www.corasmyth.com

After ten years on the road with Michael Flatley and his shows, Mayo fiddler Cora Smyth has finally put together a solo album. “Are We There Yet?” due out in early February 2008, features mostly original tunes by Cora, inspired by those travelling years. The tunes are arranged on a multi- dimensional backdrop of influences from blues, funk, Dixieland, gypsy jazz and latin via Co Mayo through Manchester. Produced and arranged by her husband, Sean Horsman, this is a real marriage of styles.
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www.wkpf.org

The 14th William Kennedy Piping Festival was officially launched on Thursday last at the Market Place Theatre, Armagh by the Mayor Cllr Charles Roleston, with the accompaniment of music from both the Highland Pipes and the Uilleann Pipes. Playing the Highland Pipes was former World Champion Drum Major Laura Jane Lawson while playing Uilleann Pipes was Barry Kerr. The playing of these two different pipes symbolised all that the William Kennedy Piping Festival has stood for since its inauguration away back in 1994 when the Armagh Pipers Club in response to an initiative from Armagh City & District Council aimed at created community events that would reflect the rich and diverse cultural traditions of the area.
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Ireland’s most distinctive voice to undertake extensive Irish tour
www.karancasey.com

One of the most influential and most imitated voices in folk music, Karan Casey is a natural innovator. More than a decade ago American audiences were introduced to Casey fronting the Irish supergroup Solas. Following their groundbreaking early releases Casey struck out on her own. That decision was based on an independent spirit determined to control her touring schedule and committed to maintaining a family life. That familyhas now grown (her second child, Áine, was born in May of 2006), as has her solo discography. Her most recent release is 2005’s Chasing the Sun.
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www.folkworld.eu

The online magazine, Folkworld.de reaches a landmark tenth birthday this month and the site, which has been a bit sporadic over the past few years, was due for a re-launch in November. Over its 10 years, Folkworld has developed into one of the biggest resources for European folk, world and roots music on the internet.
The magazine began in November 1997 and was then edited by German brothers Michael and Christian Moll, who were one time contributors of the then discontinued German print magazine Folksblatt. The magazine features folk and world music artists and genres “from the North Cape to the Mezzogiorno, from the Golden Horn to Finisterre, and beyond.”
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www.weltenklang.at

Now in its twelth year, Deitmar Haslinger’s Irish Christmas festival goes from strength to strength, this year the tour boasts the very considerable talents of Providence from Ireland and Susan McKeown from New York. The official website of the Guinness Christmas Irish Festival, even quotes this magazine when it hails Providence as a band to catch on this December tour of Austria:
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www.compassrecords.com

Eileen Ivers will release her new album “An Nollaig: An Irish Christmas” on Compass Records on November 20th to coincide with an extensive US tour, details of which you can find on www.compassrecords.com

This CD will not be available until November 20th, but it can be pre-ordered on-line and shipped to you to arrive as close as possible to the launch date.
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www.cic.ie

Bróga Páipéir agus Stocaí Bainne Ramhair, the new folklore book from Pádraic Breathnach, was launched by Joe Steve Ó Neachtain at 8.00 p.m. on Thursday 11 October in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain in An Cheathrú Rua, Co. Galway. The launch was preceded by a lecture from Pádraic Breathnach, editor of the book, about Michael Phatch, the storyteller from whom he collected the stories.

www.raap.ie

On January 1st, 2001, New copyright legislation was introduced into Ireland and as a consequence R.A.A.P. (Recorded Artists and Performers) was set up to administer any monies accruing form the law. The 2001 legislation gave the right to claim monies due to all Irish Artists and Performers, featured and non-featured to a payment when a sound recording that they have contributed to is publicly broadcast in Ireland. This right has existed in other countries for quite some time. But, it does not extend to the US, which has the biggest radio market in the world. Currently visitors to the RAAP website are urged to sign the following letter which is campaigning for Royalties for members who’s work is often played for free in the US. The online letter reads as follows:
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www.folkradio.co.uk

Folk Radio UK is an independent internet radio station which plays a vast selection of Celtic and Traditional music of the British Isles and Ireland from both the past and present. The broadcast is commercial free and runs continuously 24 hours a day.

Folk Radio UK was started by Alex Gallacher in response to the lack of airplay being given to British and Irish folk by mainstream media. The station is run with the support of listener donations.
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Wednesday 16th January - Sunday 3rd February
www.celticconnections.com

Some of the leading names in folk and world music will perform in Glasgow this January at the 15th Celtic Connections festival. Taking place over 19
days in January and February in 14 venues across Glasgow, Celtic Connections is the UK’s premier Celtic music festival, with over 300 concerts, ceilidhs, talks, free events, late night sessions and workshops.
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