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.

One of the finest pipers of his generation, Brian McNamara has a profound musical understanding based on many years of academic research. In addition to extensive tours of the USA, Asia and Australia as musician and tutor he has produced a stream of world-class recordings including Leitrim’s Hidden Treasure (voted Best Traditional Newcomer in 1998 by Irish Music Magazine), Fort of the Jewels and, most recently, Reed Only, (listed in the Irish Echo’s top ten recordings for 2007).

Fort of the Jewels featured the Mayo harpist Gráinne Hambly, who in addition to frequent tours with the Belfast Harp Orchestra, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann and Téada has also released three solo CDs, including the much-lauded Golden Lights and Green Shadows. Dublin-born Éamon Ó Donnchadha fell in love with sean nós on a trip to Connamara. Now singing in the style of that region, he is a three-time winner of the Corn Uí Riada, the most coveted prize in sean nós.

On Tour: Wednesday 14 May Dublin (Coach House, Dublin Castle, 8:00 p.m.); Thursday 15 May Cork (Triskel Arts Centre, 8:00 p.m.); Friday 16 May Listowel (St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre, 8:00 p.m.) Saturday 17 May Thurles (Source Arts Centre, 8:00 p.m.); Sunday 18 May Portlaoise (Dunamaise Arts Centre, 8:00 p.m.); Tuesday 20 May Waterford (Christ Church Cathedral, 8:00 p.m.); Wednesday 21 May Carrick-on-Shannon (The Dock Arts Centre, 8:30 p.m.); Thursday 22 May Castlebar (Linenhall Arts Centre, 8:00 p.m.); Friday 23 May Clifden (Church of Ireland, 8:00 p.m.); Saturday 24 May Virginia (Ramor Theatre, 8:30 p.m.).

Music Network presents
Tobar an Cheoil
Traditional Music and Song with Uilleann Pipes, Harp and Sean Nós (Ireland)

Brian McNamara, uilleann pipes
Gráinne Hambly, concertina, harp
Éamon Ó Donnchadha, vocals, flute

Tour Dates: May 14 – 24, 2008

Wednesday 14th May Dublin Coach House, Dublin Castle, 8.00 p.m.
Tickets: €15/ €10/ €40 family
Booking: Tel. 01 6719 429 or admin@musicnetwork.ie
Promoted by Music Network

Thursday 15 May Cork Triskel Arts Centre, 9.00 p.m.
Tickets: €10/ €8
Booking: 021 – 4272022/ www.triskelart.com
Promoted by Triskel Arts Centre

Friday 16 May Listowel St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, 8.00 p.m.
Tickets: €12/ €10
Booking: Tel. 068 22566/ stjohnstheatre@eircom.net
Promoted by St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre

Saturday 17 May Thurles The Source Arts Centre, 8.00 p.m.
Tickets: €16 / €14
Booking: Tel. 0504 90204 or www.thesourceartscentre.ie
Promoted by The Source Arts Centre

Sunday 18 May Portlaoise Dunamaise Arts Centre, 8.00 p.m.
Tickets: €14 / €12
Booking: Tel. 057 866 3355
Promoted by Dunamaise Arts Centre

Tuesday 20 May Waterford hrist Church Cathedral, 8.00 p.m.
Tickets: €15/ €12
Booking: Tel. 051 874 402
Promoted by Christ Church Waterford Foundation

Wednesday 21 May Carrick on Shannon The Dock Arts Centre, 8.30 p.m.
Tickets: €15/ €12
Booking: Tel. 071 965 0828
Promoted by The Dock Arts Centre

Thursday 22 May Castlebar Linenhall Arts Centre, 8.00 p.m.
Tickets: €15/ €12
Booking: Tel. 094 9023 733
Promoted by Linenhall Arts Centre

Friday 23 May Clifden Church of Ireland, 8.00 p.m.
Tickets: €10
Booking: Tel. 095 21206
Promoted by Clifden Arts Society

Saturday 24 May Virginia Ramor Theatre, 8.30 p.m.
Tickets: €15/ €12
Booking: 049 8547074

For Further Information Contact:
Louise Walsh, PR & Marketing Manager, Music Network:
Tel. (01) 671 9429 or (087) 649 0818