International Pan Celtic Festival 2018 hailed as huge success

The International Pan Celtic Festival returned to the Irish town of Letterkenny (Irish: Leitir Ceanainn) this year to great critical acclaim. The festival, which ran from Tuesday, April 3, to Sunday, April 8, included displays from marching bands, dancers and musicians from each of the Six Celtic Nations of Ireland (Éire), Wales (Cymru), Scotland (Alba), Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow) and the Isle of Man (Mannin).

The town in County Donegal (Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall) also experienced a boost in visitor numbers for the Festival. A council spokeswoman said "As well as being a wonderful display of Celtic culture and traditions, the Pan Celtic Festival has an economic benefit and it is estimated that the Pan Celtic Festival generated in the region of 7,500 bednights for Letterkenny and surrounding towns and villages last week alone."

A feature of the Festival is the International Pan Celtic Song Contest. The competition this year saw high quality performaces from all of the Celtic nations. In the end it was won by Éire and Pádraig Seoighe and Niall Teague with their song "Ar Saoire". Comhghairdeas libh!