The contribution of the late Frank Custy to the cultural life of county Clare and beyond will be remembered in a special tribute concert which promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s Fleadh Nua. The concert, to be held at Glór on Sunday, June 1st, will honour not only the Toonagh native’s huge contribution to traditional music over the years but also his committment to the sporting and wider cultural life of his community and parish.
“Although he was probably best known as a teacher of traditional music, Frank had many strings to his bow!” according to Frank Whelan, Chairman of the Fleadh Nua Committee. “As well as being the much loved Principal of Toonagh National School, in his earlier years he was a very talented hurler with St.Flannan’s College and later with his own club Ruan. “As an exceptional teacher of traditional music he was renouned not only throughout the length and breadth of Ireland but around the world where ever Irish traditional music is played.
The concert will feature members of Frank’s own family along with many of his former students some of whom are now well know names in the field of traditional Irish music.” Glór is also the venue for another Fleadh Nua concert on the June Bank Holiday weekend as ‘Socks in the Frying Pan’ make a hometown return on Saturday 31st of May, while the Friday night slot at the Ennis venue features ‘Hell For Leather’ with the West Clare School of Set Dancing taking the audience on a breathtaking journey of music, song and dance through the Clare tradition.
Cois na hAbhna also has a packed programme of events headlined with a concert from ‘The Maurice Lennon Trio’ on Wednesday 28th of May. Other highlights of the week at the Gort Road venue include ‘Restringing The Stone Fiddle – The Songs of John Tunney’ on Saturday 24th May and ‘The Rambling House’ with the Cloughleigh Branch of Comhaltas on Tuesday 27th and, of course, a firm favourite of Fleadh goers, a full programme of Céilís throughout the Bank Holiday Weekend! “Fleadh Nua 2025 runs over ten days from Saturday May 24th until Monday June 7th and if you cant make it to any of the main events, there will be plenty more to enjoy” according to Frank Whelan.
“We have Lunchtime concerts at St Columba’s Church, Cafe Sessions at Glór, storytelling and workshops, a pub session trail, singing sessions and music on the streets. So it’s a great opportunity to come along and connect with our own rich culture at the ‘Fleadh down in Ennis’… Bígí linn!” For further details and to download a full programme of events see fleadhnua.com.
