www.westcorkmusic.ie

The third of Bantry’s trio of summer festivals which have a direct economic impact of more than €800,000 on the town, takes place next week from Tuesday 9th to Sunday 14th August.

The Masters of Tradition has extended to a six day festival this year and welcomes the finest traditional musicians in Ireland and from overseas for a celebration of Irish traditional music in its purest form. This year, Artistic Director and US-based fiddler Martin Hayes is joined by such popular names as guitarist Steve Cooney, uilleann piper Mick O’Brien, fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Cork balladeer Jimmy Crowley, accordion player Brendan Begley and his family, New York-based singer Susan McKeown, the celebrated sisters Maighread and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Birkin Tree from Italy, Lúnasa flute player Kevin Crawford and many more.

Concerts take place in St Brendan’s Church and Bantry House at 7.30pm with a 10.30pm candlelit Níos Deanaí on Friday and Saturday nights.

The value of this festival to the West Cork town is beyond doubt. Last year, visitors to the Masters of Tradition spent in the region of €116,000 in the town and local area during their stay. Approximately 700 visitors came to the Bantry for the 2010 festival creating nearly 1,000 bed nights in local hotels and bed and breakfasts.

This festival follows the West Cork Chamber Music and West Cork Literary festivals which were an unprecedented success earlier in the summer. The Masters of Tradition evolved from Martin Hayes’ call to create a “quiet and intimate space” where the heart of traditional music could be exposed. The concept has evolved over the years to produce this six day event that encompasses a simpler, less cluttered performance format and involves some of the very best Irish musicians sharing their take on traditional music.

Book online at www.westcorkmusic.ie or by ringing 027 52788.
The Masters of Tradition is generously supported by Arts Council of Ireland, Failte Ireland and Cork County Council.