www.mulligans.nl

Mulligan’s is an Irish Music Mecca on the bank of the Amstel in Amsterdam, a few hundred metres from the famous Munttoren. It’s a musicians dream bar, long and narrow, the venue serves beer but not food, promotes acoustic music and is great place to catch up on the gossip around the trad and session scene in Europe.

They will be celebrating Mulligans 25 Years at the end of August, with a great week of live music and reunion of old musicians and customers. Host Miriam Feuth told us “we’ll be celebrating the fact that we are the oldest Irish bar in the Netherlands, possibly in the Benelux, and one of the oldest none–stop life Irish music bars in Europe. The celebration weekend will be from August 28th–September 1st.”

www.oaim.ie

Do you want to learn the Mandolin? If so, Paddy Cummin’s new Mandolin Basics course is the one for you. The first six lessons of this course are absolutely free, so log–in and get learning!

This course is aimed at the absolute beginner mandolin player. It begins with a series of six free lessons then progresses through to the twelve main subscription lessons. How to hold the instrument, proper hand / finger posture and good basic technique are all important fundaments that will be addressed in the early lessons. There will be a progressive study of scales, plectrum motions, and ornamentation throughout the series of lessons. The Mandolin Basics course will equip the beginner player with the necessary rudiments to journey along the adventurous road of Irish music making. By the end of the course, the learner will have a repertoire of fourteen popular Irish tunes, the ability to play basic chords and triplets and a deeper understanding of the Irish music tradition.

Join OAIM’s global community of Irish musicians, log on to www.oaim.ie  and sign up today!

Over 1,500 people attended the 43rd, Senior Scór All–Ireland Final in The Venue in Derry recently. Four traditional music groups representing the four Provinces took part in the competition. Cill na Mallach from Cork, Cumann Ruairí Mhic Asmáint, Port Chluain Eoin from Antrim, Naomh Fearnáin from Sligo and Dóchas Éireann from Dublin.
(more…)

www.pipers.ie
A traditional music recital on the first Tuesday of every month

The Cobblestone, 77 North King Street, Dublin 7.

Tuesday  4th June 2013

Seánín (Phat Mylea) McDonagh is one of the best kept secrets in the Irish traditional music world. Hailing from Lettermore, Connemara, Co Galway, he has been a popular member of the traditional Irish London music scene for the last 40 years. Known particularly for his exploratory nature with tunes in different keys, Seánín’s tune renditions often reawaken the classics. He will be joined on the night by James Carty, who like many of the younger generation in London, was influenced and encouraged by McDonagh. James was born in London, of Roscommon and Connemara parents. He is steeped in music through his family and also from the rich vein of music that existed in London during his formative years.
(more…)

www.fleadhnua.com

When AN SEANADÓIR LABHRÁS Ó MURCHÚ launches FLEADH NUA in Ennis on Sunday, 19th May it will mark the 40th occasion on which the town has hosted Ireland’s premier festival of Traditional Entertainment. From relatively modest beginnings, the Festival now comprises 66 separate events and extends over 9 days. Recently hailed by distinguished travel writer, REID BRAMBLETT as “the most participatory of the Irish Music Festivals” and with a definite focus on enjoyment and entertainment, Fleadh Nua really does offer something for everyone. It is also a pocket-friendly festival with admission to most events either free of charge or moderately priced – an important consideration in these dread days of austerity.
(more…)

October 11th–19th, 2013
www.celtic-colours.com

Celtic Colours International Festival presents Celtic Colours in the Schools.

Celtic Colours International Festival understands that for culture and tradition to continue to thrive, they must be passed on to the next generation. To ensure the youngest generation of musicians, storytellers, dancers and singers is inspired to learn more about their heritage, Celtic Colours offers three programs to schools across Cape Breton Island. The elementary school program is a musical participatory presentation celebrating how Celtic cultural heritage is still prevalent today. It takes place in May, which is Gaelic Awareness Month in Nova Scotia. Delivered by young Gaelic speakers and musicians, the program presents a current context of traditional music, song, and story.
(more…)

August 14th – 18th 2013
www.westcorkmusic.ie

The 11th Masters of Tradition programme will be announced in April!

The 2013 Masters of Tradition will open its doors to the very best musicians in the land, presenting a series of performances that cover the full spectrum of Irish traditional music, in its most authentic form. Many of Ireland’s foremost traditional musicians have performed at the festival since it began in 2002. Previous performers include: Liam O’Flynn; Moya Brennan and Cormac De Barra; Steve Cooney; Kevin Crawford from Lúnasa; Brendan Begley; Susan McKeown; Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill; Donal Lunny and so many more. As ever the Festival is headlined by Martin Hayes, the fiddler from East Clare, whose distinctive touch and extravagant virtuosity has brought the tradition to new levels. His famous trance–evoking sets with Dennis Cahill, who returns again this year, have mesmerised audiences all over the world.
(more…)

August 9th–11th, 2013
www.irishfair.com

The 2013 Irish Fair of Minnesota, a three-day annual celebration of Irish heritage and culture, will be held Friday, August 9th through Sunday, August 11th on Harriet Island in St. Paul, Minn. With nearly 100,000 attendees each year, this event is the largest free celebration of its kind in the Upper Midwest.
Once again, the Irish Fair of Minnesota will provide a family– friendly experience featuring a multitude of activities, including traditional music, Irish dance, Gaelic sports, native Irish dogs, the Fitzgerald Piping Contest, the Best Legs in a Kilt Contest, the 5k Run with the Celts, the “Irish Got Talent” contest, a variety of Irish shopping opportunities, and an array of food and beverage options.
(more…)

August 7th–12th, 2013
www.feaklefestival.ie

The 26th Annual Music Festival takes place from Wednesday August 7th to Monday August 12th. This year the organisers are holding a fringe Festival from Monday August 5th to Wednesday August 7th. The theme of the fringe Festival is “The Therapeutic Benefits of Set-Dancing for Parkinson Disease sufferers.” This will be guided by Dr. Daniel Volpe from Venice. Dr. Volpe has done extensive studies on the subject. Over the 3 days there will be conferences, set-dancing and also sessions. This new event will glide into the Feakle Music Festival with a vast array of musical talent on show. Once again they will have workshops on most instruments, Concerts, Céilís, Recitals, Poetry, Singing, Dancing and sessions.
Confirmed to date are The Clare Memory Orchestra, Voice Squad, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Socks In The Frying Pan, Norwegian Folk Group, Dermot Byrne and many more.

For further information visit the website: www.feaklefestival.ie
or via email: info@feaklefestival.ie

August 6th, 7th, 10th, 2013

The 14th Annual Carmel Gunning Summer School festival will run as a three day event for 2013 on August 6th, 7th and 10th. Down through the years this summer school has produced many fine students from America, England, France and Ireland who are active in traditional music circles today.
(more…)