Ann Kirrane all set to take to the stage in Liscannor

Popular Bellharbour singer, Ann Kirrane will perform in Liscannor this evening as part of the Anam Music series of concerts in North Clare.

Steeped in musical tradition, Ann is the daugher of Chris Droney one of the most respected concertina players in Ireland. Her summers as a teenager were spent in Lisdoonvarna playing music with her father, Tommy Peoples, Kitty Linnane and Paddy Mullins of the Kilfenora Céilí Band. Having been taught how to play the concertina by her father and grandfather Jim, Ann would win three All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil titles.

In later life she moved to Tuam where she took lead roles in stage productions with local musical societies as a singer. It was also while living in Galway that Ann met and married Noël Kirrane, a musician, teacher, choirmaster and musical director. He died in September 2008 and four years later, Ann released her first solo album ‘One Small Star’, in 2012 to critical acclaim.

Two years later, she released an EP, ‘In the Bleak Mid Winter’ as a dedication to her father on the occasion of his 90th birthday and in Summer 2016 she launched ‘Behind yon Mountain’ at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis. As well as being the headline act at festivals in Kilfenora, Doolin, Clarecastle and Doonbeg, she has also been invited to perform at festivals in California, Portland, Texas and Straubing, Germany.

As the Anam Music series of gigs organised by Pat Ryan and Eoin O’Neill continues, Ann will be signing at The Cliffs of Moher Hotel from 7pm this evening (Sunday), tickets for which cost €15 and can be paid for at the door.