Mayo trad talent excels at inaugural ‘Hooley in the Hall’
A memorable night of themed music performances was presented by a number of local acts at the inaugural Hooley in the Hall concert at Claremorris Town Hall.
The event perfectly rounded off a most successful St. Patrick’s weekend festival that featured the largest ever attended parade and fireworks display.
Compered by Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, who welcomed attendees and extended a warm ‘Cead Mile Failte’ to special guests Patrick Cassidy, the world renowned composer, and his brother Frank, his manager, who are both living in Los Angeles. Patrick was grand marshal for the parade.
The Chloe Feeney Music & Dance School from Roundfort began the evening of entertainment with a rendition of traditional music and folk songs, with Chloe singing, Shane McGrath on the guitar, culminating in a series of highly energetic sean nós dancing, performed by a selection of her young students, some of whom hold All-Ireland titles.
Taking up practically all of the large stage space was Music Generation Mayo, with no less than 14 young harpists, led by Grainne Hambly and her husband William Jackson, performing a selection of 19th century tunes blending with modern day compositions. Grainne, originally from Mayo Abbey, along with William, have dedicated their lives and careers in promoting harp music, performing all over the world and teaching their 35 young students under the Music Generation Mayo banner.
After a short break, the ‘Hooley’ began in earnest, with the Gilligan’s Bar Traditional Music Group performing for the first time on a main stage. They took to the theme straight away with an array of rousing jigs and reels, much to the crowd’s pleasure, who called for, not one but two encores!
They were mesmerised in particular of the magnificent tin whistle playing by Anne Morley of ‘The Lonesome Boatman’.
The stage debutants were Anne Morley (tin whistle), Eoin Davey (fiddle), Anthony Kavanagh (banjo), Cillian Gallagher (accordion), Declan Burke (bodhran) and Rory Walsh (guitar and vocals).
Both Patrick and Frank Cassidy, natives of Claremorris, who began their musical careers in the traditional music scene, were most impressed with the high quality local musical talent on show on the night.
“It is always a joy to return to Claremorris, where I was born, to meet old and new friends. Having attended the Hooley concert in the town hall, to witness the immense and varied talent that Claremorris and the surrounding district has to offer, was truly remarkable.
“To see young musicians, dancers and singers performing is always to me the most profound and beautiful thing in this world. I would like to thanks everyone involved for this most memorable evening,” stated Patrick.
Frank Cassidy was also impressed with the beautiful setting at the town hall, with the sound and lighting perfected by Darragh Burke. “We were blown away, with the broad variety and the excellent performances by all of the groups. Claremorris can be very proud,” he said.
On behalf of the organisers, the Claremorris Community Sports & Recreational Centre, Jarlath Sweeney, co-chair, thanked the acts for giving up their time on this special occasion on a busy festive weekend.
A note of appreciation was also extended to the young harpists who travelled to Claremorris from other parts of the county to be there and to Colmán and Darragh and the team at the town hall for their part on the memorable night.