Clancy’s Kitchen to play at Kilkenny Tradfest

The next generation of the legendary Clancy Brothers will perform at the Watergate Theatre on Thursday (March 14) as part of Tradfest.

Roisin Clancy (the daughter of Bobby Clancy) and her cousin Donal, (son of Liam), will carry on the family tradition and bring the songs, stories and tunes to audiences as it was passed on to them, growing up in households where singing songs and playing music was an everyday event.

“As a child, my father would sometimes pile us into the car to visit neighbouring counties and teach us a little bit about the history along the way, inevitably giving us a line or two from a song associated with the place. I listened with a child’s macabre fascination to the stories of Alice Kyteler convicted of witchcraft and Petronella being burned alive in the city of Kilkenny. And then the sense of pathos in my father’s voice as he belted out at the top of his lungs - ‘Twas in Kilkenny, it is reported, there’s marble stones there as black as ink’,” said Roisin.

Day in the Life - Nell Ní Chróinín, Kilkenny Tradfest

Roisin’s father Bobby and uncle Liam ran The Jug of Punch pub on High Street in Kilkenny in the late 60’s early 70’s. The sessions held there were legendary with The Dubliners and The Furey’s dropping in on occasion and the Clancys have always had a strong connection to Kilkenny.

“Another family favourite is of course The Flower of Kilkenny by my cousin, Robbie O’Connell- I was fortunate enough to see Robbie perform with the Clancy Brothers at Bob Dylan’s 30th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden, New York in 1992 – a night to remember.”

“Growing up in The Clancy Brother household, singing, music and storytelling were an every day event not just reserved for the stage. Everyone visiting was welcomed and encouraged to share a story or song from wherever they came from in the world. The spoken word was just as important as the music and their passion in reciting prose and poetry was infectious. It was a truly amazing experience and one we’d like to share with audiences - this unique insight into Clancy's Kitchen,” added Roisin.

Clancy’s Kitchen will perform at the Watergate Theatre on March 14 at 8pm as part of Tradfest. Admission is €25.

Tradfest runs from March 14 to 18 at locations across Kilkenny.

watergatetheatre.ie