A decision has been taken to “bid a fond farewell” to the annual Clogs Gallagher weekend and welcome a new Springtime Festival to Ballaghaderreen. Organisers of the Clogs Gallagher Weekend, Maria Gallagher and Neil Sheridan, have spoke of their decision this week.

“My brother, Clogs Gallagher, always knew when to exit gracefully from a social situation. ‘Marie Aghra’ he would say ‘you should always quit when you’re ahead and get out when the going is good’” said his sister, Marie.

Spells proprietor, Neil Sheridan, stated, “After five great years of ‘Clogs’, it’s time to do something a little different. Work is well underway on a new springtime festival, which will move closer to roots music, in particular Bluegrass as well as Folk and Trad. There will also be a big emphasis on the arts. This does not replace the Clogs Weekend, we are simply moving on from it in a new direction.”

Spells Springtime Festival runs from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March.