MUSIC Clare Island gears up for féile cheoil

Clare Island hosts féile cheoil


Henry McGlade

Clare Island Comhaltas will host a féile cheoil on the Island on the weekend of September 14 to 16, with a wide variety of traditional music and dance for all ages on the agenda.
The festivities, to which all – islanders and visitors alike – are welcome, begin on Friday night with a traditional session in the Sailor’s Bar with traditional button accordionist Danny O’Mahony and singer and bouzouki and guitar player Cyril O’Donoghue.
O’Mahony released his long-awaited debut album ‘In Retrospect’ in 2011 to critical acclaim and he regularly features as a performer on Radio Kerry, RTÉ, TG4, RTÉ Radio One, Lyric FM and Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Cyril O’Donoghue has recorded with many musicians and has toured Europe, the US and both the Middle East and Far East with various ensembles. He also recorded a solo album, ‘Nothing But a Child’ in 2003.
Clare Island is the home to a wonderful sean nós tradition. Visitors will get the chance to learn music and sean nós skills in workshops that will take place in the community centre on Saturday from 11.30am. Saturday night will bring a live concert to the community centre at 8.30pm, featuring both local and visiting musicians. This will be followed by traditional music sessions in both bars on the Island.
A lively afternoon of dance is planned for the Sunday. The Salamanca Céilí Band will have everyone up on their feet at the Céilí Mór, which will take place in the community centre at 2pm. The céilí will finish in time for the evening boats returning to the mainland.