www.westcorkmusic.ie

To celebrate Bantry’s achievement in hosting the Atlantic Challenge next summer, West Cork Music opens its Autumn Concert Series with a special traditional music concert featuring fantastic fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and legendary accordionist and singer Brendan Begley on October 1st at 8pm.

This Maritime-themed concert will welcome the international trustees from Atlantic Challenge International to Bantry. It takes place in St Brendan’s Church, Bantry at 8pm.

Born into a famous musical family, Brendan Begley has been immersed in the music and song of West Kerry from an early age and is a well-known performer of traditional Irish music on the button accordion, touring at home and in Estonia, Finland, Sweden and France. His exciting dance music, sensitive emotional playing of slow airs on accordion and his singing in his native Irish make him a great favourite. He has also presented shows on Irish traditional music on TG4.

Dublin-born fiddler, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh is rapidly becoming known as one of the most interesting and creative musicians in traditional music. Since the widespread success of his 2003 ‘Kitty Lie Over’ album with Mick O’Brien, he has performed in the United States, Canada, Alaska, Asia and all over Europe. Irish performances in 2006 included Farmleigh House, the National Concert Hall, the Kilkenny Arts Festival, Liberty Hall, and a tour for the Improvised Music Company. Recent television appearances include ‘The Highland Sessions’, ‘The Raw Bar’, ‘Ceird an Cheoil’, ‘Se Mo Laoch’ and ‘Other Voices’, and as well as his regular partner Brendan Begley, he has also performed with The Waterboys, Iarla O Lionaird, and Peadar O Riada.

Together, Caoimhín and Brendan have a wild, dynamic and fresh sound. According to Earle Hitchner, “theirs is some of the most maddeningly nourishing, elevating and mesmerizing Irish traditional music you’ll hear today”. They released ‘A Moment of Madness’ in 2010, which made the Irish Times’ top 10 trad CDs of the year and garnered impressive critical acclaim at home and abroad.

All of this makes Saturday 1st October a night not to be missed in Bantry.
Tickets are €18 [students €10] and available from West Cork Music on 027 52788 / Lo Call 1850 788 789. You can also book them online at www.westcorkmusic.ie
Book your tickets by telephone before 5pm on September 9th and avail of 2 tickets for €30

West Cork Music’s Concert Series is generously supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Cork County Council. Other West Cork Music concerts coming up soon.. Resurgam in St Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarbery - October 8th, Catherine Leonard and Hugh Tinney in Bantry House- 6th November.