Bunratty Folk Park, Co. Clare, is the venue for a new Summer Concert Series announced this week by Shannon Heritage, to enhance their evening entertainment programme. The concert series, titled “The Bunratty Folk and Variety Club” is being presented in association with Ennis based Production 63. It comprises six concerts in June and July featuring a mix of entertainment from traditional Irish music to comedy. The concerts mark a major step forward in offering quality entertainment that will appeal to visitors and local people. Among the artists lined up to perform are Liadan, Andy Irvine, Sean Keane, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, comedian Jon Kenny and Mike Hanrahan and Kieran Hanrahan and Tommy Hayes (names familiar to Stocktons Wing fans).
Announcing the Folk and Variety Club John Ruddle Chief Executive, Shannon Heritage said, “We are delighted to be introducing this new facet to our entertainment programme. People will still have an opportunity to enjoy our medieval banquets at Bunratty, Knappogue and Dunguaire Castles and our traditional Irish Evening in Bunratty Folk Park. The concert series has been designed to broaden and compliment our existing range of entertainment”. Ger Sweeney from production 63 commented “When putting the Folk and Variety Club together our common objective was to present world class performers in this intimate setting while keeping the ticket price down. It is very important that the series is affordable and accessible to the large local or domestic audience interested in joining us on a weekly basis. I think our exciting lineup has achieved that and we’re all looking forward to it”
The series commences on Wednesday 17th June and runs until 25th July. Tickets are only €22.50 each and are now available online at www.shannonheritage.com or by contacting Shannon Heritage Central Reservations at 061-360788.
The first concert will feature Mike Hanrahan, Kieran Hanrahan & Tommy Hayes. At present all three are following diverse and independent careers. Last January Tommy and Mike joined their Stocktons Wing colleagues on stage in Ennis for the first Wing gig in over five years. They tell us that more are to come but the bills are paid by Mike as a prominent chef in Dublin these days. He spent many years as a solo artist with a number of fine albums to his credit and spent a few years working closely with the late Ronnie Drew. Tommy has been travelling his own musical road working with many notable musicians and singers across the country and beyond. His most recent project is a short film titled Apples in Winter, a tribute to the apple set to music co-written by Tommy. Kieran’s irons are in many fires these days. Along with continuing to play, he is a busy RTE broadcaster travelling the length of the country sourcing and presenting magnificent Traditional Irish music. He is also a respected record producer and has been working on many high profile projects in recent times including the critically acclaimed 100 years celebration album from the Kilfenora Ceili Band. Getting all three on stage on June 17th is a great achievement and is certain to be a major talking point in music circles.
The featured artist on Saturday 27th June will be Séan Keane. Seán, from County Galway, is described as the `greatest musical find of the 90`s` by `The London Independent`. Traditional Irish, folk and even country and blues songs all lend themselves to his unique style and unforgettable voice. Seán learned the sean-nós style of singing from his mother and his aunts. He is an accomplished whistle, flute, uilleann pipes and bodhraun player. `A Portrait`, a collection of Seán`s songs, is a multi-platinum Irish seller. All of his solo albums are platinum sellers and remain in constant demand. Six solo albums later, Seán Keane continues to delight audiences all over the world with his live performances and recorded work. He tours regularly with his band in Ireland, Austria, Germany, the US and Canada as well as appearing at major festivals world-wide. He has just finished touring with his Scattering show which received a huge welcome in many venues across Ireland and beyond.
On Saturday 4th July Bunratty Folk Park will reverberate to the sound of Andy Irvine. Andy has been hailed as "a tradition in himself." Musician, singer and songwriter, Andy has maintained both personal integrity and highly individual performing skills throughout his 40-year career. From Sweeney's Men in the mid sixties to the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s, to the Irish super group, Patrick Street, in the 80s, Andy has been a world music pioneer and icon for traditional music and musicians. Andy Irvine needs little introduction attracting him to Bunratty to play in the lovely relaxing and intimate setting of the Park is a superb vote of confidence in the concert series.
Comedy will be the order of the day when well known and much loved comedian Jon Kenny promises to bring a tear of laughter to the eye on Saturday 11th July. Formerly one half of the highly successful D’Unbelievables, Jon started his career as a front man for a glam rock band in the 1970s. From there his career path travelled through the varied arenas of acting - both stage and film, comedic and tragic; mime; dance; comedic characterisation and stand up. He has been amazingly successful in all these fields, winning numerous awards along the way. These include a meteor award for the biggest selling DVD and a nomination for the prestigious Irish Times Best Actor Award. His present show demonstrates his varied talents. With an astute eye for the ridiculous in modern life, Jon focuses on Ireland’s new characters, lambasting the emerging eccentricities of the 21st century. Considering how much bad news is about at present Jon’s unorthodox view of daily life is certain to lift the hearts of those in the audience.
On Saturday July 18th - Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh & Manus Lunny will take centre stage. Mairéad is internationally known as one of the most important fiddle players that play in the unique Donegal style. This takes her to the world stage with her band ‘Altan’. Aside from playing with Altan, Mairéad is also renowned for her work on other projects. She has presented music programmes on both radio and television, like “The Long Note”, and “The Pure Drop”, and “The Full Set”. Mairéad is on recordings along with Enya, The Chieftains, Dolly Parton, The String Sisters and many others. In recent times Mairead has been writing new material and has been working closely with Manus Lunny who was first a member of Scottish/Irish band The Wild Geese. He then began to tour with Phil Cunningham and future long-term collaborator Andy M Stewart.They toured as a trio to begin with before branching out into other bands. Manus is best known as a member of celtic supergroup Capercaille. He has composed music for the BBC and various American television broadcasters and was a prominent session musician on two of Ireland's most well known compilations, Éist and Ceol Tacsi.vision recordings.
The sixth concert of the series will take place on Saturday 25th July – Líadan
Described by Hotpress Magazine as ‘wildly talented’ and as being ‘The next major global force in Irish traditional music’ by New York’s Irish Echo, Líadan’s mesmerising singing and creative instrumental music have been captivating audiences at home in Ireland and abroad since the band’s formation in Spring 2004. Blending together their rich musical backgrounds, these six talented young ladies create a fresh and exciting sound that explores both traditional and new material. From Galway and Limerick this inspiring all-female band comprises six members: Síle Denvir, harpist; Deirdre Chawke, piano accordion; Elaine Cormican, whistles; Valerie Casey and Claire Dolan, fiddles; Catherine Clohessy, flute. This is going to be a mighty night to round off the six concerts
Further information on these concerts is available on www.shannonheritage.com or by contacting Shannon Heritage reservations at 061-360788.
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Nandi O’Sullivan
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