Kilfenora
The Home of Traditional Ceili Music and The Gateway to the Burren
The Kilfenora Players return to the stage in Kilfenora Hall from Saturday 8 to Monday 10 December (8pm), with a production of “The Shadow of a Gunman”.
This is the first of Sean O’Casey’s famous “Dublin Trilogy” plays, and is a tragi-comedy written in 1923 about the Irish Civil War. As in previous years, the Kilfenora Players production is skilfully directed by Fr Ned Crosby.
Tickets are available at the door – so be there in good time as there will be strong demand.
Ireland’s Culture Night and European Folk Day were celebrated at Kilfenora’s historic twelfth century Cathedral on Friday 22 September 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.
There were great tunes in the Kilfenora style – the only village in Ireland with a recognised music style – as well as songs from their long-standing accompanist Mike Landers (guitar) including ‘John O’Dreams’ from which the title of the event derives – “Yield Up the Night Time” (also the title of their CD). Lily McMahon also contributed a great unaccompanied song.
This event was enabled by sponsorship from Clare County Council. It was also the one event in the Republic of Ireland participating in European Folk Day.
.
As in 2022, Kilfenora Development community group members 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 described and illustrated some fascinating results from ongoing research in this amazing natural treasure trove, including his own notable fossil discoveries in recent years – examples were on display.
Photogrammetry Workshop – Monday-Tuesday 14-15 August (10.00-16.00), Kilfenora Cathedral & Burren Visitor Centre
Gary Dempsey of Digital Heritage Age showed 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, using Ja digital camera or smartphone camera, and a laptop PC.
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 revealed 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, gave 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 offered two open sessions for young musicians with experienced music teacher Rachel Reid as part of National Heritage Week. All were welcome, including beginners, with any instrument – fiddle, flute, whistle, concertina, accordion, harp, mandolin or banjo. Parents could 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) – the ask was to identify 3 wildflowers close to where you live; draw or photograph them, name them and describe them. There was great participation, with many wonderful images. The results are on display on-screen in the Burren Centre foyer. Thanks to the prize sponsors – Airmid, Doolin Ferries, Laura Vaughan Design, Aloe Tree.
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 addressed this hotly debated topic, unravelling what is myth and reality, with the help of sound clips from the past to the present. It was 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 brought her expertise to Kilfenora where his descendants include famous local musicians. This talk was 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 were 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.
.
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!
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!
.
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.
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!
