Donald Lindsay album launch
Friday 2nd May – 5:00pm
The Lady of Avenel – Girvan Harbour
You are welcomed aboard the magnificent 102ft Brigantine square rigger, The Lady of Avenel moored at Girvan Harbour for an intimate concert of traditional and contemporary song to launch the new record Two Boats Under the Moon by Donald WG Lindsay. Donald will give us a taste of the fine singing, guitar playing and small piping to be found on the record and there will be guest contributions from skipper Barry Nisbet.
£FREE
Venue has limited capacity — first come first served!
The Milestone Concert
Friday 2nd May – 7:30pm
The Catholic Hall
To kick of our milestone Festival we’re thrilled to be bringing the incredible McKerron, Brechin & Ó hEadhra to beautiful South Carrick and the Catholic Hall!!
Capercaillie’s Charlie McKerron (fiddle), Highland-based Brian Ó hEadhra (guitar/vocals) and well-kent accordion menace Sandy Brechin join together for a hugely entertaining show that encompasses songs, tunes, stories and craic.
£16 / £14
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The Bobby Robb Memorial Concert
Saturday 3rd May – 2:30pm
The Catholic Hall
Our annual celebration of the life of Festival founder, Bobby Robb will be a showcase of the best in traditional singing with a focus on unaccompanied singing.
Bobby’s old pal and friend of the Festival Jim Bainbridge will return as MC and welcome contributions from Margaret Bennett, Dara Yeates, Phyllis Martin & Susie Kelly of Stravaig, Chris Miles and Kathy Hobkirk.
£8 / £5
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The Kist o Riches
Saturday 3rd May – 7:30pm
The Catholic Hall
Internationally renowned piper Brìghde Chaimbeul will give us a masterclass performance of the bellows-blown Scottish smallpipes informed by her roots on the Isle of Skye, the Gaelic language she was brought up with and her and her own eclectic experimentalism. Brìghde will be joined on the night by Scotland’s preeminent folk piper Ross Ainslie and ace accompanist Steven Byrnes and we’re delighted to have a very rare performance by this top trio as our Saturday night concert.
As if that wasn’t enough for you, astonishing Dublin balladeer Macdara Yeates will open the show!
£18 / £15
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Upstairs at the Festival with Jen, John + JP and Davie Anderson
Saturday 3rd May – 8:00pm
Upstairs at the Harbour Bar
An array of local talent in Girvan’s favourite function suite! Davie Anderson will be joined by accordion maestro Sandy Brechin and Girvan Folk and Music Club organisers Jen and John will be joined by talented local bassist JP Gourlay.
Goodbye Meadowhead – book launch
Sunday 5th May – 12:00pm
The Westcliffe Hotel
Fermin songs and stories from Irvine’s own Bob ‘Buff’ Wilson at the launch of his new book Goodbye Meadowhead. Bob will be joined by friends including Scott Gardiner and members of North Ayrshire ceilidh institution Chanty Dyke.
Bob’s songs such as Alexander’s Threshing Mill and Sheep Dipping Day entered the tradition and travelled from Ayrshire to Aberdeenshire and further afield. Bob’s book contains these favourites plus many more songs, stories and reminiscences of his boyhood on Meadowhead farm and the inspirational Donegal farmhand he worked alongside at that time, Neillie McElhinney.
The launch event will feature readings from Goodbye Meadowhead and songs from Bob, Scott and others. Copies of the book will be available in return for a suggested donation to the homeless charity named in the book.
£5
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Put life and mettle in their heels – book launch
Sunday 4th May – 14:00pm
The Catholic Hall
A celebration of Ayrshire’s instrumental tradition and the launch of Girvan Festival’s latest book.
A follow up to 2023’s The Ballads and Songs of Carrick, we now turn to Ayrshire’s instrumental tradition and launch a collection of hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys and reels dating from the 17th century through the times of Burns to the present day.
Join Alastair McCulloch (fiddle) and Seán Gray (guitar/flute), the Girvan Festival House Band and a host of community musicians including members of Girvan Folk and Music Club and the Ayr branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann as we play tunes from the book and read some of the stories from the book.
£10 / £8
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The Farewell Concert
Sunday 4th May – 7:30pm
The Catholic Hall
The farewell concert will feature Scotland’s foremost folk troubadour Dougie MacLean.
£20 / £16
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Seilach Fire Show
Sunday 4th May – 10:30pm
Girvan Shalloch Shorefront, Louisa Drive – in front of the Westcliffe Hotel
On Sunday night after the evening concert there’ll be a bagpipe parade to Girvan Shore where our spectacular fire show, a collaboration between local artist David Powell and CRAG Community Arts . There might even be some music and dance!