In My Mind – A Solo Fiddle & Film Show featuring Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh (Ireland)

October 11th – 19th,  2014

www.musicnetwork.ie

– “The most imaginative and fascinating musician in all of trad”   - Earle Hitchner, Irish Echo

– “The missing link between Martin Hayes and Purple Haze” - Nick Kelly, Irish Independent

Just how would you set about showing the beauty, depth and humour of traditional Irish music to someone who had never heard it? Armed with his trusty 10–string “Hardanger d’Amore” fiddle and a film projector, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh sets out to do exactly that in his unique and wonderful take on what makes Irish traditional music beautiful. Inside the projector are “virtual guests”, friends whom he has filmed: musician, dancer, singer, poet and landscape, each of whom make the other half of a duet with a live Caoimhín. A better look at what goes on inside a musician’s head could not be had, not if you cut it in half and hinged it open.

One of the most acclaimed (and prolific) traditional musicians of his generation, Ó Raghallaigh has performed in such venues as the Lincoln Centre in NYC, the Barbican in London, and the National Concert Hall in Dublin. In addition to being an established solo artist, he performs duos with accordion player Brendan Begley and Dublin uilleann piper Mick O’Brien, plays in a trio with Martin Hayes and Peadar Ó Riada, and is a member of two groups: The Gloaming and This Is How We Fly.

For further information www.musicnetwork.ie

July 20th – 27th, 2014

www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk

Rostrevor, Co. Down, Northern Ireland

2013 was an excellent year for this International Festival. Thousands of people attended the eight day event enjoying artists such as the Sands Family, Bill Whelan, Sharon Shannon, Mairtin O Connor, Cathal Hayden, Seamie O’Dowd, Beoga, Si Van, Zoë Conway and a host of other artists local and international.
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October 22nd – 26th, 2014
www.returntocamden.org

The 16th Return to Camden Town Festival will be a five day extravaganza of the finest in traditional Irish music, song and dance all rolled in to one very long weekend. Featuring concerts, sessions, album launches, set dancing céilís, workshops and more from Wednesday 22nd until Sunday 26th October, 2014. This year will see RtCT hosting events collaboratively for the first time at the prestigious arts venue – King’s Place on Friday October 24th (Brock McGuire Band/ CrossHarbour) and Sunday October 25th (Macalla (in their 30th anniversary year) / The London Lasses and Chris O’Malley) – tickets will soon be on sale for these concerts at www.kingsplace.co.uk
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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.
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August 8th – 10th, 2014

www.irishfair.com

The 35th Irish Fair of Minnesota, a three–day celebration of Irish heritage and culture, will be held on Friday, August 8th through Sunday, August 10th on Harriet Island in Saint Paul, MN. With 100,000 attendees, this event is the largest free Irish Fair in the United States.  The Irish Fair of Minnesota is included in a list from the Travel Channel of the top seven Celtic festivals in the country.

The Irish Fair of Minnesota will provide a family–friendly experience with a multitude of activities, including traditional music, Irish dance, Gaelic sports, native Irish dogs, the Best Legs in a Kilt Contest, a Zero–K, an expanded children’s area, a literary corner, a variety of Irish shopping opportunities, and an array of food and beverage options.
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August 6th – 11th, 2014

www.feaklefestival.ie

Following on from the hugely successful Feakle International Festival in 2013, this year’s event looks likely to be as exciting as ever.

The 27th Annual event takes place from Wednesday, August 6th to Monday, August 11th. Broadly speaking this year’s event will follow a similar pattern to last year, with six days of action packed entertainment. Renowned the world over for the top acts it brings to the town the committee are busy at present finalising this year’s line–up. There will be numerous concerts, Céilís, Workshops, Recitals, sessions and walks, children’s entertainment etc.

Special guests this year include: ICE (Irish Concertina Ensemble) with Tim Collins, Padraig Rynne, Edel Fox, Caitlín Ní Gabhan and Michéal O Raghallaigh. Also performing will be Lumiere, Goitse, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Dermot Byrnes, Seamus Begley and Donal Murphy Band, plus many more to be confirmed.

For further information visit the website www.feaklefestival.ie
or email: garytpepper@eircom.net  or email: info@feaklefestival.ie

August 1st – 4th, 2014

www.jamesmorrisonfestival.com

www.comhaltas.ie

www.fleadhcheoil.ie

The 22nd James Morrison Traditional Music Festival runs from Friday, August 1st–4th, 2014 in Riverstown, Co. Sligo. The unspoiled rural village of Riverstown in an idyllic setting on the banks of the River Unshin, two miles off the N4 at Drumfin, makes for a most enjoyable music festival. Riverstown’s Irish name is Baile Idir Dhá Abhainn (between two rivers).

It is an undiscovered tranquil rural retreat 9 miles from Sligo Town, locally noted for the relaxed warmth of its residents. A convivial and also welcoming village atmosphere is the hallmark of an intimate festival which focuses on the real traditional experience, featuring trad pub sessions all day and night, a superb concert, open air ceilís, music workshops and a symposium on John Brehony.
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July 28th – August 4th, 2014

www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie

The dates for the 36th O’Carolan Harp and Traditional Music Festival in Keadue, Co. Roscommon have been announced.

The Festival which is held under the auspices of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend from July 28th–August 4th.

Included in the programme of events are Concerts, Céili’s, International Harp Competition, Lectures, Harp Recitals, Music sessions, craft exhibitions and demonstrations and Art exhibitions. The official opening of the festival takes place on Sunday August 3rd.

The Summer School in Traditional Irish Music, Song, Set–dancing and Sean Nos Dancing which has increased in popularity over the years will take place the week before the Festival from July 28th to August 1st. A full range of classes with Ireland’s top tutors are booked to give tuition in the Harp, Tin Whistle, Flute, Bodhran, Button Accordion, Banjo, Fiddle, Concertina, Traditional Singing, Set Dancing and Sean Nos Dancing.

For more information visit www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie Tel. 071 9647247 or email: ocarolan@eircom.net

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 and abilities are welcome for this weeklong celebration. Some of the country’s finest performers and teachers will be on hand to deliver tuition and recitals in what will be a great week of music and fun for all.

The Summer School provides Intermediate and Advanced tuition in Fiddle, Uilleann Pipes, Piano & Button Accordion, Concertina, Whistle/Flute, Banjo/Mandolin and Harp and Guitar. Tutors include: Conor Moriarty – Button Accordion, Paul Meehan – Guitar, Shane Bracken – Concertina, Ciáran Mac Fheidhlimidh – Uilleann Pipe with Reed–Making Classes with Martin Gallen. The Summer School also provides Beginner classes for 9 yrs & over and Introduction to Irish Music Class for 6–8yr olds (Instruments Provided).
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July 19th – 26th, 2014
www.joemooneysummerschool.com

The Joe Mooney Summer School was inaugurated in Drumshanbo in 1989. It was dedicated to the late Joseph Mary Mooney, well– known local Councillor and community worker for his life achievements in promoting traditional culture in the area. He was co–founder of Drumshanbo Comhaltas with his wife Aoife and local bodhran player Tim Mannion in the early 50’s. He worked for the promotion of Comhaltas at local, county and Connacht level. He had a huge interest in the life and music of Leitrim’s famous flute player – John McKenna who was born in Tents, Tarmon, emigrated to New York at 24 years of age where his music was in great demand with the Irish diaspora. McKenna was the first Leitrim traditional musician to have his music recorded by the first recording label “The Irish Republic” and later on by the popular “Columbia” label.
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