A FEAST OF MUSIC and dance awaits in North Clare this weekend with the staging of the 2023 Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival.
Many winners of All-Ireland and Oireachtas awards in music and dance will be performing across the weekend.
On Friday night in Kilfenora Hall commencing at 7:30pm, there is a concert featuring dancers of two music schools replete with competitors and winners at both the Oireachtas and World Irish dancing championships. First there is the Céim ar Chéim School of Sean Nós dance run by Clare’s own Aibhin Ní Chodhlán.
There will also be the spectacular show provided by the Avalon Celtic Dance Company, led by Karine Luçon from Brittany but featuring great musicians and dancers from all over Ireland. Also on the bill will be young musicians from Clare, such as from the Anam Cara School of Music in Lisdoonvarna.
On Saturday, there is a cornucopia of events from CD launches to sessions, a Riches of Clare concert in Kilfenora Cathedral, dancing with the Star of Munster Céilí Band and Ollie Mullooley’s trad disco, and more besides.
Kilfenora Hall is set to host what is described as an unmissable concert on Saturday evening.
A cast of great musicians, winners of many All-Ireland awards, is led by flautist Órlaith McAuliffe (2016 Young Musician of the Year in the 2016) with Daithí Gormley, Dylan Carlos and Brian McGrath. In addition, Katie Theasby, Kathleen Malone (Lynch) and Theresa Garrihy all of whom have released CDs recently – and a prize-winning young musician from the Meitheal Summer School, Emily Greaney will showcase their vocal talent. Tickets are available online, at Custy’s in Ennis and at Vaughans Pub in Kilfenora.
Among the notable events on Sunday are the outdoor performance and céilí with the Kilfenora Céilí Band and the younger generation of Clare Céilí musicians, this kicks off from 2pm in Kilfenora Square.
