FLEADH NUA, INIS, CO. AN CHLÁIR. MAY 18th to 26th 2008

“Thinking of County Clare immediately conjures up images of Traditional Music, Singing and Dancing. And it is little wonder because the Traditional Arts lie at the very core of the Banner County’s identity. This explains why trad fans from California to Leeds are descending on Ennis from 18th to 26th May for the annual Fleadh Nua Festival. Despite being a fixture in the town’s calendar of events since 1974, the twin concepts of imagination and innovation on which the Festival is founded ensure that this Fleadh is still 'Nua' after all these years. Highlights of this year’s Fleadh include the Frank Custy Tribute; Cór agus Ceol – Cór Cúil Aodha agus a Chairde; and the Celebrity Concert featuring artistes drawn from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick as well as 'The Hounds of Ulster'. This Flute and Drum Band hails from Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim and will perform their unique brand of Ulster-Scots Music in what is surely a first for an Irish Traditional Music Festival. Fleadh Nua welcomes the recent recipient of TG4’S Gradam Ceoil mar Chumadóir na Bliana, Peadar Ó Riada agus Cór Cúil Aodha to Glór Irish Music Centre for 'Cór agus Ceol'. Founded by the late Seán Ó Riada in 1964, the Choir’s original purpose was to sing at liturgical services in Cúil Aodha Church. Shortly after its inception it started also to sing as a ‘claisceadal’ or traditional singing group which then commenced singing in public from the late sixties up to today. Many illustrious names from the world of Irish Sean Nós singing and Poetry have been associated with this choir and the choir has been frequently called upon to do duty at various occasions of historical importance. Additional music will be provided by the Leeds Scoraíocht Group who enjoy a lengthy association with the Fleadh and can always be relied upon to provide first class entertainment. As always Fleadh Nua has something for everyone - Céilithe, Concerts, Recitals, Music and Set Dancing Workshops, Street Entertainment, Traditional Singing Sessions, Lectures, Parade, Storytelling, Oíche Ghaelach, A Guided Walking Tour, The National Dancing Championships, Senior And Junior Cabaret Shows, Pub Music Trail, Street Music Trail and CD Launches. And that is only the organised part of the programme! A myriad of sessions both indoors and out ensures that the narrow streets of Ennis will resound with Traditional Music, Song and Dance throughout the Festival. See full event details at www.fleadhnua.com. Fleadh Nua is organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann on a voluntary not for profit basis.”