From 26-29 April 2019, Kilfenora will stage its 11th annual traditional music festival, a series that commenced in 2009 with the 100th anniversary of the Kilfenora Céilí Band. With great concerts, céilís, some cracking CD launches and pub sessions, it’s a great line-up.
Sessions in Kilfenora’s pubs occur from Friday to Monday, with the cream of musicians from Clare and beyond. Details of featured players will be published close to the time.
The Singers’ night on Friday evening (Linnanes pub) will gather together some of the finest and most humorous singers and storytellers, hosted by Noirin Lynch.
Our main concert (Saturday, Kilfenora Hall, 7.00pm) features Ireland’s top fiddle maestro, Frankie Gavin, and his celebrated Roaring 20s Irish Orchestra. The concert will be opened by this year’s winner of an award from the Meitheal Summer School to play at the Kilfenora Trad Festival – Naoise Kettle. See more details and get tickets here.
On Friday evening, Kilfenora Comhaltas will also feature an array of talent, young and old, at a Variety Concert in Kilfenora Hall. Get tickets on the door.
Saturday afternoon will include 2 special free events. First, at 1pm a ‘Riches of Clare’ event with some of North Clare’s talented musicians (James & Carol Cullinan, Seanie Vaughan, Noel O’Donoghue). Then, at 2.30pm a tribute to the late Tommy Peoples – who was a former member of Kilfenora Ceili Band – hosted by his daughter Siobhan, including a fiddle session (Linnanes Pub).
There will be céilís on Saturday night with The Star of Munster Céilí Band (Vaughans Barn, 9.30pm) and on Sunday with the Four Courts Céilí Band (Vaughans Barn, 9.00pm).
There will be several CD launches at various times over the weekend – Josephine Marsh (Music in the Frame); Stevie Dunne (Live at the Crosskeys); Peter Casey (Out in the Day).
A Trad for Teens workshop takes place on Sunday (c.11.00) in Kilfenora Hall, following a mass with traditional music at St Fachanans Church.
And, as in previous years, on Sunday afternoon (3pm), the big event is the great Kilfenora Céilí Band playing for a free céilí in the Square – dancers and spectators welcome. (Their brand new CD “Both Sides Now” will be available for sale.) They will be preceded at 2.00 pm by the current young Kilfenora Comhaltas Céilí Band.
