The ​Iúr Cinn Fleadh returns to the city at the end of August

Headlining this year’s Fleadh is the iconic band, ‘Hot House Flowers’, supported by County Down’s own ‘The New Leaves’, with a gig in The Canal Court Hotel, on Saturday, August 29. Organisers are promising an evening of “unforgettable live music that will revisit timeless favourites and deliver new inspired improvisations.”

People can also immerse themselves in a screening of the mesmerising film, ‘From a Forest to a Fiddle’, in Newry Museum. Patrick Conway’s film captures luthier Jim McKillop, in Ravensdale, as he breathes life into wood, creating a fiddle in his rural workshop for the last time. The film’s soundtrack comprises newly-composed pieces by Zoe Conway, performed by herself on the fiddle and John McIntrye on guitar.

The Trad cruises return from August 27-31. For newcomers, there is very limited passenger numbers permitted per cruise and recommendation is to book early as this is one of the festival’s most popular events. As usual there is a wide variety of top class musicians entertaining guests on their journey.

The Trad trail event, another mainstay of Iur Cinn Fleadh, is also back. People can track down ‘Maggie’s Boys’ and ‘Grandpa Tommy’s Ceilí Band’ in a local hostelry, or chill out to the smooth sounds of Mickey Murphy in one of the café gigs.

Other returning events include Beats on the Streets, and Pancakes and Poetry at Newry Library.

Sticky Fingers will be hosting a range of children’s event at McClelland Park and in Newry Museum. A range of themes includes a ‘Wee Tree’ workshop, focussing on the importance of habitat for wild Irish animals.

Newry Variety Market will host a new event for children.

The Baptist Church, in Catherine Street, sees the return of bodhran making and playing for children on Thursday, August 27.

New for Newry Variety Market, on Friday, August 28, is an event featuring including the Community Choir, from Newry, and The Rock Choir, from Lurgan, presenting 90 minutes of singing.

This will be followed by a Ceili at 8pm at the same venue, for adults and children.

The first ever driftwood search will take place on local beaches, and participants will then head back to a Newry venue for painting onto the pieces of driftwood, with words in Irish. Organisers say it will be a great way to learn Irish, or to become acquainted with the language again.

Another festival highlight will be a fascinating display at Newry’s Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, to celebrate Comhaltas Uladh’s Centenary Exhibition of Ulster Gaels from Newry. This exhibition contains photographs of local Newry people and is deemed particularly worthwhile for those people interested in local history.

And for anyone who has never visited Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail before, this is said to be a great event and an opportunity to see what this organisation offers.

Newry Cathedral garden will see the return of the uppet show for two shows on Saturday, August 29 and young musicians will be taking part in a trad session as well.

Another new event this year will be a daytime performance with The Kelly Family and The U3A’s Gentlemen Singers. The Kelly family are well known in the traditional music world and are heavily involved in their local Comhaltas. The U3A’s Gentlemen Singers will perform firm favourites, including ‘Black Hills of Dakota’ and ‘Running Bear’.

NM&D water festival also returns to the Albert Basin and has expanded its offering to visitors.

The Fleadh guide will be available at venues and shops throughout the city.

For more information check out www.iurcinnfleadh.com

To buy tickets for events, go to www.iurcinnfleadh/com/tickets