Fresh wind behind East Clare arts

Arts in East Clare will have a new home this weekend as Féile Chnoc na Gaoithe gets underway this Thursday, until Sunday to celebrate the opening of phase one of Cnoc na Gaoithe, The Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre.

 

The rich traditional culture of music, song and dance will be celebrated with big-name guests performing at this get together.

The cultural centre will be officially opened by Councillor Pat Hayes, Mayor of Clare and will be followed by an address from Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, ardstiurthóir CCÉ on Thursday at 7pm, where the Tulla Pipe Band will lead the proceedings.

Phase one of the project sees the provision of an archive room, one education room, kitchen, bathroom and reception area, while phase two, which includes the provision of a concert facility, is expected to get underway before the year end.

Performing at the launch event will be the Cnoc na Gaoithe Seisiún Group, along with Scoil Uí Ruairc School of Dancing and the East Clare Fiddlers and festivities continue at 8.30pm with an outdoor céilí with the Tulla Céilí Band.

On Friday, an East Clare session will be held at Cnoc na Gaoithe featuring a host of eminent local musicians including Vincent Griffin, Mary Corry, Mary and Andrew MacNamara, Pat O’Connor, Kate McNamara and Michael Landers at 9pm.

A fiddle feis will kick start a full day of activities on Saturday at 10am and will be followed at 2.30pm with the Young Fiddler of East Clare competition.

The highlight of the weekend is a special tribute concert honouring Vincent Griffin Tribute taking place in the Tulla Courthouse on Saturday at 8pm.

This star-studded concert features Paddy O’Donoghue, Peter Mackey, Maura O’Keeffe, John Kelly, Eamon McGiviney, Nicky and Anne McAuliffe, Catherine McEvoy as well as a host of local musicians who have played music with Vincent down throughout the years. They will also be joined by well-known dancers and singers, while Vincent Griffin will also launch his new CD at this concert, entitled Vincent Griffin and Friends.
The féile continues on Sunday with a closing session of music from 12 noon in the Powerhouse, led by Vincent Griffin.

A programme of events for Cnoc na Gaoithe is expected to get fully underway on July 3 when the committee will start their summer seisiún programme.

This is aimed at providing a unique entertainment experience for holidaymakers at centres all around Ireland during the months of July and August featuring the authentic traditional entertainment as enjoyed by generations of Irish people.

Seisiún takes place each Tuesday night at 8pm from July 3 until August 14. Thereafter Cnoc na Gaoithe will operate classes in a variety of traditional art forms from September. It will also have meeting rooms/teaching rooms available to the public.

For further information email cnocnagaoithe@gmail.com or phone Ann on 086 1040276, Breda on 087 8350996 or Angela on 087 1715760.