Carrick-on-Suir gets in tune to host 18th Clancy Brothers Festival this weekend
The town's theatres, pubs and public spaces will be filled with music and song and there is also a packed programme of community events including a family fun afternoon on Sunday
Carrick-on-Suir's theatres, pubs and public spaces will be filled with music and song over the June Bank Holiday Weekend as the town hosts the 18th Clancy Brothers Music & Arts festival honouring the town’s most famous sons.
The festival celebrating the musical legacy of the Clancy Brothers ballad group will be officially opened at Brewery Lane Theatre this Wednesday, May 28 at 8pm by Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne.
The official opening ceremony will be followed by the festival’s opening concert and variety show featuring performances from a host of local musicians and singers.
This year’s festival features an eclectic mix of concerts, family events, lunchtime theatre, nature, history and heritage walks and a cycle along with a live music gig trail in local pubs.
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Clancy Brothers Festival PRO Walter Dunphy said the organisers are praying for good weather over the weekend and encouraged the people of Carrick and surrounding areas to support the festival.
“We have some people travelling from abroad to attend the festival but it’s mainly a celebration for the local people of Carrick and its hinterland and we are encouraging them to come and enjoy the festival’s packed programme of concerts, cultural and community events,” he said.
Family Fun Afternoon
The main community event will be a family fun afternoon and craft fair at the Fairgreen Car Park on Sunday, June 1 from 2pm to 5pm. It will be preceded by a dance showcase at the car park by the DR2 dance school.
Concerts
The headline music attraction is the High Kings concert in the 360-seat Strand Theatre this Friday, May 30 at 8pm.
The group that includes Carrick-on-Suir man Finbarr Clancy, son of the late Bobby Clancy of the Clancy Brothers, will perform the show as part of their Step It Out World Tour. According to Mr Dunphy, some tickets are still available for the show.
Other talented relatives of the Clancy Brothers will perform at the popular annual Clancy Family Concert in Brewery Lane on Thursday, May 29 at 8pm.
Eoghan Power Singing Contest
On the same night, folk singers will vie to win the Eoghan Power Memorial Folk Singing Competition at The Old Mill Pub on New Street.
The winner will be presented with €250 and the Eoghan Power Memorial Trophy.
The entry fee is €10 and singers can enter by just turning up to the Old Mill Pub on the night. The contest starts at 9pm.
Clancy's Kitchen and Henry Girls
Another musical gem will be the Clancy’s Kitchen concert in the beautiful Nuns Chapel of the Nano Nagle Community Resource Centre in Carrick on Saturday, May 31 at 8pm
It will feature performances by Róisín Clancy, Ryland Teifi, Dónal Clancy and Brendan Clancy. Róisín is a daughter of Bobby Clancy while Dónal is a son of Liam Clancy
Rounding off the festival’s concert programme will be The Henry Girls who will perform at Brewery Lane Theatre on Sunday, June 1 at 8pm.
The well-known folk and roots group from Donegal has performed back up vocals to Mary Black and collaborated with Donal Lunny, Moya Brennan and Jennifer Kimball. There are still some tickets available for their Clancy Festival concert.
Live music pub trail
Local pubs will also host gigs as well as informal music and singalong sessions throughout the bank holiday weekend. Eight pubs in the town and three rural pubs in Tullahought, Rathgormack and Clonea are involved in the Clancy Festival live music pub trail.
The list of gigs is posted on the Clancy Brothers Festival Facebook page.
Lunchtime drama
Other cultural events include a lunchtime one-act play - Sean O’Casey’s “A Pound on Demand” .
It will be staged by Brewery Lane Drama Group at Brewery Lane Theatre at 1pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The public can also visit art exhibitions at the Tudor Artisan Hub arts collective, Brewery Lane Theatre and artist Kathleen Farrell's Chapel Street Art Studio.
Outdoor events
The Festival boasts a packed outdoor community programme apart from Sunday’s Family Fun Day and Craft Fair.
There will be a guided heritage walk of the town starting from Carrick Heritage Centre at 10am on Saturday and a Cois Siúire traditional music session and recital by Carrick Brass Band on Main Street on Saturday afternoon.
The River Suir will be the focus of several outdoor events including a night-time bat walk starting from Sean Healy Park at 10pm on Thursday and Carrick Paddlers kayaking open day on the river on Saturday starting at 10am.
Carrick Lions Club is hosting a Blueway Walk from Sean Healy Park to Dove Hill Design Centre on Sunday, June 1 at 9.30pm. It will finish off with a slap up breakfast at Dove Hill.
The main event on Monday, June 2 will be the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club’s Wild About Carrick-on-Suir Blueway Cycle along the River Suir from Carrick to Kilsheelan. It starts from Ormond Castle at 11am.
Check out the Clancy Brothers Festival Facebook page for the full festival programme and live music pub trail gigs and for information on how to book tickets for concerts and other events.