Rambling House stars shine at Birdhill Festival

The glory days enjoyed by a group of musicians and singers from the area, who entertained audiences worldwide for decades, with their renditions of popular Irish ballads, have been recalled by the surviving members contribution to a 'Rambling House' mecca.

For more than half a century, the Shannon Folk Four Group from Ballina-Killaloe thrilled their audiences at leading venues as they toured Ireland, UK, Holland, Switzerland and the United States several times.In their early days on tour the also made their first recording at the Limerick studios of Bill Whelan of Riverdance fame, under his production skills.

The three surviving members of the group, Michael Scanlan, who now lives at Carrigatoher, Jack Hogan, Killaloe and Mick Quigley, Ballina, were among the entertainers of the capacity crowd at The Rambling House Session at Matt the Thresher’s Barn at Birdhill, one of the highlights of the Trad Fest in the village.

Michael Scanlan, poet, song composer and musician, explained: "The Shannon Folk Four was formed in 1967 and lasted until 2019; a period of almost 53 years enjoying every minute of it as we travelled the world playing and singing.”

Making up the original Shannon Four Group was John Grimes, Killaloe, who has passed away and during their tenure became the Shannon Five when joined by Tony Lees who has also now gone to his eternal reward. Michael, Jack and Mick continue to love contributing to Rambling House gatherings around the area with their renditions of Irish Ballads as much as their many performances are loved by the gatherings.

MC for the evening at Matt The Threshers Barn was Tim Floyd who directed a fabulous two and a half hours entertainment with almost 30 contributors of music, song, recitation and storytelling.

Among them, six times All Ireland GAA Scor winner the talented Noel Joyce, Templemore with his own ll Ireland winning composition 'Mammy's Day in Tramore' and Birdhill's own, Munster Recitation Champion, Lily O'Grady, with her own super recitation.

Special guest of the evening was another popular star of the Rambling House scene, 'Jim (Ryan) of the Mill' from Upperchurch in fine singing voice. Gurtagarry's John Pardy contributed on the accordion, Ger Sheehy, Askeaton on the guitar and vocals and Ollie Farrell, Allenwood Co Kildare, on the guitar and vocals. There was storyteller, Marie Power, Killoscully, and a string of men and women singers from near and far making up the performers at one of the most popular items on the Birdhill Trad Fest Programme which was an outstanding success.

The Trad Fest Busking Competition over the weekend appealed to young musicians and the winners were the Feiriní group from Ballina consisting of Heather Hogan, Lauren Cocco, Liadh Ringrose and Ariana Hardy. The Birdhill Trad Fest, a community event organised by the Tidy Village Committee, under the chairmanship of Siobhan Larkin, continues to go from success to success attracting huge support from throughout the area.