At the end of April 2012 Kilfenora staged its 4th annual music festival, a series commenced in 2009 with the 100th anniversary of the Kilfenora Céilí Band.
You can see a selection of photos from the festival in the gallery and also from the ceili in the square.
As usual, the festival concentrated on Kilfenora’s twin strengths – great céilís and great pub sessions. But there were also two excellent concerts.
- Sessions started on Friday and finished on Monday, as always with the cream of Clare and Kilfenora musicians. See the full list of pub sessions here.
- That included the Singers’ night on Friday.in Linnanes, hosted by Joe O’Connor. See the facebook page for more info.
- Céilís took place each evening from Thursday to Sunday with various top bands.
- On Sunday, the great Kilfenora Céilí Band played for a free céilí in the Square, and also launched their latest CD “Chapter 8” to their home crowd. A few special guests joined in. See a video here.
- On Saturday, the legendary Four Men & a Dog played a rip-roaring concert, making a rare appearance in Clare.
- Before the festival on Saturday 7 April, RTE Radio 1’s “Ceili House” broadcast a recording of a special session in Linnane’s pub, giving a taste of what is to come. Try to get this as a podcast.
- On Sunday, the popular Galway singer Don Stiffe appeared free at a concert in St.Fachnan’s Cathedral provided by Riches of Clare, supported by Padraic and Damian O’Reilly from Corofin on piano and accordion respectively, and also Galway fiddler Ronan O’Flaherty.
Find Kilfenora Music Festival 2012 on Facebook.
PROGRAMME
Thursday 26 April
9.30pm – Céilí with the Four Courts Céilí Band (Vaughan’s Barn)
9.30pm – traditional sessions in pubs
Friday 27 April
9.30pm – Céilí with Michael Sexton (Kilfenora Hall)
9.30pm – Singers Night in Linnanes Pub, traditional sessions in Nagles and Vaughans
Saturday 28 April
1.00pm til late – traditional sessions in pubs
8.00 pm – Four Men & a Dog in concert (Kilfenora Hall, €15)
10.00pm – Céilí with The Abbey Céilí Band (Vaughans’ Barn)
Sunday 29 April 11.00am – Aifreann Traidisiúnta – mass with traditional music in St Fachnan’s Church
12.30-13.30 – Don Stiffe with Padraic and Damian O’Reilly and Ronan Flaherty in St.Fachnan’s Cathedral, part of the Riches of Clare programme of concerts http://www.richesofclare.com/