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When AN SEANADÓIR LABHRÁS Ó MURCHÚ launches FLEADH NUA in Ennis on Sunday, 19th May it will mark the 40th occasion on which the town has hosted Ireland’s premier festival of Traditional Entertainment. From relatively modest beginnings, the Festival now comprises 66 separate events and extends over 9 days. Recently hailed by distinguished travel writer, REID BRAMBLETT as “the most participatory of the Irish Music Festivals” and with a definite focus on enjoyment and entertainment, Fleadh Nua really does offer something for everyone. It is also a pocket-friendly festival with admission to most events either free of charge or moderately priced – an important consideration in these dread days of austerity.

As the spectre of emigration rears its head once again in Ireland it is timely in this the Year of the Gathering to reflect on the immense contribution of the men and women who took “an Bad Ban” made to the preservation and promotion of our Traditional Arts. In their new surroundings, the culture which our emigrants brought with them provided a link with those who remained at home. Gathering together for a few songs, a session or a ceili whether in Chicago, Kilburn or Melbourne provided social occasions for our emigrants and helped to forge a vibrant Irish Cultural Identity – to the benefit of those at home as well as abroad. The Arts know no boundaries and the appreciation and enjoyment of people the whole world over of our Traditional Music, Songs and Dances are among the happier consequences of the Irish Diaspora.

Since its inception, Fleadh Nua has gained a well-deserved reputation for presenting Concerts of the highest quality and cognoscenti will doubtless be pleased with this year’s line-up.

CEOLCHOIRM NA CRUINNE – THE GATHERING CONCERT

Any list of the top influencers on the Traditional Music Scene in Britain over the years must surely include Clare’s own BRENDAN MULKERE. The number of musicians who credit “Master Mulkere” with assisting in their development is quite staggering. Brendan is also recognised as an outstanding musician in his own right. The Gathering Concert on Saturday, 25th May showcases Brendan’s twin roles as pedagogue and performer as he takes to the stage with students past and present. Brendan’s guests will include brothers, JOHN AND JAMES CARTY, NIALL KEEGAN, JOHN BOWE, TERENCE O’FLAHERTY, SINÉAD EGAN, and THE WHELTON FAMILY. A performance by double All Ireland Winners THE THATCH CÉILÍ BAND will also have patrons licking their lips in anticipation of a magical night of music and memories.

“SPRAOI” - KILFENORA CÉILÍ BAND CONCERT
The Gathering also provides the inspiration for “SPRAOI” - THE KILFENORA CÉILÍ BAND’S latest Concert presentation on Sunday, 26th May. The concert will also feature the vocal talents of DON STIFFE as well as the dancing skills of THE WEST CLARE SET DANCERS and MICHAEL DONNELLAN. Following on the extremely successful streaming of last year’s concert which was viewed by almost 10,000 people in 40 different countries “Spraoi” will be available on www.livetrad.com

FOUR MEN AND A DOG
If tunes fast and furious are your fancy then Trad Super-Group FOUR MEN AND A DOG can be relied on to deliver a high octane performance at their gig on Friday, 24th May. Fans will be eagerly listening for clues about the long awaited follow up CD to “Wallop the Spot” which the band released to popular acclaim in 2007. NIAMH NÍ CHARRA AND HER BAND have been given the task of getting proceedings under way in what should be a genuine contender for Trad Gig of the Year.

OTHER CONCERTS AND RECITALS
Thursday, 23rd May is Ladies’ Night at the Fleadh as the spotlight shines on musicians JOAN HANRAHAN, BRÍD O’GORMAN and GERALDINE COTTER, PAULA O’REGAN, ALISHA MCMAHON and EIMEAR COUGHLAN, as well as the ex-Solas singer, DEIRDRE SCANLAN for CEOL NA mBAN at the Old Ground Hotel. Watch out also for guest appearances by EDEL FOX and THE KANE SISTERS. It will most definitely be a case of standing room only in the County Museum for THE RICHES OF CLARE – the free lunchtime Concert Series featuring a veritable who’s who of the Traditional Music World. Further information is available on www.richesofclare.com. East meets West on Tuesday, 21st May as the members of the SHIROKA LAKA MUSIC SCHOOL from Bulgaria and the DENIS LIDDY SCHOOL OF MUSIC will perform music and dances of their respective regions in the august surroundings of Cois na hAbhna. The Mac Mathuna Family have enjoyed a long association with Fleadh Nua over the years and it is our great pleasure to host a recital by Sean N—s Singer, LORCÁN and musician, DAIRE Ó BREACÁIN whose collaboration is at the very cutting edge of the Traditional genre.

SCOIL FLEADH NUA
SCOIL FLEADH NUA caters for those interested in learning more about the constituent elements of our Traditional Arts and Culture. Master Classes in the more popular Instruments and Traditional Singing make a welcome return to the festival after an interval of some years. Pre-booking with Maire Neville at ennisfleadhnua@gmail.com or + 353 (0)86 377 3457 is strongly advised and when you see the tutor line-up it is easy to see why

ACCORDION: DERMOT BYRNE
CONCERTINA: EDEL FOX
FIDDLE (INTERMEDIATE): JOHN CARTY
FIDDLE (ADVANCED): TONY LINNANE
FLUTE: KEVIN CRAWFORD
SINGING: DEIRDRE SCANLAN

The programme also includes the FOINN SEISIÚN / MUSIC SESSION WORKSHOPS under the guidance of FRANK CUSTY, GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF ENNIS, STORYTELLING SESSION, IRISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION COFFEE MORNINGS, and IRISH LANGUAGE WORKSHOP. The recent passing of legendary singer and Fleadh Nua stalwart, the incomparable Robbie McMahon lends an added poignancy to the screenings of “LAST NIGHT AS I LAY DREAMING” - the deeply evocative and highly engaging account of his life and songs.

STRICTLY COME SET/CÉILÍ/SEAN NÓS DANCING
Top class CÉILITHE to top class Bands are a cornerstone of the programme at any Fleadh Nua. Just take a look at this year’s line-up which features THE TULLA CEILI  BAND, JOHNNY REIDY CEILI  BAND, ABBEY CEILI  BAND, DAVE CULLIGAN CEILI  BAND, STAR OF MUNSTER CEILI BAND, MICHAEL SEXTON, and THE FOUR COURTS CEILI BAND.
Cois na hAbhna plays host to COMÓRTAS NÁISIÚNTA RINCE / THE NATIONAL DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS on Saturday, 25th May. The SEAN NÓS DANCING COMPETITIONS also take place on Saturday, 25th May in the nearby Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog. Entry Forms for both competitions are available to download at www.fleadhnua.com For further information, please contact Attracta O’Dea at 065 - 6822627 and 086 – 0834797. SET DANCING WORKSHOPS conducted by Dance Masters MIKE MAHONY and DICK O’CONNELL will help put a spring in your step as you take to the floor at Fleadh Nua – the Dancer’s Paradise

TIME FOR A SONG OR TWO
Singing constitutes an integral part of our Traditional Arts and our songs and those that sing them are to be treasured accordingly. For those whose pleasure is a song well sung, mention of THE SINGERS’ CLUB is sure to catch their attention. As is his customary wont, Joe O’Connor has assembled a programme of rare quality for this year’s sessions. The guest singers include ANN MARIE FITZGERALD, ELLE MARIE O’DWYER and JOHN “THE MILLER” POWER – the recipient of GRADAM CEOIL NA FLEIDHE 2013. The Singers’ Club takes place in the Old Ground Hotel on Friday 24th and Sunday, 26th May with a change of venue to the West County Hotel on Saturday, 25th May.

CD LAUNCHES
CD launches are a relative newcomer to Fleadh Nua but have already carved out a solid niche for themselves in the midst of a hectic programme of events. We are delighted to welcome NIAMH NI CHARRA and THE BONNY MEN to the Old Ground Hotel on Saturday, 25th May, and ENDA SEERY and MICHELLE MULCAHY to the Temple Gate Hotel on Sunday, 26th May for their respective launches. Re-issues of SEODA CEOIL 1 & 2 by Gael Linn and by VINCENT GRIFFIN will also feature at the Fleadh.

AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS
Other events include THE GATHERING PARADE, PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS, OPEN-AIR ART EXHIBITION, ABUNDANT STREET ENTERTAINMENT, PUB SESSION TRAIL – comprising 73 yes that’s right 73 different sessions, CUPAN CEOIL / CAFÉ  MUSIC SESSIONS, LATE NIGHT FESTIVAL CLUB and ENNISTYMON C.C.E. BRANCH TRIBUTE NIGHT.

For further details please see our website: www.fleadhnua.com Or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Or check out the Fleadh Nua App which is now available for download on iPhone and Android.