This article is from page 4 of the 2013-01-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
CLARE has the fourth highest number of Gathering events in Ireland – with only Dublin, Cork and Galway currently hosting more.
A total of 130 Clare events have already been officially registered as part of the Gathering with more likely over the coming weeks and months.
These events combine a mixture of annual events which have been revamped or expanded to coincide with the Gathering and brand new events. Some of the new events include The Concertina Cruinniú which is com- ing to Miltown Malbay in February, the Stephen Roche Atlantic Challenge in Lahinch this March and the Burren Tolkien Symposium which will take place in Ballyvaughan and Lisdoonvarna in May.
Other notable Gathering events include the long-awaited return of the Festival of Finn to Corofin in May and Wavemaster Surf and Music International Gathering at Spanish Point with the Stunning and Sharon Shannon already confirmed on the line-up.
The Arts Office at Clare County Council have organised a number of training events for local group who are involved in the Gathering.
These events will take place in Ennis on February 2, Kilrush on February 9, Shannon of February 16, Ennis on February 23, Killaloe on March 2 and Ennistymon on March 9.
“The Gathering is having a big impact on the arts in Clare this year on a number of levels. Many festivals and events are viewing the Gathering as a platform to showcase the work they do annually and are looking to attract new audiences to their events. The support for Gathering events information sessions, networking opportunities are very valuable to arts festivals and events in terms of promoting themselves and making new connections in the county,” said Siobhan Mulcahy, Clare Arts Office.
“I think 2013 will be a positive year for the arts in Clare in terms of festivals and events. The publicity and excitement surrounding the Gathering is invigorating the arts sector. It will once again be a challenging year for individual artists in terms of exhibition sales, and performances, but hopefully the rising tide will gather all boats and we can all look forward to more positive times ahead,” she added.
For more information on the Gathering training events and to book a place contact Monica Meehan at mmeehan@clarecoco.ie or call 065 6846228.