www.westcorkmusic.ie/mastersoftradition

The finest of Irish traditional musicians will be descending on Bantry  for the Masters of Tradition from 14 - 18 August. Fiddler Martin Hayes will be joined by a stellar cast including Dennis Cahill, Steve Cooney, Seamus Begley, Pipers Union, the Voice Squad, Triona Marshall, Paul Brock and many more.

Artistic Director of this special festival since its inception in 2003, Martin Hayes says. “We have a number of events that people rave about and others lament not having attended. I don’t intend to miss any of those moments and I hope you don’t either.”

The five evenings of music making will open with a spellbinding performance by Martin, Dennis Cahill and sean nós singer Nell Ní Chróinin. To follow is Danny O’Mahony, an accordion player from North Kerry who is instantly recognised for his very distinctive style of playing. He will be joined by the popular guitarist and Bantry favourite Steve Cooney.

A celebration of the voice takes place on Thursday evening in St Brendan’s Church with the debut of the Voice Squad. These traditional acapella close harmony singers have a unique sound which comes from the two tenor voices of Fran McPhail and Phil Callery alongside the underlying bass of Gerry Cullen. Piper Mikie Smyth and singer John Flanagan will also be appearing.

Harpist Triona Marshall returns for Friday’s concert in Bantry House and the audience will also be entertained by Angelina and Peter Carberry on banjo, Brian Mooney on bouzouki and  the popular Cork singer Maire Ní Chéileachair. The rare chance to watch three uilleann pipers on the candlelit stage of Bantry House follows when Pipers Union perform in the late night concert. Piper David Power who has toured with Masters of Tradition in the United States, will be joined by Dónal Clancy, who has toured with his father Liam, and Ciarán Somers.

The Masters of Tradition welcomes two favourites on Saturday night when guitarist Steve Cooney is joined by accordion player and singer Seamus Begley. From one of the most musically acclaimed families in Ireland, Seamus is an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and unique style. Steve Cooney is a former member of Stockton’s Wing and has performed with Sharon Shannon, Altan and many more. Late night in what might be a first for the Masters of Tradition, we welcome an American duo who are Appalacian double-fiddlers, Cleek Schrey and Stephanie Coleman. Schrey fiddles and flatfoots in the percussive dance ensemble Footworks, a group that specializes in southern music and dance forms.

The festival closes with the Resident Master, Martin Hayes, joined by guitarist Dennis Cahill and Leo MacNamara on flute. This concert is always one which sells out in a short length of time so early booking is advisable.

The Masters of Tradition is generously supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Failte Ireland.

Tickets are available online from www.westcorkmusic.ie/mastersoftradition or by Tel. 027 52788, Lo Call 1850 788 789 or by calling into the West Cork Music office at 13 Glengarriff Rd, Bantry, Co. Cork.