August 20th–24th, 2014

www.westcorkmusic.ie

Fourteen time Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs is returning to Ireland in August to appear at the Masters of Tradition Festival which runs from Wednesday 20th – Sunday 24th August in Bantry, Co. Cork. One of country music’s biggest names, Ricky Skaggs infuses his bluegrass and traditional country music roots into the contemporary Nashville sound and continues to forge ahead with cross–cultural, genre-blending musical ideas and inspirations. He will be joined by the renowned fiddler Martin Hayes and guitarist Dennis Cahill at the opening concert in the Maritime Hotel and tickets are expected to sell very quickly.

Martin Hayes is Artistic Director of the Masters of Tradition and this year he will also be joined by Steve Cooney, Mary Bergin, the Ghost Trio featuring Iarla O’ Lionaird, Cleek Schrey and Ivan Goff,  Ensemble Ériu, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Andrew McNamara, Peter Carbery, Padraig McGovern and more.

Looking set to build on the resounding success of the last eleven years, the 2014 Masters of Tradition Festival will throw open its doors to some of the very best musicians in the land. This unique Festival gives performers the freedom to choose what they play in the glorious surroundings of Bantry House and St Brendan’s Church. The idea for the festival evolved from Artistic Director Martin Hayes’ call to create a “quiet and intimate space” where the heart of traditional music could be exposed. The concept has evolved over the years to produce this event that encompasses a simpler, less cluttered performance format and involving some of the very best Irish musicians sharing their take on traditional music.

As ever the Festival is headlined by Martin Hayes, the fiddler from East Clare, whose distinctive touch and extravagant virtuosity has brought the tradition to new levels. His famous trance– evoking sets with Dennis Cahill have mesmerised audiences all over the world. So the five days of music–making in Bantry will be opened and closed by the resident master.

Martin Hayes says, “I have attended almost all of the performances each year of this festival and every time I leave Bantry, I do so with a renewed faith in the strength of this music. Within this subtle setting.our music reveals sophistication and artfulness and its inherent virtuosity of thought.”

Masters of Tradition is generously supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Cork County Council.

You can book online at www.westcorkmusic.ie or by ringing the West Cork Music office on Tel +353 (0) 27 52788