This article is from page 28 of the 2008-06-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
WHETHER you’re competing or just enjoying, this coming weekend is the time to strap on your dancing shoes.
The county fleadh kicks off in Tulla on Thursday and the line up is im- pressive, with a chance to see both the Tulla and the Kilfenora Ceili bands on the gig-rig in the square on Sunday night.
On Thursday night the courthouse is the venue for the gala concert Where Brian Rooney is performing along with Brian McNamara, Tim Collins, Mick Conneely, Lorraine O’Brien and Eoin O’Neill. Sena- tor Labhras O’Murcht, Director of CCE, will officially open the fleadh on the night.
Saturday night is the céili with Andrew McNamara, Mark Donnel- lan and Jim Corry at Minogue’s at LO eeee
Apart from the many competitions, there is plenty of entertainment for visitors throughout the weekend in Tulla.
On Friday night Peadar McNamara and The Ennis Singers will be in the Power House at 9pm while Kate McNamara will launch her cd at Minogue’s.
On Sunday at lpm Robbie McMa- hon can be heard singing Spancil Hill at Teach Ol. Sunday night is the highlight of the festival with a repeat performance of one 50 years ago when the Tulla and Kilfenora Ceili Bands both competed in the streets
of Tulla for the senior céili band title. There will be set dancing with Aidan Vaughan, half set, brush dancers and sean nos dancers on the specially erected platform from 8.30pm.
The timetable for competitions has now been finalised and first up 1s set dancing in St Joseph’s Secondary School on Friday night at 7pm for the under 12 and 12 to 15 age groups. At 8.30pm the 15 to 18 age group and senior groups will compete.
At 9.30am on Saturday morning there will be the grupai cheoil for the under 15s. This is also the time for the under nine and under 12 banjo competitions, accordion under nine, duets under 12, concertina under nine and under 12, harp under nine, fiddle under 12, flute under 12, whis-
tle under 12 and drums under 12.
Céili bands for the 12 to 15 age group are at llam, grupai cheoil for the under 12s are at 2pm while the under 12 céili bands are at 3.30pm.
The full timetable will be available in the fleadh programme or on www. tulltradfestival.com.
Competitions on Sunday morning start at 10am and the aim is to have all competitions finished by 4pm in time for the hurling semi final.
The grupai cheoil for the 15 to 18 age group 1s the first item on the pro- gramme for Sunday followed by the céili band competition for the same age group at llam. The senior céili band competition is at 12pm along with the solo competitions for the under 18 age group.