Arts & Culture

WITH a host of performances in Lisdoonvarna this month, September will certainly be a busy time for singer Muriel O’Connor. Both Muriel and musical partner, Michael Cahill, have already performed in Shannon this month and are set to bring their show to Lisdoonvarna’s Royal Spa Hotel for a number of dates, from September 5 to 18, with plans to showcase her new single.

Stylish rockers Oddsocks Revival are coming to Ennis to play in The Library Bar this Friday. The Sligo band will take to the stage at 10pm for a night of head bopping blues rock.These four talented lads have been playing together since the summer of 2003 and have developed a powerful connection on stage which is evident at every gig.  

THE Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition is the premier bluegrass band in the Annapolis, Maryland area and they will be heading to Glór for a performance this September. A love of bluegrass is deeply ingrained in the souls of these five fine musicians and they have been winning the hearts of bluegrass fans from all around the Chesapeake Bay area.  With the traditional combination of banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass fiddle, the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition offers traditional and contemporary compositions laced with three part harmonies and bluesy solos. Indeed, it is soul that is the very essence of Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition.  

IT was a moment of chance that brought singer Micheál hOibicín back to the sean-nós songs of his Connemara youth. The singer hasn’t looked back, recording his first album An Rógaire Dubh, along with a host of well-known traditional musicians, at the age of 64. “It’s a new life for me at my age. I was often wondering what I would do when I retired. The music wasn’t planned, it just happened that way,” he explained.

CLARE’s very own Aisling Drennan has proven herself to be a real ‘dancing queen’ taking to the stage with the stars of the new international show Women of Ireland. The show recently launched its national debut at the INEC in Killarney with special guests, the legendary traditional super group Frankie Gavin and De Danann.

CLARE will be well represented at the Session with the Pipers traditional music recital which takes place in Dublin’s Cobblestone Bar next week. Taking part will be Miltown Malbay piper Séamus Ó Rócháin alongside the ever-popular Tommy Peoples on fiddle. They will be joined on September 1 by such other noteworthy musicians as Tom McElvogue on flute, Tom Morrow, fiddle and Dermot Byrne, accordion.

THE look of the Kilfenora Céilí Band may have changed over the years, but that doesn’t mean that the heritage of the legendary band has been forgotten. The Kilfenora Ceilí Band’s 100-year anniversary celebrations continue next week with a series of events in the North Clare village taking place from Thursday to Sunday.

RENOWNED Clare soprano Maretta O’Hehir is about to fulfil a long-held ambition with the release of her newest album. Faith, Hope and Love, an album of church songs will be launched at the Temple Gate Hotel on April 25 and Maretta told us she is thrilled to be releasing the CD.