Overture: A poet surely dreamed them up, way back in the long ago, the placenames of East County Clare from Shanacool to Laccaroe. A bilingual scholar was this poet, with a natural musical ear; versed in history and topography, all of this becomes quite clear. Here green hills, glens and valleys lie, with rivers and lakes so near at hand, where songbirds and breezes sing hymns of joy, praising the beauty of this land. He wrote words so full of music, and some with a hint of mystery, centred around Lough Graney and Sliabh Bearna’s old Craglea. First Movement: There’s Beal Boru, close by Killaloe, Killaderry and Lackyle, Doonass, Kilsiely, Capparoe, Tierovannon and Shanakyle. Then Woodcock Hill, Gallow’s Hill, Violet Hill, Barbane, Fortane, Kilbane, Rossroe, Kilkishen, Lahardan, Lough Derg, Lough Doon and Lough Cullane. Clonboy, Kilgorey, Ballycannon, Cahermurphy and Kilmore, Parteen, Clonerk and Liscullane, Knockalisheen, Cappantimore. Bodyke, OGonnelloe, Kilcredaun, Ardnataggle, Ballymacloon, Ballybrack, Cappavilla, Kildoorus, Lackenbawn, Greenalaghtna, Aillemore and Knockbrack. Ballinahinch, Broadford, Ballyvalley, Clonboy, Aherinagh, Garranboy, Oatfield, Flagmount, Castle Lough, Kilnamona, Bridgetown, Kilnaboy. Second Movement: Drumsillagh, Doorus, Derrymore, Moanageana, Raheen and Drewsboro, Ardnacrusha, Rosneilon, Fahee, Belvoir, Glandree, Cloonloum and Loughboro. Rosmanagher, Kilgorey, Truagh Hill, Glenomera, Ballinphunta, Bauroe Woodpark, Snaty, Sliabh Rua, Moyhill, Caherhurley, Ballintlea, Moymore. Ballykeelaun, Cloonacarthy, Finlay, Srawickeen, Mount Catherine, Rosmadda, Glenagross, Ballygreen, Ballykildea, Gillogue, Killokennedy, Derrafadda. Knocknagower, Ballygoonan, Portdrine, Cappantimore, Deerpark, Iragh, Blackwater, Feakle, Castlecrine, Lough Atorick, Enagh, Tinnerana. Third Movement: Cragroe, O’Brien’s Bridge, Kilbogoon, Kilnoee, Fox and Geese, Killanenagh, Tuamgraney, Castlebank, Carrowbane, Woodfield, Elm Hill and Kealdarra. Glenagross, Gortnagloch, Drumeen, Ballymacdonnel, Scariff, Annaghneal, Kilmore, Shantraud, Moveen Drumindoora, Caher, Knockalisheen. Summerhill,Stonepark, Rannahan, Silvergrove, Loughboro, Liseal, Erinagh, Brickhill, Ballymarkahan, Bellisle, Meelick, Kiltanlea. Killuran, Killeagy, Killavoy, Cratloe, Coolderry, Kiltannon, Formoyle, Kilmurray, Roo and Kyle, Glenomera, Killicully, Mountshannon. The capital of Old Thomond’s Kingdom – once Ireland’s too – Kincora! Clonlara and Rosslara, and lastly, the blessed Isle of Inis Cealtra. Finale: These placenames of famed old Thomond evoke melodies of lute, and flute, resonant of plucked harpstrings aye, and surely plucked heartstrings too! At times the music reaches a pitch carrying overtones of Clare passion, with bagpipes drone and chanter sounds to rally the Clan Dalcassian! Whilst also orchestrated here sweet violins and brass with timpani – such consonance of sounds I’ve chosen for this my … Old Thomond Symphony.