to find Cornish song for Pan Celtic Festival". Falmouth Packet. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ a b Granger, Anthony (10 April 2015). "Pan Celtic: Cornwall wins Pan Celtic Song Contest 2015". Eurovoix. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ "Pan Celtic National Song Contest 2015". Visual Carlow. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ Caine, Valerie (8 April 2015). "Isle of Man: Manx Competitors Head for the Legenderry Pan Celtic Festival". Transceltic. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "ACG History". An Comunn Gàidhealach. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Na h'Oganaich". Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Rules – Cân i Gymru 2015". S4C. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Pan Celtic Festival". An Comunn Gàidhealach. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Success at the Pan Celtic Festival". S4C. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ a b Parker, Simon (30 April 2013). "Benjad scores Pan Celtic double with self-penned Breton love song". Western Morning News. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ "Isle of Man New Song win at Pan Celtic festival". BBC News. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (1 April 2016). "Pan Celtic Song Contest: Wales wins the 2016 contest". Eurovoix World. Retrieved 3 April 2016.