Copenhagen Irish Festival – A History
Over the years many exciting bands have performed at Copenhagen Irish Festival. Many new names have been introduced and later became well known to fans of traditional Irish music all over Europe.
The history started more than 30 years ago at a small venue called Vognhjulet (the Wagon Wheal.) It was there on the first weekend in November that an Irish-Scottish folk music festival was held. The weekend was organized by members of a small local band called Scrumpy. The highlight was the inclusion of a genuine Irish band. Those who were there will likely remember Mary Bergin’s performance. The audience was enthralled by her flute playing and many returned the following year expecting more new and talented performers.
In the years that followed, the festival grew and in 1988, ten years after the first Irish-Scottish weekend, the 4 organizers decided to extend the weekend to include Thursday and Friday as well. They also changed the name from simply the Irish/Scottish weekend to The Copenhagen Irish Festival.
To better handle organization of the growing festival, two additional members were added to the existing 4 committee members. Everyone, unpaid committee members and volunteers, work very hard during the festival while maintaining their regular day jobs as well. Their special love for Irish music is what sustains the festival year after year. In addition to music, the festival attempts to include annually an art exhibition, lectures, film and/or workshops.
A reoccurring problem has been finding a suitable concert hall in the center of Copenhagen. The venue needs back stage facilities for the artists as well as rooms that can serve as a café. For several years, a very nice concert hall and rooms were rented in an old building in the center of Copenhagen. But, unfortunately, this is no longer possible. This year the Festival Café will be at the PH Café, Halmtorvet, where the jam sessions and other smaller events will take place. The two double concerts on Friday and Saturday will be held at the new concert hall of Copenhagen Music School, just a few steps from PH Caféen.