www.frankiekennedy.com

The 20th and final Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy will be launched on Rónán Beo@3 on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta live from Tigh Hiúdaí Beag in Gaoth Dobhair on 4 December at 3 pm.

The school was established in 1994 to celebrate and honour the life of Frankie Kennedy, a gifted flute player from Belfast and one of the founders of Altan, who passed away in 1994.

The launch will include live music from Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh and Caitlín Nic Gabhann, among others, and people are welcome to attend.

This year, the school will run from 27th December to 1 January, and a stellar line up of musicians will ensure that it will be a very special 20th and final school.
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Vicar Street Sunday 19th of January 2014

Following the success of their sold-out show in Christ Church Cathedral, the award winning members of Supergroup A Stór Mo Chroí are coming together again for a special night in Dublin’s Vicar Street.

Combined, Karan Casey, Éilís Kennedy, Pauline Scanlon, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, John Spillane, Donogh Hennessy, Dónal O’Connor and John McSherry have been members of the most influential folk and traditional groups of the past fifteen years, including Solas, Lúnasa, Tamalin, At First Light, Nomos, Coolfin, Béal Tuinne and The Sharon Shannon Band.
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www.radissonblu.ie/hotel-athlone

The legendary singer-songwriter Christy Moore, one of Ireland’s greatest musical icons of the current day is coming to the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone for a special performance for one night only Saturday 7th December, having just launched a brand new album titled “Where I Come From”.
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A Complete Guide to Playing the Irish Flute is the most comprehensive tutor yet for keyed and unkeyed ‘Irish’ wooden flutes. Originally published in 1986 under the title Timber, Fintan Vallely’s tutor was the first-ever guide to learning the wooden flute and has become the source for countless students of the instrument in Irish music.
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www.thewillisclan.com

The Willis Clan has enjoyed the journey of being re–introduced to their Irish musical heritage through Riverdance, learning the dance, winning the fleadh, writing their own tunes and songs, recording an album and touring and playing at Irish festivals. But recently The Clan’s music has taken a new turn while still remaining true to its roots. Having moved from a strong Irish community in Chicago to Nashville, TN 12 years ago has allowed the band to be introduced to many new styles of music.
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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:
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January 7th – 17th, 2014
www.musicnetwork.ie

Dirk Powell (5–string banjo, fiddle, accordion, voice), Michael McGoldrick (uilleann pipes, flute, whistles), Brendan Gleeson (fiddle), Francis Gaffney (guitar).
“Dirk Powell is the greatest old–time banjo player alive… an artist of unique vision and unbending integrity.”– Steve Earle
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www.wgbh.org

Music

With music director Seamus Egan returning, his ground– breaking group Solas will be back on stage as well. The virtuosity of Winifred Horan on fiddle, Mick McAuley from Kilkenny on accordion and guitar, and Eamon McElholm, from Co. Tyrone will be supplemented by a new percussionist Steve Holloway, and the returning stalwart, Chico Huff on Bass. Steve Hickman, who wowed the audience with his use of body percussion (hambone!), and fiddling in 2007 will return. And Maeve Gilchrist will bring her harp wizardry from her native Scotland as well as the new influences of her years at the Berklee College of music. This year, some of the distinctive music of Norway will also be incorporated as Mariel Vandersteel joins the cast with her 8 string Hardanger fiddle, named after a musically vibrant and distinct part of the country.
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www.tradweek.com

2014 will be the 11th edition Meitheal Summer School. It will run from July 21st to 25th in Villiers School, Limerick. (ie. Just after the Munster Fleádh). A stellar cohort of tutors is being lined– up. Reaction to Meitheal 2013 was extremely positive and many students highlight the Finale Concert, broadcast on Raidio na Gaeltachta and the Meitheal Orchestra show broadcast live from the Guildhall in Derry proved an unforgettable experience.
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January 16th–20th, 2014

www.wmw.ie

The Shannonside Winter Music Weekend has been going from strength–to–strength over the last few years, and next January’s event marks another step forward for this eclectic festival of the best in acoustic music.  Between January 16th and 20th, almost 80 concerts, pub gigs, sessions, and shows will keep the villages of Sixmilebridge and Bunratty buzzing and bouncing with acts from far and wide, as well as the cream of local talent.

The Tin Sandwich Band lead a strong trad roster in a weekend that is always different, yet always a delight. The hugely popular High Plains Tradition from Colorado will provide bluegrass excellence, while La Compagnie Maribel from southern France bring their regional song, dance and costume for a very different experience. From Germany, Papirossi play a quirky mix of world music styles, and Rue du Canal deliver sublime Franco–Irish gypsy–folk. Gospel, Classical, even rockahillbilly music get a look in too!

Saturday sees Bunratty Folk Park hosting gigs on five different stages, while the pubs of Sixmilebridge resound to the best of sessions in jazz, folk, blues, bluegrass, as well as Irish. Another heaped helping of nourishing music and dance makes Sunday in Bunratty or Sixmilebridge more fun than you’d ever expect in Clare in the middle of winter.

From start to finish, this festival will charm, surprise, entertain and occasionally astound. No better way to shrug off the Winter blues.

Details on www.wmw.ie and also on facebook.