A musical gathering of the
masters of the future
www.westcorkmusic.ie

The Young Masters of Tradition Festival returns to Bantry from 12th – 14th October with an exciting line-up of the finest young talent in the world of traditional music.

Headlining this year’s three day musical treat is the “the future of Irish Music”… Slide. Heady praise indeed from Radio 1 and an opinion shared by musician Donal Lunny who says “this band is taking Irish music to a new place.” No strangers to picking up awards for individual musicianship, Slide won the ‘Young Musicwide Award 2006’.

This unmissable musical gathering of the masters of the future, giving new interpretations of traditional music in an intimate atmosphere. Chosen from an ever-growing number of talented young Irish musicians, these aspiring masters will take to the stage in the Library of Bantry House, the home of the Masters of Tradition, where a perfect acoustic environment allows both musician and audience to appreciate the subtleties of traditional music.

Also performing during this year’s Young Masters of Tradition Festival are : Liam O’Connor on fiddle, Sean McKeon on uillean pipes, singer Roisin Chambers, flute player Louise Mulcahy and her sister Michelle on fiddle, accordion and harp as well as young traditional musicians from the West Cork area.

The musical action starts at 8pm on Friday 12th October when young West Cork musicians Aoife Granville and Maura Walsh play flute, fiddle and concertina. They are followed by popular piper Sean McKeon, the TG4 Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2005 who plays a full set of concert pitch pipes made by Cillian O’Briain. Also taking to the stage are Dublin singer Roisin Chambers whose style reflects the Connemara tradition. Sisters Louise and Michelle Mulcahy from Limerick, who have already appeared on two highly acclaimed albums with their father, round off the concert on flute, Uillean pipes, fiddle, accordion and harp.

Another TG4 Young Musician of the Year, this time in 1999, and also Young Traditional Musician of the Year winner in 2000, Eamonn de Barra opens the 10.30pm concert on Friday, alongside Daire Bracken, an original member of Danu who has also toured with Stockton’s Wing. One of the most innovative Bouzouki players of his generation, Mick Broderick joins them on stage.

On Saturday 13th October, at 8pm another two of West Cork’s finest young musicians, Helen Gubbins and Deirdre Harnedy play accordion, tin whistle and flute before Louise Mulcahy returns to the stage. Fiddler Liam O’Connor, another past winner of the TG4 Young Traditional Musician of the Year, has toured Ireland and established quite a following. He performs with Sean McKeon.

The late night 10.30pm concert on Saturday gives audience members a chance to catch singer Roisin Chambers in her other guise of fiddle player. Roisin joins the multi-talented Michelle Mulcahy playing harp, accordion and fiddle.

The Young Masters of Tradition Festival closes with Liam O’Connor joining the popular Trad band Slide, for a rousing finale to be remembered.

These three days will create a platform for young professional musicians where they are no longer overlooked or sidelined, giving renewed focus to their talent. This unique festival provides a platform for these young musicians who have already achieved a high standard on the traditional Irish music circuit. Artistic curator Mick O’Brien says, “the quality of emerging talent in Ireland has made selecting performers for this festival difficult, however my search has proven that there is a wealth of national talent deserving an event like the Young Masters of Tradition that showcases their musical skills.”

For more details of concerts during this weekend, have a look at www.westcorkmusic.ie

All tickets available from West Cork Music on Lo Call 1850 788 789 or 027 52788.

The Young Masters of Tradition Festival is supported by Cork County Council and the Arts Council.