That unique group of musical friends, Bofin to Burren, gave a fantastic performance of music, singing and dancing at Glór in Ennis last night, as part of Fleadh Nua 2017. In what must be one of the best ever trad performances in Glór, the legendary Dessie O’Halloran from Inishbofin had the audience captivated and enthralled and shouting for more as the concert came to a close. If you missed this wonderful evening, you still have a chance to get to the last concert in the Fleadh Nua 2017 concert programme, this evening at 8.00pm in Glór. Featuring Jackie Daly and Matt Cranitch, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Gerry O’Beirne, this concert will draw together five of the greatest performers of traditional music in the intimate atmosphere of Glór. Tickets http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?pid=8401307&agency=GLORMUSICLTD

Street Seisiún - Scoil Chríost Rí Band With Fleadh Nua 2017 in full swing, students of Scoil Chríost Rí, Cloughleigh entertain the crowd at a rainy 'Height' in Ennis today. The band includes tin whistles, flutes, button and piano accordions, concertinas, banjos, mandolins, fiddles, guitars, djembe drums and céilí drums!

Take to the Fleadh Nua Session Trail around the Pubs and Bars of Ennis to enjoy the best of traditional musicians from all over Clare and beyond. http://fleadhnua.com/index.php/session-trail

RICHES OF CLARE - FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES The Sanctuary, Queens Hotel - 1pm ‘The Riches of Clare’, is a series of free lunchtime concerts throughout the county, organised by the Arts Office of Clare County Council. Five concerts in the series will take place during Fleadh Nua week featuring a great line-up of the best of traditional musicians from County Clare and beyond. Mon 22nd May Geraldine Cotter, Eamon Cotter, Cillian Boyd & Meadhbh Boyd Tue 23rd May Keran Kissane, Marcus Moloney, AnneMarie McCormack & Mossie Griffin Wed 24th May Martin Breen, Seamus Bugler, Pat Mullins & Fergal Breen Thu 25th May Kevin Finucane, Brian Morgan, Brendan Organ, & Monica Morgan Fri 26th May Siobhan Peoples, Murt Ryan, Peter Browne & Dessie Kelliher

Cupán Ceoil – Café Music Sessions http://fleadhnua.com If you enjoy listening to "The Cup of Tea" as much as drinking one, then head for the following Cafés at 11.00 a.m. during Fleadh Nua. Monday, 22nd May Food Heaven, Market Street Murty Ryan and Dessie Kelleher Tuesday, 23rd May Café Aroma, Bank Place Blackie O'Connell and Cyril O' Donoghue Wednesday, 24th May Bia Agus Caifé, Friary Car Park Eamon Cotter and Geraldine Cotter Thursday, 25th May O’Brien’s, Abbey Street Car Park Eoin O’Neill and Yvonne Casey Friday, 26th May The Town Hall, O’Connell Street Brenda Castles agus a cara Saturday, 27th May Rowan Tree Café, Harmony Row Therese McInerney and Conor O’Loughlin

RIANTA IN CONCERT Temple Gate Hotel – Wed 24th May, 8.00pm - €10 Rianta is Ireland’s new and exciting four piece band that is setting pulses racing with their innovative melodies and heart-warming songs. Featuring Tara Breen, Conor Moriarty, Stephen Rooney and Eamon Rooney, this band’s music reflects the energy and emotion of a group of very talented and polished performers, all of whom have achieved success at the highest level. BOOK NOW http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?pid=8426644&agency=GLORMUSICLTD

The final concert of Fleadh Nua 2017 will draw together five of the greatest performers of traditional music and singing to perform in the intimate atmosphere of glór. Matt Cranitch and Jackie Daly have established enviable, international reputations and their playing together, on CD and in live performances, displays great virtuosity and interpretation of a vibrant musical tradition. Jackie Daly and Matt Cranitch are acknowledged masters of the rich musical tradition of Sliabh Luachra in the southwest of Ireland. This culturally unique area on the Cork / Kerry border is renowned for its distinctive style of playing, special repertoire, and as a source of inspiration for both Jackie and Matt. Their most recent album, Rolling On, draws upon this rich legacy. As Dan Neely said in the NY Irish Echo, Separately, they are brilliant to hear but together they are sublime.” A recording sure to become a reference point of the tradition, it offers a wide range of tunes, old and new, from slides and polkas to reels and airs, played in the wonderfully expressive manner for which Matt and Jackie are justly famous. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is an award-winning traditional singer and musician from Corca Dhuibhne, Co.Kerry. A leading exponent of the sean nós style, her repertoire also includes songs from a wide variety of folk and contemporary sources. Her childhood in West Kerry saw her immersed in a rich cultural environment and vital living tradition, which was to be hugely influential on the foundation of her distinctive vocal and instrumental sound. Singer and musician Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh will be joined by celebrated fiddle player Dónal O’Connor and the song writer and musician, Gerry O’Beirne.

Bofin to Burren is a coming together of some of Ireland’s best known traditional musicians. Fronted by Inisbofin’s Dessie O’Halloran, of Sharon Shannon fame, it also includes Céilí House’s Kieran Hanrahan on banjo and ‘At the Racket’s’ Seamus O’Donnell on saxophone, flute and vocals. Returning to glór after their riveting opening concert for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2016, Bofin to Burren will be joined by some very special guests, including the great West Kerry musician and singer, Séamus Begley and fiddle player Oisín MacDiarmada.

The future of our traditional music, singing and dance is always in the hands of the “Aos Óg”, the young generation. The Aos Óg Concert has always been a key event in the Fleadh Nua, which takes place in Ennis each year. This year, the concert will feature some of the best young traditional musicians, singers and dancers from Co. Clare and beyond.

Rianta is Ireland’s new and exciting four piece band that is setting pulses racing with their innovative melodies and heart-warming songs. Featuring Tara Breen, Conor Moriarty, Stephen Rooney and Eamon Rooney, this band’s music reflects the energy and emotion of a group of very talented and polished performers, all of whom have achieved success at the highest level.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day