40 Years At Siamsa

There's a double celebration in the air as Siamsa Tire's 40th Summer Season opens and Fr Pat Ahern's Jubilee Concert sells out.

The National Folk Theatre marks a very special anniversary with the opening of its 40th Summer Season on Wednesday April 25th. Four days later, on Sunday 29th, Fr Pat Ahern, who was Siamsa Tire's first Artistic Director and founding member, presents a Golden Jubilee Concert featuring St John's Gregorian Choir as well as many past and present members of Siamsa Tire.

There has always been a strong link between Siamsa Tire and St John's Choir. Indeed, members of the Choir, established in 1957, along with Fr Pat were instrumental in the founding of Siamsa Tire. Motivated by a strong desire to preserve traditions which were in danger of vanishing, the founder members of Siamsa Tire strove to retain some of the Kingdom's precious legacy in music, song and dance.

The fruits of their efforts can still be seen today. Siamsa Tire has grown from a small local organisation to one that is internationally recognised, staging over 120 performances in the last year in Tralee alone, in addition to performances in New York, Dublin, and Venezuela. Whilst always retaining strong links with its roots and local traditions, Siamsa Tire has embraced contemporary choreography and themes, blending these seamlessly into its more recent productions thereby ensuring that its folk-theatre productions are alive and authentic, avoiding stagnation and a surfeit of nostalgia!

The links between St John's Choir and Siamsa Tire are still strong. Many of the current choir members are also past members of Siamsa Tire, while some still manage to be active members of both groups! Particularly striking is the fact that three generations of the same family, the Heaslips are involved in these two celebrations -Liam, Pierce and David.

Sadly, for those still looking for tickets for the Jubilee Concert, there is a long waiting list, but there's already talk of a reprise in the not too distant future.