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

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Clare Gathering: Kilfenora Céilí Band Raising Spirits At Home and Abroad


Claire Daly steps it out to summon  a gathering of Claires















Forget the subtleties (or pretensions) of the modern aesthetic traditional ensemble, for me, there is nothing quite like an honest to goodness, foot stomping, full blooded ceili band to raise the spirits  and  the Main Square in Kilfenora was literally hopping this afternoon as a large crowd gathered to welcome the local globe trotting heroes, the Kilfenora Ceili Band at the annual music festival . Here the  function of the music was placed firmly at the heart of the activity and dancers took to the wooden floor to hammer out the various sets as the band set the pace. April showers and a near arctic wind chill sent the faint hearted scurrying intermittedly to the local teashops until the sun reappeared but the staunch troupe continued unabated over the two hour session. MC and flautist, Garry Shannon paused only to read messages received from the Clare diaspora, as the  music was carried beyond the square to far flung destinations via the world wide web, a poignant reminder of the reality of emigration in 21st Clare. Powerful stuff!

You can hear my interview with Garry Shannon recorded immediately following the gig in the audioboo below.

Doyen of press photographers, John Kelly  in action at the event




The Kilfenora return to Glór on May 26th and the NCH on 3rd August 


Kilfenora Ceili Band at Love Live Music Day Ennis


A most unusual comedy double act caught in the video clip below. It features Garry Shannon with  dancer Michael Donnellan 

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