New radio series with students from Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
A new series presented and produced by students at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in University of Limerick will be broadcast on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, starting on Friday 12 February 2 pm.
The series will have 6 programmes, presented and produced by first year students at the academy.
The series title means ‘on the banks of the Shannon’ where it was recorded on the beautiful UL campus. In it, we’ll hear interviews, as well as music and song from the students, their friends and family, former students, and academic staff at the university.
(more…)
IRISH DUO BYRNE AND KELLY ANNOUNCE WORLDWIDE RELEASE DATE OF NEW ALBUM ECHOES AND ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR IN AMERICA
www.byrneandkelly.com
Singer-songwriters Neil Byrne and Ryan Kelly make up the folk acoustic duo Byrne and Kelly and are set to release a collection of original songs for their new album Echoes on February 19,, 2016. Driven by solid vocal harmonies, the duo seamlessly combines genres like traditional Irish and Americana to create a fresh Celtic folk sound.
In March, following the release of Echoes on February 19th, Byrne and Kelly will set out on a 14 city intimate and unplugged ‘Album Launch Tour’ where the duo will play through the entire album and dive deep into the explanation of the songwriting process and the stories behind each track.
(more…)
FREE St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Downtown Nashville Features Local Superstars and the Hottest Irish Bands
www.MusicCityIrishFest.com
Nashville is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with its biggest bash of Irish festivities ever.
The second annual Music City Irish Fest (MCIF) takes over mid-town Saturday, March 12 from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. The free street event on Demonbreun at the foot of the notorious “Naked Statue” and at the front door of the Harp and Fiddle Irish Pub aims for Music City to embrace its rich heritage and share its powerful Irish musical roots.
“One of Nashville’s sister cities is Belfast, Northern Ireland,” said Brenda Willis, Music City Irish Fest Executive Director. “We have an Irish sister city, so it’s only proper that we celebrate that relationship and St. Patrick’s Day in a big way.”
Exciting headliners include We Banjo 3, The Willis Clan, Altan and more.
(more…)
The Willis Clan Songwriters Jess & Jeremiah Willis in Concert
www.thewillisclan.com
Pretoria Concert Room, 1st Floor.
Clayton Hotel, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.
Wednesday 2nd March.
Doors 8.00pm, Show 8.30pm – 10pm.
Tickets £5
After a successful tour in 2015, Nashville-based family band The Willis Clan’s album ‘Heaven’ peaked at number 6 on the U.S. iTunes Pop Charts. Jessica is the main songwriter and Jeremiah is the band’s producer and they are the eldest of twelve siblings. At an early age Jessica began writing songs and Jeremiah quickly mastered a variety of instruments to bring their original songs and compositions to life. Their songs have featured in the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the historic Ryman Auditorium, at the Country Music Association Festival, and on their hit reality TV show ‘The Willis Family,’ which is now in its second season.
Traditional musicians visit schools from Midleton to Glengarriff this week
www.westcorkmusic.ie
Traditional musicians Matt Cranitch and Eoin Ó Riabhaigh will be visiting County Cork schools from Monday February 1st to Friday February 5th, presenting a workshop which introduces two of the most important instruments in Irish traditional music - the fiddle and the uilleann pipes. The project is generously supported by The Ireland Funds and managed by West Cork Music.
On Monday, they visit Gurraneasig National School near Kilbrittain and Cloughduv National School, Crookstown. Tuesday it’s the turn of Colaiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire and Scoil Barra Naofa in Monkstown. On Wednesday, the musicians will present the workshop at Midleton CBS Primary and Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil in Glanmire. Thursday they head to the west and visit Ballymoney National School in Ballineen and Scoil Fhiachna, Glengarriff. On Friday, they round off their week with workshops at Kilcrohane NS near Bantry and then Cloghroe National School near Blarney.
(more…)
Conference for Musicians takes place in Cork as part of Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal Weekend
On Friday 5 February, 15 traditional flute and whistle players will compete for the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal in a final to be broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, and this year for the first time a Musicians’ Convention will be held on Saturday as part of the weekend’s events, intended to help and advise traditional musicians on a host of subjects. The events will take place in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.
(more…)
The University of Limerick names Clare fiddler Martin Hayes as its inaugural Irish World Academy Artist
The University of Limerick has announced a new three-year arts patronage award through the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. The award, entitled Irish World Academy Artist, University of Limerick will facilitate the creative process of selected artists across a three-year period through a budget of €60,000.
The first artist to receive the award is Clare fiddler Martin Hayes who commences his three-year association with the Irish World Academy, University of Limerick in January 2016.
(more…)
Ed Reavy Traditional Music Festival
October 13th to 16th 2016
www.facebook.com/EdReavyTradFest
Following the success of the inaugural Ed Reavy Traditional Music Festival in October 2015, Cavan Town CCÉ will the 2016 festival to celebrate the music of Ed Reavy at a number of venues in Cavan Town and Ed’s native Maudabawn from October 13th to 16th 2016.
(more…)
UL’s Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin to be conferred with the Freedom of Clonmel
Professor Mícheál Ó Súílleabháin, Chair of Music and Founding Director of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, is to be conferred with the freedom of Clonmel Co Tipperary, his home town, at a civic reception on Friday January 22nd at 7.30pm. A spokesman for Tipperary County Council said “Professor Ó Súílleabháin will become the Town’s 23rd Freeman and the first since 2012 when the honour was conferred on President Michael D Higgins. This honour is being conferred in recognition of Mícheál’s outstanding national and international achievements as a pianist, composer, recording artist and academic and as a token of the high esteem in which he is held by the People of Clonmel. For all this and much more, the Mayor and Members of Clonmel Borough District consider him worthy to be named an honorary citizen.”
(more…)
Next Generation Leahy to Perform at Special Milwaukee Irish Fest Event
Concert to include 2016 festival entertainment announcement
www.irishfest.com
To officially welcome the festival’s 36th year, Milwaukee Irish Fest is excited to host the Next Generation Leahy for a special concert celebrating the announcement of the 2016 entertainment lineup.
A family of accomplished multi-instrumentalists and dancers, the Next Generation Leahy is a group of six siblings, all under the age of 14. Led by their parents, Doug and Jennifer Leahy, the Ontario-based group plays high-energy Celtic music which incorporates the fiddle, cello, accordion, singing, piano, as well as step-dancing.
(more…)
