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Kilfenora

Kilfenora

The Home of Traditional Ceili Music and The Gateway to the Burren

The Home of Traditional Céilí Music and The Gateway to the Burren

  • Home
  • About
    • About Kilfenora
    • History
    • The Burren
    • Music
    • Kilfenora Ceili Band
    • Father Ted
    • Kilfenora Timeline
    • Kilfenora Time Capsule
    • Farming
    • Sport
  • News
  • Events
    • Kilfenora Trad Festival 2023
    • Past Events
      • Heritage events in Kilfenora in August
      • Kilfenora Trad Festival 2022
  • Visit Us
    • Visit Us
    • Kilfenora
    • Kilfenora Cathedral & Crosses
    • Holy Well
    • Around Kilfenora
    • Walking and Cycling
  • Facilities
    • Facilities Overview
    • Resources
    • Accommodation
  • Kilfenora Community
    • Kilfenora Development
      • Kilfenora Development News
    • Kilfenora Tidy Towns
      • Kilfenora Tidy Towns News
    • Kilfenora Sustainable Energy Community
      • Kilfenora Sustainable Energy Community News
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Events

Culture Night concert in Kilfenora Cathedral – 22 September

Celebrate both Ireland’s Culture Night and European Folk Day at Kilfenora’s historic twelfth century Cathedral on Friday 22 September (8pm sharp) with a great FREE concert featuring Mike Butler (accordion) and Aidan McMahon (fiddle) – of Kilfenora Céilí Band fame, the Irish traditional music band that’s 114 years old and counting.

Hear great tunes in the Kilfenora style – the only village in Ireland with a recognised music style. Their long-standing accompanist Mike Landers (guitar) will contribute some songs, no doubt including ‘John O’Dreams’ from which the title of the event derives – “Yield Up the Night Time” (also the title of their CD). This event is enabled by sponsorship from Clare County Council. It is also THE event in the Republic of Ireland participating in European Folk Day.

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Kilfenora on the European Folk Day map

 

 

National Heritage Week 2023 in Kilfenora

As in 2022, Kilfenora Development community group members have arranged a varied and high-quality set of events as part of National Heritage Week 2023, intended for both the local community and visitors to enjoy. Fuller details of each event can be found here, or by clicking on the title of each event.

Latest discoveries in the Burren – Sunday 13 August (14.30-15.30), Burren Visitor Centre (Free)

Dr Eamon Doyle is a leading Irish geologist, science promoter and accomplished painter, and the official geologist for the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Unesco Global Geopark. He will describe and illustrate some fascinating results from ongoing research in this amazing natural treasure trove, including his own notable fossil discoveries in recent years – examples will be on display.

Photogrammetry Workshop – Monday-Tuesday 14-15 August (10.00-16.00), Kilfenora Cathedral & Burren Visitor Centre (Free, but pre-booking required)

Gary Dempsey of Digital Heritage Age will show participants how to turn photos into 3D models, which can be used to record and preserve artefacts – using the fabulous carvings and crosses at historic Kilfenora Cathedral. Just bring a digital camera or smartphone camera, and a laptop PC. Prompt pre-booking HERE for this 2-day workshop is essential, as places are limited.

The Hidden Heritage of Kilfenora, and Recent Work of the Field Monument Advisor in Co. Clare – Thursday 17 August (20.00-21.30), Kilfenora Community Hall, main street (V95KX62). €3 entry

Local archaeologist Edel Barry will reveal a wide range of monuments and structures of interest in and around historic Kilfenora village, from pre-Christian times to the early twentieth century. Elaine Lynch, Archaeologist with the Acres Burren Aran Scheme, will give a fascinating talk on recent work of the Field Monument Advisor Programme in Co. Clare.

Youth traditional music sessions – 18 August 10.30 (pre-teens) and 12.00 (teens), in the Kilfenora Céilí Band exhibition room at the Burren Visitor Centre (Free)

As one of the most famous locations in Irish traditional music, Kilfenora is offering two open sessions for young musicians with experienced music teacher Rachel Reid as part of National Heritage Week. All are welcome, including beginners. Just bring an instrument – fiddle, flute, whistle, concertina, accordion, harp, mandolin or banjo. Parents can observe or view the fabulous Burren interpretive exhibition (newly re-designed), visit the craft shop, or relax in the Burren Centre Café.

Wildflower competition (for all ages) – find 3 wildflowers close to where you live; draw or photograph them, name them and describe them. Send this information by 15 August via e-mail (with attached jpegs or pdfs) to [email protected]. Prize winners will be announced on 17 August and images displayed in the Burren Centre until 20 August.

Styles of traditional music in Clare – Sunday 20 August (14.00-15.00), Burren Visitor Centre (Free)

Garry Shannon is one of Ireland’s foremost traditional flautists and music teachers. He will address this hotly debated topic, unravelling what is myth and reality, with the help of sound clips from the past to the present. This a rare opportunity to appreciate the richness of Clare’s musical traditions with a master of the subject.

The Fantastic Mr Foot (“Father of the Burren”) – Sunday 20 August (15.30-16.30), Burren Visitor Centre (Free)

Geologist and botanist Frederick James Foot (1830-67) was a young genius who undertook pioneering topographical and botanical mapping and research, in Ireland and abroad, into fossils, plants, animals, sea creatures and bats. Geologist Gosia Horajska-Shaikh won the 2018 Heritage Week Award with her exhibition on Foot (in Tralee), and will now bring her expertise to Kilfenora where his descendants include famous local musicians. This talk is dedicated to the memory of the late Brother Sean McNamara, a passionate researcher both into the Burren and Frederick Foot.

Events at the Burren Visitor Centre will be held in the inspiring surroundings of the Kilfenora Céilí Band exhibition room, adjoining the recently re-designed interpretive exhibition of the Burren that is essential viewing for visitors to North Clare.

Dr Eamon Doyle , Geopark geologist
Rachel Reid & young musicians

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Frederick J Foot, the great discoverer

 

Riches of Clare concert in Kilfenora

Since 2005, Clare Arts has funded the Riches of Clare series of free concerts – mostly in Ennis – through the summer.

However the first concert annually is staged at the Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival, in the inspiring interior of ancient St Fachnan’s Cathedral, just off Kilfenora Square.

The concert series is produced by Mike Butler, a distinguished veteran of the Kilfenora Céilí Band since the 1970s.

At 1-2pm on Sunday 23 April 2023, this year’s performers in Kilfenora are as follows.

• James Cullinan – the legendary North Clare fiddler
• Sean Vaughan – master accordionist
• Noel O’Donoghue – renowned local flute player
• Felim Ó Coileáin – singer and guitarist

Entry is free. Access to the Cathedral is via a small street alongside Howleys shop in Main street Kilfenora, or through a small entrance just off the Square. Note that the Cathedral is unheated so wear something warm!

James Cullinan
Noel O’Donoghue & Seanie Vaughan
Felim Ó Coileáin

Dance and music workshops 17-23 April

This year as part of the Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival we are offering three types of workshop.

Dance workshops

Next week in the run-up to the Festival, there are places available in dance workshops being run by Karine Luçon, the Irish dance teacher based in Brittany whose fantastic Avalon Celtic Dance Company will be starring at a concert on Friday 21st April in Kilfenora Hall (7.30pm). These workshops will cover set dancing and céilí dancing techniques, and are suitable for any standard, even beginners.

The workshops will be held at 10-12.30 each morning between Monday 17 and Friday 21, but not Wednesday 19th. Entry is just €10 per session, and you can join just one or more of the sessions, as you wish. No prior booking is needed. Good leather shoes are recommended!

Dance teacher Karine Luçon
Karine teaching a class in Kilfenora

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Music workshops
On Saturday 22 April at 11am, there will be a ‘Kids session’ in Vaughans Barn, run by Rachel Reid, an experienced music teacher well-known in North Clare.

And at 11.30am on Sunday also in Vaughans Barn there will a workshop for teens and anyone appreciating a ‘slow session’, led by 2 noted musicians from the Kilfenora area, Pauline Brody (banjo) and fiddler Anne Rynne (of Kilfenora Céilí Band fame).

An excellent opportunity to learn with three top musicians. Participation in these is free – just bring an instrument.

Anne Rynne
Rachel Reid and Kids Class
Pauline Brody

Celebration of Irish Dance, Kilfenora, Friday 21 April

On Friday April 21 as part of the Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival 2023 (7.30pm, at Kilfenora Community Hall) a concert will celebrate talented young dancers and musicians. The dance schools of two notable dance teachers will be particularly featured.

Aibhin Ní Chodhlán is a highly successful step-dance teacher and accomplished dancer from Kilfenora. Pupils at her Céim ar Chéim School of Sean Nós dance regularly compete at the top level, frequently emerging as winners at competitions such as at the Oireachtas na Samhna and Fleadh Cheoil. She and her pupils have performed with the celebrated Kilfenora Céilí Band on multiple occasions. Accordionist Mark Burke from Ennistymon will provide the music.

Karine Luçon from Brittany leads the Avalon Celtic Dance company (est 2004) and is a principal dance teacher at the Nantes Irish Dancing Academy. She has taught Irish dancing since 1995 – including workshops in Clare – and was the first French dancer to attain TMRF céilí dance accreditation from the Irish Dancing Commission (CLRG). Her troupes perform at major festivals and feature Irish dance world champions. An expert bodhran player as well as dancer, she has played in many bands as well as performing with her dance troupes. Music accompaniment will be provided by her son Francois Luçon (uillean pipes) and 3 locally based musicians – Caiomhe McMahon (fiddle), Charlie le Brun (flute) and Aoife Kelly (concertina, whose famous family music tradition stretches back generations). Dancers appearing come from Belfast, Dublin, Kerry and Brittany.

There will be additional musical contributions featuring local talent, including Rachel Reid and her pupils from the Anam Cara School of Music in Lisdoonvarna. Thanks to all those providing their services for free.

This is a community, not-for-profit concert. Ticket prices are just €10 and €5 for under-12s. Tickets are available on the door. Come promptly to be sure to get in!

Karine Luçon & Avalon Celtic Dance
Aibhin Ní Chodhlán and Céim ar Chéim

Concert at Kilfenora Trad Festival 2023

A glittering array of talent will be on show at the main Saturday night concert (22 April) at Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival 2023. Tickets are €20, and available online here. You can also get tickets at Custy’s shop in Ennis, at Vaughans pub in Kilfenora, or phone Noel O’Donoghue on 0878364780.

The cast will be spearheaded by Órlaith McAuliffe, one of Irish music’s top flautists, with over 20 All-Ireland titles to her name and voted Young Musician of the Year in the 2016 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards. She will be accompanied by Daithí Gormley, All-Ireland button accordion champion in 2015, and leader of the Knocknashee Céilí Band; Dylan Carlos, All-Ireland Senior Fiddle champion in 2019; and Brian McGrath, pianist and banjo player supreme, perhaps the most in-demand accompanist in Irish traditional music, and who last played in Kilfenora in 2016 with At the Racket.  See below for brief biographies.

Orlaith McAuliffe
Daithi Gormley

In addition, we will feature three of the finest singers from Co Clare, who have all released wonderful CDs in recent times.

  • Katie Theasby, well-known for her flute and whistle playing, is a band member of Shaskeen and starred at the Temple Bar Trad Fest 2023. She has performed with artists such as Paddy Keenan, Stocktons Wing, Ron Kavana and Kinky Friedman amongst others. Her accompanists include Mike Hanrahan, Ger O’Donnell, Alan Wallace and Dave Saunders. The title song of her CD “I Remember You Singing” was gifted to her by Finbar Furey, with whom she has also performed.
  • Kathleen Malone, whose CD “My Island Home” also features her much-loved singer and musician father Jerry Lynch (RIP) as well as Eimear Howley; check out her facebook page for some lovely songs accompanied by Pat Dowling. All proceeds from the album go to Burren Chernobyl Project for which Katheen has long served as a volunteer.
  • Theresa Garrihy, classically trained but equally accomplished in other genres, and who had a great launch of her CD “Home” (also featuring Adrian McMahon, Rachel Reid, Pat Dowling, Martin O’ Malley) in Kilfenora in December.

And finally we will have a performance from an award-winner at the Meitheal Summer School, Emily Greaney on harp and concertina from County Galway. Having started playing at 6 years old she has progressed to tour internationally, for example with Dr Janet Harbison’s ‘Irish Harp Orchestra’ and on Joanie Madden’s cruises. Also a dancer, she has won All Ireland titles with the Abbeyknockmoy Set Dancers.

 

Órlaith McAuliffe is one of the leading flute and whistle players in Irish traditional music, holder of over 20 All-Ireland titles – at different age levels, solo and in duos and trios. She was voted Young Musician of the Year in the 2016 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards. Raised in North London by parents from Killarney, she started under her mother’s tutelage on the whistle at 9 years old. She is now a regular performer and workshop provider at Irish music festivals, and has been a member of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland and the band Crossharbour. She is also a medical doctor, working on the front-line in the NHS. She collaborates musically with many different Irish musicians, including her concertina player sister Brogan, who holds 4 All-Ireland titles.

Daithí Gormley hails from a highly musical family from Ballintogher, Co Sligo. Described by legendary accordion player Joe Burke as a ‘master musician’, he was All-Ireland button accordion champion in 2015, and leader of the Knocknashee Céilí Band that performed mightily over several years at the Fleadh Cheoil. He has taught and performed at music festivals and Summer Schools nationally and internationally, and has researched, published and lectured extensively on the history of Irish traditional music. In 2017 Daithí and Sligo fiddler Oisín MacDiarmada published the ‘Fiddlers of Sligo’ Tunebook. In 2018 Daithí released his first solo album ‘Fiddling without a Bow – Irish Traditional Music on Button Accordion’ to much acclaim.

Dylan Carlos comes from a very musical family in Co Roscommon – a part of the country best known for flute playing. Dylan collaborates with many musicians, within the Irish tradition and more broadly. He is part of the group “Carlos Sweeney McCartin” – their debut album (2019) garnered critical acclaim. Dylan is a past all Ireland winner on fiddle, plays and teaches regularly at festivals around Ireland and abroad, and has also played with the groups “Gatehouse” and “Garadice”.

Fermanagh-born pianist Brian McGrath is one of the most in-demand accompanists in Irish traditional music. His playing is influenced by the Irish American style of dance hall traditional music played and recorded in the 1920’s-40’s.  He is also an accomplished banjo and guitar player, as exemplified on his CD “Pure Banjo” (2009); he teaches both piano and banjo. He has toured extensively, playing with the biggest names in Irish traditional music – Frankie Gavin, Noel Hill, John Carty, Matt Molloy, Charlie Lennon, Joe Burke, Sean Maguire and many more – as well as singers such as Eleanor Shanley, Dolores Keane, Maura O’Connell and Tommy Fleming. Brian has also been part of many bands, including De Dannan and At the Racket (who played in Kilfenora in 2016).

Dylan Carlos
Brian McGrath

 

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Events

Culture Night concert in Kilfenora Cathedral – 22 September

National Heritage Week 2023 in Kilfenora

Riches of Clare concert in Kilfenora

Dance and music workshops 17-23 April

Celebration of Irish Dance, Kilfenora, Friday 21 April

Concert at Kilfenora Trad Festival 2023

Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival 2023

Concert – 4 men & a Dog on 23.4.22

Kilfenora Trad Festival 2022

Kilfenora Trad Festival 2020-1

“A Wake in the West” – Kilfenora Dramatic Society

Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival 2019

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"Kilfenora, city of the crosses, home of céilí music"
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"Kilfenora, city of the crosses, home of céilí music"

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