This article is from page 35 of the 2008-06-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
THE third annual Ennis Street Festi- val was launched yesterday Monday June 23 by Mayor of Ennis Coun- cillor Tommy Brennan. The festival takes place from July 5 to 6 in Ennis town centre and features a wide pro- gramme of events.
All events over the weekend are run on a completely voluntary basis and rely on support from businesses and individuals in Clare.
Mayor Brennan said, “I am de- lighted to have the opportunity to launch the festival for 2008. I have admired the unique initiatives which the festival has undertaken over the
past three years and look forward to seeing the many visitors which the festival attracts for the weekend. The committee would like to thank all the traders in Ennis for their support in facilitating the festival”.
Ana Bella Alvarez, founder of the festival, said, “I have been delighted by the reaction from the town and the various artists involved and I’m looking forward to making the festi- val bigger and better in the future.”
She added, “The committee are very grateful for the co-operation of the town’s traders, the Town Coun- cil, Chamber of Commerce and the county’s Arts Office in help making the festival such a success”.
O’Connell Street will be pedes- triansed on Saturday, July 6, in O’Connell Street and Lower Market Street Area between 12 to 4pm on Saturday.
On Sunday the Gig Rig will kick off at Market Street Carpark from 1.00pm and will feature perform- ances from Billy, Clare Youth Cen- tre and a Traditional Music session. Other events in Market Street will include the Ennis Farmers Market and a Vintage Automobile Exhibi- tion. Sunday will continue with music from Sambarrada, Dog and String and street comedy from the West Kerry Italian Fancini Brothers. The evening concludes with a variety
of music events with the highlight a cabaret competition hosted by Mr Toons and the Fanzini Brothers in the West County Hotel. The Latin music collective Armada Latina per- form later that evening in Brandon’s.
On Saturday Ennis plays host to the 2008 International pipe band com- petition in the Showground’s Ennis. The event will bring pipers from across Ireland and further afield in- cluding USA and Scotland.
If you would like to help with the event or require further information please contact www.ennisstreetfes- tival.ccom, email ennisstreetfestiv al@eircom.net or by phoning 065 6893966.