July 21st – 25th, 2014

www.ceolnacoille.ie

Ceol na Coille will host its annual Summer School of Irish Traditional Music in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal July 21st–25th. Irish Music enthusiasts of all ages are welcome for this week– long celebration. Some of the country’s finest performers will be on hand to deliver tuition and recitals in what will be a great week

of music and fun for all. In conjunction with the Earagail Arts Festival there will be performances by We Banjo 3 and Treelan during the summer school.

Tutors include: Conor Moriarty – Button Accordion, Paul Meehan (At First Light, Lunasa) – Guitar, Shane Bracken – Concertina, Melissa Emmons (Cape Breton) – Piano, Ciáran Mac Fheidhlimidh – Uilleann Pipe with Reed–Making Classes with ‘Banba’ Martin Galllen. The Summer School provides Intermediate and Advanced tuition in Fiddle, Uilleann Pipes, Piano & Button Accordion, Concertina, Whistle/Flute, Banjo/Mandolin, Harp, Guitar and Piano Accompaniment.
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www.traidphicnic.com

Please help us spread the word about a lovely smaller,organised by volunteers,family orientated Traditional arts and music festival for the third Traidphicnic FRI/SAT  4-5 July 2014,An Spidéal,Co. Galway

Despite funding cut backs/refusals the committee of Traidphicnic have ploughed ahead and with help and support of local community fundraisers,and programme sponsor ship,and reduced government funding,Traidphicnic 2014 promises a 2 full days of top class Traditional music,song dance,arts crafts and so much more.
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www.oaim.ie

New Course Release:

Guitar Basics, Standard Tuning Accompaniment for Irish Music

Here at OAIM we are pleased to announce the recent release of three new guitar courses (one in French!). OAIM is now home to over 90 Irish guitar accompaniment lessons.

The aim of ‘Guitar Basics’ is to learn how to accompany Irish traditional music on the guitar using standard tuning. Jean Damei examines the chords, structure and rhythms of some of the most typical tunes types and keys in Irish music, such as Reels, Jigs, Slipjigs, Hornpipes and Waltzes.

Throughout the lessons he gives an overview of different modes and styles of accompaniment. Jean picked a selection of well– known tunes to demonstrate the taught skills and techniques including Gallagher’s frolics, Out on the Ocean, the Kid on the Mountain and The Man of the House.
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FROM BRIAN BORÚ TO BALLADS

A twenty strong National delegation will attend this year’s Milwaukee Irish fest bringing with them many of the artefacts, exhibits and workshops that were part of the All Ireland Brian Ború millennium in April 2014.

Look out for a special hedge school where Seán Laffey will pose the question “Songs on CD’s. Are we losing our way? Is there a place for heroes in songs anymore” His thesis runs as follows; over the past 20 years songs have been an addendum or an afterthought on many traditional Irish albums, in part due to the reaction against the ballad boom of the 1970’s, partly due to a reluctance to tackle overtly political songs and a perception that Irish songs have to compete with populist songs for airplay. With the re–emergence of the acoustic song in popular culture, the time is ripe for a re-evaluation of songs in commercial Irish music.

Food for thought, answers to the usual address.

www.thewillisclan.com

The Willis Clan, “America’s Most Talented Family” is now being featured on America’s Got Talent. Follow the Willis Clan on Tuesday nights on NBC this Summer.

In other big news, The Willis Clan’s highly anticipated sophomore album Chapter Two – Boots is now available. Following up Chapter One – Roots, their award–winning Irish album, The Clan presents the other side of their heritage. Straight from Nashville, this album explores their bluegrass and old time country roots. Seeing that bluegrass music originally came from Celtic music, the two genres are really just two brothers separated by time and a pretty big ocean. Each brother has a different way of looking at music. One is not better than the other; they are just different – yet still related. And in keeping with The Willis Clan tradition, they blend some new in with the old. Every tradition needs to breathe to stay alive. Irish fans will be able to get this new album at Irish festivals this summer where The Willis Clan will be playing.

The Willis Clan will also be playing many state and county fairs, and multiple appearances at the world famous Grand Ole Opry!

For the complete schedule check www.thewillisclan.com

www.coscan.net

After their very successful album, Dinnseanchas, COSCÁN are currently putting the final touches to their eagerly awaited 3rd album, which is due for release in the Autumn. Noted for their lively self– penned compositions, the new album, of which the title has yet to be decided, is based on the magnificent and very ancient Boyne Valley and its surrounds in the heart of the Royal county of Meath, the home of COSCÁN.
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www.musicgenerationsligo.com

June was a busy month for the Sligo based traditional band with a first time performance at the UK’s iconic Glastonbury Festival. But before they went off to camp in a big field in the west if England they had another camp to run at home in Sligo with the West Ocean String Quartet.
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AT CELTIC COLOURS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2014

www.celtic–colours.com

Celtic Colours International Festival is an experience like no other. For nine days in October, Cape Breton Island comes alive with music, energy and excitement as people come from far and wide to celebrate the island’s rich culture. From concerts and dances, to workshops and community suppers, Celtic Colours offers a full range of events against a gorgeous fall backdrop.

The 18th annual festival is all about family and friends. Celtic Colours’ “family” extends around the world and this year, organizers are bringing many of them home to show how friendship and family ties shape the Island’s music.
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September 19th – 21st, 2014

www.tuamtradfestival.com

Mark it in your calendar! The fifth annual Tuam Trad Festival has been confirmed for the weekend of September 19th – 21st, 2014. Now an established and prestigious traditional festival, Tuam will play host to the best of traditional entertainers from across the country and further afield for a feast of Traditional music, song and dance. Sessions will take place all weekend with album launches, busking competitions, and many other events yet to be confirmed.

Roudledum will be at the festival. Roudledum was formed in 1984 by four lads playing sessions in the region around Galway Bay. Their album recorded 30 years ago was recently re–released as a CD. Vincent Griffin (fiddle) lives in Feakle and his unique Clare style with hints of the Sligo tradition was honed when he lived for a few years in London and played with Roger Sherlock, Raymond Roland, Sean McGuire and many more.
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Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney

February 18th – 22nd, 2015

www.thegathering.ie

The 16th Gathering Traditional Festival returns to Killarney on February 18th – 22nd, 2015 in the INEC and Gleneagle Hotel with concerts, ceilís, workshops and sessions.

The Gathering has been the highlight of the Irish Cultural Calendar for traditional musicians and céilí dancers alike since its inception back in 1999.

Highlights of the 16th anniversary year include a Music Trip

to Sliabh Luachra, concerts with A Stór Mo Chroí with Eilish Kennedy John Spillane, John Mc Sherry, Dónal O’Connor, Arcady with Johnny Ringo McDonough, Conor Keane, Rick Epping, The Unwanted, Dessie Donnelly, Séan Keane and Band and many more. The ever popular Céilís also return with Uí Bhriain, 5 Counties Ceilí Band, Neily O’ Connor, Striolan Ceili Band and Johnny Reidy Ceili Band.

Set–dancing workshops for beginners, advanced dancers and children with Gearoid Devanney and Tony Ryan and Session on the lakes will also take place over the weekend along with trad disco with Ollie Mulhooly.

The Gathering are very proud to be an integral part of the  educational development of traditional dance and music, The Schools Outreach Programme where The Gathering musicians, dancers and story tellers/seanchaí visit the local primary schools promoting the local Sliabh Luachra tradition.

The Gathering Traditional Festival promises music sessions morning, noon and night!

For more information about The Gathering Traditional Festival 2015 log onto www.thegathering.ie
or contact John O’Shea @ email:johngathering@hotmail.com