Given Girvan’s location beside Ailsa Craig, halfway point between Ireland and Glasgow, little wonder that Glasgow Irish bands took to the place doon the watter.
One of those who first made this trip and kept coming back was Setanta, whose name is informed by their love of Irish legend. This group was one of very few who featured a hammered dulcimer in their line-up, and they brought a spontaneity to their stagecraft which made them firm favourites. They always epitomised the Festival’s policy of no demarcation between performers and audiences, and you were always likely to come across one or more of them in sessions around the town.
Latterly, the band’s Colin McAllister has become the committee member responsible for the Festival’s prestigious storytelling events.