THE Céilí at the Crossroads Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, kicking off on Sunday the 12th and running until July 19th.
Chairperson of the event Mike Dunne spoke to The Clare Echo about the upcoming festivities as well as the work that goes into making sure things run smoothly.
As it enters its 30th year, the annual Céilí at the Crossroads shows no signs of slowing down with new events and bands being added all the time. The week begins with a Céilí by the Dál gCáis Céilí Band in the Abbey Hall at 9pm on Sunday, followed by beginners tin whistle classes in Clarecastle Day Care Centre from 7 to 8pm from Monday the 13th to Wednesday 15th.
That night sees a special set dancing workshop in the Abbey Hall from Bill Lynch which kicks off at 8.30pm. This year features “a special tribute to the late great John Joe Casey, originally from Lissycasey but moved to Clarecastle a number of years ago. It’s a music session in Kate O’Reilly’s pub from 9pm. He was a great composer who composed the Fergus Reel”, Mike Dunne outlines. The singers’ club meeting is deferred to Friday July 24th in Power’s Pub at 9pm.
“Saturday the 18th we have the set dancing workshop again in the Abbey Hall with Bill Lynch, from 11am-1pm and again from 2-4pm, followed by our Céilí Mór with the Star of Munster Band in the hall again from 9pm that night”, Mike Dunne explains.
“Sunday morning we have mass for the deceased members of Clarecastle/Ballyea Comórtas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Clarecastle Church at 9am”. Tributes are to be paid to the original founders of the festival, Michael ‘Haulie’ Kelleher and Eugene Brennan as well as others who were instrumental in bringing the celebration of traditional music to life.
Sunday afternoon sees the festival close with a bang with the Cross Roads Dancing Céilí at Kerins’ Crossroads from 4-7pm on the 19th. The Four Courts Band will provide the music on what is sure to be a special afternoon in the open air.
A lot of work goes in to putting on the events each year, especially the open air Céilí, something which Chairperson Mike Dunne identifies as one of the most important parts of the festival. “We have good help. We have the same five or six lads helping us every year that would be with us. Putting down the outdoor floor is the hardest thing. You don’t want fellas diving in and throwing it down. It has to be put down with some precision”, Mike Dunne highlights.
“We’re looking forward to it and hopefully we’ll get a fine day for it”, he continues.
