www.celticlegends.net
Celtic Legends, the traditional music and dance show that started in tiny venues in France six years ago has now grown and is filling huge venues across Europe, having played to over one million people already. The Celtic Legends CD and DVD released by France Television and Universal France hit the French charts in the Top 40 the week it was released.
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www.pipers.ie
Na Píobairí Uilleann has recently released a DVD - Traveller Piper, A Celebration of the Piping Tradition of Johnny and Felix Doran. The legacy of the Doran brothers is best reflected in the profound influence which their incredible piping has had on subsequent generations of musicians. Piping luminaries such as Davy Spillane, Paddy Keenan and Finbar Furey all cite the Dorans as sources of inspiration and that extraordinary influence remains undiminished today. The ‘travelling’ style of piping often refers directly to the Doran legacy. The DVD Traveller Piper features material filmed at the Doran Centenary Tionól which took place at Spanish Point in April 2008 and includes contributions from Finbar Furey, Paddy Keenan, Mickey Dunne, Mick Coyne, John Rooney and Leo Rickard.
A series of interviews and performances details the lives of these extraordinary musicians and their rich contribution to Irish traditional music.

May 17th – 25th, 2009
www. comhaltas.ie
Based in Ennis since 1974, Fleadh Nua is an annual week-long festival of top Irish traditional entertainment, held in Ennis, the capital town of County Clare. 2009 is the 40th anniversary of the New festival with acts such as The Chieftans in concert in Ennis Cathedral on Wednesday, 20th May. Glór Irish Music Centre will host on Friday, 22nd May top young Irish traditional acts Aos Óg plus the Hounds of Ulster, a flute & drum music group based in Whiteabbey, County Antrim. Their music is an exciting combination of Irish, Ulster Scots and Scottish traditional music.
The Saturday night band in Glór will be Clare’s renowned Kilfenora Céilí Band who will be celebrating their centenary. Sunday night, 24th May sees the welcome return of Donegal fiddle maestro Tommy Peoples to Fleadh Nua. A brief summary of some Fleadh Nua events during this week of traditional entertainment (much of it free of charge!) is as follows:
• Singers’ Club
• free lunch-time concerts
• free afternoon session tune workshops
• nightly Club Fleadh Nua sessions
• music, song & dance workshops
• traditional pub sessions
• master classes
• concert performances
• street and gig rig entertainment

www.lunasa.ie
The new CD ‘The Leitrim Equation’ is being launched in The Button Factory in Dublin on Friday 15th May, with a concert featuring Lúnasa and special guest Leitrim musicians. ‘The Leitrim Equation’, is a combination of newly composed tunes by Leitrim musicians (with whom Lúnasa worked closely throughout their Leitrim residency, fine-tuning the compositions and compiling tunes into arrangements, culminating in 5 tracks on the CD); Some of the Leitrim musicians featuring on the double CD include Charlie, Ben and Maurice Lennon, Eleanor Shanley, Michael McNamara, Dave Sheridan, Mary McPartlan and many more.
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www.templebartrad.com
Each January, Dublin’s Temple Bar comes alive with a series of festival concerts and a rich line-up of musical performances, workshops, high quality street theatre, family events and much more in a celebration of traditional Irish music and culture.
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www.dast.gov.ie
Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, speaking directly after April’s emergency budget said: “Our task now is to protect jobs, restore economic activity, while we bring stability to the public finances, maximise short-term economic activity and improve our country’s competitiveness.”
The Minister added, “The Arts, Sport and Tourism sectors are important drivers within the economy - both as contributors to economic growth and to employment levels. One fifth of the working force in our country earns their living from tourism/ hospitality, arts and sports. Between them they generate almost six and half billion Euros in foreign currency earnings per year.”
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www.eigsecarlow.ie

Trad Music Maestro’s set to reunite at Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2009

Celebrating 30 years, the 2009 Éigse Carlow Arts Festival will take place between June 13th and 21st. For nine days and nights Carlow town will once again come alive with a vibrant programme of visual art, dance, music, theatre, craft, children’s events and street entertainment.
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www.kila.ie

Named as album of the week, April 20th on RTE Radio1

Kíla Spanish tour and DVD launch May 18-22nd:
Sala Bikini, Barcelona May 19th
Sala Heineken, Madrid May 20th
Centro Cultural, Caja Burgos May 21st
Centro Culutral, Caja Burgos May 22nd

Kíla to perform for arrival of Volvo Round the World Yacht Race, Galway Bay 23rd May.
Kíla to perform at Africa Day, in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens with Liam Ó Maonlaí and Vieux Farka Tour 24th May

September 24th - 27th, 2009
www.johnnykeenan.com

The Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival is proud to announce the full lineup for this year’s event.
Scheduled for 24-27 September in Longford, the festival comprises a well rounded list of the best in Irish traditional, American bluegrass, and folk music.
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Celtic Fusion International Musical Arts Festival
Wednesday 15 July – Sunday 19 July 2009
Where Music & Memories Meet
www.celticfusion.co.uk


THE MOURNES ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC

The Mourne Mountains will come alive with the sound of music in July when the annual Celtic Fusion International Musical Arts Festival 2009 returns to Castlewellan and Newcastle for its eighth performance. Celtic Fusion will take place 15-19 July and runs nicely into The Ulster Fleadh from Sunday 19 – Sunday 26 July, which means there’s music and events to keep your toes tapping for most the holiday month.

Keenly anticipated by music lovers of all ages, Celtic Fusion 2009 will once again unite the best artistes from the traditional and modern music scenes and this year’s line-up promises an uplifting, inspirational festival ‘where music and memories meet’.

The festival will open on a high note with the Tommy Fleming, the “Voice of Ireland”, performing at the Slieve Donard on Wednesday 15th July. Tommy Fleming is not to be missed with his spine-tingling, haunting musical repertoire, with one song more powerful than the other. Those hoping to see Tommy perform live are advised to book their tickets now to avoid disappointment by calling +44 (0) 28 4372 2222 or checkout the website on www.celticfusion.co.uk

Back by popular demand are the ‘up close and personal’ gigs in Castlewellan’s local pub venues which enjoyed such a rousing response last year. Guaranteed to ensure intimacy between artiste and audience, these memorable gigs will re-create the intensified atmosphere of true traditional ‘sessions’.

The Lodge Cultural Centre, Castlewellan proudly hosts a superb choice of events, kicking off on Thursday 16th July with the inimitable Kieran Goss who will deliver poetic songs from the heart with his consummate ease and humour. On Friday 17th July, the Lodge brings you an exceedingly entertaining combination of Music, Stories & Tall Tales featuring Ben Sands, Patsy O’Hagan and Maranna McCloskey (with musicians Michael McCloskey & Barry Kerr) and on Saturday 18th July, Frances Black, one of Ireland’s best-loved and most talented vocalists, takes to the stage supported by up and coming local band, Neádar.

At Maginns Bar, Castlewellan on Friday 17th July the Celtic diversity continues with The Red Hot Chilli Pipers who will set a blistering pace with their rampant, rock-style ‘pipe and drum’ show which is guaranteed to entertain and amaze.

Meanwhile, The Kings Inn Castlewellan on Sunday 19 July hosts the collective musical talents of Martin O’Connor, Cathel Hayden, Seamie O’Dowd and Jimmy Higgins with lively traditional music sessions to put an inch to your step and a twinkle in your eye!

Ann Moreland, Events Organiser, Down District Council said;
“The Celtic Fusion festival has evolved over the past seven years into a true eclectic celebration of music and drama which continues to attract visitors from all corners of Ireland and beyond. This year we can look forward to five unforgettable days of Celtic Fusion with national and international artistes performing in concerts, sessions, outdoor entertainment, drama and much more.

“To make Celtic Fusion accessible to all, there’s a number of free events on this year’s programme, including a free Open Air Concert at Main Street, Castlewellan on Sunday 19th July, featuring The McClean Family, Coscan and Malachi Cush. The fabulous Trad Music Session Trail and the non-stop music and craic at the dedicated Festival Bar are also absolutely free, so there’s no excuse. Get yourself down to Castlewellan in July for a fusion of family fun and fantastic entertainment - where music and memories meet!“

For a FREE festival programme, accommodation information or to book tickets contact: Festival Hotline +44 (0)28 4372 2222 and visit our www.celticfusion.co.uk