Sunday 10 October, Moorlands Park, Brisbane.
The previous weekend, Warwick [a 2 1/2 hr drive away] held their CelticFest, celebrating the Southern Downs' rich Scottish and Irish heritage. I was extremely disappointed that I was unable to attend. I had learnt highland dancing between the ages of 7 and 9, when we lived at Afterlee.
I then happened upon this small event in Brisbane, and although it was an extremely HOT day, I loved every minute of it.
Arrival, 9.30 am - It had been a mad dash to reach the upriver ferry before its departure. Huffing and gasping for breath, I walked inside to sit down, to be greeted by my friend Jocelyn on the same ferry. A great start to the day.
The jacarandas are flowering, but the grass is brown from lack of rain for far too many weeks.
There were numerous stalls of tartans, family history and genealogy, celtic jewelery and food stalls. Bottled water and icecream sales had long queues all day.
These three Irish Wolfhounds and their owners were very welcoming.
Visitors were encouraged to wear their tartan, kilts and celtic attire.
Winners
I was thrilled to discover this group.
Hopefully, next year I will find time to join them of a Friday morning.
A delight to watch the dancers in full admiration of their finesse, whilst dancing in such steamy conditions. That said, I admired all who had turned out in their tartans! Sweat was dripping from me in my light clothing, sitting in the small amounts of shade I could find. There was little breeze.
Greg Peaty - Celtic Musician
A member of the massed bands.
Whilst I had been totally enjoying the mornings program, I was becoming disappointed that I had seen few bagpipers. Then, with little warning, my heart was beating rapidly to the deep pulse of the drums and the ancient wail of the bagpipes as the massed bands marched across the small arena. They then played for a good 20 minutes. Whether from my Irish /Scottish heritage or not, I was incredibly moved by their performance.
Moreton Bay Fiddlers
Australian Celtic Women and Q.I.A Dancers
The program, discovered at the end of the afternoon.
The heat was too much for Joc and as the initial performers weren't as thrilling as later in the day, she left at 11am. I decided to see how I would manage for another hour. Greg Peaty took the stage sooner after and I was hooked for the rest of the day. By 4pm the heat had exhausted most of the attendees, but the modern Limmerick Band kept on singing. Just after 4pm I made the move towards the ferry terminal, their music following me.
My diary is bookmarked for a similar event next year.
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