This article is from page 25 of the 2008-06-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 25 JPG
THERE will be plenty of singing and dancing in Cois na hAbhna over the next two months, but organisers of Ceol na hInse hope that the pro- gramme will engage with the local community.
Ceol na hInse, a series of concerts and traditional music workshops, launches in Cois na hAbhna tomor- row night with the programme’s in- augural concert.
From June until August the Gort Road venue will play host to a mul- titude of award winning musicians and singers which, it is hoped, will draw big crowds.
Domhnal O Loinsigh of Comhaltas
Ceolteoirf Eireann explained that in a Summer season densely packed with traditional events, Ceol na hInse aimed to succeed by establish- ing a connection with the local com- munity in Ennis.
He said, “Its very important for Ceol na hInse that we do have that link with the local community. With the fleadh nua and other events, there is a lot going on.
“But if it doesn’t engage with the local community, a concert or a festi- val won’t succeed. We would be hop- ing that with the calibre of the venue we have in Cois na hAbhna, we will get the crowds.”
Tomorrow’s concert brings together some of the more established names
on the traditional scene for a night of music, song and dance.
The first half of the show will fol- low the format of a regular concert. After the break the focus is on audi- ence involvement
Doreen Norris, the newly appoint- ed Riarthoir in Cois na hAbhna, says the summer show will give visitors the opportunity to experience Clare’s rich musical heritage.
“It is important to showcase the in- credible traditional talent that exists in the region and Ceol na hInse is the perfect vehicle through which to highlight this and it will give visitors and local people an opportunity to encounter real traditional entertain- ment,’ she said.
Cois na hAbhna is the headquarters of the Clare branch of Comhaltas Ceolteori Eireann.
The building was re-opened after an extensive period of development last summer.
A teach cheoil area and conference room were added as part of the re- development.
The most significant addition was the Cois na hAbhna regional ar- chive, established to record, collect and preserve the cultural heritage of local areas.
The archive currently stocks over 1,500 hours of recordings.
Tickets for Ceol na hInse are availa- ble from Cois na hAbhna at 68242276 or at coisnahabhna@eircom.net.