*Owen Maguire and Michael Kelleher back together.
ENNISTYMON showcased a history of céilí and dance bands at a recent photographic exhibition.
Held at the Courthouse Gallery by the Old Ennistymon Society, the photographic exhibition on the theme of the legacy of the céilí and dance bands of Ennistymon went down a treat last Sunday evening.
Senator Martin Conway (FG) who opened the event congratulated the organisers and pointed to an era that saw eight bands in Ennistymon at the one time, offering a source of entertainment and making major contributions to the community life at a time of serious emigration and very poor economic conditions.
He assured those in attendance that we would remain an ally of the Courthouse in maintaining and securing funding for its programmes.
Enda Byrt gave an interactive presentation with lively contributions from the floor. Beginning with the Ennistymon No 1 Melody Band and tracing briefly the social conditions of the time the story continued right through to the 1970s Marquee scene when many villages in Clare would host month long festivals of dancing with bands from all over the country and of course the local Céilí bands, and often a set competition would be a feature over two dance nights.
Rural electrification was very much in its infancy in the early years. Ennistymon was fortunate in being early on the list because of the building of the North Clare Creamery in the 1930s. This was naturally of particular use to the bands as amplification could be engaged,
People were fascinated by a series of dance adverts from The Clare Champion with some very eye-catching headings ‘A Night of Nights’ which was in reference to the Jack Madigan Band in Mullagh where there was dancing until 4am.
A question from the audience directed a discussion on how the bands coped with entertaining for six to seven hours. A cup of tea and refreshment when they arrived around 8pm. A break for the dancers, often with a ‘running buffet’ at half time and back to the stage. There would always be a crate of stout backstage to keep the wind up, speakers explained.
While there are no recordings of the Melody, Madigan or Hogan bands recordings of the individuals were included in the presentation. These recording were made by John Byrt on his Grundig TK30 and the sounds of Paddy Jordan, Michael Hogan, Pat Madigan, Jimmy Mc Cormack and George Byrt were heard while the slides were shown.
Demand for jazz music was also touched on and how it led to the Michael Hogan Band, residing at The Thomond House in Lisdoonvarna and appearing at all popular venues.
Veteran musicians of the times contributed to the storytelling, Michael Kelleher, Sean Conway and Owen Maguire shared their stories and gave a feel for music that was played seventy years ago and the enjoyment of the dancers. Mary Madigan, daughter of Jack Madigan (who passed away suddenly in 1954 after playing at the Sluagh Hall) gave a great insight into the life of the musicians.
Given that Ennistymon had such activity and an array of successful bands, the question was posed as to why it was not referred to with the likes of Miltown Malbay and Doolin as hives of music. It was suggested that an explanation may lie in the Wandering Minstrels theory. By examining the rosters of the Tulla or Kilfenora bands, the fingerprints of Sean Conway, Michael Kelleher, George Byrt, Pat Madigan, Paddy Mullins and Paddy Jordan are evident. It was also noted that West Clare provided more key musicians to these very popular bands.
Many more topics of interest to the audience were explored and the evening was topped off with a session of music blending in the generations lead by Joe Rynne with Micheal Kelleher, Sean Conway, Mick O Connor, Colm Nestor, Enda Byrt and highlighted with the inclusion of Owen Maguire making a return after many years.
The project is supported by Clare County Council and Creative Ireland and the second evening will take place at The Courthouse Gallery on September 14th with a display of the European Mummering traditions of Poland, Ukraine and the local Wrenboy/Sreawboys tradition. The exhibition of photographs continues until September 14th at the Gallery.
