Kate brings sacred sounds to Ennis

FOLLOWING the success of the Sacred Sounds folk concerts in Tuamgraney, the series is set to expand to include a second weekly night in Ennis.
Organiser Kate Purcell is hoping the concerts will help attract more music-loving tourists to the town.
The historic St Columba’s Church on Bindon Street will be the home for these evenings of music from the rich culture of County Clare.
Starting on Friday, May 6 at 8pm, Sacred Sounds in Ennis will feature some of the best performers of Irish folk and traditional music from across the county.
Kate explained that this series of concerts will offer music lovers something a little bit different for the summer evenings ahead.
“The whole idea behind these concerts is to cater for people who want something to go to where they can experience the music of Clare but the sessions might be too late or maybe the pubs are a bit too noisy. It’s sort of a cultural evening and what we’ve been doing in Tuamgraney is having three different artists on the night, musicians, singers and even some sean-nós dancers.
“These nights are really for anybody with an interest in music. The artists change week to week and I try to vary it as much as I can. I just want to capture what’s going on in Clare, it’s all kinds of folk music really.”
Just some of the musicians that have performed in Tuamgraney are Chris Droney, Mary McNamara, Eoin O’Neill and Quentin Cooper. Many of these musicians are set to perform in Ennis.
The Tuamgraney concerts, which have been running since last summer in the East Clare Heritage Centre, have attracted not just locals but also many tourists staying in the locality.
“The concerts in Tuamgraney have been doing great, we have lots of Americans and English coming along every week. The concerts were full right up to the end of October last year. We are hoping the concerts in Ennis do as well. We’re encouraging people to come along and make a weekend of it, come to Ennis and do some sightseeing and then enjoy some wonderful music in this beautiful setting. We’re also organising early-bird dinner and concert packages. There are lots of people who are looking for something to do of an evening and we just want to give them something enjoyable to experience,” said Kate.
Although the Ennis concerts are set in the beautiful surroundings of the 19th century Church of Ireland church, Kate insists the concert is not about religious music. “It’s in a church but it’s a folk concert. Of course, the atmosphere in the church is very conducive to nice music and the natural sound of the church is beautiful for the instruments. There will be a lovely atmosphere on the night and I’m sure that everyone will have a wonderful time,” she said.
The Ennis concerts will take place each Friday evening from 8pm to 9.30pm from May 6 until the end of September in St Columba’s Church, Bindon Street.
Tickets are available from the Irish Shop or at the door. Contact Kate Purcell at 087 2728069 for information or check www.claresacredsounds.com, www.katepurcell.com or email katepurcell3@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, the Sacred Sounds series in Tuamgraney continues in the Heritage Centre on Mondays.