This article is from page 35 of the 2008-08-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
LAST year music classes were in- troduced to the Ellen (Nell) Galvin traditional music weekend.
The classes proved so successful that they will become one of the main features of the growing festival during the first weekend in Septem- ber. The sixth year of this annual event will be held at Clancy’s Bar, Moyasta from Friday, September 5, to Sunday, September 7.
On Friday the official opening will be carried out by well-known fiddler Vincent Griffin of Feakle at 8.30pm.
This will be followed by music Sessions with Vincent Griffin, Peter
O’Loughlin, Maeve Donnelly, John Kelly, Seamus Walshe, Frank Custy, Patrick O’Loughlin and other visit- ing musicians. There will be a ceili in Clancy’s Bar with music by the Four Courts Céili Band starting at 10.30pm.
On Saturday the free classes and lessons will begining in Clancy’s.
Tin whistle and bodhran for be- ginners and improvers with Karen McInerney, flute classes with Paul Smith beginners and improvers and JOLG COU Commel Ecco ISM VAD CCo) LMG OUERENN for beginners and improvers.
Sean nos dancing and concertina classes will also take place with Mairead Considine and set dancing
GETSo ma NOM\/ EVM \y ese en Ihe
That night visitors and locals can enjoy sessions again with local and visiting musicians.
On Sunday, the now traditional Mass in Lisdeen Church will take place at 9.30am followed by a visit to EGFR Greece re Nelo rm Oontt etry weather permitting. There will be an afternoon session in Clancy’s Bar from noon.
The festival began in 2002 in mem- ory of local woman Nell Galvin.
Born Ellen McCarthy, in Bally- dinneen Knockalough on March 1, 1887, she learned to play the fiddle under the watchful eye of blind piper Garrett Barry.
She could also play the concertina but concentrated on the fiddle.
Nell was the first Clare woman to broadcast traditional Irish Music from Raidio Eireann known at the time as 2 RN.
At the age of 14 the blind piper in- sisted that she would be entered for her first feis in Ennis and she won the competition playing the fiddle.
At the age of 18 she was again en- tered for the Munster Championships in Ennis on both the fiddle and con- certina, as she was undecided as to which instrument she would devote her time. She won a remarkable dou- ble. She died on September 5, 1961, aged 74 years.