O'Riada Concert, Fleadh Nua 2010 and 'Close Encounters of the Comhaltas Kind'.

Maybe it was the weather, but I got the impression that there were not as many tourists(or people,come to think of it) at the Fleadh Nua this year. To be honest, I didn't stick around too long myself, I caught a session or two on Saturday and Sunday. I noticed a decrease in gypsies selling those massive balloons with rice in them, and bad hairbraiding jobs (the majority have probably left for Slovakia or wherever). However there are always good silver jewelry vendors in the square.

The 'gig rig' was at the square, and various grúpa ceols and céilí bands provided entertainment. O'Connell St was made a pedestrian-only zone, and THAT is when I noticed the difference between a sunny Fleadh and a rainy Fleadh. Give us good weather and we come out in droves: I bet there were tons of Ennis-folk and beyond, looking out the window thinking 'ah sher, we should make an effort and go to a session or something', but staying in to watch the 'Some place has got Talent' instead.

The Fleadh Nua is always a great occassion, but I prefer the Trad fest later in the year (when the weather is crap, and more spontaneity with the programmed events). I'm not going to get into a big Comhaltas debate, my traditional music ideology is a firmly neutral one.....Whatever about the roles and responsibilities of Comhaltas-heads, and there are/were some fabulous people involved, BUT, I am waiting for the day when Labhras O Múrchú sets up a Comhaltas party and takes over the government It seemed like such a great idea back in the 1950s, but the corruption doesn't go unnoticed, the organization needs to modernize, get with the times. I feel like a hypocrite of the first order, because I have been employed by them over the years, but that's business! It is a funny and contentious subject amongst musicians, almost all of them have had 'Close Encounters of the Comhaltas Kind' at some stage in their musical lives. I think the perceived embarassment of being alligned with Comhaltas has something to do with the competitions? I'd be interested in hearing what you all think! On a more positive note, Comhaltas have an amazing online (free) archival database which will have a huge impact on Irish traditional music scholarship and research! You can access that web-archive here. 

The Celebrity Concert paid homage to luminaries Brian Prior and Sonny Murray with a great cast of musicians from Clare and beyond. I still think it's hilarious that it's called the 'Celebrity Concert' though.... I always liked the Fleadh Nua because it means that Willie Clancy Week isn't far off, and us Ennis-folk can wander with pashtey skin onto the beaches once more. Hopefully the weather will be great this year, Clare is a beautiful place when the weather is right. Beaches, vast landscapes, mountain peaks, and a range of odd and wonderful festivals. I think it is worth noting that Ennis has a vibrant traditional music scene outside of these festivals, and so you don't need an 'excuse' to go out and enjoy music when it is available to you in several bars, every night of the week, almost every night of the year!

Peadar O'Riada, Cór Cúl Aodha, Ceoltóirí Chualann, Peadar O'Loughlin, Geraldine Cotter, Maeve Donnelly, Eamon Cotter, Hugh Healy, Blackie O'Connell, Edel Fox, Tara Breen, and many other musicians performed at a benefit gig in Glór recently. The historic occassion commemorated Seán Ó Riada, and raised funds to commission a memorial sculpture of him. I'm not sure about the full story, but I imagine the government made a promise of it, and (surprise surprise) the project fell through.

Aside from raising money for a worthy cause, the concert also raised the profile of Seán O Riada's work, reaffirming his position as a real figurehead for Irish Traditional music composition, and performance. It was a full house, and everyone had a great time. Peadar O 'Riada has a new album out with Martin Hayes and Caoimhin O'Raghallaigh called 'Triúr sa Draighean' featuring all new compositions. It's fantastic, you can buy it in Custy's or Peadar's website: http://www.peadaroriada.ie/

The Rowan Tree, Harmony Row. - Not your average dingy hostel. 9/10

Sitting beside the calm flow of the River Fergus drinking a damn fine cup of coffee, it is clear that this cafe/bar slash restaurant and fancy hostel is a big hit in Ennis. ‘The Buena Vista Social Club’ is piped outside to the terrace full of lunchtime diners, reminding us how lucky we are to have a warm and dry day. Managing director Brian O’Neill tells me that he and his partner Marianne developed this idea after realizing that yes, there was a niche market in Ennis for both casual dining and no-fuss hostel accommodation that doesn’t break the bank. It is obvious that Brian loves it, he speaks with great enthusiasm about the Rowan Tree which is approaching its first birthday this August; of course this is good to hear, as oppose to the usual down and out whinging of late due to the dreaded ‘r’ word (rhymes with ‘session’). Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the town, the property itself dates back to 1740 when it was originally a gentleman’s club; ‘they had tons of money, good taste and time to build it’ says Brian. So he and Marianne have hardly touched the original structure ‘we just enhanced what was there’. There is a range of options for foodies and wine connoisseurs: from light bites to evening dinners and an extensive wine list.

The interior has high ceilings, great light, and ambience. Very importantly they have suitably spaced tables allowing for conversation (this is not a cafeteria people!). One of my gripes with cafes/bistros these days is the extortionate price of scones: it’s a scone, not haute cuisine! In fact, scones are pretty ugly looking things, and I will welcome anyone to try and convince me otherwise. In the Rowan Tree, a yummy freshly baked scone is a measly €1.80, and so it should be! My favourite salad is their Bluebell honey and garlic goats cheese salad with roasted cherry tomatoes and rocket leaves drizzled with house dressing and basil pesto. It is only €6.95 and thankfully it isn’t drowned in dressing. A salad dressing should only coat the leaves of the salad, what is wrong with people who drown salads? :-( While the weather is fine, why not go for a glass of their Campo Nuevo Garnacha Rosado rosé with a crisp salad?

Their menus read ‘good food Mediterranean style’, but it has its own stamp: great locally-sourced ingredients, consistent presentation, friendly and knowledgeable staff who are on the ball and a unique location. I sometimes sense an air of pretension in nouveau-med-bistro joints, but this place is just plain chilled-out.



For menus/rates/bookings see:
www.rowantreehostel.ie
(Breakfast 10-12, Lunch 12-5pm and Dinner 5pm-10pm.)

Brian and Marianne also run the award-winning Kinlay House in Dublin.
www.kinlaydublin.ie