October 24th - November 2nd, 2008
www.returntocamden.org

The UK’s internationally-renowned traditional Irish music, song and
dance festival returns to Camden for its tenth year on Friday 24th
October—featuring more top musicians, artists and teachers than ever
before. For ten action-packed days, some of the top traditional
players, singers and dancers from the UK, Ireland, and the US will
entertain and teach in a full programme of concerts, céilís,
workshops, sessions, and lectures for adults and children at all levels.
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October 2nd – 5th, 2008
www.corkfolkfestival.com

The 2008 Beamish Cork Folk Festival is one of Ireland’s premier events will feature artists, musician, dancers and singers from Ireland, Britain and beyond. The programme will include a staggering range of musical traditions and styles from Salsa to Slides, from old-timey bluegrass to sean nós singing.
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October 24th - 27th, 2008
www.patrickokeeffe.com

DRAWS FREE SPIRITS FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE AND BEYOND

The Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival has been held in Castleisland, Co. Kerry every October bank holiday weekend since it was founded in 1993. Great music, singing, dancing, poetry, book and CD launches are the staple fare on offer annually at this lively gathering of free spirits from all corners of the globe and beyond imagine that!
This year the event runs from Friday, October 24 to the following Monday 27. In its relatively short history the festival has established itself as one of the most highly respected of its kind in Ireland today. It has been attended by all the leading exponents on the trad scene throughout the country over the course of its reign.
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www.westcorkmusic.ie

From 13th to 17th August, the legends of Irish music return to Bantry for the 6th Masters of Tradition Festival. For five special days, a select line-up of Ireland’s greatest musicians converge on Bantry for this unique Festival, which celebrates the very roots of traditional music.
Looking set to build on the resounding success of the last five years, the 2008 Masters of Tradition Festival throws open its doors to some of the very best musicians in the land. Superb Clare-born, Seattle-based fiddler Martin Hayes will be joined by his usual partner, Chicago-born guitarist Dennis Cahill as well as Kevin Crawford, Steve Cooney, Frankie Gavin, Máire Ní Chéileachair, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Emer Mayock, Helen Hayes, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and many more.
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October 17th - 19th, 2008
www.anbhoth.ie

The 2nd ‘Scoil Cheoil na Botha’ will take place from the 17th-19th October in Scotstown, Co. Monaghan.

The weekend features workshops, sessions, and concert performances by some of Ireland’s finest musicians. Tutors at this years festival include Noel Hill (concertina), John Wynne (flute), John Mc Evoy (fiddle), Fr. Séamus Quinn,, Brian Mc Grath (banjo), Derek Hickey (button accordion), Michael Rooney (harp), Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn (uilleann pipes), Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (singing) and Oliver Loughlin (piano accordion). Concerts will occur on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th and a range of sessions will take place in the village throughout the weekend.

For further details:
Contact Seán on 086 3862080 or 087 9851379
Email: info@anbhoth.ie
Website: www.anbhoth.ie

www.nuigalway.ie

On July 3rd Muiris Ó Rócháin, Director of The Willie Clancy Festival launched NUI Galway’s latest programme taught entirely through Irish, a Diploma of Arts in the Composition, Arrangement and Performance of Traditional Music*.  The Diploma will be delivered by the University’s Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in conjunction with internationally acclaimed musician Dr. Charlie Lennon.
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July 15th - 22nd, 2008
www.munsterfleadh.com

The Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan 2008 which will be staged in Kenmare, Co. Kerry from July 15th - 22nd 2008.

Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan, now in its 48th year, has become the largest Provincial Fleadh in Ireland, Britain and United States. It plays host to visitors from home and abroad and Kenmare should prove to be a most popular venue. Visitors from all over the world will enjoy a true Kerry welcome and will be treated to an abundance of music, song and dance at the many impromptu sessions as well as set and céilí dancing venues around the town.
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www.royaltheatre.ie

www.thehighkings.com

Following the recent success of 2 sell out shows,
The High Kings are back by popular demand.

The High Kings - Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden- in The Royal Theatre, Castlebar Thursday 6th November 2008, tickets on sale now!

For centuries, Ireland was ruled by High Kings. As their reign came to an end, their deeds and stories merged into the world of legend and myth and the High Kings of Ireland were no more except in story, music and song…  Until now. Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden, renowned vocalists and musicians, have come together to create the most exciting Irish ballad group to emerge since The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem electrified the worldwide folk revival of the 1960s.
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www.imro.ie

The Board of The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) is pleased to announce that Victor Finn has been appointed to the position of CEO at IMRO. Mr Finn, who served as Managing Director of The Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (Ireland) from 2001-2008, will take up his position in June.

Finn’s extensive experience within the Irish music market and strong reputation in the International arena are important factors in his appointment to the position. He has overseen significant developments in the Irish music publishing industry, as income for publishers and songwriters has shifted from traditional physical product to digital.
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www.sandsfamilyfolk.com

“The Sands Family” - brothers Tommy, Ben, Colum and sister Anne from
County Down, Ireland,have deservedly earned the title “legendary”
among a host of folk friends and fans world-wide.

Well known and respected as solo performers and songwriters, their
collaborations are always worth waiting for and this new collection
“Keep On Singing” is probably their finest to date.
The seven new songs and five adaptations go a long way in capturing
what The Sands Family have been doing so successfully for close on forty
years,without the slightest signs of slowing down! Recorded “live” in
their home studio without effects, overdubs or guest musicians, this
is the real deal - a multi-talented Family enjoying themselves!

More information and how to buy at www.sandsfamilyfolk.com