REPORT
ON THE 9th ANNUAL NELL GALVIN TRADITIONAL MUSIC WEEKEND 2nd
3rd and 4th of SEPTEMBER 2011 AT GARRIHYS BAR MOYASTA
KILRUSH CO CLARE.
The 9th annual Nell
Galvin Festival proved to be the biggest and most successful to date both
from the attendance of patrons and musicians point of view. We had the
largest number of musicians so far in attendance over the weekend with some
coming from Achill Island, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Dublin, Limerick, Cork and
all parts of the U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel and England
attended and were both loud in their praise for the friendly atmosphere they
experienced and also the quality and continuous supply of traditional music
available throughout the weekend.
On Friday the 2nd the festival got off to a flying start with
music provided by Frank Custy and his group. At 9.00 pm the official opening
ceremony was performed by Joe Taylor formerly of Moyasta
but now residing in Tralee in Kerry.
Joe was a full of compliments for the Nell Galvin committee and
referred in particular to his treasured memories of Peadar Crotty our late
Chairman who died in 2009 and also others members of his family. He also
spoke of his memories of the late Nell Galvin and her husband Patrick and
the five members of their family who were regular visitors to Moyasta and to
Taylors Bar down through the years. Some of the Galvin family were talented
musicians in their own right and also good singers and entertainers. He
welcomed Nell Galvin’s grand daughter Geraldine Godfrey and Nell’s grandson
John Blackshall and their family’s to the festival. They had travelled from
the U.K. to be present. He wished the Nell Galvin Festival Committee all the
best for the future. A session then took place with Vincent Griffin Conor
McCarthy Yvonne Flynn and this was followed by music sessions throughout the
bar. Later in the evening the Four Courts Ceili Band played to the delights
of all the set dancers. The music continued in the Bar at Garrihy’s until
late.
On Saturday 3rd the free classes were held in Moyasta School, and this year all class were very well attended. The classes were in Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Flute, Concertina, Sean Nos Dancing, brush dancing and set dancing. The tutors were: Vincent Griffin, Paul Smith, Michael Lavelle, McDonagh brothers, Mairead Considine and Mary Murrihy.
From 2.30 pm music sessions took place in Garrihy’s bar with Ann Hayes, Mary Ann Sexton, James McNamara, Michael Falsey, James McMahon, Enda Greene and Brian the green area in Moyasta. After quiet an inclement morning of heavy showers and wind the sun shone on the largw crowd of musicians and spectators who were present to hear Joe O’Connor of Miltown Malbay (formerly Reachtaire of CCE in Clare) perform the ceremony. He spoke of his many happy travels around the country from Roscommon to Kerry and of course throughout County Clare with Peadar and of the fun and great memories he had of these occasions. He complimented the Nell Galvin Committee on the beautiful memorial to their late Chairman and wished them well for the future. A session of music then took place beside the memorial and a music tribute composed by Joe O’Connor in Peadar’s memory was sung by Tony O’Loughlin of Ennistymon and also played by him on the accordian.
During the night there were several music sessions throughout Garrihy’s Barwith Munnell, Kavanagh and Feeney families from Co. Mayo and exhibitions of Sean Nos dancing and brush dancing were given by the McDonagh brothers and Chloe Feeney.
Sunday morning Mass in Lisdeen Church was followed by a visit to Nell Galvin’s grave in Lisdeen Cemetery. PhylisGalvin wife of the late ichael Galvim who sadly passed away in March 2011, wes present at the Mass as were Geraldine Godfrey and John Backshall ( Nell’s grandchildren) together with a large contingent from Thurles Co. Tipperary.
At 2.00 pm Garrihy,s bar was packed with patrons listening to musical renditions by Tony Linnane, Mick Conneely, Mick Crehan, Angela Croyyy, Kevin Crawford ans Danny O’Mahony. The following is a list of Musicians who took part during the weekend:
Colin Sheehan, Murt Collins, Paul Smith, Mick Crehan, Angela Crotty, James McNamara, Tony Slattery, Jedd Foley, Vincent Griffin, Aoife Desmond, John Desmond, Colm Nestor, Frank Custy, Teresa Custy, Patrick O’Loughlin, John JoeTuttle, Flan Murtagh, Frankie McNamara, Conor McCarthy, Yvonne Flynn, Ann Hayes, Michael Falsey, Mary Ann Sexton, James McMahon, Bernie Coleman, Marie Munnelly, James O’Halloran, Bernie Eustace, Mick Conneely, Michael O’Brien, Kevin Crawford, Mick Connelly, Tony Linnane, Niamh O’Dea, E and G Coughlan, Padraigh McDonagh, Christy English, Caoimhe Cullinane, Ann O’Donoghue, Brian Clancy, Enda Greene, Soracha Costello, Padraigh Costello, Mary McNamara, Pat Thompson, John Hanrahan, M Mahoney, Frank Whelan and CCE Members, Jason Meaney, Tom Clohessy, Tony Slattery, Richard Cummins, Seamus Walshe, Mairead Considine, Darragh McDonagh, Mathew McDonagh, Mary Murrihy, Tommie McMahon, Breda Latham, Pat Kelly, Pat Reddan, Paul Conway, Pat McMahon, Orla Coughlan, Niamh Casey, Kevin Feeney, Francis Dooley, Jenny Thomas, AnthonyKavanagh, Dave Levine, Rory McMahon, Doutsen Roelots, Danny McMahon,Tony O’Loughlin, Jessie McNamara, Theresa McInerney, Pat Curtin, Sorocha Curtin, Michael Lavelle, Sean Lynch, P. Walshe, from Brittany and U.S.A. Two Ceili bands also attended the Four Courts and The Five Counties. An exhibition of set dancing by the all Ireland Junior winning Cross/Kilbaha took place on Sunday afternoon and also Micael O’Brien, Mary Murrihy and musicians from Brittant and U.S.A.
The Festival Committee received a very positive feed back from all who participated and from the patrons who attended the weekend. The classes on Saturday once again proved to be very popular and successful. The Festival has again proved to be a big financial boost for local B+B operators in the area, as the musicians travelling long distances stayed in accommodation paid for by the committee, but many more musicians and visitors stayed in accommodation paid for by themselves.
The Nell Galvin Committee are deeply indebted to all the musicians who attended this year and also to our local sponsors, the Clare County Council, Arts Council, Comhaltas Ceoilteoiri Eireann and to all those who contributed to the various articles in our programme. Thanks also to the Tutors for the classes because without their assistance we could not continue.
Committee Secretary.
For further information Tel: 087 2830511 or contact the Secretary here
