www.westcorkmusic.ie/retreats/springboard

Fiddler Caoimhín O’Raghallaigh will be tutor-in-residence during a special St Patrick’s Weekend retreat in Glengarriff, West Cork from 16 - 19 March . A member of The Gloaming, Caoimhín has been described as ‘the most singular traditional Irish musician of [his] generation’ by State Magazine, Ireland.
This retreat is aimed at competently skilled fiddlers who want to examine more fundamental questions around playing the fiddle - How can I put more feeling into my music? How can I make it mean more? How can I find more freedom while playing? What is beauty in sound to me?
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Pipers and harpists will compete in the final for the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal on Friday 3 February. The event, which takes place in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork, will be presented by Peadar Ó Riada and broadcast live on Cuireadh chun Ceoil on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta from 7 pm.

One piper and one harpist will be presented with the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal, and they will share a cash prize of €2500.
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Eleanor McEvoy and Usher’s Island set for Double Headliner concert not to be missed on St Patrick’s Day at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny

Kilkenny Tradfest has today announced that Eleanor McEvoy, one of Ireland’s most accomplished singer/song writers and musical sensation Usher’s Island will appear at a Double Headliner concert on St Patrick’s Day (March 17th) at 7pm, the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny City.

Usher’s Island sees the coming together of five of the most influential and acclaimed names in traditional Irish music including, Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny, both members of Planxty, Paddy Glackin a founding member of The Bothy Band, Mike McGoldrick of Lunasa and Capercaillie and John Doyle who played with Solas. Each is a talented soloist in their own individual right, but in this new band they offer a blend of old and young and of vocal and instrumental talents that results in exceptional music. Combined with the enchanting sounds of Eleanor McEvoy this is set to be a very special Double Headliner concert not to be missed.
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POWERSCOURT TOWNHOUSE THEATRE
Sth William Street, Dublin 2
6p.m. – 8p.m. (Doors open  from 5.40 p.m.)
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www.kilkennytradfest.com

Beoga, who recently collaborated with Ed Sheeran will play in Paris Texas, Kilkenny City on Thursday 16th March as part of Kilkenny Tradfest

Kilkenny Tradfest is delighted to reveal that Irish trad and folk band, ‘Beoga’, are coming back to Kilkenny to join the line-up for this year’s festival. The acclaimed Antrim based five-piece band, will make their debut performance at the festival with a special concert in Paris Texas in Kilkenny city centre on Thursday 16th March at 10pm. The event is free, but early arrival is advised.
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Canvas
Release date: February 24th 2017

In February 2017 Moya Brennan will release her first solo album in 10 years.

Moya, renowned as the lead singer of Clannad and often called the ‘First Lady of Celtic Music’, is currently putting the final touches to what will be her 9th solo project. In recent years she has spent much time with the re-emergence of her family band, Clannad and also working closely with harp virtuoso, Cormac De Barra, on their Voices & Harps collaboration.
Moya has just completed the soundtrack to a 26 episode TV animation series, Prisoner Zero, for ABC TV in Australia. The soundtrack will be available internationally from the end of 2016.
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April 27th-30th, 2017
www.shetlandfolkfestival.com

The Shetland Folk Festival committee has announced an eclectic line-up for their 37th festival in April this year. Fifteen acts have so far been confirmed for the four-day feast of superb music, sessions and sleepless nights! An exciting variety of bands from USA, Canada, Italy, Estonia, Belgium and Ireland will be featured alongside an array of fantastic UK and local talent.
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www.kilkennytradfest.com

Kilkenny Tradfest has announced that singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Paul Brady will headline this year’s festival. Kilkenny Tradfest, takes place over the St Patrick’s Day weekend (16th – 19th March) and this year the festival will celebrate its 5th anniversary. Once again Kilkenny Tradfest will showcase and celebrate the best of Irish traditional and folk music in a variety of unique venues across Kilkenny city, and over the coming weeks the packed schedule, with something for all the family, will be revealed.
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www.nch.ie

Anúna is legitimate folklore that weaves religious and secular threads into an enchanting sonic tapestry…” Billboard

On Thursday 16th March 8pm, the National Concert Hall will host Anúna in a performance which celebrates this internationally renowned vocal ensemble’s 30th anniversary season.
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www.tf.dk

More colours brighten the 2017 Tønder Festival palette. This year Tønder Festival will be presenting more exciting foreign artists, including Shovels & Rope from USA, Kaia Kater from Canada and Danni Nicholls from UK, all appearing in Denmark for the first time.
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