This article is from page 20 of the 2013-05-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
ENNIS is getting ready to rock for the annual Fleadh Nua festival, which kicks off in the town on Sunday.
A fixture on the town’s calendar since 1974, this year’s festival features an expanded programme of events. There will be a special celebrity concert in honour of one of Clare’s foremost musicians, Brendan Mulkere. Recognised as an accomplished fiddle player, Brendan’s dual achievements as a teacher and musician will be recognised at a concert in the West County Hotel on Saturday, May 25.
Brendan’s guests will include brothers, John and James Carty, Niall Keegan, John Bowe, Terence O’Flaherty, Sinéad Egan and the Whelton Family. There will also be a performance by double All Ireland winners the Thatch Céilí.
Trad super-group ‘Four Men And A Dog’ will bring their high-octane live show to the West County Hotel on Friday, May 24.
The Gathering provides the inspiration for ‘Spraoi’ – The Kilfenora Ceilí Band’s latest concert presentation on Sunday, May 26.
The concert will also feature the vocal talents of Don Stiffe as well as the dancing skills of the West Clare Set Dancers.
Following a successful streaming of last year’s concert, which was viewed by almost 10,000 people in 40 different countries, ‘Spraoi’ will be available on www.livetrad.com.
Thursday, May 23 is Ladies’ Night at the Fleadh as the spotlight shines on musicians Joan Hanrahan, Bríd O’Gorman, Geraldine Cotter and Paul O’Regan.
CD launches are a relatively recent addition to the Fleadh Nua but have already proven hugely popular with festival goers.
There will be launches by Niamh Ní Charra and The Bonnymen in The Old Ground Hotel on Saturday, May 25. Enda Seery and Michelle Mulcahy will launch their album at the Temple Gate Hotel on Sunday, May 26.
Other events to look out for are the Gathering Parade, photographic displays, open-air entertainment, street entertainment, café music sessions and a tribute night for Ennistymon Comhaltas.
The popular Riches of Clare, free lunchtime concert series, will also continue to run during the Fleadh. The usual residency in the Clare Museum, Ennis, begins during the Fleadh Nua festival and continues each Wednesday afternoon during June and July.