2009 marked the centenary year for one of Clare’s great institutions, The Kilfenora Ceili Band. As they performed across the county, the country and many parts of the world they have been applauded and honoured but probably one of the most special awards is among those yet to come. At October’s meeting of Clare County Council it was agreed that the Council should honour the band and that is currently being facilitated. John Lynch (on behalf of the Band) was awarded an honorary degree from National University of Ireland Galway on November 25th. As if that isn’t enough to keep them on their toes the band has bowed to significant public pressure to say farewell to the centenary year celebrations with a one night special performance in Glor which will be held on Friday 8^th January.

 John Lynch comments “we cannot believe how spectacular the past year has been. In recent years the band has been extremely busy but this year there was a kind of frenzy of activity and that made everything we did extra special. The album took off in a way that surprised everyone. Obviously we knew we had produced a great album but we are delighted with the acclaim it has attracted. The television documentary threw the spotlight on the band from new quarters and the added attention has been very positive. We’ve been honoured and received wonderful praise from many places, people and organisations but when “our own” go that extra mile for us it doesn’t lessen the other awards but it is very special indeed. Each member of the band acknowledges how fortunate we are to be representing all members of the Kilfenora Ceili Band who worked so hard over the past 100 years”.

  In a letter from Clare County Council John Lynch was told that Cllrs. Martin Conway and Richard Nagle had proposed a motion “that the band should be honoured at a special reception to mark the centenary anniversary of the Kilfenora Ceili Band and to honour their outstanding contribution to traditional music nationally and internationally”. The letter informed Mr. Lynch that the motion had received unanimous support from the members. A date for the reception will announced presently.

 Correspondence from James, J. Browne, President of National University of Ireland, Galway said that “each year the university awards honorary degrees to individuals who have distinguished themselves in various walks of life”. As such John Lynch has been invited, as leader of the Kilfenora Ceili Band to accept a Degree of Master of Music, honoris causa, to acknowledge the centenary of the foundation of the band. The President’s letter continued “In awarding you this honorary degree, the University is honouring not just the current band, but all those renowned musicians of earlier decades, from Kilfenora itself and elsewhere, who have contributed to the creation of the century of outstanding musical tradition which we celebrate in 2009”.

Commenting on the honours being proposed John Lynch says “we all feel very humbled and fortunate to be part of this century old tradition. Our mission is to always be true to those who laid the foundations and ensure that we continue to build on them for future generations. The only way we know how to say this adequately is to give a New Year concert in celebration and thanks for the gift of the past 100 years and looking forward to many more years of music. We’re hoping to have a few friends with us on the night so it promises to be a mighty occasion. We know that many people didn’t get to see us in Glor during the year so we’re hopeful of seeing those people on January 8^th”.

 Tickets are now on sale through the Glor box office and early booking is advised for this very special event.

 During the year fitting tributes have been paid to the band from local and national broadcasters. These came in the form of excellently researched and produced programmes relating to the history of the band and have been very well received as they travel the globe via the “new media” of online communications. As an added treat for the fans of the band everywhere, particularly those with whom the members have forged new links and created connections with on their travels, they have been plotting and planning with local broadcaster Ger Sweeney of Production 63 to utilise the online communication and social networking facilities he’s currently working on to host a special programme to be broadcast on Ger’s website www.production63.com  and on iTunes in podcast format. The programme comprises a chat with some of the members specifically about the past year and will feature some stories and plenty of the band’s music too. Details for the release of the programme will be posted on Ger’s website the bands website www.kilfenoraceiliband.com