Clare County Council hosted a Civic Reception in honour of Irish traditional musician Sharon Shannon this evening.The Ruan-born accordionist, who began her recording career in 1989, is best known for her collaborations with some of the biggest names in the Irish and Global Music Industry, including Bono, Sinead O'Connor, Jackson Browne, John Prine, Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler, The RTE Concert Orchestra, The Chieftains, The Waterboys, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy, Alisson Krauss and Shane MacGowan. Sharon Shannon's 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.
"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 Chláir in Ennis this evening, the Mayor 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 is one of her most outstanding traits and is widely recognised by the global music industry."
"In presenting Sharon Shannon with a Civic Reception, Clare County Council is also recognising Clare's rich talent of Irish traditional musicians who have brought happiness to thousands of people throughout the world. By making such a rich contribution to the development and promotion of Irish traditional music, Sharon has honoured her contemporaries and those who have come before her. When speaking of figures that have contributed to making County Clare synonymous with Irish traditional music, I know the name Sharon Shannon will forever be mentioned in the same sentence as the likes of Willie Clancy, The Russell Brothers, the Tulla Ceili Band, the Kilfenora Ceili Band and Martin Hayes", added the Mayor.
Sharon Shannon played festivals all over Europe including Womad 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. Sharon performed at the Rose of Tralee Festival 2009 and will be touring Ireland in October and December 2009. She is scheduled to perform at the prestigious Sydney and Perth Festivals in Australia in January 2010.
Her new album 'Saints And Scoundrels' is due for release this Friday, September 25th 2009. Today's Civic Reception took place following the September monthly meeting of Clare County Council at Àras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, County Clare.
