Liam Clancy and his sister Peg Power pictured at the launch of the inaugural Clancy Brothers Music Festival which will run from June 12th to 15th next year.
A four day music festival to honour the great Clancy Brothers will be held between June 12th and 15th next year and will become an annual fixture in Carrick-on-Suir.
The festival is the brainchild of the town’s Tourism & Economic Development Committee and was officially launched at the Carrick-on-Suir Heritage Centre on Wednesday evening last.
“I was absolutely delighted and honoured when the Committee approached me with the idea of holding an annual festival to recognise our achievements over a career which spans nearly a lifetime and is still going on for me,” said Liam Clancy.
“I am saddened that my three brothers will not be there to join the celebration but I’m delighted that I will be surrounded by so many of their children,” he added.
“The finale concert will be a special occasion such is the talent that the next generation has inherited. If we have all the family members contribute I’m afraid we will be in for a very long night! We look forward to a great occasion in June 2008 in Carrick-on-Suir.”
Liam, along with his sister, the actress Peg Power and extended family, attended last week’s launch. He recently finished recording his third solo album (due for release in the spring), which is being produced by his son Donal.
Festival Committee Chairman Edmund Connolly gave a brief outline of the festival programme which includes a solo concert with Liam Clancy on Saturday, June 14th.
A day later, the Clancy Festival Concert will be held, in which Liam will invite nephews, nieces and other members of the extended family to join him for an evening of songs and stories.
The festival will also include a pub-based talent competition, with local pubs being invited to enter a folk or trad act for the competition which whose finale will be staged in the Strand Theatre on Friday, June 13th.
“My fellow councillors and I are absolutely delighted that this initiative has been taken by the Tourism and Economic Development Committee and we wish them every success with this fantastic event,” said Carrick Mayor David Shee.
“We are delighted that Liam and so many of the Clancy family could be with us today to launch this important initiative.
“Carrick-on-Suir is very proud of the Clancy’s achievements and it is only fitting that their contribution to Irish culture and music should be recognised in this manner. We look forward to enjoying the concerts next June in the refurbished Stand Theatre in Carrick-on-Suir.”
The festival will also include a family day, pub gigs and art exhibitions. Full details are available in the festival brochures which are available around town and online at www.clancybrothersfestival.com.
* See next week’s notes for a profile on Nano Nagle Community Resource Centre, based in Clancy House, which recently published its annual report.
