Music and Reviews from Clare, Limerick, Waterford and sometimes further afield

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Foinn Seisiún with Frank Custy at Fleadh Nua Ennis








MC and Dance Master Dick O Connell

I called in  to the Old Ground Hotel to catch some of the late afternoon Fleadh Nua activity . I expected to find a few visiting musicians ploughing through some dance tunes in a corner of the bar . I was pleasantly surprised to see the upstairs room full of an audience of all ages  young and old. I went along to see the legendary teacher Frank Custy in action and both he and Fear an Tí, Dick O Connell  guided the aftenoon of music mixing dances with slow airs and songs calling on the individuals in turn.




Stepping Out
 
The wonderful dancing feet of Stephanie

We had  amongst other numbers the Boys of Barr na Sráide ,  a slow air on the uilean pipes, a lovely unaccompanied  duet  from husbad and wife duo. There were mazurkas sean waltzs and polkas . The highlight for me was the sheer exuberance of Stephanie from Bodyke with her steel capped dancing shoes . What a great noise she made on the wooden floor.  I was delighted to meet Frank Custy  himself and Catriona from Sixmilebridge Folk Club  and Phil Jameson from Norh Carolina . I recognised some faces from a visit to last years Fesival Club Fleadh Nua 2010  and had a chat with Margaret from The Netherlands who was on a return visit..  The presence of an Asian camera crew added an exotic air to the procedings.  It was like an old fashioned party and Dick O Connell did an excellent job as MC.    The central venue is great and I love the time 4pm  to 6pm is very good slot. You can nip in after work and on the way home for tea. 
Post session interviews





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