LIAM’S GLOBAL LEGACY

TEACH SIAMSA A HIVE OF ACTIVITY FOR SECOND ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF FAMOUS DANCER

FINUGE’S claim to be the traditional arts centre of North Kerry was copperfastened last week amid a great turnout for the second annual Liam Tarrant Memorial Festival at Teach Siamsa.

Liam’s family were delighted to welcome everyone to the arts centre he famously helped into existence. As organiser Jimmy Deenihan explained, it is a fitting festival given that it was Liam who identified the sites for both of Siamsa Tíre’s Tithe Siamsa – in Finuge and Carraig – and it was he who negotiated the purchase of the land back at the outset of the National Folk Theature’s proud story, of which he played a key founding role.

The festival involved three workshops in Irish Traditional Music, hosted by Nicky McAulliffe and Maura Walsh; North Kerry Stepdancing, hosted by Jonathan Kelliher; and Song hosted by Micky McConnell. The workshops were attended by postgrad students from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL.

The concert on Friday night was a memorable event and was attended by a large number of Liam’s family including his sons, Padraig and James, and daughter, Markie.

The concert was an exposition of the music, song, dance and story of North Kerry performed by local artists Sean Aherne, Jonathan Kelliher, Karen Trench, Brian Murphy and Jimmy Hickey. They were joined by Victoria Fraser from Alaska,Ernesto Gongora from Mexico and Neven Kernaudour, France.

Chairperson of the local organising committee Jimmy Deenihan said:

“Because of the positive feedback we received from all those who attended the concert and workshops, we are confident that the festival has real potential for the future.

“Together with the Sean McCarthy Festival and the Rambling House held in Sheehan’s thatched cottage Finuge is becoming the traditional arts centre of North Kerry. In partnership with Siamsa Tire and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, we intend to develop our programmes and transmit our unique folk culture of North Kerry to both a National and International audience,” Jimmy added.

Photos by Steve Kelly Artistic director of Siamsa Tíre Jonathan Kelliher leading students in the art of the traditional North Kerry dance under the lovely portrait of Liam Tarrant.

All Photos by Steve Kelly Teach Siamsa comes into its own as a cultural haven for a group of international students at the Liam Tarrant Memorial Weekend in Finuge.

Organiser Jimmy Deenihan welcomes the special guests to Teach Siamsa Finuge in a special talk giving a detailed overview of Liam Tarrant and the culture from which he came.

Photos by Steve Kelly Music teacher Maura Walsh, left and above, giving the international gathering a deeper sense of the traditional sounds of the county at the workshop last week.

Padraig Tarrant thanking everyone for their participation in the special weekend.

Micky MacConnell leading the song workshop last week. Photo by Steve Kelly