Féile Róise Rua, in collaboration with the RCC Sound! Festival will launch its 2026 programme with a special afternoon of film, visual art and tunes at the Regional Cultural Centre. The event offers a first glimpse of the festival ahead of its the festival weekend on Arranmore Island from May 15–17, 2026.
This launch will open with the premiere of a film and immersive audio-sensory work by Louise Gaffney, a highly regarded visual artist and electronic musician from the West of Ireland. Created on Arranmore Island between 2022 and 2025 as part of the Féile Róise Rua residency programme, the work offers an atmospheric exploration of landscape, place, and lived experience through film, sound, and photography; often mixing hand-rendered processes with digital video. The screening will be officially launched by Brían MacGloinn —multi-award-winning audio producer, acclaimed radio documentarian, and member of Ye Vagabonds.
The launch will also feature a powerful photographic exhibition celebrating Donegal fiddle players. Developed by Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí, the award-winning organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting Donegal fiddle tradition, the project aims to create a lasting visual record of this living musical heritage.
The portraits, created by photographer Dónal Glackin, offer a striking and intimate insight into both the musicians and their instruments. Glackin, who comes from a family steeped in fiddle playing and is a musician himself, brings a deep understanding of the tradition to the work. As Chairman of Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí, Aidan O’Donnell notes:
“Dónal’s portraits capture the personalities of the musicians in a remarkable way.… This collection clearly demonstrates his extraordinary photographic ability.”
We invite you to join us for refreshments and live tunes as we celebrate what promises to be a wonderful afternoon of film, music, and art.
Féile Róise Rua is a voluntary, community-led festival, run by not for profit company Taisce an Oileáin for the development and support of arts on Arranmore Island.Supported by the Arts Council, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Donegal County Council, and Plean Teanga Árainn Mhór.
Refreshments provided with thanks by Synerchi, Kinnegar and Arranmore cheese boards.
Tuilleadh eolais: Seol rphost go feileroiserua@gmail.com. Amharc ar feileroiserua.com. 0863913343/ For more information, please contact us by email feileroiserua@gmail.com or Ph 0863913343.