Big numbers at Tulla festival

THE East Clare village of Tulla became more cosmopolitan last weekend as a large number of visitors from far afield enjoyed a feast of Irish traditional music and dance.
Tourists from the United States, Europe and Australia stopped off to sample workshops and sessions in one of the Clare strongholds for Irish traditional culture.
There were plenty of fingers flying and toes tapping during fifth annual Tulla Traditional Music Festival, which also provided a welcome shot in the arm for local businesses and retailers.
The festival was launched on Friday night by the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes with some tunes by the president of Tulla Comhaltas and renowned fiddler, Vincent Griffin. 
This was followed by the launch of the CD Flagstone Memories by Andrew MacNamara, (accordion), Orla Harrington, (fiddle) and Jim Higgins, (piano & bodhrán). 
The music workshops in St. Joseph’s Secondary School on Saturday proved as popular as ever attended by the young and the not so young, some travelling from other counties in Ireland and from abroad. 
Tulla Stables Artist Studio hosted an open day on Saturday with a wide array of jewellery, pottery, sculptor, print and paintings. Live music sessions were provided at the Tulla Stables throughout the day.
According to Tulla Comhaltas treasurer, Jackie Elger, there was a noticeable number of Americans, Europeans and even some from as far away as Australia at the weekend’s events. 
On Saturday night, the sisters were doing it for themselves with Ceol na mBan, a very entertaining all female concert in the Tulla Courthouse. 
Mary Mac Namara, (concertina), Catherine McEvoy, (flute), Eileen O’Brien, (fiddle), Bríd O’Donohue, (tin whistle) and Deirdre McSharry, (piano), played some lovely tunes while Nora Butler sang beautifully and Suzanne Leahy made it look easy to dance in red stilettos. 
The concert was very relaxed with plenty of laughs between the music. 
On Saturday night, the Céilí Mór with The Tulla Céilí Band in the St Joseph’s Secondary School Hall provided plenty of entertainment.
Sunday saw another day of singing and dancing starting with Aifreann Gaeilge – in St Peter and Paul’s Church, Tulla Comhaltas mass celebrant Fr. Martin O’Brien . This mass was broadcast live on RTE Radio na Gaelteachts and was produced by Mairtín Davy.
On Sunday, the bad weather held off to allow the open air session to go ahead in the  town square.  The East Clare Young Musicians opened the show and proved that young talent is alive and well in Tulla.  They were followed by the Irish traditional music band Dílse, who are six talented young musicians from Clare and Waterford. 
County Galway accordionist, Oliver Diviney accompanied by Brian McGrath then roused the dancers out of the woodwork with some lively tunes. 
Throughout the weekend there was some great music, singing and dancing in the pub sessions and céilithe, including a mini session for some of the very young musicians at the Tulla Stables Artist Studio.
The festival concluded with a rousing finale with Closing Céilí  at Minogues bar with music by Jim Corry, Mark Donnellan and Charlie Harris on Sunday night.
Inspite of some inclement weather, organisers were delighted the event brought a bit of traditional sunshine to those who attended this year’s festival.