Tag Archives: Clare Arts

LEGENDARY Irish singer-songwriter Andy Irvine is coming to perform at Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee on Easter Saturday, April 8. Having travelled the world with bands such as Sweeney’s Men, Patrick Street, Planxty and, more recently, Mozaik, Andy continues to pursue new combinations and styles of music. He has broadened his musical horizons over the course of his 40-year career to encompass the musical styles of countries he visits, such as the Balkan folk style of playing. After his introduction to the world of touring with Sweeney’s Men in 1965, he continued to travel the world, leaving the band in 1968 to pursue his wanderlust. He travelled through Bulgaria, Romania and Yugoslavia, studying the music traditions and styles of these nations. It was these journeys, which led him to adopt the bouzouki in his performance. This new instrument allowed him to develop his own style while learning that of the Balkan countries he visited. On his return to Ireland, Andy formed Planxty …

A CELEBRATION of the men and women of Clare who contributed to Ireland’s independence will take place next month in Ennis. ‘Breith (Birth): A Clare Celebration of Irish Independence’ is a production to mark the centenary of the War of Independence in County Clare. The work is the vision of Dr Tim Collins, composer, musician and member of the world-renowned Kilfenora Céilí Band. The event will take place in glór Theatre, Ennis, on Saturday, December 10, at 8pm. This is a fully booked event but will be live-streamed on the night – details will be available on www.clarearts.ie “It is indeed a great privilege to bring together such diverse and illustrious artistic talent to commemorate what is one of the most important events in modern Irish history,” says Tim Collins. “My vision for Breith is to create an artistic space to remember and celebrate Clare men and women who lived through, and participated in, the Irish War of Independence. It weaves their local stories …