Wow, that is amazing, fairplay to you. Also, it sounds tiring being the designated child minder, but at the same time, imagine that some - or most - of them may be inspired to become artists themselves.

The festival in general sounds like a lot of fun.

Also, speaking of the North, my dads family also had to leave during the troubles. My grandparents were a mixed marriage, protastant and catholic, so they essentially got it from both sides when it kicked off and had to come down south with my dad and his brothers.