A highly successful public meeting was held in the Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre in Keady to explore the possibility of launching an annual Tommy Makem Folk Festival.
The meeting, chaired by Eoin Kelly and Paul Hughes, was well attended by local residents, councillors, and representatives of the Makem family, with additional participation via video call from supporters in Milwaukee USA.
Attendees engaged in lively discussions about how a festival dedicated to the legacy of Tommy Makem could take shape, exploring potential formats, programming ideas, and community involvement.
The overwhelming response was one of enthusiasm and commitment, with many expressing a keen interest in forming a committee to bring the festival to life.
As a result of the meeting’s success, a date has been set for the festival’s first Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM will take place on Wednesday March 19, 2025 at 8:30pm in the Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre, where a formal committee is expected to be established to begin the planning process in earnest.
Eoin Kelly, co-chair of the meeting, expressed his gratitude to all who participated: “It was inspiring to see such enthusiasm for celebrating Tommy Makem’s legacy in Keady.
“The level of interest shown proves that this festival has the potential to become a significant annual event, bringing people together through music and culture.”
The organisers encourage anyone interested in being involved in the festival to attend the upcoming AGM and contribute to shaping what promises to be a fantastic addition to Keady’s cultural calendar.
For further information, please contact tommymakemfestival@gmail.com or via their Facebook page https://facebook.com/TommyMakemFolkFestival
