March 29th – April 1st, 2012
www.comhaltas.ie/events

Since 2007 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann have organised a weekend of traditional music workshops, sessions and concerts in honour of Patrick Byrne, the 19th century harper who was the first Irish traditional musician ever photographed. Called the Féile Patrick Byrne this community festival is held on the weekend before Easter (March 29th – April 1st) in and around Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.

Topping the bill is At the Racket which features the considerable talents of John Carty (fiddle and banjo), Brian McGrath (piano, tenor guitar and banjo), Seamus O’Donnell (flute, saxophone and vocals) and Michael McCague (guitar, tenor guitar and bouzouki).

Taking their name from an old Flanagan Brothers 78rpm, At the Racket’s unique banjo / saxopohone combination and their fun and free-spirited style harks back to the music of the Irish-American dancehalls of the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Arty McGlynn described their playing simply as “music that makes you smile”. The Irish Voice lauded their “shamelessly enjoyable good time music” while the Irish Times hailed the band as “raffish scamps…. in a permanent state of festivity”. Their concert on 31st March is one not to be missed.

Central to the Féile Patrick Byrne each year are the music work-shops organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The confirmed line-up of tutors so far is: Fiddle (John Carty), Flute (Séamus O’Donnell), Banjo (Brian McGrath) and Tin Whistle (Clare McKenna).

Details for all events, including the annual Patrick Byrne lecture, sessions, workshops, Céilí and harp recital, are available at www.comhaltas.ie/events Facebook and Myspace.