June 8th – 10th, 2012

The parish of Seir Kieran, Clareen, are imbedded at the foot of the Slieve Bloom mountains in south Offaly. It is a small vibrant parish of under five hundred parishioners and comprising of one hundred and sixty three houses. The involvement of people here in music, dancing, culture and hurling is an example of pure commitment to all that is good in our society. The Traditional Day was set up four years ago to remember the past in story and tradition and make it available to the younger generations, so that our culture will not be lost, but will live on in future generations. It is with this in mind that the committee and many helpers from the parish give major effort into organizing events and making the Traditional Day a day to be remembered in the annual calendar.

Visitors every year to the Traditional Day at Clareen remark on the wonderful day the spent at the GAA grounds going away with happy memories and children are tired having been entertained so well. People ask on leaving is there a date set for next year! The primary charity with charities from the parish is the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. This year it is hoped to launch their CD of folklore on the Friday evening, June 8th at 9.00pm in the specially erected Marquis at Clareen GAA field. On Saturday June 9th they will have a Sean Nós Dancing workshop given by Adrian Moriarty all the way from Sliabh Luachra, 2.00 – 6.00pm Sunday is the main event, starting at 12.30pm with lots of fun and interests for young, middle aged and old. Musicians, singers and dancers are welcome to join with the local musicians, singers and dancers.

This has been a most excellent and successful event over the past three years and the festival is growing stronger each year. This year much work is done to further the success of Clareen Traditional Day. Come and enjoy the weekend at the foot of the Slieve Blooms in the beautiful and welcoming setting of Clareen.

For Further Information please contact: John Fowler Tel: 087 6835528; Pat Mahon Tel: 087 2071443 and Ann Corcoran Tel: 087 9079617.