The Waterford sea-shanty choir, Hooks and Crookes, organisers of the city’s Seafaring Festival of Music and Song at which they will also perform.

The Waterford sea-shanty choir, Hooks and Crookes, organisers of the city’s Seafaring Festival of Music and Song at which they will also perform.

The brand-new Waterford Seafaring Festival of Music and Song, which takes place in the city at the end of the month, will be in the tradition of the great maritime festivals held in European cities and will feature 25 different groups of performers from Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland, France, England, Wales and, of course, Ireland.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 28th to 30th) over 100 free performances will occur at over 20 different venues. There will also be outdoor entertainment at various locations including John Roberts Square, Ballybricken Green and the Millennium Plaza on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The various international groups will be joined by a number of Irish Groups including the legendary Warp Four and, of course, the organisers of the festival, Hooks and Crookes.

The groups vary in size from an ensemble called De Kaapstander from Holland, which has over 40 singers, to a group of four called Drunken Sailor from Germany. In all cases, the emphasis is on Maritime Music and Sea Shanties. This festival is a major tourist initiative for Waterford and is the brainchild of the members of Hooks and Crookes.

Local performers

In addition, many local musicians will take part including performances by Thomas Francis Meagher Fife and Drum Band, City of Waterford Brass and the Barrack Street Concert Band. Waterford Male Voice Choir will join with a number of international groups for a Gala Concert in Christ Church Cathedral on the Saturday night.

See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.