10,000 expected for Clancy Brothers Festival

CROWDS of up 10,000 people are expected to descend on Carrick-on- Suir this weekend for the annual Clancy Brothers Music and Arts Festival.

Last year’s version saw more than 8,000 attend and organisers are expecting greater numbers this time, thanks to a wider programme of events and an extra day.

Among the music headliners are Mundy and Paddy Casey who will perform at the open-air Rock on the Suir concert, with ticket sales already reported to be strong, while Paul Brady’s performance on Sunday night is almost sold out.

The festival got under way last night when Mary Clancy, wife of the late Paddy Clancy, hosted an evening concert at the Brewery Lane Theatre: From Carnegie to Carrick with the Clancy Brothers.

“In 2010,” chairperson Ross Clery said, “we had phenomenal visitor numbers to Carrick-on-Suir for the festival.

“This year the festival programme has broadened and the number of days the festival runs has also been extended, so all in all we are offering a much more diverse programme for festival-goers.”

The Eoghan Power Memorial Singing Competition also took place yesterday evening in Figgerty’s Pub, featuring an acoustic session reminiscent of that of the Clancy Brothers’ early days in the White Horse Tavern pub in New York.

A traditional busking competition will take place throughout the weekend as the self-styled “hometown of folk music” will showcase talent from traditional musicians from all across Ireland.

Music is to the fore at the annual festival and Rock on the Suir, the open-air concert, will take place at the Wicklow Gardens on Carrick’s North Quay tomorrow from 4pm.

Along with Mundy and Paddy Casey, also in the line-up are El Hombre Jokes, Chimpanbee and Amber Jean.

An art trail featuring over 100 artists, students and photographers starts today at venues throughout the town, culminating in an exclusive exhibition, River Suir Inspired, at Ormonde Castle which will run throughout the festival weekend.

A children’s parade tomorrow afternoon will precede a free family fun afternoon which will take place at Kickham Street.

With Carrick being the hometown of world-famous cyclist Sean Kelly, the festival has a cycling element to it with the Carrick Wheelers Challenge Sportive taking place on Sunday, followed by more free family events at Sean Healy Park.