Clare County Council will host two free traditional singing workshops during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis next week.

The workshops, which offer young singers the opportunity to experience County Clare’s rich singing tradition, take place at the De Valera Public Library in Ennis from 10.30 am to midday on Tuesday August 16th and Wednesday August 17th.  The sessions will also feature demonstrations of traditional songs and style by John Flanagan and Elle Marie O’Dwyer.

Tuesday’s workshop will be facilitated by Corofin native John Flanagan who is nephew of the renowned singers Sarah and Rita Keane in Galway. John has travelled the country in his career as a forester learning traditional songs from each area he lived in and he has particular interest is in sean-nós singing.

Elle Marie O’Dwyer, a primary school teacher from Cork who is currently pursuing a Masters in Irish Traditional Music Performance, will host the Wednesday session. Well known throughout Clare singing circles, she is regarded as one of the foremost singing talents in Ireland and is involved in a number of singing events during the Fleadh.

Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare Arts Officer commented: “We believe these workshops will complement the existing traditional singing classes provided at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann by Comhaltas, with the intention of attracting more young people to traditional singing either as singers or listeners. Aimed at teenagers, we hope to encourage a lifelong appreciation of traditional singing.”

The workshops are free of charge but advanced booking is recommended through the Arts Office at Tel: 065 6899091 or arts@clarelibrary.ie.