Clannad – the whole gang is back together again and the musical spark jas lit a fire in them. Photo: Suzanne Crompton
CLANNAD’S Moya Brennan has said Abhaile – The Homecoming on July 13 at Donegal Airport in Carrickfinn will show the power of the music Donegal can boast.
The concert, which is part of the 25th Earagail Arts Festival in association with Tionscnamh Lugh, marks one of the country’s highlights of this year’s Gathering initiative.
Moya said: “It’s such a joy to be able to come back to your home land and to be able to put on a performance like this. We have the excuse of the Gathering, but it is really nice to have ourselves, Altan, Fidíl and the Henry Girls perform in Carrickfinn.
“The artist group An Cosán Glas is also going to be hosting its spectacular illuminated sculpture trail which will create a really magical atmosphere there.”
The Clannad singer said it’s going to be a very vibrant night much to the delight of the many fans of the bands that are coming from all over the world.
She said: “We were toured around Europe from January to the end of February and did twelve countries where we distributed leaflets for this concert and told people about it so it will be great to welcome many of them to our beautiful home of Donegal in July.
“It will be a chance for them to see what I brag about all the time, the beauty of Donegal and they’ll see that there’s nowhere like it.”
This is only the second time that Clannad and Altan are sharing the bill. “We performed together once last year and this time we will have the Henry Girls and Fidíl there too so we will have to come up with some sort of grand finale,” she laughed.
Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh who hails Clannad as one of her biggest influences coming up as a musician said she was sure it would be a very ‘emotional concert’ for Clannad.
“I think it’s going to be a special concert for Clannad who are really coming into their own again and I am hearing great reports about their new music.
“Clannad have been back touring the world again as a five-piece and I’m sure, like for us, when they take to the stage in Carrickfinn it will be like they are coming full circle.”
Tickets priced €35.50 or 5 for €150 available from Carrickfinn airport and also in person and over the phone at the festival box office at An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny tel. +353 (0)74 9120777 or the website www.eaf.ie (Booking fees apply).
Altan.