A festival celebrating the song, poetry and music of Raftery takes place in Loughrea on Friday 28th to Sunday 30th March.

Local accordionist Joe Burke and fiddle maestro Charlie Lennon head an impressive musical line-up and expect to see young Spiddal sean-nós dancer Seosamh Ó Neachtain liven things up with a step or two!

On the singing front, Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Meaití Joe Shéamuis and others will showcase some of Raftery’s finest songs, while one of our greatest modern day poets, Louis De Paor, will also feature.

This years organisers have pulled out all the stops to provide a full and exciting programme of events. Including workshops in poetry, song and fiddle music, a singers’ circle, sessions, a talk on Raftery and a grand concert in his honour, Féile Raifteirí 2008 will be a fitting celebration and commemoration of the legendary Raftery.

The official opening will take place on Friday 28th March at An Teach Beag at 9pm sharp.

Galway’s own Joe Mc Donagh will be on hand with just the right amount of wit and gravitas to get the festival weekend underway!

Further Information:
Contact: Pádraig Ó Baoill
Tel: 091-870718
or email: prua@lochariach.com

www.dervish.ie

Irish debut for new Dervish multi media show at Tri Pod
10th April 2008, Tri Pod, Dublin - Tickets On Sale Now

Known worldwide for their innovative and progressive approach to Irish roots music, trad giants Dervish are now taking Irish music to new heights and bringing their new multi media experience to Irish audiences for the first time in Tri Pod, Dublin on April 10th 2008! Tickets are limited in numbers for this fully seated show and can be purchased from Ticketmaster or online at www.ticketmaster.ie
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13th – 19th July 2008
www.sssschool.org

Nestled at the foot of the Ox Mountains, the south Sligo town of Tubbercurry is the setting for the 22nd South Sligo Summer School of traditional music, song & dance this July.

Classes are held each morning in several traditional instruments including fiddle, flute, harp, concertina, uilleann pipes, traditional guitar, banjo, bodhrán and piano and button accordians. A tinwhistle masterclass is a very popular feature of the school as are the masterclasses in the South Sligo styles of both fiddle and flute playing. Singing classes in sean nós and traditional styles are very popular and so too are the set dancing classes under the expert tuition of Pat Murphy & Betty McCoy and the daily afternoon sean nós dancing class ably taught by Brenda O’Callaghan.
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May 16th – 18th, 2008
www.skerriestraditionalmusic.com

The 7th Skerries Traditional Music Weekend has become a well-established cultural event throughout Ireland and further a field and is proving to be a very popular traditional event at the beginning of each summer. In 2008 the traditions of the North Fingal Community will continue to grow from strength to strength with the introduction of old Fingal tunes the archives taught by tutors from the Fingal area.
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The 20th. Joe Mooney Summer School will run from 19th. –26th. July 2008 in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim.

A full programme of traditional workshops is planned for this well-established week on the traditional calendar of events 2008.

Workshops in flute, fiddle, button accordion, concertina, whistle, harp, banjo,
uilleann pipes, mandolin, bodhrán, piano accordion, traditional and sean nós singing and set dancing.
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www.paviliontheatre.ie

Pavilion Theatre
Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire
Sunday 30th March 2008
Tickets: €18/14/10
Booking: 01 – 2312929
and new online booking: www.paviliontheatre.ie
Pavilion Theatre audiences can look forward to the fantastic night of paying tribute and enjoying the music of the legendary Luke Kelly. Chris Kavanagh brings his Legend of Luke Kelly show back to Dun Laoghaire on Sunday, 30th March.
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www.westcorkmusic.ie

From 13 to 17 August, the legends of Irish music return to Bantry for the 5th Masters of Tradition Festival. For five special days, a select line-up of Ireland’s greatest musicians converge on the picturesque West Cork town of Bantry for this unique Festival, which celebrates the very roots of traditional music.

Looking set to build on the resounding success of its last four years, the 2008 Masters of Tradition Festival throws open its doors to some of the very best musicians in the land. Superb Clare-born but Seattle-based fiddler Martin Hayes will be joined by his usual partner, Chicago-born guitarist Dennis Cahill as well as Dermot McLoughlin, Sean Garvey, Steve Cooney, Iarla O Lionaird, David Power, Niamh Parsons, The Peadar O’Riada choir and many more.
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www.niamhnicharra.com

Niamh Ní Charra, fiddle and concertina player from Killarney, was presented with “The Best Traditional Music Act 2008” at The Irish World Awards ceremony in the Galtymore, London last month. The Irish World, the largest newspaper for the Irish Community in Britain presents awards annually, recognising rising and existing Irish stars. Previous recipients in this category included Sharon Shannon and Danú. Other recipients at this year’s black tie event included The Furey’s for Lifetime Achievement, Stephen Mangan for Best Comic Actor and the Miami Showband for the Hall of Fame award. Niamh’s award was presented by Shelley Marsden, Entertainment Editor for The Irish World.

RELEASED 7th March 2008

Curb Records are excited to be releasing a brand new album from the richly-talented Brian Kennedy entitled ‘Interpretations’. As the title suggests Brian refreshingly gives his interpretations to a unique collection of beautiful songs which include ‘You Are So Beautiful To Me’ (originally sung by Joe Cocker), Night & Day (Frank Sinatra), Lets Stay Together (Al Green) and Gaye (Clifford T Ward). The album is full of great surprises as Brian effortlessly crosses musical genres and eras – songs from the past and present.
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Date: Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Time : 6p.m. – 8p.m. (doors open 5.45p.m. )
Cost: €15 ( incl. complimentary finger food! )
About the event: Celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge in the company of
Connemara singer/songwriter Seán Éinniú and friends !
Booking essential ( limited space ! ): 087-2547574
Bar/tea and coffee available !