www.folkways.si.edu

The American Civil War began on April 12th, 1861; the conflict would last four years and cost a total of 600,000 lives. Song was an important part of the war, songs were written to canvass support, shape opinion, make political statements and honour courage. This year Smithsonian Folkways have released two CD’s to mark the start of hostilities 150 years ago. One is Civil War Songs a re-issue of the 1973 album from the late Tom Glazer, the other is Civil War Naval Songs. The latter is the brainchild of IMM’s Dan Milner and includes a number of Irish American musicians. Both CD’s are accompanied by fascinating and superbly researched liner notes, running to over 60 pages of information.

“Fréamh; Root”
www.gerwolfe.com

Ger’s newest CD Fréamh;Root will be available at the website: www.gerwolfe.com and from selected record stores. This exciting new CD is bi-lingual and contains songs and traditional tunes Ger composed as part of a project in Spring 2009 (ó Béal guth Bhéál) where he worked in the Múscraí Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) area of Cork, gathering anecdotes and stories from older people in the community as material for newly composed songs. (more…)

www.sarah-janesummers.com

“destined to stand with the great Scottish fiddlers” (folkwords)
“performed exquisitely…soaring, sonorous, ringing & richly textured” (fRoots)

Known for her breathtakingly beautiful and expressive fiddle and Hardanger fiddle playing, Sarah-Jane Summers was brought up steeped in the old Highland style. Taught by the late Donald Riddell – who learnt his fiddling from a relative of hers - Sarah-Jane recently released the tuition DVD, Highland Strathspeys for Fiddle, containing 5 progressive lessons for lower intermediate to advanced players.
Running at 82 minutes long, it takes an in-depth look at how to bow, ornament and phrase 5 Highland strathspeys, and includes beautiful scenery, old photographs, Gaelic song, and dance.
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Traditional meets classical to showcase Suite in Cork & Galway
Legendary traditional fiddler Kevin Burke (Bothy Band, Patrick Street, Celtic Fiddle Festival) along with his musical partner; guitarist, composer and arranger Cal Scott will be travelling from their hometown in Portland, Oregon to perform the Irish Session Suite next month. The Suite is featured on their latest release of the same name and contains well-known traditional tunes arranged in the classical style.
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June 10th–12th, 2011
www.voicesandharps.com

Imagine an opportunity to develop your vocal and harp playing skills among the mountains, lakes and endless Atlantic beaches of Donegal!
To coincide with the release of their new album, Voices & Harps, Moya Brennan and Cormac De Barra are holding an exclusive weekend workshop in voice and Irish harp. This will take place in Gweedore, Co. Donegal on the weekend of June 10th-12th, 2011
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Features Paul Brady, Mundy and Paddy Casey
www.clancybrothersfestival.org

The programme for the fourth annual Clancy Brothers Music and Arts Festival 2011 was announced in Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary with Paul Brady, Mundy and Paddy Casey topping the bill for the Festival which will take place in the riverside town from June 2 to 5.
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July 9th – 24th, 2011
www.eaf.ie

Two weeks of music, theatre, visual arts, film, literature, circus and carnival at Ireland’s only countywide arts festival.

The Earagail Arts Festival would like to invite you to come and experience a wealth of unforgettable events in the spectacular surroundings of County Donegal on the North West seaboard of Ireland. Over the last 22 years we have brought to this magical county some of the greatest internationally recognised artists and companies in music, theatre, visual arts, literature and outdoor spectacle including: Moya Brennan, Altan, Clannad, Enya,The Divine Comedy, Fidil, Duke Special, The Henry Girls, Cathy Davey, Donal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, Toumani Diabate, Seth Lakeman, Foy Vance, Eliza Carthy, Andy Irvine’s Mozaik, Lillis O Laoire, Liam O’Flynn, Richie Havens, The Saw Doctors, Bob Geldoff, Bassekou Kouyate, Roy Hargrove, Pape and Cheikh , Damian Dempsey, The Wilders, Henry Mc Cullough, Mary Black, Kila.
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FUNDRAISER CONCERT
www.fleadh2011cavan.ie
In Harcourt Hotel Dublin April Monday 18th 8.30pm
Hosted By  Martin Donohoe Shannon Side Northern Sound Radio
Adm  €12 ON NIGHT €10 PURCHASED IN ADVANCE AT HOTEL
… Call 01 4783677

Your Host on the night Martin Donohoe Cavan ! Please join us and all the Musicians participating from 8.30 pm - A great evening of Ceol, Amhrain agus Craic galore.. with Dancing and maybe a few sets if space allows
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www.thehighkings.com

Where: HMV Grafton St
When: Saturday 16th April, 1pm

HMV is delighted to welcome The High Kings to HMV Grafton St tomorrow Saturday 16th April at 1pm. One of Ireland’s most exciting Irish ballad groups will be performing live and signing copies of their new album The High Kings: Live In Ireland, day after release.

The platinum-selling group return with the release of new album The High Kings: Live In Ireland featuring 13 live tracks from the 2010 tour.
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Meteor Lifetime Achievement Award Winner 2010
Thurs. 5th May 2011 – National Concert Hall, Dublin

www.briankennedy.co.uk www.nch.ie

Critically acclaimed singer / songwriter Brian Kennedy returns to The National Concert Hall on Thursday, 5th May 2011. Tickets on sale from the NCH.

The Concert will feature Brian Kennedy’s greatest hits to date, including “A Better Man”, “ Love & Happiness”, “ Get on With Your Short Life”, “You Raise Me Up”, “ Get It Right Next Time”, “Gaye”, “ Brown  Eyed Girl”, ‘”Message In A Box”, “Crazy Love”  and many more.
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