Christy Moore and Julie Feeney top music bill at Clifden festival

By Denise McNamara

Folk legend Christy Moore and Athenry composer Julie Feeney are top of the musical billing for this year’s Clifden Arts Festival, with over 100 events organised throughout the 10 days – many of them free and ticketed events on sale from as little as €5.

Among the other big names to make an appearance in the capital of Connemara over the ten days are author Edna O’Brien, who will be in conversation with Des Lally, and economist, author and broadcaster David McWilliams who will give a performance in the wake of his sell-out one-man show on the economy in Dublin.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin, speaking ahead of the official launch at the Connemara West Leisure Centre, said the festival holds a very special place in the rich calendar of festivals and events.

“Now in its 33rd year, the country’s longest running community arts festival promises ten days of highly emotive, energetic and world acclaimed national and international artistic talent combined with many Galway, Clifden and Connemara based artists,” she stated. 

Reggae outfit The Channel One Band kick-off the festivities at the launch. This band founded the London mental health charity Sound Minds and campaign regularly on mental health issues. They won the national UK Community Care Award for Mental Health in 2005 for their work in schools combining music with mental health awareness training. The biggest draw over the festival is Christy Moore who is in concert with Declan Sinnott on Saturday, a stalwart of the Irish folk music scene who never fails to impress an audience.

Another massive crowd puller will be the award-winning Julie Feeney on Tuesday next, who will play her unique brand of quirky tunes with the National Chamber Orchestra in an intimate concert, following a sell-out show at the National Concert Hall and ahead of a tour in China, US, France and the UK.

The festival will also feature the Contempo Quartet on Monday 20th, trad music from Shaun Davey and Rita Connolly this Friday 17th, folk and blues from The Henry Girls, also this Friday.

David McWilliams will take to the stage on Thursday 23rd, while Edna O’Brien will hold court on Friday, 24th.

RTE Drivetime’s Mary Wilson will be in conversation with Four Savvy Women which will feature Suzanne Kelly, Sara Burke and Tara Buckley. Each year the Clifden community schools are at the heart of the festival – from Monday 20th to Friday 24th they play host to a blend of artistic talent from different genres including theatre, dance, poetry and music with captivating performances from theatre group Fidget Feet, who specialise in aerial dance and contemporary circus. There will also be a performance by the group Cups and Crowns.

The visual arts programme features an Art Trail Exhibition of artists who live or are inspired by the Connemara landscape, including the internationally acclaimed artist Dorothy Cross.

Along with a display of works from established and renowned artists such as Ger Sweeney and Bernard O Scanaill, new talent is also being encouraged with a dedicated exhibition for emerging artists. The exhibition entitled Assemblage features the work of eleven artists from GMIT and CIT through different media including paint, sculpture and installation art.

There will be readings from poets Tony Curtis, Michael Coady and Rita Ann Higgins as well as singing classes from Marie Sheridan. Tickets are still available for a selection of performances. A full programme of events is available on the website www.clifdenartsweek.ie.