Old Ways to New Days with Shane Lehane, Nenagh Castle, Saturday October 11th, 4pm, €15
Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival is proud to present Old Ways to New Days with Shane Lehane.
Step back into a world where turf fires warmed the hearth, water was drawn from the well, and stories told by flickering candlelight lit up the night more brightly than an electric bulb ever could.
In Old Ways to New Days, folklorist Shane Lehane brings the soul of Ireland’s past to life in a beautifully woven tapestry of tradition, transformation and memory. Through vivid storytelling and playful illustration, the book explores how everyday rituals, seasonal customs and rural ingenuity shaped generations of Irish lives – from the magic of birth and courtship to the customs of death and mourning.
From matchmakers and milking stools to butter charms, Skellig Lists and fairy lore, Lehane traces the arc of a society rooted in the land, as it evolved with the arrival of bicycles, electricity, cinema and the wireless. At once scholarly and deeply personal, this is a celebration of how the old ways still echo in Irish memory and lore, even as the new days roll on.
A book to treasure and a poignant reminder of who we were, and how we came to be.
Laoise and Clodagh Kennedy, All-Ireland Duet Champions, are steeped in musical tradition, having begun their musical journeys at the age of three. Hailing from a deeply musical family, they are long-standing members of the Ormond Comhaltas branch where they were afforded many opportunities to perform and compete over the years.
16 year old Clodagh is a multi-instrumentalist and accomplished musician, with expertise in concertina, bodhrán, banjo, cello and drums. She also completed her Grade 8 piano exam with distinction at the remarkable age of 13. Clodagh has enjoyed great success on her traditional instruments at fleadhanna Cheoil and also showcased her talents on concertina and banjo as a member of the Meitheal Orchestra. Clodagh has performed as a cellist with the CCR Orchestra and has also played cello in the orchestra for various school productions.
18 year old Laoise is a six-time All-Ireland Champion on both fiddle and viola. Her impressive list of accolades includes titles such as Fiddler of London, Fiddler of Dooney, and Féile Oriel U18 Champion. Laoise is also classically trained and has received High Achiever Awards on violin from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Currently, she is performing as a solo violinist with the world-renowned Riverdance. Following a successful run at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, she will soon embark on an international tour with Riverdance across China.
Both Laoise and Clodagh are also members of ‘Seol’ a local traditional music ensemble who were awarded the prestigious title of Fiddler of London Trad Group 2024. As part of this ensemble, they performed at the Fiddler of London Festival held at the London Irish Centre in Camden last year and at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Wexford. Laoise and Clodagh are thrilled to be performing at the Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival and look forward to sharing their music with festival audiences.
*PLEASE NOTE* – This event takes place at Nenagh Castle.