Butcher swaps steaks for strings to host guitar fest
MJ O’Neill’s is one of several unorthodox venues to host performances by virtuosos from around the world as part of the West Cork town’s popular guitar festival, which begins this Thursday.
Shows will also be held in the town library, schools, and youth café.
“We’ll be moving the pork chops and the steaks to make room for some music — but we’ll also be dishing up gourmet sausages to the audience,” joked owner Michael O’Neill, who’ll be hosting his event between 3pm and 5pm on Saturday.
“This is our third year doing it. It’s very different, but it’s a bit of craic and it creates a bit of a stir –— though the music can be a bit loud at times.”
The eighth Clonakilty Guitar Festival runs until Saturday, celebrating one of the world’s most versatile and influential musical instruments.
National and international guitar virtuosos will descend upon the town, with attractions ranging from the sublime performances of legendary Texan Rodney Branigan, who plays two guitars at once, to the bizarre shows of New Yorker Thomas Truax.
A former magician, Truax is famed for his peculiar homemade instruments which include the ‘Hornicator’.
Australian musician Steve Cooney, and the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra will also make appearances.
About 90% of the performances are free, says Ray Blackwell, a member of the organising committee: “We’re making a conscious effort to use different venues like the schools, the library, the butcher’s shop — it’s all about accessibility. Also, we like putting stuff out of context — it makes a memorable experience of it. Most of the shows are for all ages,” he said, adding that the festival attracts more than 2,000 visitors to the town.
“We’ve had people coming from the Caymen Islands, Estonia, the USA, Holland, Germany, and the UK. The backbone of the festival is the workshops: We try to get international artists into the schools to do mini- workshops.”
* clonguitarfest.com
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