The Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival 2024 will run from Friday 26 to Monday 29 April.
This will be the 15th festival in a series that began in 2009 with the centenary of the Kilfenora Céilí Band. The festival is noted for great concerts and céilís, plus cracking CD launches and pub sessions. It is intended to adopt a similar format to previous years with events and sessions on the Friday and Monday as well.
Our main concert on Saturday night (8.00 pm) will feature the much-praised duo of Tommy Fitzharris and Dónal McCague, joined by the wonderful singing of Nell Ni Chroinin (from the band Danu) and the in-demand and masterful guitar playing of Colm O’Caoimh (of the band Caladh Nua). And as always we will feature a talented prize-winner from the Meitheal Summer School – this year it is Hannah Lyons, a harpist from Mayo. Tickets are available online here, from the Burren Visitor Centre in Kilfenora (pay cash), or from Custy’s Records in Ennis.
On Friday night we will stage another dance spectacular, following the success of last years’ event. We are inviting back the Avalon Celtic Dance Company (for their 20th anniversary) together with talented young dancers and musicians from North Clare.
Other events include a céilí on Saturday night (9pm), and a Riches of Clare concert in Kilfenora Cathedral (Saturday 1pm).
CD launches this year are by Clare singer-songwriter Sean Lyons, the super-talented O’Loughlin family from Corofin and Dave Sanders (and friends) from Kilnaboy.
There are workshops for young musicians on both Saturday and Sunday.
Of course the highlight on Sunday will be the open-air céilí in the Square with the great Kilfenora Céilí Band, preceded by groups of young musicians from Clare and the Kilfenora area.
See the full programme below, and watch this space for more news in the coming weeks, especially on our Facebook page.
