A stellar cast celebrated the life of Martin Connolly at Cois na hAbhna as part of Fleadh Nua. Photograph: John O’Neill
ENNIS RESOUNDED to the strains of traditional music, song and dance as Fleadh Nua made a glorious return to the county town.
Held from May 27th to June 5th, the ten day festival had a packed programme of outdoor and indoor events.
This year’s festival began with a top class concert at Cois na hAbhna, a tribute to the late Martin Connolly, musician, teacher, accordion maker and photographer. Some of Ireland’s finest musicians, singers and dancers descended on the Gort Road venue to honour a master craftsman and legendary musician.
Huge crowds attended daily morning sessions at glór, Riches of Clare lunchtime concerts, school bands performances at O’Connell Square, afternoon sessions with Frank Custy at The Holy Family Hall and evening pub sessions and CD launches.
Storytelling with Eddie Lenihan, singing sessions, Sean Nós dancing workshop and film at glór were also popular events. On the Saturday and Sunday of the festival the streets of the county’s capital were alive with music in scenes not witnessed for many years, visitors were treated to high class music sessions round every corner.
A number of high quality CD launches were held during the week with New Lead group from New England in the USA, Tradify from Dublin, Carmel Gunning, tin whistle player from Sligo, Taobh na Mara Céilí Band from Waterford and two local artists Seán Lyons and Edel Vaughan. The sheer delight and enthusiasm of the set-dancing fraternity was very evident at Cois na hAbhna, the 5 nights of Céilithe at the Festival. With a full house each night dancers enjoyed the playing the Tulla, the Five Counties, Donie Nolan and Taylor’s Cross, the Abbey and the Four Courts Céilí Bands.
Three magnificent concerts in Glór brought Fleadh Nua 2023 to a glorious end, the Aos Óg concert on Friday evening with the 100 strong Barefield Youth Trad Orchestra and guests Manus McGuire, Eamonn Cotter and Edel Vaughan was a fitting tribute to the amazing work of Denis Liddy and his wife Elvie.
On Saturday evening Taobh na Mara, All Ireland winning Céilí Band and guests treated their audience to high octane rhythmic music, song and dance, their leader Conor Arkins from Ruan delivering a top class show to everyone’s delight.
On Sunday evening Clare’s own fiddle master Martin Hayes took to the stage, regarded as one of the most significant talents to emerge in the world of Irish traditional music, he held a full house in the palm of his hand for two hours with his witty stories and his haunting yet powerful music.
“This year of celebration will also be an opportunity to promote Co. Clare’s exalted position as County of Culture. The role played by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann as expressed in its motto ‘Ceol agus Gaol’ and exemplified in the celebration of our Culture and Language will also be acknowledged,” Chairman of Fleadh Nua, Frank Whelan stated.
