Another Year of Going Coastal Comes to a Close: An Intimate Evening in Áras Na nGael
By Maureen Arnold
To close out another fine season of Going Coastal, the fourth consecutive year of the festival, to be specific, fans of revelry and good music made their way to Áras Na nGael on Sunday evening to enjoy a night of merriment alongside like-minded individuals.
These Empty Vessels
Packed to the brim and completely sold out, attendees gathered in the back bar room, with the first act on the docket These Empty Vessels making their stage within a corner booth. With mandolin, bodhrán, and acoustic guitar in hand, the three men soundtracked the start of a wonderful evening, bringing coziness, warmth, and nostalgia with each tune.
The audience was transfixed as we each became mere pieces of furniture within the stone walls of Áras Na nGael, as its ownership for the night seemed to have transferred to that of These Empty Vessels.
Their hands moved like a grasshopper’s legs, and each strum created an addictive, rhythmic melody.
The Galway-based band, lit only by candlelight, fairy lights strung on the wall, and the glow of their own playing, delivered an excellent performance that was sure to spark a new appreciation for modern Irish trad.
Aoife Welby
Bodies moved towards the front of the venue as Aoife Welby took to the main stage, the room decorated with an autumnal essence and warm lighting.
With a violinist at her side, Welby brought life to the room, singing with solemn beauty as she played the harmonium and enchanted the audience with her talents in sean-nós. With semblances of Fermagh’s Rois and Denmark’s Fine, Welby put a spell on the room and brought a tear to one’s eye.
She spoke of Palestine with heartfelt sadness and hope, drawing the audience closer and blurring the line between performer and attendee.
Na hEasógaí
Na hEasógaí have made a name for themselves not only in Galway, but on a national level, earning a solid fan base that was undoubtedly very present in the room. Attendees couldn’t help but take to dancing as the Gaelige rock band put on an energetic and joyful set.
Their charisma and effortless Connemara charm moved each concertgoer, as jumpers were removed and pints set down, with friends taking each other by the hand to experience the gig on a communal level. It was clear no one in attendance craved an ending to the performance.
GaelTronica le hArd Éan
As the night came to a close, GaelTronica le hArd Éan took on the task of giving the concertgoers a memorable send-off, as attendees put to use their dancing shoes and brought energy to the floor. The Gael-tronica DJ let the hypnotising beats take over as energy flowed back and forth between him and those in the audience.
People seemed to leave their worries at the door, with the final merriment of the evening cleansing the space of any harboured negative spirit.
The night felt like an open secret for those of us in attendance, select strangers arranging their schedules to make the show and enjoy an intimate evening of music in great company. As the festival came to a close, there was no doubt that a new standard had been set to welcome Going Coastal yet again next year.
