Programme

I Looked East and I Looked West programme of events

This is the timetable of events that took place at ‘I Looked East and I Looked West’ over the weekend of 26th-28th April 2019 in Stowmarket, Suffolk.

It was a one-off event in celebration of the life and music of Julia Clifford, renowned fiddle player from Kerry, who lived for the last 20 years of her life in East Anglia.

A souvenir programme was produced which includes some photos and a brief biography. Please email us via the Contact page if you would like one.

All events took place in the John Peel Centre, Church Walk, unless stated otherwise. There was also a full session trail in our wonderful local pubs:  the Little Wellington, the Royal William, the Walnut Tree and the King’s Arms.

Friday 26th April

4.00-7.00                         Festival reception open in St Peter’s Hall: pick up your tickets, say hello, have a cuppa and look at the Julia Clifford exhibition.

7.00-8.30                         Fáilte go Stowmarket! Welcome reception, film and exhibition. (St Peter’s Hall – advance ticket holders only)

9.00                                     Pub sessions till late – details of the pub sessions in the souvenir programme.


Saturday 27th April

9.15                         Festival reception desk open in John Peel Centre, exhibition open (until 2.00)

10.00-11.00        “In Julia’s Own Words” (talk) – Matt Cranitch

10.00-11.30        Sliabh Luachra Style (musicians’ workshop) – Jackie Daly & Connie O’Connell (St Peter’s Hall)

11.30-1.00          “Handing on the Legacy” (talk, archive films & CD launch) – Billy Clifford, Bryan O’Leary, Gerry Harrington

1.00-2.00             Exhibition open

1.00-3.00             Sliabh Luachra set dance workshop  – Jerry O’Reilly (St Peter’s Hall)

2.00-3.00             Sliabh Luachra Fiddle Concert – Matt Cranitch, Connie O’Connell, Aoife ní Chaoimh, Gerry Harrington and others.

 3.30-5.30             “The English Years”  – Reminiscences of Julia, in particular her years in East Anglia, with special guests Reg Hall, Alan Ward and many others.

7.30-10.00          “I Looked East & I Looked West” concert – all Irish guests

Pub sessions from 12 noon till very late – details in the souvenir programme.


Sunday 28th April

 10.00                    Festival reception desk open in John Peel Centre, exhibition open (until 3.30).

10.00-12.15        Musical tribute at Julia’s grave (Thetford Cemetery)

11.00-12.30        “A Song, A Tune, A Step and A Story” – various guests

12.45-1.45             “Julia in Pictures” – slide show with commentary – Katie Howson

1.30-3.00             Sliabh Luachra set dance workshop – Jerry O’Reilly (St Peter’s Hall)

2.00-3.00             “Julia at the National” archive film –  Peta Webb; followed by the launch of “The Music of Julia Clifford” – brand new website of  privately-made recordings and transcriptions of many of Julia’s tunes – Caroline & Michael Kilbane

3.30-5.00             “The Gathering” concert – All Irish & English guests – featuring some serendipitous and even spontaneous collaborations! A bit of a party for the final event of the weekend.

Pub sessions from 12 noon till late – details in the souvenir programme.

“Go home to your dinners!”

Slán abhaile agus go raibh maith agaibh.