Featuring:

Dennis Noonan on Bodhrán & bones sings in a uniquely laid back style, drawing material from his native Dublin as well as Ulster & Scotland. The late Frank Harte would have thrilled at his deliveries of some of the more humourous and bawdy ballads.

Tommy Madden can lay claim to a lifetimes experience playing across the USA, England & Scotland and at venues all over Ireland, Playing with many legendary musicians. His bewildering knowledge of balladry draws on a wide range of material from Europe, America & Australia covering military, humourous, industrial, rural, urban and romantic songs.

Jerry Lombard served his time with some of the greatest musicians ever to play in Ireland, England and America. He has a seemingly endless repertoire of tunes and an equally extensive collection of tales and yarns to entertain one and all. Jerry’s lively playing style matches his attitude to life, music and the Craic.

Ciaran O Connel the driving force on the banjo

Musicians and music lovers travel from far and wide to these sessions and as such this core crew often encourage guest musicians to take part in the proceedings.

Featuring:

Dennis Noonan on Bodhrán & bones sings in a uniquely laid back style, drawing material from his native Dublin as well as Ulster & Scotland. The late Frank Harte would have thrilled at his deliveries of some of the more humourous and bawdy ballads.

Tommy Madden can lay claim to a lifetimes experience playing across the USA, England & Scotland and at venues all over Ireland, Playing with many legendary musicians. His bewildering knowledge of balladry draws on a wide range of material from Europe, America & Australia covering military, humourous, industrial, rural, urban and romantic songs.

Jerry Lombard served his time with some of the greatest musicians ever to play in Ireland, England and America. He has a seemingly endless repertoire of tunes and an equally extensive collection of tales and yarns to entertain one and all. Jerry’s lively playing style matches his attitude to life, music and the Craic.

Ciaran O Connel the driving force on the banjo

Musicians and music lovers travel from far and wide to these sessions and as such this core crew often encourage guest musicians to take part in the proceedings.

Born in Dublin 1970 Rónán Ó Snodaigh, one of six brothers, was brought up in an Irish speaking home. His mother is an artist and writer and his father a writer and publisher in the Irish language, Rónán was immersed in an atmosphere of culture and creativity from early days. He started writing poetry in his teens, selling his work on the streets of Dublin’s city centre where he also started his musical career, busking with a collective of young musicians including Glen Hansard, Mic Christopher and Paddy Casey. Kíla started to take form from this busking fraternity with Rónán on bodhran and vocals. They quickly earned wider recognition for their unique blend of traditional Irish, rock and an ability to absorb just about any other musical culture into their writing pot.

In the 80’s Rónán performed and toured with renowned band Dead Can Dance, as percussionist. Returning from these world, stadium tours to write and record, he was soon on the road touring the world with Kíla too.
Celebrating their 25th year together Kíla have played in over 40 countries and worked in every continent to date. They have released 9 albums since the early 1990’s including sound track to the Oscar nominated film The Secret of Kells which they composed and recorded with world renowned film composer Bruno Coulais. They have long been regarded one of Ireland best world music bands and Rónán one of the most innovative and creative bodhrán players. Rónán has recently been endorsed by Korg for their electronic percussion instrument the Wavedrum

BIOGRAPHY
Throughout these years Rónán also found time to build his own solo catalogue. Swopping hat as bodhrán player and lead singer to singer songwriter and composer on multiple instruments, Rónán has produced five solo albums and one soundtrack album to date. Stretching his vocal chords in the English language he had produced four albums sung thought mainly English.
The gloriously musical Tip Toe and The Playdays bringing together strings, brass and guitar, to the more stark The Last Mile Home, a nod to the blues, and the deliciously funky Water off a Duck’s Back.

Tonnta Ró, an all Irish, all percussion album came in the middle and Rónán is currently working on another all Irish guitar based album. His solo work overshadowed or over run by his commitment to Kíla in the past is now getting a bit more space to exist as Kíla are a little less busy.
Rónán has composed for a number of TV and film projects over the years, and his instrumental album Wild Journeys is the soundtrack accompanying RTE/ Crossing The Line Nature Series of the same name.

In the past five years Rónán has played a number of gigs with fellow gaeilgóir Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hot House Flowers) Brought together by their manager for a one off gig for the World Bodhrán Championships, these gigs have been widely acclaimed gems, a brilliant pairing they collaborate and share their musical genius on stage with free abandon. Rónán has also been invited to be part of Donal Dineens parish collective for a few very memorable gigs, seeing his extraordinary bodhrán playing accompanying Donal’s DJing…

Always keen to share his experience and knowledge, Rónán has produced a series of short bodhrán workshop videos free to view on youtube and gives frequent workshop/master class in bodhrán/ percussion and singing.

Rónán’s contribution to the Irish language, bodhrán playing and Dublin’s music scene is being realized and he will go down in history for his boundless energy on and off stage. In his own words he has loved every minute and his main ambition in music continues to be to enjoy and have fun with it at every opportunity.

Jack O’Rourke is one of those mercurial artists whose musical imagination and personality has made him an intriguing entity to his many fans.
A songwriter who first came to prominence with his ode to misunderstood youth, ‘Silence’ – which became a torch song for the Irish Marriage Equality Referendum – Jack went on to release his debut album Dreamcatcher to massive acclaim, peaking at No.5 in the Irish album charts and drawing huge critical praise – Tony Clayton Lea calling it “a seriously good album from a seriously good songwriter” in The Ticket and Lauren Murphy describing it as “a highly accomplished debut” in The Sunday Times.
Jack’s voice – a rich baritone capable of ethereal falsetto, wraps around his tunes like a waif. Hunched around a piano, Jack is a subtle and intense performer, “showing a deftness when it comes to dissecting the minutiae of relationships and examining the human condition in a manner worthy of lyrical forebears Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits”, – Don Johnston, The Irish Examiner
A natural melody writer, with chord changes unexpected yet familiar, as a lyricist, Jack manages to combine that most difficult and delicate of writing traits – the ability to convey the personal whilst making it universal. A key to his success to date is having made himself identifiable to music fans of many tastes, yet still keeping enough in the background to make further investigation a necessity. From winning the Nashville-based International Songwriting Award to playing his Dreamcatcher album live with an orchestra at Cork Opera House, Jack’s fledgling career has been conspicuous by its high water marks and now the songwriter is set to embark on another phase of his journey.

The piano always remains central to what Jack does. Comparisons have been drawn over the initial years to various musicians (Bowie, Kate Bush, John Grant, Guy Garvey) However, the further Jack embarks into his own musical oeuvre, his own identity has begun to emerge and it is one that has its roots in a classic troubadour tradition, but with a modern and contemporary twist. Synths, cellos and clarinets – whatever serves the song. The Corkman’s grasp of a song has led to several notable collaborations to date; namely with Glen Hansard at Other Voices, the Irish Chamber Orchestra at Vicar St, vocals with Imelda May, Hot House Flowers and Bell X1, while joining the Freezer Room ensemble at Electric Picnic with the likes of Wallis Bird and Tracy K. His collaboration with electronic producer Kormac has yielded the hit ‘New Day’ with almost half a million views on YouTube to date.
After touring Dreamcatcher extensively, including sold out shows throughout Ireland and his first forays to London and Paris, Jack has recently returned to studio to begin its follow-up. This summer he bucked a well-trod seasonal trend of the music industry by delivering a slow-burning, grandiose opus to radio in ‘Myth’. An epic tune underpinned by Grecian mythology, ‘Myth’ proved a hit across the country’s airwaves and showed an uncompromising side to O’Rourke and one that was daring to take his music to new and interesting places. The next single ‘Ivory Towers’ may well surprise listeners who think they may have Jack figured out.
It has been a compelling journey to this point, but the next phase looks likely to be the one that brings Jack to an even bigger audience. In the tradition of Ray Charles, Jack has the soul of a piano man with deep roots, yet with a sense of adventure that will see it difficult to remain in a complacent, safe place musically. Jack’s new EP in 2019 will shed new light on the direction this most captivating of Irish songwriters is likely to go. We wait with great anticipation . . .

“Dreamcatcher is an album that knows when to swing for the fences, see the bombastic joie de vivre of the baroque-pop masterpiece ‘Naivety’ or the fun fuzz-laden nod of the head to Bowie ‘Iggy’, and to opt for a more nuanced restrained sound, look to the weighty strings and pensive piano of ‘Silence’. 9/10.”
— The Last Mixed Tape

“Jack O’ Rourke’s music has a grace and a glory to it that will stop you in your tracks and make you forget where you were going! “Silence” is one of the songs of the year for me.. “I’ll Forget You In The Morning” took me away too …. Beautiful honest songwriting delivered with a transporting musicality that will take you there… wherever you are going!”
— Fiachna O’ Braonáin, RTE Radio 1

“Jack O’Rourke is one of Ireland’s most exciting new emerging talents”
— I.M.R.O. ( Irish Music Rights Organisation) Ireland

“Silence is a modern rebel song. The song is truly beautiful. It the change that happened in Ireland”
— Cerys Matthews, BBC4 – The Great Irish Songbook, 2015

“This is a seriously good album from a seriously good songwriter. ★★★★”
— Tony Clayton Lea, The Irish Times

The 2019 Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally will see one of the most recognisable and popular rally stars of his generation, Mikko Hirvonen set to compete on this year’s event. The Finnish superstar and former Ford works driver will take the wheel of a Ford Escort Mk2 for St. Patrick’s weekend. Mikko helped Ford to manufacturer titles in both 2006 & 2007 and he was runner up in the World Rally Championship four times behind Sebastian Loeb.

He retired from the World Rally Championship scene in 2014 after taking fifteen career victories in the series. In recent years he has competed on rally raids, most notably the Paris-Dakar Rally. Mikko has some Irish tarmac experience having competed on Rally Ireland twice in 2007 & 09 as well as the Cork 20 Rally in 2007which was used as a warm up for Irelands WRC round that year.

The Theme this year is Cultural / Musical / Colour but not necessarily, so basically anything goes! Entry is free - simply forward details using email clontwinning@gmail.com or alternatively complete Entry Form which may be obtained from Clonakilty Town Hall.

Route will be the same as normal from Faxbridge to Western Road and floats should assemble in the Ashe Street Car Park at 12.15 p.m.
The Cork Butter Exchange Band will be the main marching band.

Each year the recitals on the streets are warmly received and with your kind co-operation we plan to follow the same format again this year. In addition we will mark the occasion with a commemorative programme, details of which will be announced later.

As we expect many visitors to town on that weekend it is important that bands staying overnight should book accommodation without delay. Contact Clonakilty Tourist Office at 023-8833226 or email chamber@clonakilty.

Rules and Entry Form attached (click here).  Please complete the entry form and return it as soon as possible but not later than Friday, April 12 – hard copy only.

We look forward to your participation.  If you know of any other band which has not come to Clonakilty in the past, please pass on the word.  You are our best referees.

Together let us make our 40th event truly memorable!