Thumbs up for TradAthy

Barrow Rail Bridge, AthyImage via Wikipedia"TRADATHY, Athy’s traditional Irish music festival has been deemed a big success attracting a huge crowd from Athy, Kildare and further afield.
The festival was held over the May Bank holiday weekend and attracted bands and musicians from Clare, Galway and more, as well as traditional Irish dancers which all culminated in a free weekend of ceol agus craic.
As Emma from Clancy’s Pub described it, “there were instruments all over the pub throughout the weekend” with open sessions on during the day and special performances on the nights.
2011 celebrates 45 years of the weekly Clancy Trad session in Athy, making it the longest running free music session in Ireland. Emma said: “We wanted to make it as big as possible to put Athy on the map for traditional music.” James Mahon of Athy Town Council officially opened the event. Local acts like Daurus, from North Kildare, Brian Hughes, the well-known tin-whistle player and Athy band The Clancy Group took to the stage in the back room of Clancy’s over the weekend. Seamus Byrne, who plays in Clancy’s every Thursday night was awarded a token from the staff at Clancy’s as a means of showing their thanks and support of all he does."
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