Denis Winters who was a great friend of Micho’s have sent us on this passage to read out during the the Anniversary Mass or at the wreath laying ceremony  at the Russell Grave on Sunday 1st March.

Throughout Micho’s visits with us in America, there were also plenty of instances when many other folks hoped they could commandeer him away from us for a night or two: “to an oul party” or off to play at someone’s favourite local session far from our beaten path, and the like. And certainly, neither Bill Ochs nor I would have ever stood in the way of Micho doing something he really wanted to do, but he had a way of steering clear of uncertain situations, an inner radar and instinct, which he summed up to Bill one night out in the urban

social wilds of Philadelphia this way:” Some of those people are the kind who are only out for a bit of sport, and you wouldn’t know where they might land you. “ Kitty d’Entrement, his cousin, perhaps put it best: Micho was wise – he truly had a wisdom”. At the close of his Summer visit in 1992, after his ferry cruise on the Circle Line, Bill had also taken him for a double-decker bus tour around Manhattan, and as Micho and Bill sat up topside and when passing by Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, Micho exclaimed: “There’s a lot of folks in Clare “would love to see this”. And shortly before leaving New York, Bill asked once more if there was anything else he might like to do ? He replied, Faith, no – I think I have the lot of it seen.”

Denis Winters has written a book on the Russells.

Micho would be 100 years old this year if he was still alive.

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The Festival is celebrated on the last weekend in February every year.  This year it is on 26th 27th 28th February and 1st2nd March.

Festival Events 2015

Thursday 26th February.

Traditional Music Sessions in Doolin’s pubs and Hotel Doolin.

Friday 27th February.

8pm.  A concert to showcase our rising local talent of traditional music, set dancing and sean nos featuring performances from a host of local young musicians. (Free adm)

Venue:  The Russell Cultural Centre.

Saturday 28th February:  10-00am. Guided walk to the Cliff of Moher, led by local Historian Patrick Sweeney. Free

10-30am 12-30pm Workshops in Fiddle (Mcgann’s Pub) Concertina (McDermott’s Pub) Tin Whistle (O’Connor’s Pub)and Accordion (Hotel Doolin)

Workshops cost €20 per workshop or €30 for both workshops Saturday and Sunday.

2pm : at the Russell Cultural Centre.

The Russell Concert, featuring the renowned Dessie O’Halloran, Kieran Hanrahan and many more national and international musicians.

Adm €20, includes wine and food reception, tickets at the door. Doors open at 1.30pm.

To Mark the 21st Anniversary, we are also giving away to guests attending the concert a free Russell T.Shirt.

5pm Traditional Singing Recital, Russell Cultural Centre. (adm free)

Sunday 1st March.

Music Workshops in our pubs and Hotel between 10-30am and 12.30pm

Anniversary Remembrance Mass at Doolin Church followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Russell grave.

Set Dancing in the Russell Cultural Centre, Music by the Five Counties Ceili Band, Adm €10 includes refreshments.

Monday 2nd March.

Music Sessions in all our Pubs and Hotel.