The Willie Clancy Summer School takes place from 2 – 10 July, and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta will be broadcasting from the heart of the festival all week.
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy have a partnership that goes back fifty years. The then fledgling radio station was in attendance the very first year of the school, in 1973, and has been there every year since to record or broadcast live from the West Clare music mecca.
This year, the live broadcasts on RTÉ RnaG start on Sunday with the Éirinn is Alba concert at 8 pm, celebrating the connections between the Celtic nations. Musicians on stage will include Hamish Moore, Connie O’Connell, Maighréad Ni Dhomhnaill, Paddy Glackin, Louise & Mick Mulcahy, and groups from Cape Breton, Wales and Québec. Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha will present the concert.
Then the broadcasting moves to the RnaG Roadcaster, An Ródaí, which will be parked up outside the hall for the week. Áine Hensey will be broadcasting live every afternoon Monday to Friday from 3 pm to 5 pm, with great live music and interviews on Binneas Béil. Then, RnaG Music Editor and musician Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha takes over for Ceol Binn ó na Beanna Monday to Wednesday 7 pm to 9 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Neansaí will have more superb live music from solo musicians and groups for the listeners, as well as interviews and lots of information about the festival.
Keep an eye on the RTÉ RnaG social media platforms for lots of photos and videos from the broadcasts. You can listen live on FM or online, or listen back at rte.ie/rnag
Photo: Shandrum Céilí Band by Ben Taylor
