To Joe Offer:

THE SINGERS' CLUBS OF CLARE
©John Condon 2011

Come all my friends and listen to this tale I wish to tell
'Bout how there's all these singers clubs going strong in Clare quite well
Songs, recitations and tall yarns spun several times a week
All forms of entertainment no matter what you seek

'Twas the first Wednesday of the month, to Shannon town I drove
In to that GAA Club that's named after Wolfe Tone
Fine singers there and music too, the craic was mighty goin'
Top of the night Sean Callaghan sang "How's it going Lohan?"

First Friday night in Duggan's Pub it's the daddy of them all
With Robbie there in Spancilhill you'll always have a ball
They travel there from all around, from Tipp, Kildare and Bray
With Mike Duggan pulling pints right well in to the Saturday

Mick and Deirdre Scanlan keep the standard very high
With Mick Hackett singing strongly the night it seems to fly
George Henderson, Chris Ennis they sing and drink their beer
When PM Duggan sings a song, his wife she sheds a tear

The following Wednesday being the second in the month you see
I took myself to the Highway Bar to sing up in Crusheen
You'll always get a welcome from Madden, Faherty and crew
Eugene Lamb and Dave Harper they play a reel or two

Darren Richmond, Paddy Williams rarely miss a night
Gerry Mac, he sings of hurling you can see the sliotar fly
Colm MacLochlainn keeps it all in check with his trusty book and pen
Catherine Brigdale sings The Nightingale and we all love to join in

Two nights later Cois na hAbhna on the second Friday night
Another feast of entertainment they sing with all their might
Peadar Mac and his young librarian, Paddy Commane commands the floor
While Pat Liddy's chasing round after "Your One From Templemore"

The following night to Feakle, will I ever get a rest?
Great voices from East Clare I hear in Shortt's Bar I do not jest
With Robbie once again MC, proprietor Gerry singing proud
Theresa Purtill sings out crystal clear as her turn comes quickly round

A few days break at last and then I find myself in trouble
'Tis third Friday of the month there's singing sessions on the double
West or North which road to take? What am I going to do?
Sure 'tis great to be this spoilt for choice to sing a song or two

Sit in to the car and I'm off to Doonbeg town
Another chance to hear the West Clare Singers gathered round
Ita Comerford, the bean a ti, she's a lady to the core
Singing over and the sets do start, she's quick to take the floor

Or do I get behind the wheel and drive off to Fanore
O'Donoghue's is the venue, there's singers there galore
John Casey's in the chair, on everyone he calls
Gerry Shannon sings the Clogher Road and a hush it quickly falls

Last Wednesday of the month it's back to Ennis sure it's not far
With Locky behind the counter serving drink in Brogan's Bar
Noirin Lynch and Willie Cummins, great songs they have in store
Singing verses 'til the early hours, sure you couldn't ask for more

There's only one Friday left now, to Shanaglish I am bound
With Joe Kearney telling tall tales, a great night's to be found
But if you want to get a chance to sing you'd better pipe up loud
Cos singers and performers there are not scarce on the ground

Eight nights great entertainment every month you see
The price of petrol and your drinks is your admission fee
What talent to be heard for sure 'twould fill your heart with cheer
Now before I am asked to sing again.... I'll slip quietly out of here

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Well done, John. Thanks a lot. -Joe Offer-