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TUAM TRAD FESTIVAL0

September 14th – 16th, 2012
www.tuamtradfestival.com

Tuam Trad Festival is delighted to be able to announce that the 3rd Annual Trad Festival will be taking place from Friday 14th – Sunday 16th September, 2012.

The World famous fiddle player, Frankie Gavin will kick–start the festival on Friday evening when he will officially open the Festival in the Corralea Court Hotel at 7.30pm with Macalla (Siansa Prize Winners 2012). Following the launch a concert will be held in the marquee featuring Frankie Gavin and De Dannan, who will be supported on the night by our own Ann Kirrane, whose CD One Small Star was launched earlier this year and has received great reviews.
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Permalink - Posted: June 26, 2012 at 11:33 am

FEAKLE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

August 8th – 13th, 2012
www.feaklefestival.ie

The Feakle festival of Irish Traditional Music is celebrating its 25th year this August. Commencing on Wednesday 8th, the Festival will run for six days and nights with a programme reflecting the best of Irish music and musicians.
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Permalink - Posted: June 26, 2012 at 11:26 am

VAN MORRISON HEADLINES Sligo Live 2012

www.sligo.live.ie

with an intimate and unique new experience

“LYRICS AND POETRY:EMPHASIS ON WORDS”

Wednesday 24th – Monday, 29th October 2012

Tickets on sale Friday, 29th June 2012

Legendary Irish artist VAN MORRISON will premiere an exciting new show when SLIGO LIVE, Ireland ’s folk, roots and indie music festival returns for its eighth year this October. In what promises to be a really special evening, Van Morrison will present a show entitled “LYRICS AND POETRY: EMPHASIS ON WORDS”.

This intimate and unique performance on Sunday 28th October at IT Sligo’s Knocknarea Arena will see Van Morrison accompanied by his rhythm section performing songs with a strong emphasis on words, together with readings from his poetry. Audiences will also be treated to previously unseen work by the creative genius. Songs from his albums, “Astral Weeks”, “No Guru, No Method, No Teacher” and “Hymns to the Silence” will feature in this very special show. Tickets to this one off concert go on sale from www.Sligolive.ie on Friday June 29th at  10am (€47.50 plus €1 Service charge). Numbers are strictly limited so don’t wait around. Limit of 8 tickets per order.
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Permalink - Posted: June 26, 2012 at 11:16 am

SUDDEN DEATH OF NOTED DUBLIN PIPER

News has reached us of the sudden death of Dublin Piper Darach De Brun on 24th of June 2012.

One time member of the band Oisin, which also featured Geraldine McGowan and Brian McDonagh (who would later join Dervish). De Brun will be best known for two fine compositions that have entered into the general session repertoire. Both  of these were composed for weddings. The first the Man of Arán was written for Tommy Walsh, a Dublin box player who composed the tune Inis Thoir (Inisheer).

Darach told the tale of writing the Maple Leaf on the internet discussion board session.org he wrote ‘The Maple Leaf was composed in 1976 for my own wedding. I had my reception in the Maples Hotel, Dublin, hence the name’.

See Donncha Ó ’Briain - Irish Traditional Music on Tin Whistle (Original 1979, re-released 2011) Gael Linn www.gael-linn.ie to see how quickly these tunes became session favourites.

In later years Darach was a regular player in sessions around Dublin and was a noted piper for almost thirty years in the Capitol. It appears had a massive heart attack, whilst at a session on Sunday, was rushed to hospital but sadly he passed away the same evening.

Our condolences to all his family and friends.

Permalink - Posted: June 25, 2012 at 3:08 pm

North Atlantic Fiddle Convention launched in north west

www.nafco2012.com

John Sheahan, the iconic fiddle player from The Dubliners, formally opened the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in McGrory’s of Culdaff , County Donegal last night. (Tuesday 26th).  Apart from being one of the most recognizable musicians in Ireland, Sheahan writes poetry and he took the time to both play a tune and read from a forthcoming collection in launching the event.

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Permalink - Posted: June 25, 2012 at 10:10 am

Part-Time Diploma in Irish Music Studies at NUI Galway

www.nuigalway.ie/adulteducation

NUI Galway is currently enrolling for a two-year, part-time Diploma in Irish Music Studies. Delivered by the Centre for Irish Studies in association with the Office of Adult & Continuing Education, the programme will be of appeal to those with an interest in modern Irish Culture and traditional music.

“The programme is interdisciplinary in its content and provides an introduction to the ways in which Irish traditional music, song and dance have contributed to the creation of identity amongst Irish communities on the island of Ireland and beyond” explains Director of the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway, Dr. Louis De Paor.

The Diploma in Irish Music Studies also includes a practical element, offering participants the opportunity to engage with ‘masters’

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Permalink - Posted: June 22, 2012 at 11:44 am

Gala concert to mark 40 years of RnaG and Willie Clancy Summer School

 www.rte.ie/rnag

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta marks 40 years on air this year, as does the Willie Clancy Summer School, and as part of the celebrations to mark both occasions a gala concert will take place in the Community Hall on Sunday 8 July in Miltown Malbay, and will be broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

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Permalink - Posted: June 18, 2012 at 9:35 am

IRISH FEST ANNOUNCES 2012 FESTIVAL ENTERTAINERS

In Addition to New Acts and Festival Favorites, Line-up Pays Tribute to Ireland’s Influence on Bluegrass Music
www.irishfest.com

Milwaukee Irish Fest, North America’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture, today announces their music and entertainment lineup for the 2012 festival taking place  August 16-19 at Henry Maier Festival Park along the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan. The lineup, which includes both new and returning musicians along with a special tribute to Ireland’s influence on Bluegrass music, will showcase some of the finest Irish music talent from around the world. This year, Irish Fest will feature more than 100 acts on 16 stages over the four-day festival.

“Every year we bring in a diverse lineup of artists that covers Traditional, Celtic rock, folk, singer/songwriter, and contemporary styles,” said Ed Ward, entertainment coordinator for Milwaukee Irish Fest. “There’s truly something for everybody.”
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Permalink - Posted: June 15, 2012 at 4:26 pm

Return to Camden Town Festival 2012

Friday October 26th – Sunday 28th (Music)
and Friday November 2nd – Sunday 4th (Dance)
www.returntocamden.org

The 14th Return to Camden Town Festival will take place over two long weekends: October 26th – 28th, 2012 (Music) and November 2nd – 4th (Dance), 2012 at the London Irish Centre, 50–52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB and some satellite session venues.
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Permalink - Posted: June 5, 2012 at 2:20 pm

Strokestown Gearing up for THE 10th Annual Féile Frank McGann

October 12th – 14th, 2012
www.Feilefrankmcgann.com

Strokestown will be buzzing this October when Féile Frank McGann enthusiasts get together to for this year’s 10th Annual Féile. The weekend, which has become an established event in the traditional music scene, will attract musicians and listeners from all over the Country and from further afield.
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Permalink - Posted: June 5, 2012 at 2:19 pm
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