The Islay Festival of Music and Malt (Feis Ile 2009)
23rd May – 31st May 2009
The Feis Ile (Islay festival) has been running for over 20years and has gone from strength to strength. In 2000 the local distilleries joined in and now the festival celebrates two of Islay’s best attributes – music and malt!
This year the festival kicks off on Saturday 23rd May. Lagavulin Distillery have their open day, and the Islay Visual Arts group open their exhibition and hold a Fun Arts Afternoon for the kids. To see out the first night of the festival there is a dance with the popular ‘The Last Tram tae Auchshuggle’ – a ceilidh band with a difference.
Sunday is not a day of rest during this week! Bruichladdich Distillery invite all to their Open Day, Sunday night is rounded off with the ‘Clootie Dumpling Ceilidh’, a chance to hear local musical talent and sample some fine home made dumpling.
Monday starts early with the delights of the Caol Ila Open Day and finishes late with the ‘Whisky Tasting Ceilidh’, a chance to show off your whisky nosing skills and then your dancing skills with The Islay Fiddle and Accordion Band.
Tuesday sees tours of the Maltings (which are also running on other days through the week) and Laphroaig Distilleries Open Day; the day ends at Laphroaig, in the Filling Store with a ceilidh guided by the ever-popular Howff Band.
When we have such talent as the Howff Band visiting we are determined to make them work! They will be holding workshops across the island, and every primary school pupil on Islay and Jura will have the experience of a traditional music workshop with the band.
Wednesday is Bowmore Distilleries Open Day. The pace slows slightly on Wednesday night and the best of Islay talent is showcased with an Evening of Traditional Music and Gaelic, featuring voices from the Islay Gaelic Choir and other local singers, Nial Oliver on his fiddle and Ella Edgars Highland Dancers.
Thursday is the Homecoming Day. Kilchoman and Jura distilleries have their Open days, and then in the evening the village of Bowmore will be given over to a parade celebrating the Year of Homecoming. Skerryvore will end the evening with a dance in Bowmore Hall.
Then it is on to Friday. Bunnahabian Distillery hosts its Open Day; the lads from Skerryvore make an appearance here too. Friday night is a Family Ceilidh, with, amongst others, the Junior Gaelic Choir and Ella Edgars Highland Dancers entertaining their peers and families. For the more whisky minded there is a lecture on whisky in Port Charlotte.
Saturday, and the week is nearly done. Ardbeg hold the final Open Day. There are Celebrations on Port Ellen Village Green, with lots of activities for the kids. The Final Fling in Port Ellen sees out the final evening of the festival with local band Contraband.
Scattered amongst all of this are bowling competitions, guided walks, fly fishing competitions and a Texas Scramble at The Machrie Golf Club. The final Sunday sees a family pool competition at The Bridgend Hotel and guided walk and is far less frenetic than the rest of the week!
There is something for everyone and all are welcome. This is a great week for locals young and old and for whisky buffs from all over the world. The Feis Ile booklet will be available Island wide and posters will give further information about events.
Slainte Mhath!
