May Bank Holiday music festival at Kilfenora

DETAILS of the third annual Kilfenora music festival were announced this week. The festival takes place over the May Bank Holiday weekend and features a host of local and national performers.
Contributing to the village’s uniqueness are a web of local families who have played in groups and céilí bands for around 140 years, starting with a fife and drum band in the 1870s and brass and reed band in the 1900s. Kilfenora’s most famous céilí band celebrated its centenary in 2009 and will be appearing at home in a special concert on Friday, April 29 at 8pm. The following night there will be a Céilí Mór with the Shaskeen Céilí Band, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Further céilís with the Four Courts Band starring various celebrated musicians will take place on Thursday, April 28 and Sunday, May 1 at 9.30pm, at Vaughan’s Barn.
A children’s dance workshop with the Aibhin Holden School of Dancing, followed by a céilí with the Young Kilfenora Céilí Band takes place on Saturday, April 30 at 11am at Kilfenora Hall. The festival will also feature a mass with traditional music on Sunday, May 1 at St Fachnan’s Church.
A further highlight will be the Sunday matinee céilí with the Four Courts, which will be held in the open air in the Kilfenora Square, weather permitting.
Céilí and old-time song and dance with  Micheál Sexton and PJ Murrihy will take place on Monday, May 2 in Vaughan’s Barn. As usual, there will be singing and instrumental sessions in the village pubs throughout the weekend with many fine musicians from North Clare and beyond, including numerous All-Ireland winners.
Advance tickets for the Kilfenora Céilí Band concert are available from Kilfenora outlets and Cois na hAbhna, Ennis. Tickets for the Saturday and Monday céilís available on the door at the venues.
For more information, visit www.kilfenorainfo.com and www.kilfenoraceiliband.com.