– GAELIC ALBUM AND CONCERT –
CELTIC CONNECTIONS, STRATHCLYDE SUITE 3rd FEBRUARY
www.gaelicmusic.com

Gaelic music has long been one of the shining gems in the crown of the Scottish traditional music scene, but 2007 was the year that it finally and deservedly broke through into the national mainstream, largely due to the success of a new wave of young Gaelic musicians. Now 2008 looks set to further cement the burgeoning optimism of the tradition with yet more exciting music about to be unleashed from Gaeldom’s younger generations.
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June 16th - 22nd, 2008
www.galwaysessions.com

The Galway Sessions is an annual week-long event (June 16th - 22nd) with an expansive programme featuring concerts, folk-club gigs, open-air events, art and photographic exhibitions and a fun, music packed session trail.

The festival will host over 100 events throughout the ‘City of the Tribes’ including big stage concerts at the Roisin Dubh and Black Box Theatre, the very popular folk club gigs at the Listener’s Club in the Crane Bar, set dancing and ceilidhe in the expanse of Monroe’s Tavern and the Black Box, late night dance at the Quays Bar. Great Sessions will take place throughout the week in well known watering holes such as Taaffees, Tigh Coilis, the ‘piano bar’ in Tigh Neachtain, The Western, Arus na nGael and many other venues.
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2nd -25th May 2008
www.carlingfordbeds.com

This year sees the inaugural Carlingford Lough Celtic Arts Festival: a cross-border festival dedicated to showcasing the rich varied celtic cultural heritage of the Carlingford Lough area of comprising South Down, South Armagh and North Louth.

Events will take place both sides of the border, centred on Carlingford Lough and include: a highland gathering, celtic cuisine, currach events parade, concerts, sessions, talks, workshops art exhibitions, storytelling, gaelic sports and much, much more.
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February 12, 2008
First solo endeavor since departing from Cherish the Ladies
www.compassrecords.com

“Heidi Talbot sings in a voice that’s both awestruck and tender.”
- THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Mouth-watering second solo effort…
Heidi Talbot is most certainly a figure
to watch out for.” - MAVERICK

Look out for a new star in the glittering firmament of great Irish singers: with the release of her new album In Love and Light, Heidi Talbot is truly set to shine. After five years as lead singer with the Irish-American supergroup Cherish the Ladies, and high praise for her debut solo outing, 2004’s Distant Future, Talbot now extends her talents over a broader, bolder musical canvas, in company with a stellar cast of guests. Drawing on the full, diverse spectrum of influences that inform her singing, In Love and Light complements Talbot’s exquisitely expressive, honeyed yet ardent voice with guest contributions from producer Boo Hewerdine, Eddi Reader, ex-Solas guitarist John Doyle, fiddler John McCusker and flute/whistle ace Michael McGoldrick.
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www.colemanirishmusic.com  

The expanded and refurbished ‘Ceoláras Coleman’ in Gurteen, Co. Sligo.  is a centre of excellence for showcasing our traditional music, song and dance.  This year’s programme includes: Ceiliúradh an Earraigh (May 2-5),  Fleadh Cheoil Chontae Shligigh (May 30-June 1), ‘Seisiún’ (July & August – Wed, Thurs & Sat), Coleman Traditional Festival (August 29-31) as well as various other concerts and events.
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www.clannad.ie

Original Clannad members Moya Brennan (vocals, harp), Ciaran Brennan (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards), Noel Duggan (guitar, vocals) Padraig Duggan (guitar, vocals, mandolin), have reunited and will tour the UK for the first time in 10 years. The 11-date UK tour starts Sunday 2nd March at the Sage in Gateshead, and includes the London Palladium on Sunday 9th March and ends at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Friday 14th March.
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 www.johnnykeenan.com

The date has been set for the 7th annual JOHNNY KEENAN BANJO FESTIVAL. The festival, named in memory of the legendary Dublin banjo player,  is held annually in the town of Longford. This year’s event will take place 25-28 September 2008.

Each year the Banjo Festival brings together the very best of Irish traditional music, American bluegrass, and Folk music. Past participants have included the legendary Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Four Men & a Dog, Dervish, Kieran Goss, Barney McKenna, Tony Trischka, Gerry O’Connor, Enda Scahill, John Carty, and the late great Sean McGuire.

Last year’s lineup brought the biggest crowds to date, with Guy Clark’s breathtaking performance at the sold out closing night concert still fresh in the minds of those lucky enough to be in attendance.

Details of this year’s lineup will be announced over the coming weeks. Further details available on www.johnnykeenan.com  or by ringing 087-281-7825.

www.altents.ie
The Adelaide & Meath Hospitals, incorporating The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght, in collaboration with Alternative Entertainments, are to run a series of lunchtime traditional music sessions in the hospital in Tallaght. The series is called Trad San Ospidéal and will feature performances and workshops by local musicians in selected wards and in the hospital’s public Atrium.
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http://www.sawdoctors.com

Happy New Year to you and a big thank you from The Saw Doctors for
supporting the band in 2007.

2008 got off to a great start with the news that The Saw Doctors are
to get a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Meteor Irish Music
Awards in Dublin on February 15. There was a press reception last week
in Dublin to announce the Award which previously has been won by The
Pogues, Clannad, Christy Moore, Bob Geldof, and U2’s manager, Paul
McGuinness.
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Rostrevor, Co Down
22nd International Music & Arts Festival
20th – 27th July 2008

www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk
The Fiddler’s Green Festival has come a long way in the last 22 years.  It began as a one-day event, progressed to a weekend and now extends to eight days and seven nights of music, culture and craic.  With over 100 events the festival caters for music lovers, families who wish to enjoy a safe, child focused festival and those who come just to soak up the scenery, the friendliness and the free outdoor music.  Based in the scenic village of Rostrevor, preparations for the 2008 festival are well in hand.  There will be free outdoor ceilis, an open-air stage, art exhibitions, a full children’s programme and even a literary pub-crawl, with the emphasis on ‘literary’ rather than ‘crawling’!  All musical tastes are catered for (folk, traditional, blues, country, classical), with lunchtime, early evening and night time music clubs.

Each year the festival bestows two special awards, the Hall of Fame Award which celebrates lifelong achievement in Irish Music and the Creative Arts Award to acknowledge achievements in the Arts and Literary fields, the first Arts award having been presented to Poet Laureate Seamus Heaney.  The recipients of these awards are traditionally named closer to the Festival’s formal launch.  This year’s festival promises to be even better than last years 21st celebrations – if that is possible.

For further information:
Email:        fiddlers.green@dnet.co.uk
Website:   www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk
My Space:         www.myspace/fiddlersgreenrostrevor.co.uk
Festival Office:           Tel. 0044 (0) 28 41739819 (JULY ONLY)
Tourist Accommodation:  Tel. 0044 (0) 28 41752256