August 6th – 12th 2008
www.feaklefestival.ie

Feakle is now firmly established as the home for the music of East Clare. Its annual Festival though organized by a voluntary committee is hailed by many as the best for its concerts and sessions. Fans of the Festival travel from all corners of the world, many returning every year, reflecting the standard and caliber of the music and atmosphere to be had at the Festival.
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NOT FOR THE LAID BACK OR FAINT OF HEART!
www.cavanmusic.com
 
It’s coming close to that time again folks, the time of year when the annual “Nyah” festival sees Cavan take centre stage in the world of traditional music, song and dance.
 
The list of names lined up for this year’s biggest ever “Nyah County Cavan Arts Festival 2008”, to give it the full name, reads like a who’s who of Irish music’s cream of the crop. Over 300 artists from 18 countries will descend on the Breffni county throughout March to take part in a packed programme of events across the county, ranging from major concerts to intimate pub sessions, with a host of extras including music and song workshops, awards presentations and book and CD launches. The big difference this year is that the Nyah spreads across the county, with towns like Virginia, Ballyjamesduff, Belturbet, Cootehill and Bailieboro all having a share of the action, as well as Cavan town itself. The word “nyah” refers to the very expression of the tradition … to its lift or “soul”. This is a festival of all things Cavan. Now in the Fifth year, the Nyah festival celebrates the traditional music, song, dance and culture of County Cavan, the Ulster tradition and the county’s very own musical style. The Nyah  programme promotes events throughout the county on a year-round basis.
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www.compassrecords.com

New album, Ships in the Forest,
to be released in North America April 8, 2008

The Compass Records Group is excited to announce the signing of Karan Casey, an artist whose voice has been described as “Angelic. Haunting. Spellbinding.” (The Calgary Herald) and “among the loveliest in folk music…” (The Boston Globe).

Karan Casey is one of the most influential and imitated vocalists in Irish and American folk music; a natural innovator, she proves that the ancient and the modern make excellent bedfellows. On Ships in the Forest, her fifth solo album and debut with the Compass Records Group, Casey’s warm, soulful voice ebbs and flows around ballads both timely and timeless. Produced once again by Donald Shaw (of Capercaillie fame), the album was recorded at Casey’s home in County Cork and features the members of her current touring band, Caoimhín Vallely (piano), Kate Ellis (cello) and Robbie Overson (guitar) along with special guests Kris Drever, Niall Vallely and Cillian Vallely.
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An intimate performance featuring 3 of the “Greats” from the world of international song writing
www.greenroomdublin.ie

On Monday 18th February IMRO will host a very special evening of entertainment, which will see some of the world’s most influential songwriters perform together on stage. With tales about the inspiration behind their numerous international hit songs and stories about the performers that made them hits this promises to be an event that you won’t want to miss!
This showcase will feature a guest appearance by Ruth Anne Cunningham, one of Ireland’s rising hit writers and the recipient of a “Best Pop Award” at the 2007 ASCAP Awards.

Date: Monday 18th February 2008
Venue: The Green Room @ The Holiday Inn, Pearse Street, Dublin 2
Time: Doors 7:30pm (performance 8:00pm)
Adm: EUR10
Phone 01 6703666 or info@greenroomdublin.ie
Please reserve a seat by sending a confirmation email to keith.johnson@imro.ie
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August 7th-9th, 2008
www.fairportconvention.com

Fairport is pleased to announce the full line-up of acts for Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2008.The uniquely-friendly three-day festival of rock, pop and acoustic music has been running for over 25 years. This year, the event takes place on 7, 8, 9 August. The organisers are advising fans to book early – last year, all the tickets were sold weeks before the gates opened. Running times are 4pm to 11.30pm on Thursday and noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
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MUSIC NETWORK PRESENTS, “TOBAR AN CHEOIL”, TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND SONG WITH UILLEANN PIPES, HARP AND SEAN NÓS, ON TOUR MAY 14 - 24
www.musicnetwork.ie
“The playing is rich and intoxicating. Highlights? Too many to list. ”
The Living Tradition & Irish Music Magazine on Brian McNamara

On this traditional Irish music tour, three maestros go back to basics, exploring the ancient roots of Celtic music – geantraí, goltraí and suantraí – happy songs, laments and lullabies. The ensemble, featuring Brian McNamara (uilleann pipes), Gráinne Hambly (concertina, harp) and Éamon Ó Donnchadha (vocals, flute) can be heard on a Music Network tour of Ireland from 14 – 24 May. Tickets for all regional concerts are available from individual venues around the country. Music Network tours provide a wonderful opportunity to see some of the world’s foremost music ensembles at affordable prices in venues around Ireland and are presented in association with The Irish Times and RTÉ lyric fm. Music Network is revenue funded by the Arts Council. Further information from (01) 671 9429 or www.musicnetwork.ie.
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Now in the US and Canada
First solo endeavor since departing from Cherish the Ladies
www.compassrecords.com

“Heidi Talbot sings in a voice that’s both awestruck and tender.”
- THE NEW YORK TIMES

Nashville, TN (February 12, 2008) - Look out for a new star in the glittering firmament of great Irish singers: with the release of her new album In Love and Light, Heidi Talbot is truly set to shine. After five years as lead singer with the Irish-American supergroup Cherish the Ladies, and high praise for her debut solo outing, 2004’s Distant Future, Talbot now extends her talents over a broader, bolder musical canvas, in company with a stellar cast of guests. Drawing on the full, diverse spectrum of influences that inform her singing, In Love and Light complements Talbot’s exquisitely expressive, honeyed yet ardent voice with guest contributions from producer Boo Hewerdine, Eddi Reader, ex-Solas guitarist John Doyle, fiddler John McCusker and flute/whistle ace Michael McGoldrick.
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Available now in the US and Canada
www.greenlinnet.com

“Hayes has one of the most ravishing violin styles in all of Celtic music…Cahill’s gentle,
supportive accompaniment
adds precisely the right touch.”
- LOS ANGELES TIMES
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www.thetomcollinsband.com
Dublin Was Your Home is the debut album of newly-formed The Tom Collins Band.  It offers a veritable feast of traditional Irish music.  The album combines a collection of new and traditional songs with some of the liveliest, banjo-led instrumentals around.   
“Traditional Irish music has the happy knack of keeping up with the times ,” says the eponymous Tom Collins. “It remains vibrant and fresh whilst other styles come and go. . So, whether it’s a hornpipe in memory of an event or person,  or a song of yearning or joy, the music always seems fresh and immediate.”
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www.greenlinnet.com
Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill’s
Welcome Here Again available now in Ireland,
February 12th in North America
February 18th in the UK
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