Music for the feet with sean nós

FEW expressions of traditional culture have enjoyed a change in fortunes as dramatic as sean-nós dancing or damhsa ar an sean-nós.
Having come perilously close to extinction towards the end of the last century, recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in this older style of traditional solo Irish dance.
No longer confined to the heartlands of Connemara, sean-nós dancing has exploded on to the national and international scene. With a marked emphasis on improvisation and expression, the low to the ground footwork, improvised steps, free movement of the arms and battering steps of an accomplished sean-nós dancer, backed by lively musicians, are quite simply a joy to behold. 
In that vein, dancers and followers alike will be delighted to learn of the inaugural Sean Nós Dancing Competition, which will be held at the Auburn Lodge Hotel on Saturday, May 28 from 2pm as part of the Fleadh Nua.
Dance will be one of the art forms to be celebrated at length during the Comhaltas-organised Fleadh Nua and for those who would like to ensure their dancing skills are in tip top shape, a series of set dancing workshops will be held under the guidance of dance master, Dick O’Connell. The workshops will take place in Brogan’s Bar, O’Connell Street on Wednesday, May 25 at 9pm; Friday, May 27 at 7pm and Saturday, May 28 at 2pm.
With a plethora of dancing taking place throughout Ennis, there will definitely be chances to get great use out of your dancing shoes.
In keeping with longstanding tradition, the Tulla Céilí Band will get this year’s Fleadh Nua underway in their customary haunt of the Old Ground Hotel on Thursday, May 26. All roads lead to Cois na hAbhna for fans of the Abbey Céilí Band as they take to the stage on Friday, May 27, while the same venue will host Johnny Reidy and his Band on the following night. 
There will be an open air céilí in the Market at 4pm on Sunday, May 29 with the Star of Munster Céilí Band. Later that evening, Dave Culligan and company will be making the short journey to Cois n hAbhna where dancing resumes that evening.
For those still with a spring in their step and want to banish the Monday morning blues, Michael Sexton will be in the Old Ground Hotel on May 30 and The Four Courts Céilí Band will put dancers through their paces in Cois na hAbhna on May 31.
There’s an opportunity to see some of the best dancers in the country at the Comórtas Rince Náisiúnta/National Dancing Championship which takes place in Cois na hAbhna at 11am on Saturday, May 28.
The championships will see groups battle it out for honours in sets and half sets (for U-8, U-10, U-12, U-15 and U-18 levels), four and eight-hand céilí dances (U-12, U-15 and 18 years) and senior level sets, half sets, ladies’ sets and four and eight-hand céilí dances. 
Other events include the return of The Banjo Strikes Back. For those who prefer their tunes plucked rather than played, head for Brandon’s on O’Connell Street, on Friday, May 27 at 8.30pm.
If traditional music is a venerable Irish institution, then elevenses is another and since Fleadh Nua aims to make traditional music visible and accessible to as many people as possible, it was decided to bring music into Ennis cafés, halls and pubs.
This series of cupán ceoil will take place at 11am from Monday, May 23, beginning in O’Brien’s and will continuing each day until Saturday, May 28 at the following venues: Food Heaven, The Beehive, Café Aroma, The Town Hall and The Rowan Tree.    
Meanwhile from 4pm on Monday, May 23 to Friday, May 27, the Old Ground Hotel will hold music session workshops, devised by the late Brian Prior, for musicians who enjoy playing in sessions and who wish to build on their repertoire of tunes.
The Sanctuary Back Bar will play host to story telling sessions with Eddie Lenihan at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29.
Ciorcal comhrá, the Irish language conversation group, returns this year hosting conversations in a variety of cafés at 11am Monday to Friday, offering people an opportunity to speak Irish in a friendly and informal setting regardless of proficiency.
For full details of all the events happening at  Fleadh Nua visit www.fleadhnua.com.