Russell Memorial Weekend Festival held in Doolin annually on the weekend of the last full weekend in February is a remembrance ceremony to the Micho, Packie, and Gussie Russell

Friday 24th Feb 2012	8-00pm "Open House" Music, Song & Dance including local and national talent. Also launch of Siobhán & Úna Hogan’s debut CD - “The Blue-Eyed Rascal”. Russell Cultural Centre. Admission free, all welcome.
Saturday 25th Feb 2012	10-30am- 12-30pm Music Workshops 11-30am Russell Music: Music recitals at McGanns pub and Hotel Doolin, Adm. Free 2pm The Russell Concert features Seán Keane and his band. Análú: Darragh, Michael and Sinead Healy, and sean nós dancer Liam Scanlon. Russell Cultural Centre, Adm. €20 (includes wine and food reception) Tickets at the door. Doors open at 1-30pm 5pm Russell Music: Traditional Singing recital, O’Gorman Room, Russell Cultural Centre, Adm. Free
Sunday 26th Feb 2012	10-30am - 12-30pm Music Workshops: 11-30am Russell Music: Music recital at McDermotts pub, Adm. Free 11-30am Russell Music: music recital at O'Connors pub, Adm. Free 1pm Anniversary Remembrance Mass at Doolin Church followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Russell grave 3pm Set Dancing: music by Peter Griffin and the Four Courts Céilí Band, Function Room, Hotel Doolin. Adm. €10
Monday night 27th Feb 2012	Monday night music sessions in Doolin's pubs and hotels
Workshops Sat 25th & Sun 26th 10-30am - 12-30pm	Workshops: Fiddle (James Cullinan). Venue: Cullinan's Restaurant Concertina (Terry Bingham) Venue: McDermott’s pub Flute and tin whistle (Christy Barry). Venue: O'Connor’s pub Register at the venues. Enquiries to Adrian & Bev O'Connor (065) 7074595 or mobile 087 1254858.
Pub Music Sessions	Live music throughout the weekend in Doolin's pubs and hotels
Accommodation	For accommodation in Doolin see Doolin Tourism

The Russell Memorial Weekend Committee acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council, in making the 18th Russell Memorial Weekend possible.

Further Information: email: info@michorussellweekend.ie or telephone +353 (0)65- 7074595, 7074168, 7074328, 7074133, 085 2807578

The Russell Memorial Weekend is a traditional festival held in Doolin on the the last full weekend in February each year. The festival began in 1995 as a remembrance ceremony to Micho Russell, the world-famous traditional musician, who died in 1994.

In 2006 by request of the Russell family the festival was renamed the Russell Memorial Weekend in memory of the three Russell brothers, Micho, Packie, and Gussie.

The Russell Memorial Weekend's aim is to host the best of traditional entertainment; to encourage musicians to revisit a source, recognise new talent, and to celebrate the rich musical legacy of Doolin as uniquely exemplified by the Russell brothers.

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Returning to Doolin is singer Seán Keane (above). Seán is regarded as one of the finest singers of his generation. One of the gifted Keane family from Caherlistrane, Galway, Seán will be performing live at the Russell Concert in Doolin accompanied by his band. Also appearing is Análú.	Russell concert on Saturday 25th Feb 2012 at 2pm in Doolin. MORE		Micho Russell was one of Ireland’s best-known traditional musicians. Born in Doolin in 1915, he grew up in a musical family. His mother played the concertina and both his brothers, Packie, and Gussie played for house dances and later in the village pubs of Doolin. MORE ABOUT THE RUSSELLS

Denise vonMering and family, L/R Denise's sister Joan, niece Ann, brother Mark, and Denise vonMering.

In 2009 we received a generous donation to the Russell Memorial Weekend from Denise vonMering from Boston, whose grandfather Thomas Joseph Shannon (1897-1977) was born in Doolin. Denise made this kind donation in his memory to help enhance and promote the traditional musical heritage of Doolin. The photo above was taken at her grandfather's birthplace in Doolin during her family's visit to the Russell Memorial Weekend in 2006: L/R Denise's sister Joan, niece Ann, brother Mark, and Denise vonMering.
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The Russell Memorial Weekend Committee fondly remembers Jack Garrihy who was a founder member of the Committee and who sadly passed away on Sunday Feb 25 2007 during the Russell Weekend, shortly after attending the wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of the Russells. MORE

The Russell Memorial Weekend Committee also remembers Mary Kate Maguire, last surviving member of the Russell family, who died Dec 26 2007. The committee would also like to acknowledge the support of her daughters, Bridie and Peggy, and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.