Today sees the beginning of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitions.
Up to 6,000 competitors will play, sing or dance for All-Ireland glory in 180 competitions. They will come from all over Ireland and abroad with a huge contingent from the United States.
Each day throughout the week there is a Fidil Beo Series at 1pm in Glór which showcases the finest fiddle players in Co Clare. Friday’s hour-long lunchtime concert put Siobhán People on the spotlight. She will be accompanied by Murty Ryan on accordion and bouzouki player Brian Mooney.
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. The Singers Club continues at 9:30pm at The Auburn Lodge Hotel with Tommy Dunn of Down tonight’s MC.
Ennis Courthouse is the venue for Seachtain na hÉigse, a series of lectures on history, music and culture. Three lectures are on each day at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Dr Joe Power looks at Clare’s involvement in the Great War, Tim Dennehy recalls traditional singers from 1916 while Dr Méabh Ní Fhuartháin narrates the Fleadh Experience.
Over the week an emphasis will be put on the Irish language. Several events will celebrate our native language on Thursday from 10:30am – 6pm at venues such as Glór, Food Heaven, Siopa Leabhar na hInse, Teach na Cúirte, Gaelscoil Mh. Cíosóg agus Sr. na Maínistreach.
Comhaltas celebrate their global reach with CCÉ Overseas Concert in Glór at 8pm. At the same time The Shannon Aerodome welcomes the Kilfenora Céilí Band with special guest Sean Keane on stage. At 9pm Dánlann an Chláir hosts Sliabh Luachra Music as Jackie Daly, Matt Crantich and Niamh Ní Charra join forces to pay tribute to Timmy Connors.
Street performers will be based all over Ennis. The Gig Rig provides musical entertainment in the evening while there’s plenty of entertainment in the pubs of Ennis throughout the day.
‘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.