Ennis in Clare
County Clare (Irish: Contae an Chláir) is one of the twenty-six traditional counties
of the Republic of Ireland and one of the thirty-two traditional counties in the
island of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster on the west coast of
Ireland. Clare is northwest of the River Shannon covering a total area of 1,215
square miles. The population of the county is 126,194 according to the 2006 census.
Clare is the 8th largest of Ireland’s 32 counties in area and 19th largest in terms
of population.
Music
County Clare has a strong history of Traditional music. It is home of the Kilfenora
Céilí Band, the Tulla Céilí Band, Stockton's Wing, Sharon Shannon, Noel Hill, Peadar
O'Loughlin, Martin Hayes and legendary tin-whistler Micho Russell. Ennis in County
Clare is also the birthplace of Grammy-nominated songstress Maura O'Connell whose
grandmother started a fish market in the town. The county has many traditional music
festivals and one of the most well known is the Willie Clancy Summer School, which
is held every July in the town of Miltown Malbay in memory of the renowned uilleann
piper, Willie Clancy. Miltown Malbay is home to Oidhreacht an Chlair, an institute
for higher education in all aspects of Irish tradition, history and literature.
To get a full listing of what is on in Co. Clare in music - trad sessions, socials,
gigs, festivals, children's music events and much more - check out [www.clarefocus.ie]
Sport
The Clare hurling team has one of the best records of success in the country in
recent years with many cups such as the Liam McCarthy Cup having been won in 1995
and 1997 and also finalists in 2002. Clare won the Munster Final in football in
1992 beating Kerry. There is a strong Gaelic Athletic Association(GAA) presence
in County Clare with the founder of the GAA, Michael Cusack, having been born in
Carron which is situated in the heart of The Burren in North Clare. Irish rugby
internationals from Clare include Keith Wood, Anthony Foley & Marcus Horan.
Acknowledgment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Clare