This article is from page 19 of the 2012-06-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
SINGER Maura O’Connell will perform to a home audience next week after she was announced as the latest addition to the ‘Clare Connections’ concert, which takes place in Ennis next week.
The Nashville-based performer is appearing as a special guest on a bill that already includes Lúnasa, the Kilfenora Céilí Band and the Teetotallers (Martin Hayes, Kevin Crawford and John Doyle).
The concert, which is supported by Ennis Town Council and local businesses, will take place at the Abbey Street car park on Thursday, June 21, at 6pm.
The free music event has been organised as part of Love: Live Music, a day-long celebration of all forms of music in Ireland through free live music events in cities, towns and villages all over the country.
The success of the event could see Ennis receive financial support for a larger concert next year.
Tracy Crawford of Bally-O Promotions explained, “This year’s event is setting the seeds for a new festival in 2013 to tie in with The Gathering. This is an incredibly strong line-up for a free event in the county and one that we hope will be supported as it will lead to other exciting opportunities in the future.”
Members of Ennis Town Council approved the closure of the Abbey Street car park for the concert at their June meeting.
While welcoming the concert, councillors also urged organisers to cater for younger audiences.
Recalling the success of the Beat on the Street event held in Ennis during the mid-’90s, Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said there was no guarantee that traditional music would draw large crowds to Ennis.
Cllr Peter Considine (FF) said an eclectic line-up was needed to attract a younger audience.
Councillors Tommy Brennan (Ind) and Brian Meaney (GP) called for the concert to be staged at another location in Ennis.
Cllr Meaney said a concert held in the Abbey Street car park for the Fleadh Nua had drawn a “miserable” attendance.
He proposed that an area from Bank Place to O’Connell Square be used for concerts.
Commenting on crowds at the recent Fleadh Nua, Cllr Neylon said the good weather had taken people out of the town.
He said, “We haven’t seen 26, 27 degrees in a long time. The people danced to Lahinch.”
Cllr Brennan proposed that the council examine whether a concert could be staged in the Market.
Town Manager Gerard Dollard told the meeting that the council needs to make a strategic decision on a specific civic space for large events.