Clifden Arts Festival set to hit all the right notes

Clifden is gearing-up for the opening of the 38th annual Clifden Arts Festival, which, this year features more than 200 acts and performances over 10 days from Thursday September 17 to Sunday September 27.

As always, music remains at the heart of the festival with an unrivalled line up of musical talent including many big Irish and International names.

Finbar Wright performs as part of his 25 year celebratory tour; while Christy Moore, who first played the festival in 1985, returns to West Connemara.

Also on the programme are Mick Flannery, The Máirtín O’Connor Trio, David Lyttle, Zoë Conway, John Mc Intyre and Celtic group Cherish The Ladies.

There’s a traditional concert with Matt Cranitch, Jackie Daly, Conal Ó’Gráda and special guest poet Bernard O’Donoghue in what is a music bill covering a multitude of genres from classical and traditional to country, folk, pop, jazz and rock.

There is also plenty on offer for classical music lovers, with a concert by Finghin Collins and Elizabeth Cooney on Friday September 18; while the RTE Contempo Quartet will take to the stage on Wednesday September 23 with special guest pianist Ishay Shaer, considered one of the leading pianists of his generation.

If it’s classical music with a jazzy undertone you’re after then, don’t miss The Ducasse Trio on Wednesday September 16, a meeting of the clarinet, violin and piano.

There is a Music Network concert with award-winning singer Kathleen Mac Innes accompanied by Dermot Byrne on accordion, Brian Finnegan on flute and Mike Vass on guitar on Friday September 18; while Brendan Shine will play on Wednesday September 23 as part of the celebration to mark 50 years in the business.

The Johnny Cash tribute band Walk The Line play on Friday September 25 for country music lovers; while jazz fans are in for a treat with performances from David Lyttle (Saturday September 19) and Les Follies (Wednesday September 23).

Mama Kin from Australia performs on Wednesday September 23, with my Fellow Sponges taking to the stage on Thursday September 17; and on the 20th anniversary of the extraordinary phenomenon that is Riverdance, Bill Whelan reflects on the evolution of this Irish dance phenomenon on Sunday September 20.

To purchase tickets or for more information, log on to www.clifdenartsfestival.ie.