EVER FOND of a jig, poetry and tartan, the Irish have oft celebrated Burns’ Night with passion. The flag holders in Limerick for two decades have been Michael Potter and Noel Flannery, who along with piper Michael Egan, balladeer Mary Guerin, guitarist Dave Gaynor (photographer) and many more have rung out a festive salute.
This year’s will fall on a Saturday, praise the Lord, Saturday January 25 from 8pm in a new venue for the gathering, Dolan’s.
Robert Burns, the late 17th century prolific and promiscuous Scottish poet, wrote it best: “Welcome, feast and revelry/ Tipsy dance and jollity/ Braid your locks with rosy twine/ Dress yourself with garments fine/ Tonight we dance, tonight we dine/ With mad music and strong wine.”
The reliable promise is of “genuine haggis served hot, sourced from Enniskillen butcher Pat O’Doherty, finger food, along with tatties (spuds) and neaps (mashed turnip),” promises Michael Potter. Michael is now a one man band leading this annual shindig.
There will be piper Michael Egan and fiddle music, recitals and song and storytelling. “From the Killaloe side, and very proud of Clare, musicians Mary, Laura and Katie Donoghue who often play as a band together. We have Phila Grace, a well known singer from Mungret who plays guitar” and typically, banjo, tin whistle and mouth organ players to round out the group.
Michael gives full credit to Mick Dolan for appointing the Upstairs venue for this gig, to Noel Flannery as founder and initial funder of Burns’ Night and to the political parties and private businesses who help to sponsor it each year.
This is all a voluntary effort and the food offer is augmented by “Scotch shortbread, teacakes, Scots Clan sweets and to raffle, bottles of Scotch donated by supporters.”
Trust Arts Page on this, Robbie Burns’ Night is a terrific event and a cultural wow. Enjoy it at its new home on the date proper, Saturday January 25.
Dress for the mood in tamoshanter, kilt and lacy jabot if you dare.
