Then & Now: Dancing days are here again in Limerick

WELCOME AUGUST the month associated with holidays, warm sunny days, seaside visits, festivals, concerts, fleadh cheoils and lots of entertainment.

This week I include a few of the entertainment venues some I have visited so far. The county Fleadh Cheoil was held in Kilfinane in May and was very successful. Continuing in the same vein the popular Hup Na Houra traditional music song and dance show in the Old Chapel Rooms Kilfinane returned on Tuesday August 1, at 8pm.

It continues for just two more nights, August 8, and 15 and performers include Liam Hickey, Liam Flanagan and Séan O Fearghail. The seated candlelit setting of the venue and the complimentary refreshments that are served accompanied by local artisan produce make it a very enjoyable night out. Booking is essential due to limited numbers, phone 087-4548501, email hupnahoura@gmail.com

Close by is the platform dancing at Davy's Cottage Ballinvreena on Sunday nights. This unique event recalling our past traditions is available for another few Sunday nights with the following bands on stage from 8pm to 10.30pm: Dermot and Irene Ring, Colm Burke, Dermot Lyons, Uí Bhriain. The cottage is situated off the Kilfinane to Tipperary road. Follow the signpost for Ballinvreena Community Centre (approximately 1.5km) Eircode V35C894. It is well worth a visit, and if it rains the dancing goes indoors across the road.

The Flag Floor Rambling House came into being in 1996 out of necessity to find a venue for Carrigkerry Wrenboys. The members of the group came together and bought an old farmhouse belonging to Pat and Theresa O'Neill who had retired from farming and were moving to Newcastle West to live. The Wrenboys aim was to use the building as a headquarters to cater for their needs as it was almost impossible to get a venue to hold Wren nights and sessions attended by large crowds.

They carried out renovations and adjustments to the building to bring it into line to suit their requirements. The work was carried out by voluntary labour from group members. The Flag Floor has a lot to recommend it with a fine timber floor for dancing and a kitchen area for providing food. Two stoves provide heating in winter and the yard provides plenty of room for parking. It is an ideal venue for card playing, Irish nights, Wren nights and other traditional events.

The old-style interior, decorations and memorabilia on the walls, are reminders of past attendees, events, and add to the attraction. The weekly music and set dancing sessions continue for the summer months at the Flag Floor Glensharrold, Carrigkerry. A first right turn past Carrigkerry on the Glin Road will get you to the old-style farmhouse. From the Glin/Ballyhahill road first left after Carrig Celtic FC Grounds. There is no Eircode, but the venue is just past V9439N9. The sessions continue each Tuesday from 9pm to 11.30pm, teas are served, admission is €5, and all are welcome for a great night's entertainment.

All present enjoyed the music dancing and lots of laughter and fun
Then they sat back and relaxed as Nuala sang My Old Fenian Gun
Even when the last set was danced the crowd were shouting for more
Not wishing to leave the Flag Floor along by the White River shore.

SEISIÚN SHOWS
The very enjoyable Seisiún Shows are currently being held throughout Ireland during August. Templeglantine Comhaltas Branch are the hosts of the Limerick show at the Devon Inn Hotel on Thursday nights at 8.30pm. Visitors and locals can enjoy a great night's entertainment and can participate if they wish in the proceedings in the second half of the show. Admission adults €7, children €3 and all are welcome. In Cork on Tuesday nights at 9pm at Bruach na Carriage Rockchapel, €5 and on Wednesday nights at 8pm at Freemount Heritage Centre, €10 including tea and treats.

I attended the Seisiún Show in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine on Thursday July 20. It was the second night as the popular show returned after a break of four years due to Covid. The MC was Tadhg O'Maolcatha the Munster Chairperson of Comhaltas and the local Templeglantine Comhaltas branch were hosts. The two-hour show attracted a very enthusiastic audience who were treated to an excellent night of traditional music, song, storytelling and dance. The best of talent was assembled and performed in groups and solo sessions to the delight of all present.

Templeglantine were the All Ireland Céilí Band winners in 2010. The members included John Larkin (banjo), Pat Buckley (drums), Mairead Corridon (concertina), Willie Larkin (button accordion), Aileen Dillane (piano), Jackie Healy (flute), Siobhan Condron (flute), Patricia Wright (fiddle), Eibhlin Healy (fiddle), Bríd Murphy (fiddle).

The group of musicians opened the show with a selection of tunes, followed by Con Warren who sang the very popular local song Barnagh Hill. Four youthful dancers danced the Humours of Bandon and Marie, Ultan, Ita and Mike took the floor for a half set and danced the first part of the West Limerick Polka. Next was a Slip Jig from the dancers and a lilting tune from Liam Broderick. The talented Flannery sisters Caoimhe and Eimhear from Rockchapel, on fiddle and concertina continued with the lively music. Bronagh played a slow air on the harp, followed by the group dancers with a hornpipe.

JP McManus and John Kiely gallop to victory at Galway Races

Eileen Broderick sang Over the Mountain followed by the group of dancers performing Jockey to the Fair. Liam Broderick sang My Beauty of Limerick which was very appropriate with Limerick contesting the All-Ireland senior hurling final on the following Sunday. A selection of music concluded the first half of the show. A special mention to 90-year-old Paddy Heffernan who accompanied the musicians on the bodhran. After a short break the second half commenced with the informal part of the proceedings. A feature was the performance given by the very young entertainers. A bodhran player, bones player, dancers of a 4-hand reel, a reel duo and a solo jig.

Patsy Kelly sang Come Home to Abbeyfeale and Ita McQuinn recited The Making of Friends. Shoe the Donkey was danced by members of the audience followed by the Flannery sisters with a selection of rousing tunes. Mike Kiely gave a solo performance on the accordion and Con Warren sang Mick Mackey and his Men in tribute to Limerick hurlers. All the musicians joined together in a selection of music to conclude the show.

I also attended the Seisiún Show hosted by Freemount Comhaltas in Freemount Heritage Centre on Tuesday July 11. It was the first night the popular show returned after a break of four years due to Covid. The venue has been upgraded since my last visit and is spacious and very comfortable. Over 100 people packed in to view the three hour show which provided great entertainment. The MC was PJ O'Sullivan and a wonderful night's entertainment followed. For locals and visitors these nights provide a great variety of music, song, dance and story, highlighting our talented local entertainers and deserve our support.