Features Paul Brady, Mundy and Paddy Casey
www.clancybrothersfestival.org

The programme for the fourth annual Clancy Brothers Music and Arts Festival 2011 was announced in Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary with Paul Brady, Mundy and Paddy Casey topping the bill for the Festival which will take place in the riverside town from June 2 to 5.

The festival honours the musical legacy of the influential Irish Folk music group of the 1960’s ‘The Clancy Brothers’ whose hometown was Carrick-On-Suir in Tipperary; credited with popularising Irish traditional music in the United States the brothers recorded dozens of albums together as ‘The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem’. They were a primary influence on a young Bob Dylan and on many other emerging artists and their legacy is celebrated at their hometown annual festival.

The festival programme features a variety of Music Concerts, Workshops, Drama, Free Family Fun, Sporting Events and an Art Trail for all ages and tastes. The Art Trail featuring over 100 artists and photographers commences on Friday, June 3 at venues throughout the town culminating in an exclusive exhibition ‘River Suir Inspired’ at Ormonde Castle in Carrick-on-Suir; the trail and exhibition will run throughout the festival weekend.

Opening the festival on Thursday, June 2 is Mary Clancy; Mary will host an evening concert at The Brewery Lane Theatre at 8pm entitled “from Carnegie to Carrick with the Clancy Brothers” including a ‘Friends of Brewery Lane Variety Concert’

On Friday and Saturday June 3 and 4, ‘Lunchtime Theatre’ will take place at The Brewery Lane Theatre at 1pm. A ‘Friends of Brewery Lane Variety Concert’ will take place at the same venue at 8pm on Sunday evening June 5.

Early birds on Saturday, June 4 can enjoy a walking tour of Carrick-on-Suir with Tom Walsh. A traditional busking competition will take over the town with over 20 acts vying for championship. A Children’s Parade will precede a free family fun afternoon which will take place at Kickham Street with Face Painting, Stilt Walkers, Street Entertainers, Art workshops, Music and Dancing all on the bill.

A highlight of the festival programme is ‘Rock on the Suir’ an open-air concert which will take place in the town on Saturday, June 4 from 4pm featuring Mundy, Paddy Casey, El Hombre Jokes, Chimpanbee and Amber Jean.

On Sunday, June 5 a River Walk from Carrick-on-Suir to Dovehill will take place at 9am and includes breakfast. A festival in the hometown of the world famous cyclist Sean Kelly wouldn’t be complete without a cycling element and the ‘Carrick Wheelers Challenge Sportive’ will take place on Sunday, June 5 and is sure to be one of the toughest cycling events ever held in Ireland.  Family fun Sunday is an action packed ‘Free Family Fun and River Festival’ taking place at Sean Healy Park in Carrick-on-Suir from 2pm.

The Clancy Brothers Music and Arts Festival will close with an intimate evening concert with Paul Brady at The Strand Theatre at 8pm on Sunday, June 5.

Launching the 2011 programme Chairperson of the Festival Ross Clery said: “I’m delighted to be launching the fourth programme of The Clancy Brothers Music and Arts Festival. The programme features a variety of Traditional Irish Musicians and some of our fantastic internationally reknowned Irish artists. The festival is very proud to honour the legacy of The Clancy Brothers and in recent years it has grown steadily with visitor numbers in 2010 reaching 8,000 we hope to increase that figure this year and establish Carrick-On-Suir as ‘the’ folk music destination of Ireland.”

The Clancy Brothers Music and Arts Festival will be held in Carrick-on-Suir from June 2 to 6, 2011 and is generously supported by Failte Ireland, Tipperary County Council, the Arts Council, South Tipperary Enterprise Board, Tipperary Leader Partnership, Tipperary Arts Office and Carrick-on-Suir Business Association.  Tickets can be purchased at Xtra-Vision stores nationwide or on www.ticketgroup.ie and further information can be found on www.clancybrothersfestival.org or by contacting Carrick-on-Suir Heritage Centre 051 640 200