It’s day two of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Inis 2016 and once more there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
Each day throughout the week there is a Fidil Beo Series at 1pm in Glór which showcases the finest fiddle players in Co Clare. Monday’s hour-long lunchtime concert features Lissycasey woman Joan Hanrahan. Joan is best known for her role as a presenter of Clare FM’s ‘The West Wind’, she will be joined on stage by fellow Clare FM presenter Eoin O’Neill on bouzouki and Brid O’Gorman on flute.
All week the Frank Custy session runs from 11am-1pm at the Holy Family National School in Ennis. Tour guide Jane O’Brien will lead a walking tour of Ennis departing Ennis Tourist Office at 11am, 2 and 5pm. There’s storytelling with Eddie Lenihan at Cois na hAbhna from 2-3pm.
Ennis Courthouse is the venue for Seachtain na hÉigse which is a series of lectures on history, music and culture. Three lectures are on each day at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Today Dr Ciarán Ó Murchadha discusses Figures in a Famine Landscape, pleífidh Dr Eibhlis Ní Dheá Lámhscríbhinní agus Filí an Chláir and Áine Hensey speaks about the life of Tomás Ó hAodha. In Cois na hAbhna Donnchadh Ó Cinnéide leads Songs of 1916 from 3:30pm.
Also in the Courthouse from 6pm Rex v Casement is expected to draw a large crowd. It is an enactment of the trial of Roger Casement by the Ennis Players.
Over the week an emphasis will be put on the Irish language. A morning welcome and conversation class begin in Glór at 10am. Beidh cíorcail cainte ar siúl sa BB’s cafe ar leathuair tar éis a deich. Teach na Cúirte hosts Foras Feasa na Fleidhe Léachtaí Lóin at 1pm. There’s family fun as Gaeilge from 2pm in Glór while the Gig Rig na Gaeilge rounds off Monday’s contribution to Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Cuaird is a series of one hour intimate acoustic concerts with some of the great names associated with the traditional music festival. Today sees Johnny McCarthy and Alph Duggan take centre-stage at St Columba’s Church from 3:30pm.
Crusheen’s Christy McNamara will launch his new album ‘Where the Heart Lies’ at 6pm in Glór. McNamara is a musician, photographer and raconteur, this event will link audio-visual material with performances from guest musicians such as Yvonne Casey, Eoin O’Neill and some special guests.
A celebration of the music of East Clare rounds off Monday’s activities. It features Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill, the Tulla Céilí Band, Ceoltóirí Chnoc na Gaoithe, Andrew and Mary MacNamara along with Sorcha and Padraig Costelloe. Glór hosts this concert from 8pm.
‘If it’s music you want, You should go to Clare’, but if it’s top quality coverage that you want then come to www.clareherald.com.