A winter wonderland of music in the ’Bridge

FOR residents of Sixmilebridge, the end of the Christmas festivities is merely a short lull, as the village prepares for the 12th annual, re-branded Shannonside Winter Music Weekend which will run from January 13 to 16.

Once again, the pubs and venues will resound to Irish, bluegrass, blues, classical, and many more musical styles, making this intimate festival so special to a dedicated regular crowd and a wonderful surprise for the newcomer.
The festival nurtures the close link between musicians and the audiences, in many small locations, helping to make this festival unique. Twelve venues including the atmospheric courthouse and the grand Bunratty Castle Hotel host 40 scheduled gigs, sessions, and concerts — most of them free.
Headline acts over the weekend include one of De Dannan’s great voices, Eleanor Shanley, accompanied by Frankie Lane and Paul Kelly; Sliabh Notes playing some of the best traditional music around; and Special Consensus, an exciting bluegrass outfit from the American Mid-West, who will play a gospel set for Sunday morning mass, as well as the Sunday night finale.
A very special visiting act is The Diversus Guitar Ensemble, 22 young musicians playing music from Bach to Bjork and from Haydn to Irish modern composer, Piarais Hoban.
Also on the programme are Loudest Whisper, ’70s pop-folk act from Cork; singers Colum Sands and Jimmy Crowley; Hot Lips and Chilli Fingers, a blues duo from Cambridge; and folk groups Poit Dhubh from Scotland and Bow Triplets from Switzerland via Sweden and Wexford. Expert street musicians Mutefish bring their energetic set indoors for the weekend, and Bridget O’Neill from Downpatrick provides songs of loves lost and hearts betrayed.
One highlight for visiting musicians is the Saturday Pickers’ Session, where artistes on and off the weekend programme gather to share tunes and songs in a near-magical atmosphere that defines the weekend for many.
An eclectic mix, some great settings, the perfect atmosphere – the weekend kicks off with a classical and traditional concert in the Courthous e on Thursday the 13th, with Brendan Walsh and Christy McNamara providing an eclectic set of music on guitar and concertina.
Aside from the Saturday night in the Mill Bar, Where Loudest Whisper will be joined by Blues duo Steve Lockwood and Chris Newman, only the Courthouse events carry an admission charge.
With seven trains a day serving Limerick and Ennis, and five of those connecting to Galway, it’s even easier to get there.
For details, check www.wmw.ie or find out about the festival on facebook and myspace. To book tickets, text your name and ticket requirement to 086 846 4509.