Sean Nós tradition alive and well
SEPTEMBER saw the arrival of renowned traditional singers from all over Ireland to Gorey to share in a weekend of traditional song at the Sean Nós Singing in Guaire On Board The Gorey Caravan Tour, organised by the North Wexford Traditional Singing Circle.
With thanks to the support from the County Wexford Arts Department, the event has developed into a two day weekend programme of free events enjoyed by both singers and listeners alike.
‘It has been very exciting to receive support from the County Wexford Arts Department to develop this from a single event into a full programme of free events this year. We also want to say thanks to all who have contributed to this great weekend, such as local historian Willie Willoughby, Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, the wider community and to all who are travelled to share with us,’ said Rachel Uí Fhaoláin, chairperson of the group.
‘We look forward to developing the programme further over the coming years,’ she said.
Sean Nós is a traditional type of singing, usually performed in the Irish language as a solo in this authentic old style and has been passed down through the generations, and it is still alive and well in Wexford as the group meet on the last Tuesday of every month to perform together in French’s back room.
‘We would like to thank Jim French and his staff for their continued support agus míle buíochas to all who share the monthly evenings in French’s back room,’ said Rachel.
After the festival was launched in French’s, there was a special gathering of unaccompanied traditional singing in the Ashdown Park Hotel with special guest singers Niamh Parsons, Tim Dennehy, Vincent Strunks and others.
A replica of The Gorey Caravan which was made last year for the tour by local craftsman Christy Doyle was on display and a short documentary produced by Rachel Uí Fhaoláin was screened on the night highlighting the rich culture Sean Nós song, storytelling and friendship.
The following day, a tour of places of historical interest took place around the old route of The Gorey Caravan, which was a long car that operated from Gorey to Courtown.
‘Last year as part of the tour The North Wexford Traditional Singing Circle planted native trees along the route in conjunction with local Tidy Towns groups. Native song and native trees are a great combination and last year young and old joined us on the tour as we travelled and it was great to see families joining us again this year,’ said Rachel Uí Fhaoláin.
After this, the final singing session took place in the Bunker Bar to complete the weekend.