Annual Céilí at the Crossroads

MUSICIAN, singers and dancers will converge in Clare again next week for the annual Clarecastle Céilí at the Crossroads Festival.
Now in its 14th season, the week-long festival starts with the official opening in the Abbey Hall, Clarecastle this Sunday, with popular Shaskeen musician, Pat Costello, followed by a show by Fuaim Chonamara, the now famous Cunningham family dance show.
“This an exciting line-up of musicians, singers, sean nós dancers and Riverdance stars. The proceeds of this concert will be given directly to the District Daycare Centre in Clarecastle towards their dementia unit,” a spokesman for the event said.
Throughout the week, there will be a number of music and dance classes for beginners and improvers, including a flute class with flautist Colm Nestor and others at the GAA headquarters in Clareabbey.
For the first time at the festival, there will be junior set dancing classes for beginners with John Fennell of Kilrush in the community hall.
Thursday night is the tribute night to John Joe Casey, the great Clarecastle fiddle player and concertina player, who composed many tunes. The concert will be held at Navin’s Bar and is expected to attract many musicians.
On Friday night, the festival hosts the Singers Club in Powers Lounge, with singers visiting from all over Munster.
“This is hugely popular with singers and story tellers from around the county, including Robbie McMahon, local Dean Power and a host of others and members of the Ennis Singers Club also attend,” he added.
On Saturday night, Swallow’s Tail Céilí Band play the Abbey Hall, Clarecastle for a Céilí Mór. On Sunday, there will be an Aifreann Tradisunta for deceased members of Comhaltas, followed by sean nós workshops again with Suzanne Leahy.
The outdoor Céilí at the Crossroads will take place on Sunday, July 25, at Kerins Cross with the Four Courts Céilí Band. In the event of adverse weather conditions, outdoor events will be held indoors.