www.musicnetwork.ie

“Clear and strong…always a startling freshness and spontaneity at work…virtuosic and physically engaging.” ***** The Glasgow Herald on Stout and McKay

“This master of the squeeze box… The Cuas man’s voice is a joy.” – The Irish Times on Begley

Join three traditional musicians at the top of their game as Music Network brings together Irish squeeze box maestro and raconteur Séamus Begley with the “Sonically exquisite” (The Guardian) Scottish duo Catriona McKay and Chris Stout in a celebration of the music of the Northern Isles from 16 – 25 September. Expect sparks to fly one minute, and to have your heartstrings tugged the next! Making live music happen across the country, Music Network provides an opportunity to see some of the world’s most foremost musicians at affordable prices, funded by the Arts Council.

For the past 20 years, Catriona McKay and Chris Stout have captivated audiences with their exhilarating and virtuosic live performances: the cascading rhythms of McKay’s harp dovetailing perfectly with Stout’s swooping, soulful violin. Their unique sound, a celebration of music from the Northern Isles, imbues everything from Shetland reels to Swedish waltzes with a wonderfully atmospheric, almost cinematic quality.

Regular visitors to Dingle over the years, the pair are long-standing admirers of Kerry legend Séamus Begley, who joins them for this tour. Winner of the TG4 Singer of the Year Award in 2013 – and a fine storyteller to boot – Begley is also renowned for his distinctive playing style, which remains firmly rooted in tradition while sharing the Scottish duo’s sense of adventure and spontaneity.

This tour follows a series of successful masterclasses hosted by Catriona McKay and Chris Stout for young musicians in July 2014. Visiting Music Generation summer camps in Louth, Laois and Wicklow, the Scottish duo taught traditional Irish music students new music as well as performing with them. Music Network is committed to connecting tours to music education programmes with the aim of giving children and young people rich, holistic musical experiences.

Music Network tours are funded by the Arts Council and are presented in association with RTÉ lyric fm. Tickets for all regional concerts are available from individual venues around the country. Single tickets for Dublin are available from €13 and can be purchased by calling Music Network on (01) 475 0224 or booking online at www.musicnetwork.ie.

FOR LISTINGS EDITORS:

Music Network Presents Séamus Begley (accordion, voice), Catriona McKay (Scottish harp) and Chris Stout (fiddle) (Scotland/Ireland)
16 - 25 September 2014

Tuesday, 16th September, PORTLAOISE Methodist Church
Start Time: 8:00 PM Tickets: €12/€10 Bookings: 057 8663355 / www.dunamaise.ie Promoted by Laois County Council Arts Office

Wednesday, 17th September, LETTERKENNY Regional Cultural Centre
Start Time: 8:00 PM Tickets: €12/€10 Bookings: 074 9120777 (An Grianán) /www.regionalculturalcentre.com Promoted by Regional Cultural Centre

Thursday, 18th September, NEWBRIDGE Riverbank Arts Centre
Start Time: 8:00 PM Tickets: €15/€12 Bookings: 045 448327 / www.riverbank.ie Promoted by Riverbank Arts Centre

Friday, 19th September, DROGHEDA Droichead Arts Centre
Start Time: 8:30 PM Tickets: €15/€12 Bookings: 041 9833946 / www.droicheadartscentre.com Promoted by Droichead Arts Centre

Saturday, 20th September, BAILE MHÚIRNE Ionad Cultúrtha
Start Time: 8:30 PM Tickets: €15/€10/€5 Bookings: 026 45733 Promoted by Ionad Cultúrtha

Sunday, 21st September, WATERFORD Garter Lane Arts Centre
Start Time: 3:00 PM Tickets: €16/€13.50 Bookings: 051 855038 / www.garterlane.ie Promoted by Garter Lane Arts Centre

Tuesday, 23rd September, DUBLIN Sugar Club, Leeson Street Lower, Dublin 2 Start Time: 8:00 PM Tickets: €18/€13 Bookings: 01 4750224 / www.musicnetwork.ie Promoted by Music Network

Wednesday, 24th September, LISTOWEL St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre
Start Time: 8:00 PM Tickets: €15/€12 Bookings: 068 22566 Promoted by St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre

Thursday, 25th September, CORK Triskel Christchurch
Start Time: 8:00 PM Tickets: €18/€16 Bookings: 021 4272022 / www.triskelartscentre.ie Promoted by Triskel Christchurch