April 30th – May 3rd, 2010
www.cupoftaefestival.com or www.ardara.ie

The “Cup of Tae” Festival in May Bank Holiday week-end in Ardara, Co. Donegal has become a recognised landmark in the calander of traditional Festivals. One of those festivals you must visit to appreciate. Appreciate the wonderful family atmosphere where the priority on family values and the family is appreciated and learn the wonderful skill of playing a traditional instrument. The famous School of Music which is a key part of the Festival attracts students from all over the world. This year the Committee have an exciting lineup with the festival giving a special honour to acknowledge the 30th Anniversary of the death of John “Simi” Doherty “the Donegal Fiddler”. The programme will include some very interesting documentaries on the life and music of this famous Fiddler by experts who studied his contribution and also musicians who played with him.
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July 11th – 17th, 2010
www.ssss.org

The 24th South Sligo Summer School of traditional music, song and dance will take place in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo from Sunday 11th to Saturday, 17th July 2010.

Situated at the foot of the Ox Mountains in the heart of South Sligo in an area steeped in traditional music going back generations, Tubbercurry is the perfect location for this annual summer school, first established in 1987 and now in its 24th year, where participants have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the music, song and dance of South Sligo and beyond over six days of tuition, concerts and recitals, céilís, lectures and workshops, all featuring tutors, lecturers, musicians and céilí bands of the highest calibre.  Think of tune titles such as ‘The Killavil Jig’, ‘The Mountain Road’, ‘The Moving Bogs of Powelsboro’ or ‘The Chaffpool Post’, all places in and around Tubbercurry or again of names like Martin Wynne, Fred Finn, Andy McGann and Jim Donoghue, just a few of the great musicians who were native to the area, all of whom left a legacy of tunes, some their own compositions, in their wake.  This is just the tip of the iceberg of what is a deep, rich tradition and one which all those involved in the South Sligo Summer School set out to celebrate, breathe new life into and help preserve each year.
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Applications for Meitheal Summer School 2010 before March 12th!
www.tradweek.com

Meitheal 2010 will run from July 19th to 23rd in Villiers School, Limerick.  A stellar cohort of tutors is being lined up, many of them from overseas and composer Tom Doorley will prepare the orchestral score.  Reaction to Meitheal 2009 was extremely positive and many students highlight the Finale Concert, and the appearance at the National Concert Hall as being unforgettable experiences.

Many of the award winners have already played at the events for which they were chosen.  Patricia McArdle and Daryl Dolan have performed at Ennis Trad Fest, Aoife Cunningham and the group Gealt have played the National Concert Hall.  Meanwhile, Aoife Ní Airgeáin, Aisling Hill, Aisling Douris and Annemarie Bell are preparing for their festival gigs in the Spring.  They have been chosen to appear at the Nyah festival in Cavan, the Kilfenora festival and also at the Corofin Trad fest, all in March.
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NYAH County Cavan Traditional Music Festival
March 10th-28th

www.cavanmusic.com

“For the month of March in the Breffni County, immerse yourself in the music and culture, and rejoice in being Irish”, is the message from the Nyah committee, headed by Martin Donohoe. And traditional music enthusiast, Martin. has been conscious of leaner times with this year’s programming - apart from the workshops only a handful of events have a cover charge, with the majority being free

The word “Nyah” refers to the very expression of the tradition; to the
soul and feeling that makes it so unique…… it’s about the lift the music can
give to the hardest heart.
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www.compassrecords.com

In stores January 26, 2010 (US & CAN) and
Feb 2010 (AUS/IRE/UK)
Produced by and featuring Tim O’Brien

On Natural Angle, Irish band Gráda launches headlong into the cross-genre world of new acoustic music, bridging traditional Irish and Appalachian tunes and songs with Americana songwriting.

“An Irish folk band but hardly a traditional one, Gráda is equally comfortable performing original neo-folk compositions, covers of songs by Suzanne Vega and Sonny Condell, and tunes from Brittany alongside the traditional Celtic tunes…” - All Music Guide

“Gráda is to Irish music what Arcade Fire is to Indie - informal, prodigious and full of spirit.”
- The Washington Post
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www.theroyal.ie
They have performed with Sharon Shannon, De Dannan and Altan and now the hugely popular and talented Cunningham family from Connemara are set to take centre stage themselves at the Royal Theatre in Castlebar on March 7th with a spectacular new music and dance show called ‘Fuaim Chonamara’ (The Sound of Connemara).

‘Fuaim Chonamara’ contains a wealth of talented musicians and dancers from all over the west of Ireland.  Brian O’ Cuinneagain headlines the show direct from his US tour with ‘Teada’ and ‘Seamus Begley’.  He will be joined on stage by his sisters Irene, Ashling and Lorraine, while his younger brother Michael also features as a dancer and musician.
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www.shetlandfolkfestival.com
This year’s Shetland Folk Festival, celebrating its 30th Anniversary, sees yet another eclectic and innovative line up of visiting artistes comprised of both first timers and festival favourites from the years gone by.

Often regarded as the grandaddy of UK folk festivals, the Festival is regarded as a prestigious event for performers, locals and visitors alike – and is 100% organised by volunteers!  The “sessions” in the Festival Club, Islesburgh are often regarded as the best and most unique in the world whilst visiting artistes are regularly dumbfounded by the quantity and quality of local musicians that these remote isles have to offer.
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The 2010 Ballyshannon Folk Festival takes place on the August Bank Holiday weekend Fri 30th Sat 31st July and Sun 1st Aug and  interested Musicians and Folk Artists should contact Mick Mc Grath from the organising Committee on Tel. 086 0696744 or email. mckmcgra@yahoo.co.uk if you require any booking details.

- musical gatherings hosted by GAEL LINN

Bewley’s Café Theatre, Grafton Street
6p.m. – 8p.m.
( Doors open from 5.45p.m. )

TUESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2010
MÁIRE BREATNACH (fiddle/viola/songs)
celebrates the launch of her
beautiful  new album
CRANNA CEOIL/IN FULL MEASURE
with accompaniment from
PAUL DE GRAE (guitar)

ADMISSION: €15 ( includes complimentary finger food )
Bar open/tea and coffee available
BOOKING RECOMMENDED ( LIMITED SPACE ! )
087/2547574

12 December 2009

The veteran song collector and distinguished broadcaster Ciarán MacMahúna passed away on Friday December 11th. Here follows a statement by Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on the death of Ciarán MacMahúna

I was saddened to hear of the passing of the distinguished Irish broadcaster, who contributed so much to the cultural life of this country, not only through his television and radio career with RTÉ but also as a collector of Irish music, poetry and song. A man of great intellect with a wonderful commitment to and understanding of Irish folklore and the traditional arts, Ciarán made it a priority over the course of his long life to travel and meet musicians and to collect Irish music and stories, preserving them for future generations. He has left us with a wonderful legacy.
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