www.jigsandreels.ie

At Jigs & Reels the aim is to promote Traditional Irish Music. By including a variety of instruments and various methods of teaching they are providing an easy, exciting learning experience available to everyone. They believe many more people would learn Irish music if there were easier ways of learning available. Some people may be embarrassed to learn in front of others, some will think they are to old, others will feel they haven’t the time to commit to a regular weekly lesson or may feel it could be too expensive.
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www.aransongs.blogspot.com

Aran born fiddler and researcher, Deirdre Ní Chonghaile has launched a blog on the songs of Aran. The blog follows her progress on a project based at NUI Galway. The aim of this bilingual project is to publish an edition of songs composed in Aran. Supported by accompanying CDs/MP3s and by a partner website, this will enable the people of Aran to have access to these endangered songs, to preserve them, and to present them to communities beyond Aran. The blog has some fascinating stories and some historic photographs to accompany the text.

This new TV show presented by Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, and as we went to press we were told us that the final touches were being completed to the new six part series, Aniar Aduaidh, to be screened on RTÉ1 beginning this January! She says it will be a mix of great music, chat and a few surprises along the journey from Donegal across Ulster to Co Down!

Check your RTE schedules for the broadcast times.

www.marietheresemccartin.com

Renowned pianist, Thérèse McCartin, is bringing her musical career on a new journey with her latest recording, Another April Day. The Artist is donating a proportion of all sales to charity, namely Bee for Battens, The Saoirse Foundation. Described as “easy listening” the finished album is both beautiful and moving in equal measures. The recording also features original compositions by Therese with Another April Day. The special touch & handiwork of acclaimed producer and arranger, Frank McNamara, a well–known face from The Late Late Show, has ensured Therese’s latest work shines through in every note.
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www.maryjaneandwendy.com

Seinn, their new album, reflects the great love and response that Mary Jane and Wendy have for Nova Scotia tradition and for each other. The CD achieves a delicate balance between the musical sensibilities of two artists, showcasing traditional and original compositions, from the melancholy of Gaelic song to the joy of fiddle tunes. Some of the material was learned from the recordings of older Cape Breton singers and fiddlers, some were chosen from existing repertoires, and some were written specifically for this project. The record fuses roots arrangements with a traditional presentation, capturing the enjoyment and fun that Mary Jane and Wendy have together onstage and off.
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www.itunes.apple.com

Sixteen–year–old, Mairéad Hickey from Cork, winner of eight All–Ireland fiddle titles and the current Irish National Concert Hall Young Musician of the Year, has just launched an exciting update to her ‘Irish Fiddler’ app for traditional Irish fiddle tunes. Mairéad has played traditional and classical music all over the world and has been on television several times.
The application combines Mairéad’s talent and love for Irish music with the latest technology to deliver an easy to follow method that enables students to learn how to play traditional Irish polkas and jigs on the fiddle. ‘Irish Fiddler’ received national news coverage in Ireland and is proving to be a big hit with users all over the world.
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February 8th–10th, 2013
Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare
www.oac.ie

Oidhreacht an Chláir will present the first annual Concertina Cruinniú on February 8th, 9th and 10th, 2013 in Miltown Malbay.
While well–established annual events such as the uilleann pipers’ Tionól, the harpists’ Cúirt Cruitearachta, Cruinniú na bhFliúit in Cúil Aodha and Cairdeas na bhFidléirí’s fiddle week in Glencolumcille provide a forum for enthusiasts and practitioners on most traditional instruments, there has been no similar celebration of the concertina in Ireland for a number of years.
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The Online Academy of Irish Music
www.oaim.ie

Calling all Tin Whistle enthusiasts – we now have over 70 whistle tutorials online. This equals 20 hours worth of top quality whistle tunes, tips and techniques! Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, OAIM has a course for you:

Expert Whistle Skills #3 – Mikie Smyth
Learn how to apply uilleann piping techniques to the whistle–by the end of the course you will be back–stitching, double rolling and cranning your way through the tunes.
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Out Nov 16th digital bundle on iTunes
With new Single ‘Music I Love’
‘25 songs over 25 years + exclusive bonus commentary from the band’

www.sawdoctors.com

Having played their biggest homecoming show this Summer to over 40,000 fans at the Galway Volvo Ocean Race, and after performing over 2,000 shows in the UK, USA and Australia, The Saw Doctors celebrate 25 years together with a new “Best Of” album of 25 very special songs plus radio single ‘Music I Love’. Running in a rough chronological order through the bands 25 year history, the new “Best Of” traces the band’s career from their ground-breaking debut single N17 (recently featured in Chris O’Dowd’s TV series Moone Boy) through to last year’s chart topping smash DOWNTOWN with Petula Clark.
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Legendary Donegal fiddlers The Campbells feature in music documentary Friday Nov 16th Nov on RTÉ Lyric fm

Legendary Donegal fiddlers, brothers Jimmy and Vincie Campbell, are the subject of the final programme in the series Making Music Together currently being broadcast on RTÉ Lyric fm.  The series explores a range of human relationships in which music plays a particularly strong role.  The programme will be aired on Friday next, November 16th, at 7pm.
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