New Comhaltas show ‘Cairdeas’ to bring music, song and dance to Ennis

‘Cairdeas’, a new show from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, with a focus on friendship and celebrating connections. 

The show will come to Cois na hAbhna in Ennis on Thursday October 30 at 8 pm, promising to be a celebration of traditional music, song and dance.  

 Through words and music, song and dance, ‘Cairdeas’ will bring the audience on a unique journey celebrating how the ancient Irish concept of cairdeas or friendship is central to our culture, forging connections between people and communities throughout our history and down to the present day. 

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Many of those performing are multi-instrumentalists and, between them, have claimed more than fifty All-Ireland titles. 

Produced by Ray Conway, with music arranged and directed by Cian Kearins, ‘Cairdeas’ will also feature a rich weave of prose, poetry and song. 

Narration will be delivered by Ciana Campbell, former RTÉ broadcaster and acclaimed actor Diarmuid De Faoite, known for his compelling stage and screen work.  

Joining them is singers Karen Trench and Anthony Kearns, dancers Liam Guiney, Caelainn McGrath and Sophie Dunford, and musicians Mary Kelly, Ademar O’Connor, William Holmes, Iarla McMahon, Ciarán Fitzgerald, Noel Stapleton, Aileen Bourke and Liam Guiney.

Speaking at a recent rehearsal Ray Conway talked about his enthusiasm for bringing ‘Cairdeas’ to select venues around Ireland: “We are excited to bring this tour on the road. It is a great opportunity for traditional music enthusiasts to witness the very best of Irish talent on one stage. We want audiences leaving each performance feeling the joy and connection that music brings to our communities.” 

The ‘Cairdeas’ tour will start at Cultúrlann na hÉireann, the Comhaltas headquarters in Monkstown Dublin on Saturday October 25 and this will be followed by performances in Dundalk, Belfast, Letterkenny, Ballina and Ennis, finishing at Brú Ború in Cashel on Friday, October 31. 

Tickets for the Ennis show are €20 each, plus a booking fee, and can be purchased here.

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