Kick-off the holidays with the Kilfenora Céilí Band

The festive season will get a rousing lift-off in the Mid-West as Shannon Airport hosts a free Christmas Music Celebration headlined by the band that did so much to put traditional Irish music on the global map, the internationally acclaimed Kilfenora Céilí Band.
The event – tickets for which are now available for collection at Clare FM, Limerick’s Live 95FM, Tipp FM and Shannon Airport’s Information Desk – takes place on Friday, December 7 and will parade not just the renowned 2009 Irish Music Hall of Famers from North Clare, but some of the best music and comedy talent from across the region.
Comedian Karl Spain will fly the Limerick flag as he warms the crowd up with his side-splitting show and there will be a lively act following him as one of the country’s best young trad bands, Socks in the Frying Pan, strengthen the Clare representation on the night.
The ticket-only event, which opens at 8pm, will also have a true festive opening with the well-known Silvermines Choir from North Tipperary setting the mood with their delightful Christmas Carols ensemble.
While the event is free and expected to attract an attendance of up to 800 people, funds will be raised on the night for one worthy local charity, details of which will be announced next week.
Looking ahead to the event, Shannon Airport director Mary Considine said it promises to be one of the most memorable music celebrations not just of the Christmas season but the entire year in the Mid-West.
“This free event is all about saying thank-you to the people of the region for their support in 2012. We have a long tradition at Shannon Airport of staging events like this and this year’s is a really fantastic line-up.
“In many respects, it’s only right that we would have put together an event like this. 2012 has been a challenging year at the airport but we are finishing it out on a high note in terms of recent announcements of new services for 2013 so this will be an appropriate celebration to match.”
Looking ahead to the event, Kilfenora Céilí Band leader John Lynch said the group is really looking forward to putting on a performance at the free concert.
“The Kilfenora Céilí Band has travelled the world over performing for many, many years and Shannon has always been our airport so we are delighted to be on board for the Christmas Music Celebration. It gives us a great opportunity at year end also to perform for our fans and in the county where the band was born and bred so we are really looking forward to the event.”