Ennis comes alive as Fleadh begins

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Inis 2016 got off to an excellent start with the County town thronged for the opening day of the traditional music festival.

Day one of the Fleadh saw President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins address the massive crowds in Ennis where he spoke of his delight to see the event taking place in Co Clare.

A parade took place through the streets of the County town to celebrate the start of the music festival which is taking place in Clare for the first time since 1977.

Cusack Park played host to ‘Seachtar Fear – Seacht Lá’ a pageant based on a script written in 1966 by the celebrated Irish writer Bryan McMahon for the fiftieth anniversary of the Easter Rising. Against a backdrop of music, song and verse the Seven Men told their own story, recalling the struggle and achievements of those who challenged the might of the British Empire one hundred years ago.

Some of Ireland’s best known traditional musicians gathered in Glór later in the evening for the ‘Bofin to Burren’ concert. Fronted by Inisbofin’s Dessie O’Halloran, the line-up also included Kieran Hanrahan on banjo and Seamus O’Donnell on saxophone, flute and vocals.

Pat Flynn, John Meyler, Gary Collins and Eamon Ward were on the streets of Ennis capturing the action on camera.

‘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.