Capercaillie, Máirtín O’Connor, Declan O’Rourke lined up for Spiegel Sessions

The festival, which crosses the border for the first time in its history, is a celebration of Celtic culture, and will attract visitors from the Celtic nations of Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man.

One of the biggest attractions at the festival will no doubt be the world-famous travelling venue, the Spiegeltent. This legendary ‘mirrored tent’ will play host to a line-up of exceptional musical acts under the title ‘The Spiegel Sessions.’

Over the course of six days the venue, which be situated in Guildhall Square, will see performances from Declan O’Rourke, Alana Henderson, Breton folk group Barzaz and the Máirtín O’Connor Band, amongst others.

Mayor Martin Reilly said: “The Pan Celtic Festival is a key element within the city’s Music City 2014 calendar. Derry City Council is delighted to offer its support to the festival and to attract exceptional musical acts from the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man to the city.

“We will be ready to provide a Legenderry welcome to all additional visitors to enjoy the music and events over the festival weekend. I am delighted that the Spiegeltent is incorporated to generate an extra special buzz and atmosphere across the city.”

The festival will be officially opened on Tuesday 22nd April by Celtic historian Brian Lacey, and will be followed by a performance by a group from each of the Celtic nations in the city’s Guildhall. The Spiegel Sessions will kick off that night with a gig by exciting trad act Goitse, whose track ‘The Burst Togs’ was the theme song of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2013.

The closing event will be a concert with Scotland’s Celtic supergroup Capercaillie, performing on Sunday (April 27) in the Spiegeltent as part of their 30th Anniversary tour. Also on the bill for that night will be award-winning Dungiven folk singer Maranna McCloskey.

Development and Arts Manager at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Odhrán Mullan said: ‘We are proud to bring a world-class selection of performers from across the Celtic nations for the festival, on a par with the high quality of music that we brought for Fleadh Cheoil in August.’

“Audiences will be impressed by the diversity of entertainment we have in store, and the visitors from the Celtic nations will provide street entertainment throughout the week, contributing to the typical festive atmosphere that has become a trademark of the city.”

Alongside these evening concerts, there will also be a range of family-orientated events in the Spiegeltent from 11am to 3pm, including workshops and performances from Glastonbury Festival favourites, the Armagh Rhymers.

Children will get the opportunity to learn about Celtic culture through a variety of activities, including Celtic art workshops to produce costumes for the Parade of Nations on Friday 25th April at 6pm.

For those interested in the learning about the links and nuances between the Celtic languages, free taster courses and lectures will be running throughout the week in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin and the Tower Museum.

Tickets for individual events can be purchased online at www.culturlann-doire.ie or through the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin box office. For more information on the festival, visit www.panceltic.ie or call +44 (0)28 7126 4132.