| Irish Music
Munster performers set to shine in Britain
Ceoltóirí Na Sionainne comprises Irish traditional musicians, singers, dancers
and storytellers from each of the six counties of Munster.
They have performed regularly at various events including All-Ireland Fleadhanna
and have received excellent reviews.
They are currently involved in an exchange programme between musical
counterparts from Britain.
Ceoltóirí Na Breataine is composed of top-class music performers from all over
Britain with members drawn from Leicester, Glasgow, Cambridge, London,
Birmingham, Manchester and Luton.
Katie Jordan and Katie Boyle of Comhaltas na nóg are co-ordinating the group who
have also appeared at various festivals.
The exchange is from October 13-16 with a gala concert taking place in Danlann
an Chláir, Ennis, Co. Clare on Saturday October 14 at 8.30pm.
The project is government-funded and is part of the new five-year development
programme of Comhaltas.
This programme is one of the first of its kind to take place within Comhaltas
and it has become a very anticipated event.
It is one of a long list of innovative events lined up for these two groups and
promises to be a great night of music, song and dance.
PRO Jackie O’Connor said: “We will return the visit early next year to Britain.
This programme is one of the first of its kind to take place within Comhaltas
and it has become a very anticipated event both here in Ireland and in Britain.
It is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians to engage with others with the
same interest.”
Tickets can be purchased by calling 087 7500049 or 086 8946360.
IN SEISIÚN
KEEPING Comhaltas alive in the Midlands was the main topic of conversation at
its recent regional meeting.
Members at the meeting at St. Joseph’s Parish Centre in Luton made it clear
local branches of Comhaltas were in crisis.
With one of the country’s top musicians Carmel Burke, chairman Sean McDonagh and
vice-chair Jill Cafferkey listening to problems being experienced by branches up
and down the country it was evident something needed to be done.
Carmel said there was concern young people were not attending events.
She said: “The Fleadh and branch sessions need to be made more interesting and
we have to look at just how we encourage parents.”
Chairman Sean McDonagh said: “Ninety per cent of people don’t know or just don’t
want to know about Comhaltas. There are many who are anti-Comhaltas. We have
people who are not even coming to a Fleadh let alone branch sessions."
One delegate member pointed out a nearby pub session attracted some 20 musicians
and yet his branch had difficulty getting four or five musicians.
Even the well-advertised local regional session only attracted some 40 people —
but those young musicians proved they were as good as ever. They are what it is
all about and are the future for Comhaltas.
Words and pictures: Roy Bushby
Is Bedford in tune with the demand for music
It was time to strike up the band in Bedford as the local Comhaltas branch
staged their first session of the season at the Cotton End village hall.
Although the hall was packed only four musicians actually turned up. Branch
chairman John McManus said: “This sadly seems to be the trend. We will get a
great crowd in but now musicians are thin on the ground.
“I’m afraid this branch like many others is going through a dramatic time and as
we come up to our AGM I just hope we can encourage more young people and others
to become more involved.”
But in spite of this apparent decline I did meet one young lady who was very
interested and she told me that she was a keen enthusiast.
She is 13-year-old Lucy Staff, a resident of Bedford and a pupil of St. Thomas
More School.
Tyneside Irish Festival boasts exciting line-up
Now in its 20th year the Tyneside Irish Festival gets underway on October 12 and
runs until October 22. This year the organisers have assembled one of the most
dynamic festival line-ups in the event’s history.
Headlined by the famous Irish/American traditional music group Cherish, the
ladies will be joined in the festival by one of Ireland’s greatest fiddle
players Tommy Peoples.
The festival will also feature one of Ireland’s great ballad singers Derek
Warfield of the Wolftones, who sold out his last show at the Tyneside Irish
Centre.
Others in the festival will include second-generation Irish folk singer Vin
Garbutt who is one of the funniest people you will ever see.
The Nomadic Theatre Company is bringing to Tyneside its hit play Rare Oul Times
which has toured the world to great acclaim.
“We continue to build on the festival’s reputation as one of the UK’s best Irish
events” said festival director Tony Corcoran.
“The activities around Tyneside during the festival creates a sense of the
region’s rich Irish cultural roots.”
The storytellers this year are Pat Speight from Cork who will be joined by Billy
Teare from Antrim and they will entertain over 5,000 children in 20 schools
throughout Tyneside.
The usual céilí and step dance events will take place in the Irish centre.
The opening night awards at 8pm on Thursday October 12 will feature Joe Giltrap
and the Clann Na Gael dancers at the Tyneside Irish Centre at 8pm. Free tickets
for the event are available on request.
- Friday October 13
Derek Warfield’s Wolfe Tones — Tyneside Irish Centre, 7.30pm, £12.50 / £10
Edwina Hayes — Cumberland Arms, Byker, 7.30pm £5
Traditional Session — Tyneside Irish Centre (Lounge), 7.30pm, free
- Saturday October 14
Shawn Cuddy Showband — Tyneside Irish Centre, 8pm, £5
Music Workshops — Bridge Hotel, 11am-3.30pm, free
Michael O’Brien with Caoimhín Ó’Raghallaigh (pipes and fiddle) — King’s Hall,
Newcastle University, 7.30pm, £6 / £4
Traditional Session — Tyneside Irish Centre (Lounge), 7.30pm, free
- Sunday October 15
Festival Céilí — Tyneside Irish Centre, 8pm, £5 / £3
- Monday October 16
Comhaltas Session — Tyneside Irish Centre (Lounge), 8.30pm, free
Rare Oul Times — Tyneside Irish Centre, 8pm, £6 / £4
- Tuesday 17
Rare Oul Times — Buddle Arts Centre, Wallsend, 8pm, £6 / £4
Set Dance Céilí — Tyneside Irish Centre, 8pm, £3
Frank McCaffrey — Hebburn Iona (Tickets from venue)
- Wednesday 18
Storytellers (for schools) — Buddle Arts Centre, Wallsend, 1pm, free (apply to
The Buddle)
Tribute to Michael Davitt — Tyneside Irish Centre, 8pm, free
Rare Oul Times — The Store, Dipton, 8pm, £6 / £4
Irish Session — Cumberland Arms, Byker, 8pm, free
Frank McCaffrey — Hebburn Iona (Tickets from venue)
- Thursday 19
Vin Garbutt — Tyneside Irish Centre, 8pm, £7.50 / £6
Poetry with Galway Poets — Bridge Hotel, 7.30pm, £5
Frank McCaffrey — Whitby Salmon Leap (Tickets from venue)
Thursday Club with Billy Teare — Tyneside Irish Centre, 1.30pm, free
Thursday Session — Tyneside Irish Centre (Lounge), 7.30pm, free
- Friday 20
The Rapparees — Tyneside Irish Centre, 8pm, £6 / £4
Traditional Session — Tyneside Irish Centre (Lounge), 7.30pm, free
Frank McCaffrey — Satley Village Hall (Tickets from venue)
- Saturday 21
Tommy Peoples — Tyneside Irish Centre, 8pm, £5 / £3
Music Workshops — Bridge Hotel 11am-3.30pm
- Sunday 22
Cherish the Ladies — Tyneside Irish Centre, 8pm, £12 / £8
Chris Ball — Tyneside Irish Centre (Lounge), 8pm, free
Family Céilí — Tyneside Irish Centre, 1pm, adults £3 / children free
For further information contact: Tyneside Irish Cultural Society Ltd
Bridge Hotel, Castle Garth,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 1RQ
Telephone/Fax: 0191 222 0398
Email: tics1@btconnect.com |
