Traditional singer Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill tours Ireland 11 – 23 September 2018 with Máirtín O’Connor and Séamie O’Dowd presented by Music Network

“Dark and deep, sonorous and controlled” – The Irish Times [on Ní Dhomhnaill]

“One of the most versatile Irish button accordion players” – Folkworld [on O’Connor]

“Musical legend” – The Independent [on O’Dowd]

“[her singing]… left the audience in trance”– Folkworld [on Ní Dhomhnaill]

“Technical brilliance and flamboyant style” – Irish Music Magazine [on O’Connor]

“Séamie O’Dowd’s guitar conspire[s] to create a glorious, unfettered soundscape” – The Irish Times

Music Network’s Autumn 2018 season gets off to a flying start as two of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians – button accordionist Máirtín O’Connor and guitarist Séamie O’Dowd – accompany the living songbook and national treasure that is vocalist Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill. The swashbuckling musical spirit that has seen O’Connor and O’Dowd dazzle audiences in the past provides an anchor to Ní Dhomhnaill’s shimmering vocals – with the promise of free-flowing instrumental duos to boot. This curated trio will tour to ten venues nationwide from 11 – 23 September 2018, details at musicnetwork.ie.

Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, winner of TG4’s “Traditional Singer of the Year” award, formed the band Skara Brae before touring the world with Donal Lunny’s Coolfin. She sings and tours most often with her sister Tríona and their recent concert performances with Martin Hayes, Denis Cahill and David Power have been met with widespread critical acclaim. Along with her sister Tríona, Moya Brennan, and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, she formed T with the Maggies, who released their first CD in 2010. She has also recorded with John Renbourn and The Voice Squad and The West Ocean String Quartet. Maighread is renowned for her distinctive traditional style, which she has taken worldwide as an ambassador and champion of Irish tradition.

Máirtín O’Connor’s dexterity and versatility on the accordion have seen him perform with a veritable who’s who of trad legends including Midnight Well, The Boys of the Lough, De Dannan, Skylark and the Riverdance orchestra. Máirtín released three albums of his own compositions - Chatterbox (1993), The Road West (2001) and Rain of Light (2003) which are considered innovative, ground breaking and captivating, and he has composed music for theatrical productions, TV documentaries and film. In 2010 he published a book containing 60 of his compositions called Inside the Box; Outside the Box, launched at NUIG where Máirtín was also conferred with an honorary M.A for his contribution to traditional music.

One of Ireland’s foremost trad musicians, Séamie O’Dowd is a renowned multi-instrumentalist most associated with his performances as a member of trad powerhouse Dervish. He has also collaborated with such musicians as Christy Moore, Cathal Hayden, Jimmy Higgins, Tommy Emmanuel, and Liam O’Flynn.  Séamie’s musical career has seen him progress up through the ranks of various strands of the Sligo traditional Irish, blues, folk and rock scenes to being an extensively travelled, experienced and much sought after musician, singer and producer. He has released two critically acclaimed solo albums, Headful of Echoes (2006) and Wood and Iron (2018), and is a member of the highly regarded trio, The Unwanted.

Music Network’s mission is to make live music available and accessible to as many people as possible, giving Irish audiences the chance to experience the very best in international chamber, jazz and traditional music in venues throughout Ireland at affordable prices. All tours are co-promoted with a network of valued partner promoters across the country in order to develop local capacity to provide musical activity. In addition, Music Network’s Learning and Participation programme connects its tours with music education programmes and groups around the country including Music Generation participants, primary, second and third level students, Music Capital Scheme awardees, and music schools and groups nationwide.

Tickets for the concert in Whelan’s in Dublin city centre on Wednesday 12 September range from €10 - €20, (plus booking fees) and can be purchased by calling Music Network on (01) 475 0224 or booking online at www.musicnetwork.ie. Tickets for all regional concerts are available from individual venues (booking fees may apply). Music Network tours are funded by the Arts Council. Supported by RTÉ Supporting the Arts.

FOR LISTINGS EDITORS

Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Máirtín O’Connor and Séamie O’Dowd (Ireland) presented by Music Network

Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, voice
Máirtín O’Connor, accordion
Séamie O’Dowd, guitar, fiddle, voice
  
On tour 11 – 23 September 2018

• Tues 11 Sept, National Opera House, Wexford, 8pm, €16 / €14, 053-9122144 / nationaloperahouse.ie

• Wed 12 Sept, Whelan’s, Dublin 2, 8pm, €20 / €15 / €10, 01-4750224 / musicnetwork.ie, promoted by Music Network

• Thurs 13 Sept, Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, 8pm, €17 / €14, 094-9023733 / thelinenhall.com

• Fri 14 Sept, Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, 8pm, €15 / €12, 074-9120777 (An Grianán) / regionalculturalcentre.com

• Sun 16 Sept, Station House Theatre, Clifden, 10pm, €15 / €10 (on the door), 095-21699 (info only), promoted by Clifden Arts Festival

• Tues 18 Sept, glór, Ennis, 8pm, €16 / €14, 065-6843103 / glor.ie

• Wed 19 Sept, St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, Listowel, 8pm, €15 / €12, 068-22566

• Thurs 20 Sept, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, 8pm, €20 / €18, 01-2312929 / paviliontheatre.ie

• Sat 22 Sept, Roscommon Arts Centre, 8pm, €16 / €14, 090-6625824 / roscommonartscentre.ie

• Sun 23 Sept, St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, Portlaoise, 7pm, €15 / €12, 057-8663355 / dunamaise.ie, promoted by Laois County Council Arts Office