Default post

Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy’s importance to the economy in Miltown Malbay has been stressed by one local councillor.

Businesses in the West Clare town have claimed they would struggle to keep their doors open if the annual week long summer school in traditional music and set dance did not take place.

It commemorates the town’s best-known uilleann piper, Willie Clancy, and has been running since just after his death in 1973. The idea was initiated by Clancy himself, and implemented within six months by teacher Muiris Ó Rócháin in collaboration with CCE’s timire ceoil Séamus Mac Mathúna and local musicians Martin Talty, Paddy Joe McMahon and Junior Crehan.

Miltown Malbay county councillor, Christy Curtin told The Clare Echo of the role it plays for the economy in the town. “It’s very important, it contributes significantly to the economy in the area, everyone seems to benefit particularly those providing the necessary services, from that point of view it’s a significant event economically. Socially it’s very important and culturally it holds the fantastic heritage that we have of music, song and dance which is very strong in Clare and there was a good atmosphere there for the week”.

This year marked one hundred years since the birth of Willie Clancy and according to Cllr Curtin, Miltown has had its battles but the week assists businesses to remain open. “It’s a significant part of their income for the year, Miltown is struggling for its existence where it’s located, it has lost a bit of the jobs it had in the sixties and seventies but I mean now it’s on the way back and it’s contributing to the services in the west”.

*Photograph: Chris Copley

Related News

saoirse exton 10-05-21 4
O'Briensbridge teen Saoirse appointed by UN Secretary-General to climate change advisory group
garda car
Ennis hit & run leaves cyclist shaken
Breachingdolphins-560x420
Kilrush & Shannon Estuary can make a splash in dolphin tourism & research
violet anne wynne collins 1
Wynne to dissolve pair with Justice Minister to vote against Government on eviction ban
Latest News
bunratty castle 2
Talks over Shannon Heritage sites transfer at crunch stage
saoirse exton 10-05-21 4
O'Briensbridge teen Saoirse appointed by UN Secretary-General to climate change advisory group
cli donnellan 1
Sixmilebridge Folk Club to host second concert of 2023 series
Dean Ryan scores a point minutes before half time
Dean Ryan's return a further boost for Éire Óg
garda car
Ennis hit & run leaves cyclist shaken
Premium
violet anne wynne collins 1
Wynne to dissolve pair with Justice Minister to vote against Government on eviction ban
éire óg v ennistymon 30-10-22 50 philip talty
Éire Óg & Miltown begin Garry Cup bids with impressive wins
queens ennis 1
Bouncer who carried out unprovoked head-butt assault escapes jail
clare v galway 12-03-23 david fitzgerald 1
Fitzgerald will miss Clare's Munster opener unless red card appeal is successful
clare v louth 29-01-23 24 keelan sexton
Bowed but not broken - Clare footballers must quickly press reset button

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top
Enable Notifications for the latest news and updates OK No thanks