A new series presented and produced by students at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in University of Limerick will be broadcast on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, starting on Friday 12 February 2 pm.

The series will have 6 programmes, presented and produced by first year students at the academy.

The series title means ‘on the banks of the Shannon’ where it was recorded on the beautiful UL campus.  In it, we’ll hear interviews, as well as music and song from the students, their friends and family, former students, and academic staff at the university.
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www.byrneandkelly.com

Singer-songwriters Neil Byrne and Ryan Kelly make up the folk acoustic duo Byrne and Kelly and are set to release a collection of original songs for their new album Echoes on February 19,, 2016.  Driven by solid vocal harmonies, the duo seamlessly combines genres like traditional Irish and Americana to create a fresh Celtic folk sound.

In March, following the release of Echoes on February 19th, Byrne and Kelly will set out on a 14 city intimate and unplugged ‘Album Launch Tour’ where the duo will play through the entire album and dive deep into the explanation of the songwriting  process and the stories behind each track.
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www.MusicCityIrishFest.com

Nashville is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with its biggest bash of Irish festivities ever.

The second annual Music City Irish Fest (MCIF) takes over mid-town Saturday, March 12 from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. The free street event on Demonbreun at the foot of the notorious “Naked Statue” and at the front door of the Harp and Fiddle Irish Pub aims for Music City to embrace its rich heritage and share its powerful Irish musical roots.

“One of Nashville’s sister cities is Belfast, Northern Ireland,” said Brenda Willis, Music City Irish Fest Executive Director. “We have an Irish sister city, so it’s only proper that we celebrate that relationship and St. Patrick’s Day in a big way.”

Exciting headliners include We Banjo 3, The Willis Clan, Altan and more.
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www.thewillisclan.com
Pretoria Concert Room, 1st Floor.
Clayton Hotel, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.
Wednesday 2nd March.
Doors 8.00pm, Show 8.30pm – 10pm.
Tickets £5

After a successful tour in 2015, Nashville-based family band The Willis Clan’s album ‘Heaven’ peaked at number 6 on the U.S. iTunes Pop Charts. Jessica is the main songwriter and Jeremiah is the band’s producer and they are the eldest of twelve siblings. At an early age Jessica began writing songs and Jeremiah quickly mastered a variety of instruments to bring their original songs and compositions to life. Their songs have featured in the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the historic Ryman Auditorium, at the Country Music Association Festival, and on their hit reality TV show ‘The Willis Family,’ which is now in its second season.

www.westcorkmusic.ie

Traditional musicians Matt Cranitch and Eoin Ó Riabhaigh will be visiting County Cork schools from Monday February 1st to Friday February 5th, presenting a workshop which introduces two of the most important instruments in Irish traditional music  - the fiddle and the uilleann pipes. The project is generously supported by The Ireland Funds and managed by West Cork Music.

On Monday, they visit Gurraneasig National School near Kilbrittain and Cloughduv National School, Crookstown. Tuesday it’s the turn of Colaiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire and Scoil Barra Naofa in Monkstown. On Wednesday, the musicians will present the workshop at Midleton CBS Primary and Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil in Glanmire. Thursday they head to the west and visit Ballymoney National School in Ballineen and Scoil Fhiachna, Glengarriff. On Friday, they round off their week with workshops at Kilcrohane NS near Bantry and then Cloghroe National School near Blarney.
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