April 8th – 13th, 2014

www.comhaltas.ie/events

Since 2007 Comhaltas have organised a traditional music weekend in honour of the 19th century harper, Patrick Byrne. This community festival is held annually on the weekend just before Easter in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.

Topping the bill this year are the critically acclaimed We Banjo 3. Winners of The Irish Times Traditional Music Album of the Year and the LiveIreland.com Concert of the Year awards, We Banjo 3 will bring their exciting fusion of Irish trad and American Old Time to Carrickmacross on Saturday April 12th.

A more intimate performance will be that of local fiddler Dónal McCague. Accompanied by his brother Michael, the TG4 Young Musician of the Year will give a recital in the atmospheric setting of St. Finbarr’s Church on Thursday April 10th.

The pair are currently involved in the Our Dear Dark Mountain project, an initiative which draws together long forgotten music of the Monaghan/Fermanagh region. Along with this material their recital will feature some new compositions from Michael’s forthcoming CD.

There will also be an international flavour this year with the visit of the Carhaix music school from Brittany. The Breton group will work with local musicians to create an Irish/Breton traditional music performance piece which will presented as the curtain raiser to We Banjo 3’s show.

Along with the concerts, there will be workshops, sessions, a sets céilí with the Awbeg/5 Counties Céilí Band, the annual Patrick Byrne Lecture and heritage events.

Details are available at www.comhaltas.ie/events and Facebook.