Stage set for CELTIC STARS

Traditional Scottish dancers (pictured) are always a drawcard during The National Celtic Festival, Australia’s largest Celtic celebration held in Portarlington over the June long weekend.

MORE than 15,000 people flock to Portarlington annually for The National Celtic Festival, with crowds expected to be bigger than ever, following the announcement of this year’s line-up.

On the home-grown front, the 2018 line-up welcomes Australian duo Hat Fitz and Cara, the Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club, Tim Scanlon Trio and traditional folk icons Trouble in the Kitchen with global talents the Irish stalwarts Altan, banjo/flute pair Maggie Carty and Máirtín Staunton, and Scotland’s own Paul McKenna Band.

Over the June long weekend, revellers can enjoy Australia’s largest and diverse celebration of Celtic music, arts and culture with dance, poetry, cuisines and Gaelic languages.

Enjoy the performances or be a part of the festivities by joining in one of the many workshops on offer, anything from limerick writing to bagpipe playing.

From Friday June 8 to 11, the festival uses a range of venues within the town, including community halls and spaces, the hotel, restaurants, cafes and churches with marquees set up on the foreshore to provide additional venues; these include the Village Stage, Celtic Club, Wine Bar, and Celtic Markets.

For program information and tickets, go to nationalcelticfestival.com.