May 16th – 18th, 2014

www.skerriestraditionalmusic.com

This year the 13th Skerries Traditional Music Weekend will take place from May 16th–18th in the picturesque seaside town of Skerries situated in the North Fingal region of County Dublin. In 2014 Skerries will play host to a weekend packed with music, song and dance where leading artists will travel to Skerries and join with locals and visitors in a celebration of our unique Irish heritage. A great selection of top class individual players will be participating throughout the weekend on many levels including formal concerts, tutoring and pub sessions. Artists such as Mary Bergin, Con ‘Fada’ Ó’Drisceoil, Danny O’ Mahony, The Kane Sisters, Mick O’Brien, Liz Doherty, Paudie O’ Connor, Harry Bradley, Mairéad Casey, Edel Fox, to mention but a few!
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DUBLIN, SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014, 7.30PM

GAEL LINN NATIONAL FINAL SHOWCASES IRELAND’S
YOUNG TRADITIONAL MUSIC TALENT

www.nch.ie

ONLY A FEW MORE DAYS TO GO… The first note in the Siansa Gael Linn All-Ireland music final will sound through the hallowed accoustics of  the National Concert Hall on Sunday, April 6 next at 7.30pm. Eight teenage traditional music groups, 1,000 appreciative spectators and three judges will play, hear and reflect on the cream of young Irish musical talent. And the crème de la crème,  the winners, will return home with the Siansa Gael Linn musicians of the year title, a sparkling trophy in the back seat, a cheque for €2,500 in their pocket and the audience’s acclaim ringing in their ears. Not a bad day’s music-making! (more…)

The national final of the Siansa Gael Linn 2014 competition will be broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Sunday 6 April at 7.30 pm from the National Concert Hall, Dublin.

Eight groups of young traditional musicians will take to the stage for the final, and it will fall to Mary Bergin, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh and Niamh Ní Charra to choose the winners.  Áine Hensey will present the night.
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www.thewillisclan.com

The Willis Clan is taking their music to a whole new level and a whole new audience. This year the band will not only be playing the major Irish festivals like Milwaukee and Dublin, Ohio, but also traveling to state fairs, county festivals, amusement parks and more.  Their new CD Chapter Two – Boots is due out soon and is another album of all original material written by The Clan in the bluegrass style.
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www.irishmusicholidays.com

Fiddle: October 12th – 17th /  Flute:  October 19th – 24th

Fiddle Tutors: Tola Custy, Liz Kane, Adam Shapiro

Flute Tutors: Kevin Crawford, Niall Keegan, Kirsten Allstaff

The Online Academy of Irish Music is to host a series of Irish music retreats in Ennis, Co. Clare in October 2014. These retreats consists of daily group workshops, master classes, trips to local traditional music sessions and concerts. Time is also allocated  to relax, sightsee and partake in the many activities the area has to offer. B&B and evening meals are included in the package. Spaces are limited to 16 students per retreat so early booking is advised.

Visit www.irishmusicholidays.com for more information.

Email: irishmusicholidays@oaim.ie or Tel: 00353 85 2854320

www.facebook.com/theocarolanfamily

A talented Family of Irish Traditional musician’s from Derry launched their debut album on February 6th. The O’Carolan Family – Karen, Ciaran, and Steven have been steeped in traditional music from a very young age. In the late 1990’s their father Jimmy who had an interest in Irish Traditional music sent the three siblings to Tin Whistle and Fiddle lessons at a local comhaltas branch in Derry.
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The first National Concertina Convention, will take place in Ennis, County Clare on April 10th, 11th & 12th.

Consairtín is a celebration of the concertinas in traditional Irish music. The past few years has witnessed an exponential rise in the popularity of the instrument among traditional players in Ireland and the establishment of a national convention now provides a platform for enthusiasts of all ages to gather in an environment that will encourage learning, discussion, performance and fun.
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www.cashel.ie

The Cashel Heritage forum officially launched To Crown A King the Town’s contribution to the all Island Brian Ború Millennium celebrations at 10:14 on Friday, February 14th.

The Cashel festival was launched in the Teach Cheoil of Bru Ború, the Comhaltas venue which will host the key concerts in the weekend programme which runs from April 25th–27th.
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www.nch.ie

The National Concert Hall will host a weekend of traditional music from March 15th –17th. The highlight is a special performance curated by veteran musician and producer Dónal Lunny who has gathered some excellent traditional musicians for St. Patrick’s Weekend concert at the National Concert Hall.

Donal Lunny will be joined by his Planxty and LAPD band mate Andy Irvine together with Breton flautist, Sylvain Barou, Padraig Rynne on concertinas, and the acclaimed Irish fiddler Zoë Conway.

www.buille.com

Buille are set to embark on a rare four date tour of Ireland from April 30th – May 3rd to mark 10 years of being in existence! The tour will start in the bands homebase of Cork before heading north to their other home of Armagh, and then onto Belfast and Derry. The band have bucket loads of new material to try out in preparation for a new album to be recorded later in the year, so audiences are in for a treat and a few surprises. Buille are: Niall Vallely – concertina, Caoimhín Vallely – piano, with Ed Boyd – guitar and Brian Morrissey – bodhrán.

Tour dates: Wednesday April 30th – The Pavilion, Cork

Thursday May 1st – The Charlemont Arms Hotel, Armagh

Friday May 2nd – Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts, Belfast

Saturday May 3rd – Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Derry

For further information www.buille.com