This article is from page 29 of the 2009-09-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
SHARON Shannon made a musical return to her old school in Ennis last week when she performed alongside students at Colaiste Muire.
The Ruan born accordionist was joined on the day by Minster for Ed- ucation and Science, Batt O’ Keefe
The purpose of their visit was to mark Shannon’s donation of a CD of traditional music and songbook, which the department will distribute to every school.
Colaiste Muire’s traditional musi- cians played for the invited guests and afterwards, Shannon joined the students on stage for a short concert.
Last Monday saw Shannon’s im- mense contribution to Irish music honoured with a civic reception host- ed by Clare County Council.
“A Civic Reception is the highest accolade at the disposal of Clare County Council for any individual, group or organisation and one that is – for Sharon Shannon – thoroughly deserved,’ stated the Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy. ;
Addressing those gathered at Aras Contae and Chlair in Ennis, the May- or said, “By demonstrating her most wonderful talent as an accordionist, Sharon has brought great acclaim to the Irish traditional music scene, County Clare and those who have had the pleasure of working with her down through the years. Sharon’s versatility as a musician 1s one of her most outstanding traits and is widely recognised by the global music in- dustry.”
Shannon, who began her record- ing career in 1989, is best known for her collaborations with some of the biggest names in the Irish and glo- bal music industry, including Bono,
Sinead O’Connor, Jackson Browne, John Prine, Steve Earle, Mark Knop- fler, The RTE Concert Orchestra, The Chieftains, The Waterboys, Wil- lie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy, Alisson Krauss and Shane MacGowan.
Her self-titled 1991 album remains the best selling album of traditional Irish music ever released while she
became the youngest person ever to win the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Meteor Awards. Sharon Shannon has played festi- vals all over Europe including Wo- mad and Glastonbury in 2009, and has recently completed a sell-out UK tour and Irish nationwide tour with guests including Shane MacGowan,
Mundy and Dessie O’ Halloran. Her new album Saints And Scoun- drels was released last Friday.