White Horse Guitar Club Shines at Clifden Arts Festival

The annual Clifden Arts Festival showcased an impressive array of talent, with the White Horse Guitar Club emerging as a standout attraction during their performance at Clifden’s Town Hall Theatre on September 24, 2023. This eleven-member, all-male group captivated the audience with a unique mix of Americana, folk, and sharp Cork wit, earning a standing ovation. Following the show, fans eagerly lined up to purchase CDs before the group departed on a bus marked for Ballincollig.

Festival activities kicked off on September 20, 2023, with a formal opening by former Minister Éamon Ó Cúiv, which set the tone for a vibrant community gathering. Local music group Comhaltas provided entertainment, emphasizing the talents of young performers. Throughout the week, Clifden Community School hosted a variety of music sessions, workshops, talks, and poetry readings as part of the festival’s schools’ programme. Students also played a vital role by assisting at various events across the town.

Co-artistic Director Des Lally expressed enthusiasm over this year’s attendance figures, noting an influx of new visitors alongside familiar faces. “I’ve been involved with the festival for a lot of years and it’s great to welcome familiar faces, but this year we are seeing a lot of new people. I’m amazed by the number of people coming from Galway on the bus, for the day, to attend events. It’s great,” he remarked.

Festival Highlights and Upcoming Events

The Clifden Arts Festival runs until September 28, 2023, featuring a variety of engaging events. On Saturday evening, the Grand Parade will showcase performances from Luxe and Fidget Feet. Additionally, on Friday, Dublin-based Donaghy and Diamond Architects will host a talk at the Station House Theatre at 11:00, focusing on ecology and continuity in landscape design, including insights from research conducted on Clare Island and the Aran Islands. “Anyone interested in architecture and the environment will enjoy it,” Des added.

Later that day, poets Moya Cannon and Bernard O’Donoghue will present a reading at 15:00, accompanied by harper Kathleen Lougnane. Following this, at 17:00, Off the Ball’s Ciarán Murphy will discuss his new book, *Old Parish: Notes on Hurling*, with Sinéad O’Carroll of the Journal, exploring the history and allure of the sport. A free performance from Fidget Feet and Volkidána is scheduled for 19:00 in the Showgrounds.

Exhibitions will continue across various venues in Clifden until the festival concludes. The final event, *One for the Road*, featuring traditional musicians Noel Hill and Paddy Glackin, will take place at midday on September 28 in the Station House Theatre.

While some events have already sold out, tickets remain available for others. Des Lally encourages attendees to check the festival’s official website, www.clifdenartsfestival.ie, for the latest updates and ticket information, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the vibrant cultural offerings of this year’s festival.