Missed an earlier news item? Visit the news archive.
- musical gatherings with GAEL LINN
Bewley’s Café Theatre, Grafton Street
6p.m. – 8p.m.
(Doors open from 5.45p.m.)
TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2009
GER WOLFE
( www.gerwolfe.com )
will perform old songs from the
Muskerry Gaeltacht in Co. Cork
along with some self-penned jewels !
ADMISSION: €15 ( includes complimentary finger food )
Bar open/tea and coffee available
BOOKING RECOMMENDED ( LIMITED SPACE ! )
087/2547574
(Credit card no. required )
LEAVING HOME
The Baltic Tae Byzantium by Brian McNeill: This long-awaited album on the theme of emigration from Scotland to Europe is a sequel to Brian’s highly acclaimed 1991 album, The Back O’ The North Wind, which dealt with emigration from Scotland to North America. The release of The Baltic Tae Byzantium was ‘work in progress’ for a considerable time but the end result is well worth the wait. It has a great line-up including Dick Gaughan and Sylvia Barnes. The CD is available on www.footstomping.com.
HIGH OCTANE FIDDLE
Spreefix - Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag: This Shetland fiddle-driven line-up, backed by a multi-punch packing rhythm section has been wowing the audiences throughout their home islands. The10-piece band has a repertoire drawn from their own Shetland tradition as well as Nordic and Celtic influences. The band is building a reputation for releasing their high-octane maelstrom of feverish melodies on audiences, to great appeal. “The Shetland spree album of the year.” (Shetland Times)
GAELIC GIRL POWER
Fionnar - Sgoil Roc: A new EP containing three original songs by the young singing group from the Highlands. Sgoil Roc teamed the teenage Gaelic vocal harmony group, Fionnar, with professional Gaelic writers and musicians. The Sgoil Roc project aims to boost confidence amongst Gaelic speaking teenagers and to demonstrate to them that they can produce a quality product in Gaelic which has a wide appeal amongst their peer group.
John Doyle has just completed a seven-week tour with the legendary Joan Baez as her musical director/guitarist. The group will be embarking on a seven-week European tour with Birmingham as the first date on October 1st. John and Karan Casey have a new duo recording out early 2010 on Compass Records with Dirk Powell as producer.
(more…)
Every year, the Celtic Colours International Festival pays tribute to influential and inspirational figures in Cape Breton music and culture. One of the most anticipated concerts this year is scheduled for the last night of the Festival. Master Cape Breton Fiddler: A Tribute to Jerry Holland will take place Saturday, October 17th at the Joan Harris Cruise Pavilion in Sydney.
“Celtic Colours International Festival staff and volunteers were saddened to learn that Jerry Holland had lost his fight with cancer,” said Joella Foulds, Artistic Director of Celtic Colours, in reaction to the news. “Jerry was a gentle giant with a heart as big as the island he loved and the talent of an angel. He will be sorely missed, not only for his music, but also for his warmth, his hearty laugh and his endless thoughtfulness for others.”
(more…)
Imagine finding a rare and historically important instrument in the skip, and that skip over 3,000 miles from where the instrument was made. That is just what Julie Finch did when she spotted a harp in a dumpster on West 26th Street in New York. The harp was, thankfully, the last a bit of ‘rubbish’ to be put into the skip from the clear out of a recently defunct shop. Finch rescued the harp and asked her friend Lorcan Otway for some advice about it. The Irishman knew immediately this was something special; its highly decorated soundboard and blue teal colour marked it as old and, on closer inspection, they discovered the maker’s name - one Egan of Dublin.
(more…)
‘The Paddy’s Wake Sessions’ play the main stage at Whelan’s of Wexford Street for a 2nd time in three weeks. After the success of their gig on the 19th of August they were asked back again to perform on Friday September 4th. It will be the launch night for their debut Single ‘Begin Again’.
(more…)
October 22nd - 26th, 2009
www.sligolive.ie
Sligo Live is a UNIQUE volunteer run Festival now in its fifth. SLIGO LIVE 2009 plays host to an amazing line up of International stars this October Bank Holiday Weekend! Taking place from Thursday, 22nd – Monday, 26th October, this year’s line-up includes, Frankie Gavin, Martha Wainwright, Imelda May, Wallis Bird, Josh Ritter, The Saw Doctors, Comedian PJ Gallagher, Jinx Lennon, Paula Flynn, Chris Meehan’s Rednecks, Tony De Marco, Oddsocks Revival, Oisin and many more. The festival’s unique fleadh like atmosphere of dynamic pub sessions and street entertainment combined with concerts, café performances, club nights and the world famous Fiddler of Dooney competition gives an intimate and personal feel where festival goers mix freely with artists and really enjoy the atmosphere. Many unique fringe events complement the program including a French Market, Festival Club, World Air Fiddle Championship, Door Dancing, Master Classes, Work Shops and Street Theatre.
(more…)
Don’t miss the exciting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann this weekend in Tullamore
www.fleadh2009.com
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is one of the premier cultural events in Europe and it’s set to leave its distinctive mark as the annual festival of music, song and dance began its exciting and innovative programme of events this week. It is expected that the event will bring over 230,000 visitors, 10,000 performers and 131 competitions to the town of Tullamore and generate up to €30 million
(more…)
Hair of Gold Eyes of Blue…..
TIPPERARY GIRL, the brand new single by Cashel singer/songwriter Billy O’Dwyer Bob has just been released and is enjoying a great reception. It has a country Cajun feel to it and the catchy chorus is very easy on the ear. “The new single has already reached Nashville and there is great interest in England” states Seán Laffey, editor of Irish Music Magazine.
(more…)
Internationally acclaimed entertainers including The Pogues, Moya Brennan, Phil Coulter, Ash, Brian Kennedy, Sir James & Lady Galway, Michael Flatley, entrepreneur Bill Wolsey and sportsman Wayne McCullough have come together to lead in supporting the future of the world renowned Francis McPeake School of Music by purchasing ‘tiles’ within the ‘Mosaic of Support’.
The ‘Mosaic of Support’ is the brainchild of Francis McPeake IV and has been created to encourage musicians, businesses and music lovers across the globe to become a supporter of the school and keep the dream of learning traditional music alive.
(more…)
