Ten leading traditional poets and musical artists have completed an exciting, multi-lingual residency in Galloway, Scotland.  The artists have been working together to create a new arrangement of the Galloway Gaelic Oran Bagraidh song as well as original compositions inspired by the song, the landscape and each other.  Taking the theme of multiple identities they have explored commonalities and differences between languages, regional histories and musical sensibilities, dipping into traditional, experimental and electronic.

(more…)

On the 8th and 9th of September 2018 a large number of people gathered together in Liberty Hall in Dublin to discuss further the issues of fairness and respect for female performers working within traditional and folk music in Ireland.

The panel discussions and performances were organised by FairPlé in conjunction with The Musicians Union of Ireland. The event was funded by a Traditional Arts Award from the Arts Council of Ireland.

In the opening speech FairPlé founding member Karan Casey described the background to the movement stating that “FairPlé is a movement of people founded to change the working environment for women in the worlds of traditional and folk music. We are advocating for deep societal change: an improvement in the imbalance of line-ups that discriminates against female performers particularly instrumentalists, an end to sexual harassment, an end to the macho cultural bravado that is endemic within the community.”

The whole day was facilitated by Dr. Síle Denvir who so graciously assured that the proceedings ran on time all day and with Síle’s expert skills and patience in steering people the day ran without a hitch, many commenting on how well run the whole occasion was. It should also be noted that the sandwich making skills of Úna Ní Flannagáin, Pauline Scanlon, Maeve McCann, Eamon Murray, Karan Casey and Úna Monaghan are second to none.

(more…)

Digital release through The Orchard/Voodoo Bones Records OCTOBER 31st 2018

BARRY KINANE’S SECOND ALBUM THE OLD GREY COBBLESTONE – STORY SONGS OF OLD DUBLIN digital release through The Orchard/Voodoo Bones Records OCTOBER 31st 2018.

While in rock band Glyder, Barry Kinane toured all over Europe and opened for international acts like Metallica and Slash while releasing two albums with European rock label SPV/Steamhammer/Sony BMG.  Kinane’s interest in local history and original music were married together as he continued writing after Glyder split in 2010. A turn in musical direction saw Kinane winning the prestigious Sean McCarthy Ballad writing competition in Listowel, Co. Kerry in 2014.  This was followed up with release of “The Hills above the Valley” in 2015, a collection of musical stories of his home village Ballyknockan, Co. Wicklow which was acclaimed in Irish Music Magazine.

“Kinane has a rare gift of taking the stories of life and relatively recent history to weave magical musical tales that are like short stories of the highest quality…” Nicky Rossiter – Irish Music Magazine

(more…)

Live music @ The Old Punchbowl Pub,

Rock Road,Booterstown.

Our Autumn series of concerts start on Thursday 27th of September, as we welcome back John Spillane for what will be his fourth visit to us here at The Seaview Sessions. John was actually the first peformer to come and do a gig here in The Old Punchbowl and is always in great form and his gigs are full houses every time. Recently desccribed as ‘The Contemporary Bard of Our Time’,  John never fails to win over an audience and leave them in a blaze of glory…he’s on fire lads, on fire.  (more…)

Bewley’s Café Theatre, Grafton Street

THURSDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2018

6p.m. – 8p.m. (Doors open  from 5.45 p.m.)

Renowned  Dundalk fiddler, 
GERRY O’CONNOR, along with  sons,

FÉILIMÍ Ó CONCHUBHAIR ( guitar/songs), and

FINIAN O’CONNOR ( Uileann Pipes, whistles) ,

play dance music of Oriel from the Donnellan collection 
( and more ! )  in celebration of his 
           recently-launched book,  ‘The Rose in the Gap !

ADMISSION: €15 ( nibbles included ! )

Wine, Beer, Soft Drinks, Tea & Coffee available for purchase

Booking essential ( limited space ! )

087/2547574

www.cuireadhchunceoil.ie

Peadar Ó Riada is now accepting entries from fiddlers for the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal 2018 competition.  The winner will take home the medal, as well as prize money of €2500, with the final to be broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta in February 2019.

(more…)