Tá lúcháir ar An Droichead fáilte a chuir roimh Matt Molloy, John Carty agus Brian Mc Grath go Béal Feirste. Oíche dodhearmadta lán cheoil geallta le triúir maistrí den traidisiún.

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Matt Molloy has been a member of the Bothy Band, Planxty and the Chieftains. His three solo albums, as well as his trio recording with Tommy Peoples and Paul Brady in the late 70’s brought flute playing to a new level. Born in London but living in Boyle for over 25 years, John Carty has established himself among the elite of Irish traditional musicians. With three solo fiddle albums, two banjo albums, two group albums and a sprinkling of recorded tenor guitar and flute music recordings under his belt, John Carty’s musical prowess has grown to great heights. He is also a member of the bands At the Racket and Patrick Street. Most recently John arranged and played all the traditional music elements in the film Brooklyn.  Both Matt and John are recipients of the prestigious TG4 Musician of the year Award. They are delighted to be joined by much sought after pianist, Brian McGrath. His subtle and imaginative playing is the perfect accompaniment to Matt and John’s unique duet. Brian has toured extensively, playing with all the biggest names in Irish traditional music, including Frankie Gavin, Noel Hill, John Carty, Matt Molloy, and Eleanor Shanley to name a few.

Tá  lúcháir ar An Droichead fáilte a chuir roimh Bríd Harper & Ryan Molloy go dtí An Droichead, dísreach corraitheach atá fréamhaithe go domhain i dtradisiúin Chúige Uladh. Tá oíche mhór cheoil geallta!

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Two of Ireland's finest musicians-Bríd Harper and Ryan Molloy-join forces for an exciting concert of fiddles, viola and piano. Brid, one of the leading traditional Irish fiddle players of her generation, boasts numerous prestigious titles, including the Senior All-Ireland, Fiddler of Dooney, and Oireachtas na Gaeilge.

She has released two critically acclaimed solo albums and collaborated with some of the best-known names in the tradition: Dermot Byrne, Steve Cooney, Arty McGlynn and Sylvain Barou. Ryan, an award-winning pianist and composer, pushes the boundaries of Irish music in his role as Associate Professor of Composition at Maynooth University. A recipient of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Composer of the Year award, Ryan has worked with a host of internationally renowned ensembles such as the Danish String Quartet and the Ulster Orchestra and has recorded on over thirty albums as accompanist, arranger and composer. Join us for an evening of dazzling traditional Irish fiddle and piano-this is a concert not to be missed!

Tá lúcháir ar An Droichead fáilte a chuir roimh Tempest, banna ceoil úr corraitheach atá fréamhaithe go domhain i dtradisiúin Chúige Uladh agus in amhráin Oirialla. Beidh seo ar an chéad cheolchoirm i mBéal Feirste don cheathrar iontach seo agus tá oíche ar leith geallta in An Droichead.

Tempest are a powerful ensemble of traditional Irish musicians from Ulster. Featuring an exciting line-up of Brendan Mulholland, Blaithín Mhic Cana, Aaron O’ Hagan and Luke Ward, they have each achieved acclaim in their respective musical careers to date. Formed in 2023, Tempest are already regarded as a vibrant exponent of traditional Irish music and song, while their debut album, due out in 2024, is widely anticipated.
The group is firmly rooted in the heritage, song and music of their native Ulster and take great pride in sharing this with their audience. There is a particular focus on the singing tradition of Blaithín’s native South Armagh while many of the tunes also take their origins from the northern province.

Featuring,
Blaithín Mhic Cana – Vocals
Aaron O’Hagan – Uilleann Pipes, Flute and Whistles
Luke Ward – Bouzouki and Vocals
Brendan Mulholland – Flutes

Tá An Droichead thar a bheith sásta bheith ag obair lenár chairde ag Féile na hAbhann leis an oíche speisialta le Kíla le tacaíocht ó John Mc Sherry, Francis Mc Ilduff + Brendan Quinn a chuir i bhur láthair. Fáilte roimh chách!

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Spanning 5 decades, Dublin octet Kíla have been vanguards of trad-fusion since they began in 1987. Such is the multi faceted nature of their music that they have performed at jazz, rock, Irish and world music festivals in 35 countries on 5 continents; They’ve released 20 CDs, co-composed music for 3 Oscar nominated animation films and wrote Emmy nominated, IFTA and Greison winning scores for the films and documentaries.

Their music while rooted in Traditional Irish has absorbed influences from a multitude of other genres such as Latin, Reggae, Rock, Classical, Funk, Jazz and World Music in general. They formed in Coláiste Eoin - a school famed for musicians such as Davy Spillane, (Moving Hearts), Liam Ó Maonlaí & Fiachna Ó Braonáin (Hot House Flowers), Cormac Breathnach (Deiseal), Colm Mac Con Iomaire & Dave Odlum (The Frames) etc. On weekends they’d busk in the afternoon and later on perform at art exhibition openings, book launches, political rallies and pub sessions.

Their earliest Ep Groovin’ (1991) and follow up Handel’s Fantasy (1993) demonstrated their gifted musicality as their own melodic compositions danced alongside traditional ones, all accompainied with varying musical styles and contrasting singing styles; Colm’s large voiced romantic delivery and Ronán’s unique

percussive chant like style being blended to form a new and cohesive musical unit. By the time they released Mind the Gap (1995) their musical creativity was in full bloom and they could

boast that it was the first self-composed album from the Irish Traditional genre. Their follow up Tóg É Go Bog É (1997) attracted much attention and after palying at WOMEX, in Marseilles, the world embraced their unique take on Irish melodic music.

Le tacaíocht ó McCauley/McKeown/McCullagh

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Aidan O’Rourke is a fiddler, composer and producer based in Edinburgh. He is one third of Lau and has various solo projects and collaborations. Aidan grew up in an Irish family in Argyll and learned fiddle in Oban in the West Highland style. His roots are in Scottish and Irish music but he has a tendency to roam the edges of those traditions.

Brìghde Chaimbeul is winner of the BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award and youngest ever winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, Scotland’s Brighde Chaimbeul has established herself among the leading experimental purveyors of celtic music.

A native gaelic speaker from the Isle of Skye her style is rooted in her native language and culture but takes inspiration from a variety of global traditions.

Róisín Chambers is a singer and fiddle player whose influences draw on the Connemara lineage of sean nós singing.

Support will be from McCauley/McKeown/McCullagh

Tá West Ocean String Quartet ag ceiliuradh fíche bliain ar an fhód leis an tionscadal núalach seo Atlantic Edge. Tá An Droichead thar a bheith sásta bheith ag ceilúradh leo i láthair arsa Eaglais Shráid Róismháire agus clár speisialta na Nollaig geallta don oíche

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The West Ocean String Quartet (WOSQ) marked its twentieth anniversary in 2020 with an innovative recording project which celebrated the traditional music of Ireland’s Atlantic coast, echoing the quartet’s title.The material was curated from the broad musical spectrum of this region, specially arranged for the recording by the quartet’s cellist Neil Martin who is ideally placed to arrange and compose music suited to the diverse musical backgrounds of his WOSQ colleagues. Since it took its first tentative steps in 1999, WOSQ has received world-wide acclaim. Its founding members, Séamus McGuire (violin) and Neil Martin (cello) were later joined by Niamh Crowley (violin) and Ken Rice (viola).

Séamus McGuire, from Sligo, is a traditional fiddle-player and former holder of the prestigious Fiddler of Dooney title. Along with his brother Manus, Jackie Daly and Garry O’Briain, he formed the influential traditional band, Buttons & Bows. Neil Martin, from Belfast, is an internationally-acclaimed composer, a classically- trained cellist and an accomplished uilleann piper who learned his piping from his mentor and friend, Liam O’Flynn. Niamh Crowley, from Rosses Point, Co Sligo is a violinist who performs with Barry Douglas as a member of Camerata Ireland and tours with the orchestra in North and South America, China and Europe. Ken Rice from Tralee, the quartet’s violist, has broad musical experience which evolved from his immersion in many musical genres including classical, pop, jazz, baroque and Irish music. A violinist with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, he has played with the Nuevo Tango Quartet and the psychedelic pop band, Engine Alley.

Within the quartet, the worlds of traditional and classical music meet and combine effortlessly. At the quartet’s core is its happy disregard for musical boundaries and its willingness to fearlessly navigate the space between traditional Irish music and classical music. This has been central to the emergence of the quartet’s highly distinctive voice. In her 5* review of the quartet’s most recent album, An Indigo Sky (2013), the Irish Times reviewer Siobhán Long wrote: “Wide in its horizons, and plumbing emotional depths to which few musicians dare venture, An Indigo Sky lures the listener to its own netherworld, full of the joys and passions of a prematurely quenched light”. The quartet was honoured to perform at the Ceiliúradh concert at The Royal Albert Hall in 2014 for the state visit of President Michael D Higgins. It has collaborated on stage and in studio with leading artists including Matt Molloy, Liam O’Flynn, Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill and Christy Moore.

NÓTA; Please note Lynda O Connor will appear in place of Séamus McGuire for this performance.

Tá An Droichead iontach sásta bheith ag tacú leis an cheoltóir agus an chumadóir iomráiteach Jason O’Rourke agus an t-Albaim The Sunny Side of the Latch á seoladh aige. Tá oíche mhór cheoil agus ceillúradh geallta.

An Droichead

8pm

17 Mean Fómhair

BYO

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The Sunny Side of the Latch is Irish concertina player Jason O’Rourke’s eighth album and his third solo project. The album is comprised of 24 new compositions in the traditional style, and contains ten tracks totalling 43 minutes. There is a wide variety of material, including less common tunes such as highlands, hop jigs, and French mazurkas.

Jason uses two vintage Jeffries concertinas, one in standard tuning and the other in B. He is joined on this recording by a wealth of traditional music’s greatest accompanists: Steve Cooney, Tony McManus, Deirdre Galway, Luke Ward, Jacopo Ventura, Caterina Sangineto, Dermot Mulholland and MiadhachlughainO’Donnell.

Scoth an cheoil geallta leis na ceoltóirí iontacha seo.

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I gcomhphairt le Belfast TradFest

When you consider duos in traditional music, one can’t help but think of the likes of; Dennis Murphy & Julia Clifford, Peter Horan & Fred Finn, and Maggie Barry & Michael Gorman. The musical understanding between two musicians can be an incredibly powerful thing to witness. Tonight’s concert features some of the finest duos in traditional music circles today. 

Award-winning musicians Caitlín Nic Gabhann & Ciarán Ó Maonaigh are quickly becoming one of the foremost duets in Irish music today. Their music & dance is full of spirit, soul and life. Together on fiddle, concertina & dance, they breath fire into traditional tunes, combining their arts with enough energy to fire a small steam engine! 

Síle Denvir & Barry Kerr come together as a dynamic duet to deliver a potent combination of tradition and innovation. Their songs and instrumental music on uilleann pipes, flute, and harp are supported by subtle and innovative motif-based arrangements, sending listeners soaring through the emotive and hypnotic to the driving and vivacious.

Dave Munnelly & Steve Cooney – Accordion & Guitar – what more can we say except to say that sparks will fly!! 

Méabh O’Hare & Ann Marie McCormack – Two fantastic fiddlers - Belfast meets Ennis in a stage performance that mirrors the twin relationship between, arguably Ireland’s leading urban hot spots, for traditional music. Expect bows to be flailing and plenty of craic.

Tá Lúcháir ar An Droichead & BelfastTrad Tionól Amhránaíochta Bhéal Feirste

An Droichead is delighted to present the return of Belfast Song Gathering in partnership with BelfastTrad

Friday Night Singing Session

Hosted by the Belfast Singing Circle

The American Bar, Friday, 9pm

Family/Children’s Singing Workshop

with Katie Boyle

The Green Room (Black Box), Saturday, 11am

Special Event of Talk & Song

Len Graham - It’s of My Rambles

The Green Room (Black Box), Saturday, 1pm

Saturday Singing Session

Hosted by The Nightingale Singing Session

The Sunflower Bar (Upstairs), Saturday, 4pm

Gach imeacht saor in aisce/ events free

Fáilte roimh chách / everyone welcome

Bí Linn!

Uaine

(Bríd Harper, Paul Meehan, Lisa Butler, Tony O’Connell le Brian Mc Grath)

7/5/2022

8pm An Droichead

£15

BYO

Tá lúcháir orainn bheith ar ais in An Droichead arís agus oíche ar leith cheoil i gcuideachta Uaine geallta.

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Bríd Harper, Tony O’Connell, Paul Meehan and Lisa Butler are well known and highly respected performers collectively known as UAINE. They recently released their successful debut album entitled “The Dimming of the Day” at the Ennis Trad Fest.

“New tunes, bright ideas, deep respect, music as fresh as the first flush of April grass,” says Sean Laffey, reviewing for the Irish Music Magazine. On this occasion they will be joined by the talented Brian McGrath on piano.

No gimmicks, a sweet tuneful voice rendering contemporary and traditional material, both in English and Irish, and tunes delivered with a passion for the tradition.

I gcomhpháirt le Belfast Tradfest Winter Weekend

Iarla Ó Lionáird and Steve Cooney have forged a unique musical partnership over many years and now look forward to recording their first album together in 2020. Their interpretations of songs from the sean-nós tradition have set a new standard of artistic integrity and creative innovation within the traditional structures of the Gaelic song tradition.

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They have explored their own individual paths in their careers – Iarla has performed with such renowned groups as the Afro Celt Sound System and The Gloaming and collaborated with classical ensembles, opera, and film performances, while Steve has performed in many Irish traditional instrumental ensembles and contributed to more than 250 CDs as a guitarist, bass player, and producer. His recently released solo album Ceol Arsa Cláirsí is a glorious celebration of a heritage that stretches back a millennium has been called the most important record of Irish music released in the last decade 

The duo long shared an empathetic link that has grown out of their love of the melodic and poetic art forms created during the time when Gaelic culture was in its full flowering. Iarla grew up immersed in this culture in Cúil Aodha, Co. Cork; Steve grew up in Australia and brings an imaginative perspective to the accompaniment of the songs, based on the traditions of the harpers.

Méábh Smyth

Armagh native Méabh Smyth has been playing the fiddle from the age of 7 and is one of many talented young musicians to emerge form the Armagh Pipers Club in recent years. Coming from a musical family, she was inspired when younger by the fiery, rhythmic fiddle playing native to South Ulster and Donegal and she has since developed her own unique style. A distinguished soloist, she was inaugural Ed Reavy Fiddle Player of the Year as well as being recently crowned the Fiddler of London 2021.

Is ceoltóir, cumadóir, taighdeoir agus léachtóir é Conor Caldwell atá ag obair go forleathan i saol an ceol traidisiúnta a bhfuil clú bainte amach aige leis an dísreach fhidil NORTH in éineacht le Danny Diamond. Tá lúchair orainn an chéad léiriú de Beannú na mBád, píosa úr ceoil coimisiúnaithe ag An Droichead agus cumtha ag Conor Caldwell & Danny Diamond, a chuir os bhur gcomhair.

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Conor Caldwell is a musician, researcher, and lecturer, working in the field of Irish traditional music, engaging audiences through performance, broadcast, and print. Conor is one half of the fiddle-duo NORTH and Musical Director with Dearcán Media. This special event will see this premiere of Blessing The Boats Commissioned by An Droichead and composed by Conor Caldwell and Danny Diamond.

The piece will be based on the sights, sounds, and people of Teileann, in the Donegal Gaeltacht parish of Gleann Cholm Cille. Both artists have spent many years honing their skills as fiddlers and composers in the area. Teileann has been home historically to some of the very best of traditional musicians and folklorists.

The composer said “The abstract and contemporary soundscape encapsulates the atmosphere of Teilinn, developing musical themes and motifs that are rooted in the local fiddle tradition and style. Incorporating found sounds and subtle electronics, the piece will be performed on a range of fiddles which will draw on the area’s medieval maritime connections with northern Scotland and Scandinavia. The piece will also include spoken word as Gaeilge from local residents, both figuratively and literally signposting the listener on their journey through the piece. For this performance”.

Conor will be joined by Aidan O’Donnell, David Strange, Andrew Nesbitt and Edel Ni Churraoin.

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Cuireann An Droichead fáilte roimh The Voice Squad chuig eaglais arsa Sráid Róismháire.  Déanaimis amhránaíocht a cheiliúradh leis stíl agus cuir chuige ar leith atá ag an triúir seo. 

**CURTHA SIAR** DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCE BEYOND OUR CONTROL THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED SOON. GO RAIBH MAITH AGAT

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The Voice Squad (Phil Callery, Fran McPhail and Gerry Cullen) is one of the most distinctive unaccompanied singing groups of recent times. The group have recorded with The Chieftans, Sinéad O’Connor, Elvis Costello & Liam O’ Flynn among others.  Each singer has achieved individual recognition within the tradition before coming together to sing in harmony in a way that is unique in the Irish singing tradition.  They have carried with them this individual approach to the song and it is this that gives the group its unique sound.  The union of the distinct tenor voices of Fran mc Phail and Phil Callery plus the bass of Gerry Cullen, along with their own

particular song arrangements has made them one of the most celebrated groups in the tradition today,

The Naughton studio @ the Lyric

8pm

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Aistear ceoil lan de iontas agus beocht leis an ceathrar ildánach seo Rynne, Breen, Lunny & Murray.

Embark on an odyssey of wonder, joyfulness and upbeat music as four incredibly talented and creative folk musicians shape melodies from past and present into something dynamic and irresistible. A quartet comprising of musicians at the fore of our tradition, expect a performance from the gentle to the rhythmical and all the in-betweens.

Tara Breen has numerous All Ireland titles on the fiddle and tours regularly with The Chieftains, Stockton’s wing and as a solo performer. Pádraig Rynne is considered a leading figure in Irish music and is founding member of well-known bands such as NOTIFY, Atlantic Arc and Guidewires. Dónal Lunny needs little introduction having been at the fore of Irish traditional music since the 70’s with bands such as Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts. Jim Murray on guitar is one of Irish music’s most valuable assets being a regular performer with Sharon Shannon over the past twenty years as well as working with Altan, Mary Black, Sinead O’Connor, Seamus Begley and many more.

“Rynne and Breen have fabulous chemistry together and have found backing musicians who are more than mere accompanists but who are stakeholders in the game” – Dan Neely, The Irish Echo, New York