August 12th – 16th, 2009

– the heart of traditional music in the heart of West Cork
www.westcorkmusic.ie

The wait is over and the line-up for the 2009 Masters of Tradition Festival has finally been announced. The Masters of Tradition Festival takes place in Bantry, West Cork from 12 – 16 August and booking is now open.

As ever the Festival is headlined by Martin Hayes, the fiddler from East Clare, whose distinctive touch and extravagant virtuosity has brought the tradition to new levels. His famous trance-evoking sets with Dennis Cahill have mesmerised audiences all over the world. So the five days of music-making will be opened and closed by the resident master.

This is the Festival that celebrates traditional music in its purest form. The masters of tradition are invited into a very special and intimate space to explore the music. The Library of Bantry House and St. Brendan’s Church, Bantry are places that draw the listener into the music and create the ideal environment for the music to lift musician and audience into another world.

The Festival’s main concerts each evening explore the music-making of such masters as Kevin Crawford [flute], fiddle player Tommy Peoples, singer John Flanagan and Festival favourite Steve Cooney [guitar]. John Spillane performs on Friday with Irish harpist Michelle Mulcahy and flute player John Wynne.

The late-night sessions evoke a special spirit in the candle-lit Library. On Friday Christy Moore will be joined by a number of friends on stage - this concert is now sold out. On Saturday Sean O’Se and Peadar O Riada will delight the audience with their own unique style.

Amongst the other performers taking to the stage during the Festival will be Paddy Keenan of The Bothy Band fame, singer Maire Ní Chéileachair, singer Niamh Parsons and guitarist Graham Dunne, John Wynne on flute, concertina player Jacinta McEvoy and her husband John on fiddle.

A special event will also take place in St Brendan’s Church on the afternoon of Saturday 15th featuring the four Masters who will be guiding the young musicians’ workshops – Maura Walsh [concertina], Tina McLoughlin [tin whistle], Máire Ní Chéilleachair [singer], Damien Mullane [accordio], Aoife Granville [fiddle] and Eamonn Cotter [flute].

For more information and to book online, log onto www.westcorkmusic.ie. Alternatively, contact West Cork Music on 027 52788 or Lo Call 1850 788 789 to book tickets.