You
will find Shortt's Bar in the main street of Feakle,
a small village tucked away among the patchwork fields
and hills of East Clare. Feakle is a major centre for
traditional music, hosting an international traditional
music festival in August every year. It's not only in
August that people come to Feakle for the music. Visitors
come all year round to listen to that lilting, sweet
East Clare style.
There has been music in Shortt's for years. Quite possibly for more years than
any other pub in Clare. Or, for that matter, in Ireland. Music began here in
the 1970s when Lena Hanrahan was proprietor and the pub was called (surprisingly)
Lena's. Lena is still coming to the pub to listen to the music on a Thursday
night when Seamus Bugler hosts the session. Seamus has been playing accordion
in Shortt's for years, most of that time in the company of flute player Paddy
O'Donoghue.
The number of musicians who have passed through this pub would be too many
to list. Gerry will always give musicians a great welcome. And dancers.
Gerry dances sets himself, and there's a proper dance floor for anyone who's
feeling energetic. The musicians are certainly always ready to play.
|
Click
here for the 2008
Feakle Festival photos |
