Siomha gives back to youth service

MUSICIAN Siomha Brock has organised a fundraising night of music and drama next weekend “to give something back” for the support she received from the Clare Youth Service in the beginning of her own musical journey.
Siomha started out in Elmo’s Attic in the Ennis Youth Centre at the age of 15.

“I studied traditional and classical music growing up but it wasn’t until I started playing guitar with others in the youth centre that music began to really make sense to me. Happily, many of the young musicians I played with during my time at Elmo’s are still playing music and some even professionally.”

The fundraiser is being run as part of Ennis Street Festival and will take place in Glór, Ennis on Saturday at 8pm. The night will begin with a one-act play, The Problem, by Ennis Players. Starring Aidan O’Gara and Ailbhe McMahon, the play, directed by Joe Varden, is a hilarious comedy of sparkling wit concerning the psychosis and mental perversions of a married couple.

Following that, Siomha and her band will take to the stage performing songs from her successful debut EP, along with some new material. The night will finish off with an after-party at The Rowan Tree Café Bar.
One of the young musicians that Siomha met through the music project was Ennis man Eoghan Judge. They have gone on to form a very successful musical partnership, writing and performing their own material both here and abroad. Eoghan credits CYS for encouraging him in his musical path.

“It was very important to me, especially in later years, as it taught me about performing in front of attentive audiences and how to control my nerves. On top of that, I met so many great musicians who are still my friends today.”

Another youth centre graduate, Ennis guitarist Stephen Flaherty will be a special guest with Siomha and her band on the night.

Siomha explains, “The idea for the event came about when I met Ana Bella, who runs Ennis Street Festival. She is a great supporter of the different projects run by CYS and we decided to team up to raise funds for the vital services they provide.

“I will be forever grateful for the opportunity and experiences I gained through the Music Project and hopefully other young people from Clare will continue to benefit.”

All proceeds from the event go to Clare Youth Services.